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.

2024 Houstonian of the Year Finalist

How Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter Brings Her Culture to Houston

What started from homesickness has since grown into the best Thai restaurant in the city, earning Street to Kitchen James Beard and Michelin recognition.

11/18/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Turkey Time

Restaurants That Will Be Open for Dine-in This Thanksgiving

Let these Houston-area spots take away the hassle of the holiday with their Thanksgiving menus.

11/15/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Sip and sing

Hopera Performance Group Uses Beer to Prove Opera Is for Everyone

This squad is merging hops with opera at local breweries, introducing a new audience to the art.

11/13/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Stars & Bibs

Behind the Scenes of the Texas Michelin Guide Ceremony

Here’s what the star-studded, invite-only event was really like.

11/12/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez and Emma Balter

Gobble Gobble

Houston Restaurants Ready to Help with Your To-Go Thanksgiving

Make your holiday feast as hassle-free as possible by letting local chefs do the legwork.

11/07/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Here's the Scoop

What We Learned During Our Visit to Blue Bell in Brenham

The brand beloved by so many Texans started in 1907 by making butter, and now introduces fun new ice cream flavors every year.

11/01/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

The Classics

A Deep Dive Into the History of West Alabama Ice House

First opened as a literal icehouse in 1928, this Montrose icon is still a gathering place for Houstonians to enjoy an ice-cold beer.

10/30/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Hop Spots

The Local Breweries That Define Houston’s Beer Scene

The city’s craft beer repertoire has grown significantly over the years, now boasting more than 50 breweries and counting.

10/23/2024 By Emma Balter and Sofia Gonzalez

Comfort Food

Our Favorite Chinese Restaurants in Houston

It’s not just General Tso’s and sesame chicken—the city has plenty of diverse options from Sichuan to Cantonese live seafood.

10/22/2024 By Emma Balter and Sofia Gonzalez

For the Culture

ChòpnBlọk Finally Opens Its First Brick-and-Mortar

At the West African restaurant’s new space, diners will be treated to more menu items and a beverage program.

10/16/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Cheers

Julep Celebrates a Decade of Serving Houstonians

Owner Alba Huerta knew from the start of her bartending career that she wanted her own bar. And the success just keeps rolling.

10/11/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Under the Sea

Our Favorite Spots in Houston for Gulf Seafood

The city’s restaurants offer Gulf oysters galore, shrimp and crab cooked all the ways, Cajun favorites, and then some.

10/09/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez, Emma Balter, and Timothy Malcolm

Carving Time

Houston-Area Pumpkin Patches to Visit This Fall

These farms and churches offer much more than just walking around a pile of pumpkins.

10/08/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez and Houstonia Staff

Food for Good

Southern Smoke Festival Returns to Discovery Green with New Features

This year’s fundraiser will wow food lovers with bites from more than 70 participating chefs across the country, cooking demos, and wine pop-ups.

10/02/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Midnight Munchies

Satisfy Your Late-Night Hunger with These Houston Restaurants

These hot spots serve all the night owls out there.

09/30/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow

Muy Rico

Our Go-to Mexican Restaurants in Houston

From grabbing a concha at the bakery to digging into a sizzling plate of fajitas at our local Tex-Mex joint, some might say eating Mexican food is our favorite pastime.

09/25/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez and Emma Balter

Drink Up

Tejas Beer Opens in Former Buffalo Bayou Brewing Space

The new brewery and taproom in Sawyer Yards hopes to be a go-to spot for ice-cold beer and sports games.

09/24/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am

We Ranked Fall Activities We Love or Hate

From pumpkin spice anything to corn mazes, we’re giving our spicy opinions.

09/23/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Fun in Faye

A Weekend Guide to the College Town of Fayetteville

From hiking and bike trails to burgers and tacos, there’s plenty to do during your next trip to this college town.

09/20/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

Meat lovers

A Deep Dive into Steak Night, Houston’s Most Popular Food Special

It’s been a thing for as long as people can remember, and local bars and restaurants have used the tradition to their advantage.

09/18/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez