Our Favorite Restaurants in Houston’s Underground Tunnels
Image: Courtesy Adair Concepts
Twenty feet below ground in downtown Houston, there’s a bustling and interconnected city chock-full of restaurants, salons, specialty shops, medical offices, and convenience stores—many of which most Houston residents have never set foot in. Housed in the city’s underground tunnel system, these businesses provide an air-conditioned escape for downtown workers and tourists eager to go about their day without having to deal with the heat at street level.
The largest in North America, Houston’s underground tunnel system is massive, stretching over 95 city blocks, navigable via a six-mile network. Though the first sections were constructed in the 1930s, it wasn’t until the ’60s that construction really started to kick off. One of our favorite ways to explore the tunnels is through its myriad food options. While there’s plenty of typical food court fare on offer, there is a growing number of high-end restaurants popping up that are well worth a trip. Just make sure you visit on a weekday, since most of the underground city is only open Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm.
We put in our steps to bring you this food guide to downtown Houston’s underground tunnels—whether you’re in the mood for standout Filipino cuisine or Mexico City–caliber street food, there’s sure to be something of interest to you.
Tunnel Loop
Adair Downtown serves breakfast and lunch from a rare window-lit portion of the tunnels.
Adair Downtown
This charming and relaxed restaurant from Adair Concepts serves breakfast and lunch from a rare window-lit portion of the tunnels. The menu revolves around American classics like chicken and waffles, avocado toast, and several sandwiches and burgers. From 3pm to 7pm, the restaurant offers bar service with cocktails and bar bites like crispy calamari, making it a perfect spot for an early happy hour.
District 7 Grill
This casual restaurant serving American fare has everything from salads to burgers and classic comfort food. Consider trying the signature Chopped Brussels Ice Burger, a bunless dish featuring Angus beef, brussels sprouts, onions, applewood bacon, white cheddar, roasted tomatoes, avocado, poblano peppers, and jalapeños, all served over shredded iceberg lettuce. You also can’t go wrong with District 7’s gumbo or its blackened shrimp carbonara.
Tacos A Go Go has several locations in Houston, including one in the downtown tunnels.
Tacos A Go Go
Though its name implies otherwise, you’ll want to come and stay for a while at Tacos A Go Go’s downtown location. In characteristic fashion for the restaurant chain, this location sports a colorful interior in which to enjoy some pretty stellar tacos. Pro tip: If tacos aren’t your thing, order the Totchos A Go Go, which are nachos with tater tots instead of chips.
E. Mckinney Tunnel & Skywalk
Shipley Do-Nuts
While there are many locations of this famous doughnut shop in Houston, there’s only one that’s underground. Its location in the tunnels makes it a perfect spot for nearby office workers looking to sweeten their morning with a quick sugar pick-me-up.
Mayuri Express
This Indian hot spot features very, very low prices for the area. From goat biryani to chicken curry dosas and lamb samosas, there’s a lot on the menu here, and none of it will cost you more than $10. If you have a sweet tooth, try the restaurant’s mango lassi or some gulab jamoon, a hard treat to find year-round in the city.
Taka Sushi & Ramen
Everyone loves a good combo restaurant. At Taka, you can get both sushi and ramen, as well as small plates like seaweed salad and pork gyoza. If you’re a downtown worker with a soft spot for ramen, you’re in luck: The restaurant has five versions on the menu, meaning you can try a different ramen every day of the week. For sushi lovers, you’ll have plenty of rolls and nigiri to choose from.
N. Louisiana Tunnel
Treebeards
This Cajun staple is as known for its entrées like gumbo and shrimp étouffée as it is for its well-developed list of sides, which includes tempting options like squash casserole and jalapeño corn bread. Desserts include several cake options as well as bread pudding with a whiskey sauce.
N. Travis Tunnel
Flip’n Patties
This Filipino restaurant, one of just a handful in Houston, has everything from Filipino-inspired burgers and rice plates to desserts like halo halo. If you want a meal with a memorable crunch, consider ordering the lechon kawali, featuring super crunchy pork belly bites and Mang Tomas sauce, all served with garlic-toasted rice and two lumpia.
La Taquiza
Inspired by the street food of Mexico City, La Taquiza is an authentic, one-stop shop for all things CDMX. You’ll want to try the restaurant’s birria tacos as well as its grande quesadilla and assortment of tortas. There’s also some pretty tasty fried plantains on the menu for dessert, which are best experienced with an accompanying glass of agua fresca.
Seaside Poke
What sets this poke spot apart from the rest is that it utilizes Texas-grown produce and sustainably caught fish in its bowls, and since you can build your own bowl here, the options are limitless.
W. Walker Tunnel
Wok & Roll
Despite being located entirely underground, this kitschy Chinese restaurant features some charming faux architectural finishes like ornate columns and terra-cotta roof tiles, recalling classical Chinese architecture. The menu includes a bevy of combo plates, fried rice and noodle options, and larger trays perfect for catered office meals.
Whataburger
Yes, Houston is home to an underground Whataburger. We don’t make the rules, but can you really call yourself a true Whataburger stan if you haven’t feasted on a patty melt and Dr Pepper milkshake in an underground tunnel?
