Where to eat in Houston: the local short list

Tex-Mex, Viet-Cajun crawfish and the taco-truck belt.

Photo coming — Taco trucks

Taco trucks

citywide · street

Al pastor at midnight; the city's true cuisine.

Photo coming — Viet-Cajun crawfish

Viet-Cajun crawfish

Chinatown · seafood

The Houston invention; in season spring.

Photo coming — Ninfa's

Ninfa's

Navigation · Tex-Mex

The fajita's birthplace (1973).

Photo coming — Pho Binh

Pho Binh

Bellaire · Vietnamese

James Beard-recognized pho.

Photo coming — Kolaches

Kolaches

citywide · Czech-Texan

The breakfast pastry of the Czech belt.

Good to know

What airport serves Houston?

George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Primary airport: Houston IAH (Bush Intercontinental), ~35 km north. METRO bus + light rail links; Hobby (HOU) serves domestic/Southwest.

What is Houston known for?

Space City: NASA, the Museum District, and the most diverse food in Texas.

What sport does Houston live for?

Texas-sized sports: Texans (NFL), Astros (MLB), Rockets (NBA), Dynamo (MLS). Houston fields all four majors: Texans at NRG, Astros at Daikin Park (2017 & 2022 champs), Rockets at Toyota Center, Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium. The Rodeo is the spring sporting-cultural peak.

Can I cruise from Houston?

Yes — Port of Galveston (Cruise gateway: Galveston (~1 hr), one of America's top cruise ports (Caribbean itineraries).). See the cruise guide.

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