Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Irma's Southwest

4.9

4.9 (712)

$31 to $50

Mexican / Southwestern

Downtown

About the restaurant

For over 30 years, Irma’s Southwest and Irma’s Original have been staples in Houston’s downtown dining scene, bringing bold flavors and warm hospitality to the heart of the city. Led by Louis Galvan and the legendary Irma Galvan, a 2008 James Beard Award winner, we take pride in serving unforgettable Mexican cuisine with a Texas twist.

At Irma’s Southwest, you’ll find a casual yet elevated dining experience, featuring classic Mexican favorites like Mole, Pork Carnitas, and Chile Relleno, alongside unique Texas Wild Game specialties, including Axis Barbacoa, Wild Boar & Nilgai Tamales.

Whether you’re craving a hearty lunch, a quick bite before the game, or a full dinner experience, Irma’s Southwest is your go-to spot in downtown Houston. Come hungry, leave inspired.

Top review

JoyVIP

Dined on 7 May 2025

Food was amazing and we were seated at a round table, my fave! The staff was also very nice and amazing, however, they sat a large group right next to us. I could barely hear my family talking with the big group next to us. It wasn’t their fault but I would have appreciated the big group to be sat somewhere else in the dining room where there was plenty of opened tables.

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Highland Village

4.8

4.8 (17)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Since 1993, Escalante’s has developed a well earned reputation for traditional, flavorful Tex-Mex food, hand-crafted margaritas and exceptional service. With seven locations across Houston, Escalante's serves the finest Tex-Mex cuisine close to your home or office in Houston. Tortillas made by hand, guacamole prepared fresh for every order, white queso that simmers for hours. Center-cut outer-skirt steak hand-trimmed, marinated, and cooked to order for every beef fajita. Consistent quality is our specialty. Join us for Houston's best Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 11 Apr 2025

Food was good as always, and the modifications that my wife asked for were taken care of. Service was excellent.

Stella's Wine Bar

4.7

4.7 (119)

$31 to $50

American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the southeast corner of the hotel, Stella’s Wine Bar is Houston’s newest and most alluring wine destination for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles. Offering over 30 wine-producing regions through a variety of flights and close to 60 wines by the glass, Stella’s Wine Bar provides a unique journey of tastes from around the world. Guided by our unrivaled team of highly skilled yet incredibly approachable sommeliers, guests can learn and explore both the new and the familiar wines in a social convivial atmosphere with world-class wine resources to share as little or as much as you want to know. The full Cellar wine program can also be accessed within Stella’s Wine Bar, so options are near limitless.

Top review

Leah

Dined on 6 May 2025

This place is such a hidden gem in the hotel. Half priced bottles on Monday, we had the place to ourselves it was lovely!

Sushi By The Heights

4.7

4.7 (70)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Sushi by the Heights is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that values American culture, we offer a variety of food from fresh sashimi, sushi, tempura, roll, 3 styles of hand roll, steak and Robata options. We source the ingredients widely from the world's best sustainable products including Japan, New Zealand (well known for their best King Salmon), Indonesia (spices), and even local ingredients straight to our kitchen.
At Sushi by the Heights, we pay homage to the Japanese tradition of perfection in food and drink and love communal dining yet values the American culture. Our stylish dining room, social bar and patio area inviting vignettes where people gather for beautifully luscious Robata dishes, Sushi & Steak. Paired with our distinctively inspired, noteworthy libations, our delicious dishes and focus on detail will leave a lasting effect on you, inviting you to join us often, and inch closer to discover behind the secret door!

Top review

Kishan

Dined on 5 May 2025

Nice sushi spot in the Heights. Will definitely go back.

Cyclone Anaya's - CityCentre

4.6

4.6 (262)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Westside

About the restaurant

We are Houston’s Original Tex-Mex Familia since 1966! Cyclone Anaya’s has been Houston’s favorite destination for the best margaritas in town for over 50 years. With our scratch-made enchiladas and tamales, our tender and flavorful fajitas, and many more Tex-Mex delights, we've helped to define and perfect this world-famous regional cuisine. Join us today at one of six Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s Tex-Mex Kitchen locations in the Heights, Midtown, Rice Village, CityCentre, Woodway, and the Woodlands. No matter where you’re from, we’ll treat you like family!

Top review

Shermaine

Dined on 30 Mar 2025

Good food great location… one of my favorite places to eat.

Goode Co. Armadillo Palace

4.6

4.6 (233)

$30 and under

American

Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

About the restaurant

Our Armadillo Palace brings the best of Texas together with one dance hall, two bars, three stages and a state-of-the-art kitchen serving indoors and out. It's our tribute to the city that's been so good to us for generations - and a celebration of all that makes our buttons-pop-proud to be Texan.

Since crossing the big pond too long ago to count, the Goode family has dedicated itself to sharing the culinary convergence of our flavorful past: the salt of the Gulf, the soul of the South, the spice of the border and that sweet smoke of Texas. From spit-roasted chicken to grilled redfish on the half shell, our dishes are steeped in tradition - and just as much flavor.

Whiskey-forward and born from lore, our Orange Blossom Bar takes its cue from our longtime friend and local music legend, Leon "Pappy" Selph. Pappy was known for his love of smooth whiskey and the stories that flow when a few drinks and good company come together.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great place, good food and prices are pretty good for the quality and portions. It was a beautiful evening so we sat outside. Great service and communication as well. Cool place and highly recommended.

Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila - Sugar Land

4.6

4.6 (15)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Sugar Land

About the restaurant

Located in the beautiful community of Sugar Land, Texas, Escalante's is a popular and family-friendly Tex-Mex restaurant. Known throughout the country this welcoming and casual venue is styled with lots of comfortable booths and table seating, high ceilings, recessed lighting, potted greenery, wall-mounted televisions and a large bar.Escalante's offers guests a lengthy menu that is full of variety and flavor. Menu items include sizzling beef fajitas, rack of tacos, seafood enchilada, traditional Mexican soup, steak and eggs ranchero, fresh snapper, shrimp and Escalante Taco Salad. Escalante's also provides customers with an extensive drink and bar menu to choose from and enjoy with their meals.

Top review

QuentinVIP

Dined on 2 May 2025

This was my first time at Escalante's. I judge Tex-Mex restaurants by their tortillas and fajitas. The beef fajitas were excellent—some of the best I’ve had. The tortillas were made fresh and good. The guacamole, made at the table, was a nice touch. I will definitely return.

Superica Houston Heights

4.6

4.6 (98)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Northside

About the restaurant

Superica
– “where sunshine spends the winter” – also known as Tex-Mex cuisine served in an Old-West-inspired atmosphere alongside music inspired by Austin.

The cuisine is a combination of 1950s Tex-Mex and the wood grill that has taken the food to another level by way of fajitas and more. An “evolved Tex-Mex menu,” includes the classics: tacos, nachos, tamales and enchiladas plus more intricate dishes such as wood-grilled fajitas and shrimp tacos always served with just-made flour tortillas, all while paying homage to the traditions and recipes that have been a part of the Texas culture for decades.

Top review

Brooke

Dined on 25 Apr 2025

Idris was a great server with our group! Even turned the AC down when we said we were cold. Great food!

Fig & Olive - Houston

4.3

4.3 (704)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

In Uptown Houston's Galleria, FIG & OLIVE Tasting Kitchen & Bar is an escape to the French Riviera for weary shoppers and residents. F&O Houston gives guests an accessible way to indulge with an elegant lunch or a late-night rendezvous. The buzzy bar scene makes for an evening that is effortlessly entertaining. And the Rosé Terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of sparkling rosé or a signature cocktail. On weekends, we offer brunch twists on our menu for a South of France style Saturday or Sunday.

Top review

MasonVIP

Dined on 9 Apr 2025

Loved it! Had happy hour then dinner! Enjoyed sitting outside on the patio in the Spring weather! Great choice for family bday celebration!

Blanco Cocina + Cantina – Houston

4.3

4.3 (526)

$30 and under

Mexican

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

Blanco is more than your typical Mexican restaurant, it‘s an escape from the ordinary, a happy hour hang out, a place to sit back, recharge and party. It’s a vacation in your neighborhood that helps you relax with your favorite people. For food, margaritas, and good times, Blanco is the perfect place to find your bliss.

Top review

Dr. DemiVIP

Dined on 29 Apr 2025

As always the food was great and the server was amazing. The host was so kind and the place was clean.

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Experience

All Day Happy Hour at Blanco Cocina + Cantina

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