Finding a good meal after midnight is sometimes challenging in Houston, especially on weeknights. Fortunately, you don't have to settle for fast-food or a sad bowl of cereal. Whether you're craving tacos, pizza, or even a dozen oysters, Houston's got you covered. We’ve rounded up some of the city’s best late-night restaurants so you can skip the endless scrolling and get straight to satisfying those midnight cravings.
This list has been updated to include Spicy Girl.
BB's Tex-Orleans is a great spot for some late-night Cajun food.
Open until 4am Thursdays through Saturdays, BB's Tex-Orleans in Montrose serves up late-night Texas fare with Cajun kick. Slurp down bowls of gumbo, fill up on a shrimp or catfish po'boys, and enjoy meaty boudin links, with a daiquiri on the side—all in a laid-back space where no one's rushing you at the door. If you're calling it an earlier night, visit Sunday through Wednesday, when its open until 3am, or visit the Upper Kirby or Briargrove locations on Friday or Saturday, when it closes at 2am.
Editor's note: Check hours ahead of time, since not every BB’s location offers late night hours.
When a late-night carne asada taco craving hits, Cantina Barba has your back—serving until until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2am any other day of the week. Located just off I-45 near White Oak Music Hall, this laid-back spot slings some of the city's best margaritas (try the watermelon), alongside tacos, burgers, burritos, and sides. Out on the back patio, you'll even find a secret mezcal bar tucked inside a converted shipping container. Need to sober up? Skip the bar's booze and order Cantina Barba's cucumber agua fresca for a refreshing boost.
Nothing beats the old-school diner vibe at Dot Coffee Shop.
The restaurant that started it all—and by all, we mean the Pappas empire—first opened in 1967 and has been going strong ever since. Open 24-7 except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dot serves scratch-made comfort food and daily specials in classic diner fashion. Find stacks of pancakes, omelets with all the meat you can handle, and slices of pie fit for a king.
Frank's serves the perfect pizza for downtown people-watching.
Always prepared for Main Street crowds, this storied pizza joint is conveniently located in Downtown Houston. Get a single giant New York–style slice and grab a seat at Market Square Park for some weekend people-watching until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays (or, 1am on Thursdays for the early drunken crowd). Night owls who prefer to eat late but stay in can call in a whole pie and enjoy it from the comfort of their sofa. Featured pies include more traditional combinations, including classic pepperoni and simple cheese, or the more innovative house specialities like the Boudin and Bacon.
Genji Japanese Restaurant & Karaoke Bar
Sushi, Japanese
Westchase Area
This Westchase haunt specializes in two things—Japanese bar food and karaoke, both of which are offered until 2am daily. You don’t have to sing for your supper, but there’s always entertainment in the main karaoke, which doubles as its dining room. Come for the fun and stay for the food, which includes bites of chicken karaage, katsu curry, and chicken teriyaki. Private karaoke rooms are available to rent, but where’s the fun in that?
House of Pies has been a late-night staple for decades.
Ask just about any Houstonian, and they'll likely tell you this is the place for pie, especially around the holidays. But this staple is more than its famous slices. Sure, the Bayou Goo is a fan favorite, with a pecan crust layered with sweet cream cheese, vanilla custard, and chocolate chunks. But the menu also tempts with waffles topped with whipped cream and a juicy open-faced chili cheeseburger.
Hours differ. The Kirby and Fuqua locations are open 24 hours, while the others (Cypress, Katy, Westheimer, and The Woodlands) close at midnight.
By now, you probably know the saying: “Katz’s never kloses.” And it's true—day or night, you can head to this diner to dig into towering deli sandwiches and cheesecake milkshakes (which, yes, contain an entire blended-in slice of cheesecake). After a night out, nothing tastes quite as good as a platter of Katz’s fried pickles.
There are other locations in Memorial City, the Galleria, The Woodlands, and the Heights.
A menu packed with seafood and live music until 1am? We're down.
Open until 2am nightly, Loch Bar makes the ride to River Oaks worthwhile. With a wide variety of raw seafood selections and creative cocktails like Stairway to Heaven (Planteray dark rum, raspberry, lemon, almond, and ginger) and La Bamba (tequila, horchata, chai, and lime), it's an ideal late-night date spot. Add in the live music until 1am every night, and the only caveat is the check—this late-night indulgence doesn't come cheap.
The grande dame of Houston late-night dining, Mai's is known for closing at 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and welcoming in rowdy Midtown clubgoers for decades. In 1990, Mai Nguyen took over the restaurant her parents opened in 1978, modernizing the old building, while keeping the soulful Vietnamese comfort food menu intact. Here, night owls and imbibers alike gravitate toward the pho, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, and the plethora of beef, chicken, and seafood options.
Ever wondered what a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto pie tastes like at 3am? You're in luck. Open 24-7, 365 days a year—even on Christmas—this family-owned, cash-only stand has been feeding the Northside for more than half a century. Not feeling that bold? Poppa Burger is known for turning out burgers, breakfast tacos, and burritos that keep hungry crowds coming back night after night.
Midtown partygoers have no shortage of late-night dining choices, and Spicy Girl is one to add to the list. From 9pm to 3:30am, the restaurant offers a fast-food-style late-night menu. Order at the kiosk or through a QR code (no cash accepted), pick up your to-go box, and grab an open seat if you'd like to dine in—just don't expect table service. The menu hits all the cravings, with dan dan noodles, edamame, barbecue pork bao, lo mein, fried rice, and General Tso's Chicken.
Katharine Shilcutt and Amarie Gipson contributed to this guide.
