As Houston’s dynamic food scene continues to earn accolades, 2025 was a year filled with notable highlights, including new Michelin-recognized restaurants, acknowledgment from Food & Wine Global Tastemakers as one of the “Top 10 U.S. Cities for Food and Drink” and a spot on Travel + Leisure’s “14 Cities to Savor.”

Last year, Houston restaurants were highlighted locally and nationally through a variety of outlets. Here’s a roundup of a few that made a buzz and caught the attention of locals and visitors alike.

Agnes and Sherman

Agnes and Sherman, located in Houston Heights, opened in April 2025 and since then has been making headlines. The modern Asian American diner earned a Michelin Recommendation in the 2025 Texas guide and was named one of Eater’s “Best New Restaurants in America in 2025.”

Agnes and Sherman was also listed on Infatuation’s “Top-Rated New Restaurants of 2025,” featured on Southern Living Magazine, Bon Appétit, named one of the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants in 2025 and more.

Belly of the Beast

Belly of the Beast, located in Spring, celebrates its Mexican American roots through its dishes. In 2025, Belly of the Beast Chef Thomas Billie was named the James Beard Foundation Awards Best Chef: Texas.

In addition, the restaurant maintained its Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition and was featured in the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list in 2025.

Casaema

Casaema, located in the Houston Heights area, aims to bring quality food, pastries and coffee to guests all while holding space for its ancestral traditions, beliefs and practice. The café was named one of Bon Appétit’s 14 best new breakfast spots in the U.S. and was praised for its savory dishes like the taco de zanahoria.

Casaema is also Michelin-recognized and was listed as one of the “20 Best Restaurants in the South” in Southern Living Magazine, as well as named one of the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list in 2025.

ChòpnBlọk

ChòpnBlọk, located in Montrose and inside The Post, “is a fast-casual restaurant concept that carefully unveils the West African culinary experience.” Named one of New York Times’ 50 best restaurants in the U.S., ChòpnBlọk was also featured in a separate Times piece that highlighted how the restaurant’s bowls bring a welcome jolt of flavor energy and joy during a time of fast casual fatigue.

On top of that, the Michelin recognized West African eatery earned a spot on Esquire’s 2025 “Best New Restaurants in America,” was highlighted in Southern Living Magazine as one of the “20 Best Restaurants in the South” and named one of the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants in 2025.

Nancy's Hustle

Nancy’s Hustle, located in EaDo, is a modern bistro that likes butter, natural wine, cider and cocktails that pair well with food. In 2025, Nancy’s Hustle was named one of Food and Wine’s “Top 15 U.S. Restaurants” highlighting the bistro’s use of 45 pounds of cultured butter which is used weekly on its fluffy “Nancy Cakes.”

Nancy’s Hustle maintains its Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide and was featured in Texas Monthly and the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list in 2025.

Perseid

Perseid, located in Montrose inside Hotel Saint Augustine, offers a Gulf Coast inspired take on classic bistro. Opening its doors in January 2025, Perseid has received noteworthy accolades in a short period of time, including becoming a Michelin recommended restaurant. On top of that, Perseid was named one of Bon Appétit’s “20 Best New Restaurants of 2025” and featured in several local articles.

Looking forward to 2026, Houston’s food scene will continue making an impact as the city adds to its more than 12,000 restaurants.

Written by Norma Salcedo 

Pictured above: Dish from ChòpnBlọk