Sofia Gonzalez is Houstonia’s food and travel editor, focused on the magazine's Eat & Drink and Travel & Outdoors sections. She joined the magazine in March 2024.

She was previously an economic development, education, and diversity, equity and inclusion reporter at the Houston Business Journal, and the city hall reporter for Community Impact. In 2021, Sofia worked as an intern for Houstonia—creating the perfect full-circle moment to her role today.

Sofia is a native Houstonian, massive foodie, and occasional gym junkie. You’ll often catch her roaming around town looking for new spots to try, at one of the local Black Swan Yoga studios, or her local gym. In her free time, she also enjoys reading and cuddling with all her pups.

New on the block

All the Houston Restaurant Openings to Know Right Now, February 2026

Coffee, burgers, sushi, and fast-casual concepts headline the latest wave of Houston restaurant openings. Plus, a look at what’s coming soon.

02/09/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Close enough

The Best Day Trips Within 2.5 Hours of Houston

Parks, museums, farms, warm springs, and small towns that make it easy to escape the city—without committing to a long road trip.

02/06/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Brittany Britto Garley

Eat, Drink, Hou

What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: February 6

Plan a day trip, hit up a new restaurant in town, celebrate the Super Bowl at a local bar, or partake in a Bad Bunny look-alike contest.

02/06/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Houstonia Staff

Wine about it

The Massive Wine Operation You Never See at Houston Rodeo

A behind-the-scenes look at the volunteers, judges, and logistics shaping one of the largest wine competitions in the country.

02/03/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Sip, Swirl, Spit, Repeat

What It Takes to Be a Wine Judge at RodeoHouston

Blind tastings and panel debates—here’s how experts evaluate wines at the Houston Rodeo's International Wine Competition.

02/03/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

The Ultimate Hit List

Houston’s Hottest New Restaurants to Visit This Month

A new outpost of Pinkerton's has landed in Upper Kirby, plus Oru debuts in the Heights.

02/02/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Culinary careers

Meet Houston’s Career Servers Who Made Restaurants and Hospitality Their Calling

Houston’s career servers have spent decades caring for diners, shaping restaurant culture, and turning service into a profession.

01/30/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Closing Time

Houston Restaurant Closings to Know This January

Graffiti Raw, Verde Garden, Loft18, and other Houston restaurants said goodbye as 2026 got underway.

01/28/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Romance Is Served

Houston’s Most Romantic Restaurants for Date Night

These Houston dining rooms deliver atmosphere, standout food, and just enough drama for an unforgettable date.

01/26/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow

Touchdown

The Ultimate Game-Day Guide to Houston’s Best Sports Bars

From Christian’s Tailgate and Pitch 25 to Kirby Ice House, these Houston sports bars deliver big screens, cold beer, and game-day energy.

01/22/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow

Drum roll, please

Here Are Houston’s 12 James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2026

The “Oscars of Food” released its semifinalist list, with several Houston chefs and restaurants earning national recognition.

01/21/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

New Year, New Bites

New Houston Restaurants to Kick Off 2026

A look at the Houston restaurants that just opened, and the highly anticipated spots coming soon.

01/21/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Eat, Drink, Hou

What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: January 16

Dumplings, sushi splurges, farewell margaritas, and cultural picks to plan a well-fed Houston weekend.

01/16/2026 By Brittany Britto Garley and Houstonia Staff

Icons Only

The Top 10 Rodeo Houston Concerts by Attendance Numbers

Go Tejano Day draws in some of the rodeo’s most enormous crowds.

01/15/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Boil Watch

The Mudbug Forecast: Here's When to Get Your Crawfish Fix This Season

Weather, farming, and supply all shape when crawfish hit their stride—and Houston chefs say 2026 is already off to a strong start.

01/13/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Dry January

Where to Find the Best Mocktails in Houston This Dry January

These Houston spots offer thoughtfully crafted mocktails for Dry January and year-round sober sipping.

01/08/2026 By Brittany Britto Garley and Sofia Gonzalez

Mardi Gras

The Best Places to Find King Cake in Houston

Houston bakeries are serving up classic New Orleans–style king cakes and creative twists for Mardi Gras.

01/07/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow

Bayougraphy

The Story Behind Thomas Bille’s Belly of the Beast in Spring

One of the best chefs in Texas didn’t think cooking was in his future.

01/02/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

The Restaurant Sprawl

Houston Chefs Are Redefining Dining in the Suburbs

Fine dining and chef-driven restaurants are spreading from Kemah to The Woodlands, giving suburban diners more than just chains.

01/02/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez

Hard Goodbyes

The Saddest Houston Restaurant Closures of 2025

The year brought the end of some of Houston’s most beloved dining spots, from neighborhood pubs to award-winning kitchens.

12/30/2025 By Sofia Gonzalez