Funky restaurant recommendations in Houston?

Question

We are looking for a place to eat in Houston, a little out of the ordinary and inner loop. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I went to the Breakfast Klub a few months ago.  It was some awesome Soul Food.  It's near downtown...but I can't remember exactly where it is.  Check it out though!

And, Rice Village always has funky little places too.  I love going there and just picking a restruant and trying it.

Have fun!

Answer 2

you should try RA sushi on westheimer,, kinda funky,, good music and yummy food.. good looking crowd.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if these places are all that well known or not, but they are a little different and definitely very tasty.  None of my friends know of these places, but they also generally frequent chains!

Hobbit Cafe

It has a Lord of the Rings theme with pictures on the walls and interesting menu titles.  It's also in a renovated home so it's cozy with all of the seperated rooms.  The food is fresh and has many vegetarian options.  There are a lot of sandwiches, pastas, and tex mex options.  My favorite things to order are the veggie mole enchiladas or black beans, brown rice, pico de gallo, and mole.  Can you tell that I love their mole??  I've never had a bad sandwich there either.  Oh, and the carrot cake is to die for!  The service isn't always the quickest and don't go during weekday lunch because it gets crazy packed.

- No website

Mai's

This place stays open late and is a place some of the downtown party crowd to come soak up the booze.  It's bordering downtown and midtown.  If you don't want a rowdy atmosphere come by before 11 pm on the weekends.  They have a variety of Vietnamese and Chinese food.  However, I prefer the Vietnamese.  I actually don't know if I've ever tried the Chinese though; I just love Vietnamese in general.  The garlic chicken or tofu is awesome and the Vietnamese egg roll that you wrap in lettuce leaves is great too.  The pho is always a winner as well.  Finish off with the Vietnamese coffee (it's like dessert with sweetened condensed milk!).  This place has been a family favorite for years.

http://www.maisrestauranttx.com/

T'afia

Very minimalist and simple.  The food is also simple, but the taste shines.  Monica Pope focuses on regional organic food so you can enjoy the food and feel good about what you're eating.  The beverages are even amazing here.  I like to order several of the sides and get a lot of variety for not that much price.

http://www.tafia.com/

Baba Yega

Friendly place in Montrose. (Just go the the Montrose area in general if you want to find funky places.  I just moved over here so I don't have too many recommendations yet.)  Baba Yega has a fantastic $17 Sunday brunch and great weekday salad buffet.  It's great at any other time as well.  Another place with a lot of sandwiches, salads, and pastas.

http://www.babayega.com/

Brasil

This place has great, cheap breakfasts.  You can eat and relax there for a while.  It's a great atmosphere with local art on the walls.  I know that they have live music in the evenings sometimes, but I've never been over there except for lazy morning breakfasts.  Great breakfast potatoes and herbed breadcrumb tomatoes as sides.  They constantly have breakfast specials written on a chalkboard depending on what fresh food they have.  I've never ordered off the regular menu, actually.  I'm waiting for them to have their blueberry blue cornmeal pancakes again!  I'd love to go during lunch/dinner soon.  I know it will be great.

-No website

Americas

This is a very nice and pricey restaurant, but it is also very unique.  The atmosphere is very extreme and colorful.  It feels almost like a funky rainforest. I don't eat meat anymore, but I used to live for their churrasco steak.  Tender like you wouldn't believe.  Now I get the vegetarian platter and still couldn't be happier!  I really don't think that you could be unhappy with anything that you order there.

http://www.cordua.com/cordua.cfm?a=cms,c...

Pat Greer's Kitchen

You can actually only order to go, but this is definitely some interesting funky food.  It's raw food so nothing has been cooked, but she does amazing things.  I am always shocked by everything that I get.

http://www.patriciagreerskitchen.com/

Sugarbaby's

Their cupcakes are just amazing.  The atmosphere is super cute and different (all pink & black), but it's in the River Oaks and the service can sometimes be a little snotty.  I can't help but come back though!

http://www.ilovesugarbabys.com/press.htm...

I hope that you haven't heard of every single one of these places!  Happy eating!

EDIT - I didn't notice that two other posters had already posted some of the same suggestions so maybe they are rather well known.  Yikes, sorry!

Answer 4

Some casual but funky places with personality that you might consider trying are:

The Hobbit Cafe

2243 Richmond Ave

Houston, TX 77098

[phone]

Barnaby's  (several locations, original on Fairview is the best, in my opinion)

http://www.barnabyscafe.com/

Baba Yega

http://www.babayega.com/

Edit: Apparently my computer was slow to load since it looks like other responses were posted yesterday.  At least other posters agree.

Answer 5

They have some really good Indian and Pakistani restaurants

Answer 6

GO TO STARBUCKS  AT LIKE 11 at night,go to dennies at night but if its like u or ur mom or family than dont go at night i thought u ment with ur friends                            

sorry :(

Answer 7

Baba Yega

2607 Grant St

Houston TX77006

713.522.0042

Bocados Mexican Cuisine

1312 W Alabama St

Houston TX 77006

713.523.5230

Brasil

2604 Dunlavy St

Houston TX 77006

713.528.1993

Cafe Montrose

1609 Westheimer Rd

Houston TX 77006

713.523.1201

DNR European Fast Food

4621 Montrose Blvd

Houston TX 77006

713.529.0367

Hugo's

1602 Westheimer Rd @ Mandell

Houston TX 77006

713.524.7744

Answer 8

the strip house

its downtown, across the street from the 4-seasons hotel

its a little racey (there are photos of 1930's burlesque women on the walls), but the food and the atmosphere are incredible.

Answer 9

The Aquarium Restaurant is different.  It's downtown.  There is also a really cool family-style Italian place called Bucca de Bebo.  Let me know what time I should meet ya'll there.

Answer 10

I'm sure you've already been to the Raven Grill (Bissonnet & Hazard) but if not, it's my favorite one-off inside the loop.  I also like Au Petit Paris on Colquitt at Shepherd.  It's a little pricey, but great French food.  

Other ideas follow, in list form.  If you give some more specifics, I'll give more suggestions! Meanwhile, I hope this helps some.  Bon appetit!

Cafe Montrose

Brasserie by Max & Julie

Cafe Zol

Dolce Vita

Di Vino

Oporto

Fred's Italian Corner

Antica Osteria

Max's Wine Dive

T'afia

Shade