News Summary
River Oaks is transforming into a top culinary destination in Houston, featuring a diverse range of new restaurants. From Tex-Mex delights at Armando’s to innovative tapas at MAD Houston, food enthusiasts can savor various global flavors. The area boasts a mix of high-end dining and casual eateries, attracting locals and visitors alike. Upcoming additions, such as Federal American Grill, promise to enhance this vibrant dining scene, further establishing River Oaks as a must-visit location for food lovers.
Houston
The River Oaks neighborhood in Houston is emerging as a premier dining destination, showcasing a variety of recently opened restaurants that cater to diverse culinary preferences. This area, celebrated for its mix of high-end shopping and casual dining options, is drawing in both local residents and visitors eager to experience its stylish atmosphere.
Among the new dining hotspots is Armando’s, a beloved Tex-Mex establishment recognized for its vibrant decor and hearty portions. Located at 2630 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, Armando’s operates daily with varying hours: Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday to Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Another standout is MAD Houston, a unique tapas restaurant that creatively reinvents traditional Spanish dishes. Found at 4444 Westheimer Rd Suite C180, Houston, TX 77027, MAD Houston welcomes guests Monday to Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday from 4:30 pm to 12:00 am, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Steak 48 is known for its premium menu featuring a popular pork belly dish. Located at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027, it operates Sunday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Friday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Food enthusiasts will also appreciate Zanti Cucina Italiana, which offers authentic Italian cuisine in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. This restaurant can be visited at 1958 West Gray Street, Suite 101, Houston, TX 77019, with operating hours from Monday to Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Wednesday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; Friday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Relish Restaurant & Bar serves up classic American dishes in a cozy atmosphere, located at 2810 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098. Its hours are Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
A Taste of Global Flavors
The dining scene also features the luxurious Le Colonial Houston, a Vietnamese restaurant boasting exquisite French colonial decor, situated at 4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G-140, Houston, TX 77027. Open Sunday to Wednesday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm.
For Tex-Mex lovers, State of Grace is a must-visit for its signature dish “cheese enchilada a la Felix.” Located at 3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, its hours of operation are from Monday to Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Wednesday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Seafood aficionados will find delight at Loch Bar, known for its vast raw bar and whiskey selection, situated at 4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G110, Houston, TX 77027. It is open Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Additionally, The Tuck Room offers a speakeasy-style dining experience with a creative American menu at 4444 Westheimer Rd Ste C-220, Houston, TX 77027, open daily from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Breakfast and Brunch Options
For those looking for breakfast or brunch, Le Peep is a local favorite, located at 4340 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027, with hours from Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 1:30 pm and Saturday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Health-conscious diners can visit Local Foods, focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, found at 1709 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056, open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Introducing a casual atmosphere, Cliff’s Hamburger Grill offers classic burgers at 1822 Fountain View Dr, Houston, TX 77057, operating Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Upcoming Features
River Oaks will soon welcome Federal American Grill, planning to open its sixth location at 2400 Mid Lane later this year. The new restaurant will feature a wide-ranging comfort food menu, including steaks, seafood, and its signature cheeseburger egg rolls, alongside an extensive whiskey selection.
Meanwhile, community initiatives, such as the Sunday Supper, launched in collaboration with Sky High for Kids, aim to provide meals for families at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Since its inception, the program has delivered over 7,000 meals featuring diverse culinary options.
As River Oaks continues to expand, its eclectic blend of dining establishments solidifies its status as a culinary hotspot within Houston, attracting food lovers from all around.
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Additional Resources
- Houston on the Cheap: River Oaks Restaurants
- CultureMap: Federal Grill Restaurant River Oaks
- The Infatuation: Best Restaurants in River Oaks, Houston
- Community Impact: 44 Restaurants in River Oaks
- Houston Chronicle: MAD Restaurant
- Wikipedia: Houston
- Google Search: Houston restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Houston
- Google News: Houston restaurants
- Google Scholar: Houston culinary

Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.