Houston Restaurants & Nightclubs
Welcome to Esters Cajun Cafe in Houston
The Greasy Spoon
DESCRIPTION: Bistro that puts an upscale spin on many Soul Food favorites. Max Boseman II had a vision to “Elevate the Culture of Southern Cuisine” by curating a five-star experience that accompanies traditional southern comfort dishes. Try the Smothered Chop Steak or the Cajun Seafood Spaghetti; there are many cook-to-order specialties as well.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS:
ADDRESS: 636 Cypress Station Drive, Suite A, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE: 281-781-7116
WEBSITE: https://www.thegreasyspoonhtx.com/
Empire Jazz Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Jazz Supperclub. Experience authentic Cajun/Creole dishes paired with Jazz, Neo-Soul, R&B, Reggae, and down-home Blues in an intimate adult atmosphere. Check their performing artist calendar weeks ahead.
CUISINE: Cajun-Creole
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
COVER CHARGE: Yes, on event nights
ATTIRE: business casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Fri-Sat 7p-Midnight, Sunday Brunch Noon-3p
ADDRESS: 1480 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE: 281-846-6686
WEBSITE: https://empirestatejazzcafe.com
This Is It
DESCRIPTION: Buffet Restaurant; Craig & Georgette Joseph’s small restaurant is one of the most popular lunchtime spots in the city. As a buffet-style emporium with a friendly atmosphere near downtown, it appears on many Houston favorites lists. Bring your appetite, since the portions are huge and reasonably priced. Located near Texas Southern University, it gets crowded on Sundays after church too.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat, 7a-10a, 11a-8p, Sun 11a-6p
ADDRESS: 2712 Blodgett Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE: 713-521-2920
WEBSITE: https://www.houstonthisisittogo.com
Grooves
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant & Ultra-lounge Nightclub; this nightclub with upscale flavor is/was owned by former NBA basketball players Nick Van Exel, James Posey, and others. The
main dining area is nicely decorated, roomy with a high ceiling, seats well over 100 patrons, and is well-ventilated. Strategically placed HDTVs at the bar make that area the preferred spot to see sporting events. Many pro athletes drop by after their games. The VIP lounge is very popular and there is another dining room available for small parties.
CUISINE: Upscale Soul Food
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
COVER CHARGE: Yes, on event nights
ATTIRE: business casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Wed 7p-Midnight, Fri 4p-2a, Sat 11a- 5p, private parties on other nights
ADDRESS: 2300 Pierce Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: Valet and on-street
PHONE: 713-652-9900
WEBSITE: https://www.groovesofhouston.com
Red Cat Jazz Café
DESCRIPTION: Cafe & Lounge; It’s one of the top Jazz clubs in the nation and just happens to be black-owned. Top acts frequenting the club include Joe Sample, Ronnie Laws, Althea Rene, Kyle Turner, Marion Meadows, Norman Connors, Everett Harp, and Mary Griffin. Since Jazz is about the music, sophisticated listeners will appreciate the barrel-vaulted ceiling, brick walls, and selectively placed artwork that enhances acoustics throughout. The door greeters, waiters, bartender service, and selection of mixed drinks were superb. The upstairs dining area gives you a spectacular view of the entire club. Sample the fried jumbo shrimp, seafood gumbo, or Cajun hot wings with any drink selection.
CUISINE: Creole & Cajun
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
COVER CHARGE: Yes, make reservations for concerts
ATTIRE: business casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Nightly, event-driven
ADDRESS: 711 Franklin Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: nearby garages
PHONE: 713-226-7870
WEBSITE: https://www.redcatjazzcafe.com
Esther’s Cajun Café Soul Food
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This cafe opened in 2008 and is growing fast. Its popular dishes include Oxtails, Baked Chicken, Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee, Cajun Chitterlings, Fried Chicken, Mustard Greens, Scrumptious Sweet Potatoes, and Peach Cobbler. Esther will load you up with smothered pork chops, buttery mashed potatoes, sweet yams, and a giant slice of chocolate cake. Each dish is prepared with fresh ingredients daily and cooked with special spices that are Esther’s secret. The result is amazing dining at reasonable prices.
CUISINE: Cajun & Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-8p, Sun 11a-7:30p
ADDRESS: 5204 Yale Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 713-699-1212
WEBSITE: https://www.estherscajunsoul.com
Breakfast Klub
DESCRIPTION: Cafe owner Marcus Davis says “The breakfast klub is a Koffee Shop that just happens to serve great food.” That is true. One look at the breakfast and lunch lines to enter says it all. Everything from Expresso to the smoothest Mocha you’ve tasted in a while is present with the best smiling service. They understand and appreciate their customers. Check out the large portions too.
CUISINE: Soul Food & Coffee
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 7a-2p, Sat-Sun 8a-2p
ADDRESS: 3711 Travis Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE: 713-528-8561
WEBSITE: https://www.thebreakfastklub.com
Reggae Hut Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This joint has lots of authentic Jamaican vibe to match its cuisine. Its funky atmosphere accents live reggae music on weekends. Its cuisine specialties include rice pots, vegetarian dishes, and seafood. Best of all it’s a fun place to visit day or night.
CUISINE: Jamaican
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 4814 Almeda Road, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-520-7171
WEBSITE: https://reggaehutcafe.com
The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory
DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: American; The speciality is, you guessed it, all variety of meat and potatoes. They also have a mouthwatering selection of rib-sticking sandwiches.
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-7p
ADDRESS: 6362 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite A, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 832-487-9644
WEBSITE: https://www.thestuffedbakedpotatofactoryfranchise.com
Your Mama’s Soul Food
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; This family-run restaurant serves fresh foods made from scratch every day. Their specialties include seafood gumbo, smothered steak and pork chops, ham hocks, and greens.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: call before visiting
ADDRESS: 5332 Antoine Drive, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 713-680-8002
WEBSITE: none
Original Red Rooster
DESCRIPTION: Nightclub; Red Rooster is an old favorite in the neighborhood that attracts crowds for dancing, socializing, and dinner. It’s like two clubs in one. One club for old-school swing two-stepping the other club features hip-hop and neo-soul. Saturday is The ReMix featuring a DJ Taking U to the Next Level and Customer Appreciation Night. Singles take note; it features a lavish buffet on Fridays.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes, after 10 pm
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: event-driven
ADDRESS: 4937 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 713-847-7757
WEBSITE: none
Just Oxtails Soul Food
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; Family-run
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sun 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 4207 Reed Road, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-733-8111
WEBSITE: https://www.justoxtails.com/
Mikki’s Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; This is a popular spot that has received coverage by local television station and newspapers. The menu features Fried Catfish, Barbecue Pork Chops, Baked Tilapia, Apricot Chicken, Seafood Gumbo, Curry Chicken, Barbecue Ribs, Collard Greens, Peach Cobbler, Red Velvet Cake, Tea Cakes, Strawberry Shortcake and Pecan Pralines. So many sinfully delicious choices.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: Yes
COVER CHARGE: No
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-8p, Sun 11a-7:30p
ADDRESS: 10500 West Bellfort Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE: 281-568-5115
WEBSITE: https://www.mikkiscafe.com
Caribbean Jerk Cuisine
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This is a family-run restaurant in business. Its dishes include Jerk Chicken, Chicken Roti, Curry Goat, Jamaican Patty, Braised Oxtails, Salt Fish, Jamaican Bread Pudding, and Jamaican Guinness Ice Cream. Their website is being reconstructed.
CUISINE: Caribbean
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-8p, Fri-Sat 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 9334 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-784-6626
WEBSITE: https://www.caribbeanjerkcuisine.com
Cool Runnings Jamaica Bar & Grill
DESCRIPTION: Bar & Grill; This is a small restaurant with signature entrees that include Oxtails, Curried Goat, Jerk Chicken, Curried Chicken, Rasta Pasta, Coconut Curry Crab, Ackee and Saltfish.
CUISINE: Jamaican
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 8a-10p, Fri 8a-Midnight, Sat 8a-2:30a, Sun 11a-11p (Sunday Brunch 11a-4p)
ADDRESS: 8270 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-777-1566
WEBSITE: https://coolrunningsjamaicangrill.com
Blue Nile
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; This is a family-run restaurant since 1994, is an 8-time award winner for Best Ethiopian Cuisine in Houston. The setting is traditional Ethiopian and their ample menu includes Vegetarian Combo, Doro Wot, Timatim Fitfit, Gomen, and Ethiopian Honey Wine. Perhaps their specialty is lamb dishes, such as Fit Fit, Yebeg Tibs, and the Blue Nile Tibs.
CUISINE: Ethiopian
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11a-11p, Sat-Sun 9a-11p
ADDRESS: 9400 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-782-6882
WEBSITE: https://www.bluenilerestaurant.com
Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant and Lounge; As an authentic Ethiopian restaurant, the menu includes Sambusa, Doro Wot, Beef Tibs, Kitfo, Curry Basil Chicken, Tilapia and Vegetarian Combination. The specialty drinks, tiramisu, baklava, and ice cream are also worth sampling.
CUSINE: Ethiopian
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Thu 11a-11p, Fri-Sat 11a-2a
ADDRESS: 6800 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-334-0000
WEBSITE: https://lucyhouston.com