One of San Antonio’s most acclaimed coffee shops is coming to Houston. Merit Coffee will open locations in the Heights neighborhood and near West University Place in 2026. Founded in 2009 in San Antonio, the new coffee shops will join Merit’s existing 13 locations in San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. In Houston, the company will open in the former Starbucks at 5115 Buffalo Speedway in the first quarter of 2026 followed by a location next summer in the Swift Building, Radom Capital’s new ...| CultureMap San Antonio
A California-based, fast casual Mexican restaurant is returning to the Houston market. Qdoba Mexican Eats will open a location in Humble on October 13. Similar to restaurants such as Chipotle or Freebirds, Qdoba serves burritos, bowls, quesadillas, salads, and more. Protein options include brisket birria, grilled chicken, grilled steak, pork carnitas, and vegetarian. Unlike its competitors, guacamole isn’t extra at Qdoba. Rather, the option to add both guac and queso is included in the pric...| CultureMap Houston
A previously mail order-only Houston barbecue company will soon open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Truboy BBQ will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, October 9. Located in Missouri City at 8035 Hwy 6, the fast casual restaurant serves Truboy’s menu of halal brisket and chicken. Diners have the options of sliced brisket, chopped brisket, or pulled chicken. Unlike a traditional barbecue restaurant, Truboy isn’t serving plates. Instead, customers may choose to have their smoke...| CultureMap Houston
Uptown Park’s European-inspired hotel has resumed tea service. The Hotel Granduca, is now serving tea every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12-2 pm. Afternoon tea had been a staple of Granduca's Alba Ristorante, which closed when the hotel underwent renovations last year. Chef Maurizio Ferrarese has updated the offering for the hotel, which reopened in March. Instead of serving tea at Remi, the hotel's restaurant, tea is offered in the Alba Tea Room that's near the restaurant. “We offer...| CultureMap Houston
One of Texas’s most renowned taquera is popping up in Houston this weekend. Ana Liz Pulido, chef-owner of Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission, TX, will be serving lunch at Third Place, the coffee shop and cafe located inside Heights restaurant Jūn. Pulido has become one of the state’s most acclaimed taco masters. She won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2024 and ranked no. 1 on Texas Monthly taco editor José Ralat’s 2024 list of the state’s 50 best tacos. Evelyn Garcia, one of ...| CultureMap Houston
The River Oaks Shopping Center will soon be home to a new restaurant specializing in contemporary Chinese cuisine. Maison Chinoise will open this winter. Located at 1958 West Gray, Maison Chinoise is part of the Dallas-based Lombardi Family Concepts that’s known in Houston for Toulouse Cafe and Bar, its French restaurant in River Oaks District, and Lombardi Cucina Italiana in Uptown Park. “This wonderfully diverse city has embraced our family’s concepts, and we’re thrilled to introduc...| CultureMap Houston
The Museum District recently welcomed a new restaurant devoted to mini burgers, chicken tenders, and milkshakes. Slip Sliders is now open for lunch and dinner daily. Located in the Parc Binz II building at at 1802 Binz St, Slip Sliders is owned by Houston restaurant veteran Rasheed Refaey, whose resume includes Houston’s, Pappasito’s, Le Colonial, and Eddie V’s. With only 22 seats inside (outdoor seating is coming soon), Slip Sliders could appeal to families looking for a quick bite eit...| CultureMap Houston
The owners of Toca Madera are bringing an Italian steakhouse to the Galleria area’s newest mixed-use development. Sparrow Italia is coming to Houston. The new restaurant will join The Henry, a neighborhood restaurant from Flower Child owners Fox Restaurant Concepts, at Central Park Post Oak, a 17-acre mixed-use development located at 2000 Post Oak Blvd. The approximately 6,700-square-foot steakhouse will include a main dining room, a bar area, an outdoor patio, and a private dining room. As...| CultureMap Houston
Houston restaurant group Goode Company is bringing back its Goode Bird fried chicken concept. Now a food truck, the restaurant will make its debut on Thursday, October 16 at Goode Co. Armadillo Palace.| CultureMap Houston
Hope springs eternal, especially in the world of Houston restaurants. Despite a recent string of high-profile closures, entrepreneurs continue to see opportunities to open a diner’s new favorite restaurant.| CultureMap Houston
