The Heights neighborhood in Houston has long balanced old charm with new energy, and now a wave of restaurant changes is reshaping the local dining scene. Three new eateries have taken over spaces previously occupied by established spots, trading out some familiar names in the process.
Houston annexed the neighborhood in the 1918s after it began as a streetcar suburb in the 1890s. Today, the area mixes old Victorian homes with newer townhouses and independent stores, while its dining scene runs the gamut from casual bars to restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation.
Here’s what changed and what remains essential in the Heights.
The New Additions
The most recent edition of the dining guide brings in Agnes and Sherman, Camaraderie, and Ginger Mule while sending Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen, Blue Tuba, and Eight Row Flint back out. The guide also drops Vuji Cafe from its listings entirely.
Three new dining spots have taken the place of those familiar names in the guide. The source offers a full description of Ginger Mule, though it merely names Agnes and Sherman and Camaraderie without elaborating on them.
Here is the rotation at a glance:
- Rotated in: Agnes and Sherman
- Rotated in: Camaraderie
- Rotated in: Ginger Mule
- Rotated out: Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen
- Rotated out: Blue Tuba
- Rotated out: Eight Row Flint
- Removed: Vuji Cafe
Jūn Brings Texas Flavors to the Fore
The restaurant Jūn honors the flavors and cultures of Texas’s past, present, and future, with a menu shaped by the culinary backgrounds of its two owners, Henry Lu and Evelyn Garcia. Both Lu and Garcia are Top Chef alums and James Beard Award finalists.
Start the meal with the rice cakes, which come in a fermented yellow bean béchamel topped with mushrooms and spiced panko. The other option is the local corn: petite cobs dressed with a rich xo sauce, scallions, and spicy aioli.
The green curry with Japanese sweet potato and mushrooms makes a solid main-course choice. Or go for the fried chicken seasoned with shrimp paste, ginger, and Thai chili instead.
Having just acquired a liquor license, the restaurant is now fully equipped to showcase its cocktail offerings.
Casaema’s Pastries Sell Out Fast
Casaema is a bakery and breakfast spot with a James Beard Award nomination and a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation to its name, and pastries are taken very seriously there. The conchas are among the softest in the city, a reputation that has followed them.
Getting there early is essential because these items tend to vanish quickly. One dish on offer features brioche soaked in hoja santa custard, finished with a topping of whipped cream and berries.
The savory chilaquiles feature suadero and black beans alongside crisp totopos, all tossed in salsa verde. Once plated, they sit topped with red onion, a sunny-side-up egg, and a tangy dill sour cream.
Don’t skip the pastry case on the way out. The masa cornbread and blue corn conchas won’t disappoint.
Ginger Mule Goes Plant-Based in Texas
Texas may not appear to be the natural home of a successful plant-based eatery, yet Ginger Mule draws in fresh customers with ease and builds a devoted fan base.
People with dietary restrictions will find the restaurant especially welcoming, since it provides gluten-free meals, vegan meat substitutes, and dairy-free choices.
The menu offers two main brunch choices: French toast drizzled with organic maple syrup and topped with whipped oat cream, or breakfast tacos stuffed with vegan sausage.
The menu runs throughout the day and covers dishes including heart of palm ceviche, along with a Massaman Thai yellow curry paired with crispy plantains and jasmine rice.
Baso Plays With Fire
This tucked-away restaurant in the Heights is where chefs Jacques Varon and Max Lappe play with fire, and their work has earned them a Michelin nod along the way.
Baso brings together Spain’s Basque Country and Japan. The perfect meal starts with fresh Baso buns topped with Calabrian chile and Manchego cheese.
One main dish features a tender pork chop that is topped with a cured pork jowl sauce and sprinkled with chamomile.
End the meal with a thick slice of Basque cheesecake, which can be enjoyed plain or dressed up with a scoop of caviar sitting on top of its caramelized crust.
Big Star Bar Keeps It Simple
A real visit to Heights wouldn’t be complete without heading to Big Star Bar, a turquoise dive bar that sits on 19th Street. The place isn’t flashy on the outside or inside, so you might not notice it at first glance.
The place offers a relaxed, friendly setting paired with cold, cheap, and quality beer, which makes it an ideal spot for letting loose. It serves equally well after a long day’s work or as a fitting end to a wild evening out.
Choose a song from the jukebox, or step outside onto the patio. The colorful twinkling lights give this neighborhood watering hole a romantic touch.
Moon Rabbit’s Vietnamese Menu Shines
The cocktail menu at Moon Rabbit matches its food offerings, which include soups, salads, sandwiches, spring rolls, and bowls. The restaurant’s interior is stylish and dimly lit, giving it a vibey atmosphere.
Among the most beloved dishes on the menu sits the shaken beef, a dish built around tender slices of filet mignon that are tossed with onion, garlic, and jalapeños.
Guests may construct their own plates using the restaurant’s selection of savory protein choices. These selections consist of honey-lime chicken, lemongrass pork, and garlic butter shrimp.
Do remember the spring rolls, encased in thin rice paper and filled with crisp, fresh vegetables.
The Neighborhood’s Full Spread
More than just the new arrivals define The Heights dining scene. It blends many kinds of cuisine together, ranging from expertly made conchas to quirky dive bars.
This neighborhood mixes the charm of old Houston with a modern, fashionable energy. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a laid-back patio brunch or an afternoon drink under the branches of a stately century-old live oak tree.
A memorable dinner showcasing the city’s diverse culinary scene is also easy to find. Put simply, there’s plenty to eat and drink in the Heights.
The area’s development from a streetcar suburb into an iconic Houston destination shows up in its cuisine. Timeless houses coexist with celebrated eateries, bound together by a strong sense of community.
That community stays up to date thanks to the dining guide’s update, which keeps a steady rotation among Agnes, Sherman, Camaraderie and Ginger Mule, giving both returning diners and first-timers fresh choices.
If someone feels a beloved location has slipped through the cracks of the guide, they should send a tip to Eater Houston. The list stays a work in progress, shifting with the neighborhood itself.
The Heights has come a long way since its days as an escape from Houston’s density. Today it stands as one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, with a food scene to match.
The Heights has plenty for diners of all sorts, from a Michelin-recognized kitchen to a cold beer on a dive bar patio. The revised list is a solid starting point for anyone looking to explore the neighborhood’s offerings.
Source: houston.eater.com