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The only thing better than the culinary scene in this urban hotspot is the number of fabulous rooftop restaurants in Houston.
After all, aside from the world-class museums and natural landscapes, want to know one of our favorite things to do in Houston? Eat!
On this list, we’re breaking down the best of the best when it comes to Houston rooftop restaurants, highlighting the dishes (and atmosphere) that make them worth a visit.
Texas’ biggest city boasts a modern, upscale downtown packed with award-winning restaurants and culinary experiences that will have any foodie drawing up a dining bucket list.
But on this list, we’re taking things up a level (literally) and adding stunning vistas into the mix!
13 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Houston, TX
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to rooftop dining in Houston. Keep reading to cut out the not-so-worth-it ones and pick the dining destinations that truly deserve a spot on your itinerary!
77 Degrees
$$ | Website | (214) 770-0793 | 2416 Brazos St. Suite 200, Houston, TX 77006
If you’re looking for a rooftop dinner in Houston City, you’ll enjoy this restaurant.
The trendy rooftop venue that originally made a name for itself in Austin landed in Houston with a bang. Although it opened in just 2019, 77 Degrees has quickly become a go-to spot for a night out.
They have a unique and super flavorful tapas menu full of tacos, pineapple bowls, and smaller bites like guacamole and ceviche.
Once you’ve finished eating, there are still a whopping four stories to explore, each with stylish cabana-style seating and balmy Houston breezes.
This isn’t the place to head to if you’re hoping for a quiet night, but those that want to pair their dinner with great music and an atmosphere that only gets livelier as the night goes on will find themselves right at home.
Z on 23
$$ | Website | (346) 330-3446 | 1121 Walker St, 23rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002
The simple and chic trappings of Z on 23 let the true star of the night 360-degree views of Houston’s downtown as it comes to life. You won’t want to forget your camera if this restaurant is on your itinerary.
When you finally tear yourself away from the sights, you’ll find an incredible cocktail bar with a menu full of quality cocktails and light bites.
Crowd favorites include the brisket sliders and quesadillas to fill your stomach, then watermelon margaritas and a mean old-fashioned to sip alongside.
For an even more extensive food selection, just head downstairs to Zutro, full restaurant boasting burgers, salads, and plenty of shareable plates.
This is a great pick if you’re visiting Houston during the warmer months but be warned that it can get quite cold and gusty as winter rolls around.
On top of that, Z on 23 doubles up as one of our favorite rooftop bars in Houston.
Brenner’s on the Bayou
$$$ | Website | (713) 868-4444 | 1 Birdsall Street, Houston, TX 77007
Ever since 1936, Brenner’s has been a big name in Houston. And their latest endeavor, a spot right on the scenic banks of Buffalo Bayou, quickly became a mainstay in the world of rooftop restaurants in Houston.
Select from a carefully curated and eclectic food menu of steaks and seafood dishes, then finish the evening with one of their house soufflés.
We hear the red snapper, lamb chops, tuna tartare tacos, and roasted oysters are all fantastic.
And when it comes to views, Brenner’s has some of their best—tired of looking at skyscrapers? It’s nothing but nature here.
Not only do they boast a two-story dining room looking out over lush greenery and stately woods, but they also have a number of plush outdoor decks that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Breezy in the summer and heated in the winter, the patio can be enjoyed all year round, making it also one of the most romantic restaurants in Houston.
Harold’s Restaurant, Bar, and Terrace
$$ | Website | (713) 360-6204 | 350 W. 19th St, Houston, TX 77008
Looking for a rooftop restaurant in Houston that skip the frills and stick to good, old down-home cooking?
Well, Harold’s Southern fare and Louisiana-inspired flavors make this a prime New American spot to experience true Texas cuisine.
Their list of top-rated dishes will already have you drooling. The gumbo, deviled eggs, fish and chips, and chicken-fried cauliflower come highly recommended.
They even keep things local, with a seasonal menu always made with the freshest ingredients, all sourced from farmers around the area.
And that’s before we even mention the views! Harold’s rooftop patio looks out over the charming Heights Theater area, including the historic 19th Street, and sits atop a nearly century-old building that once housed the iconic clothing store, “Harold’s in the Heights.”
The Grove
$$ | Website | (713) 337-7321 | 1611 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010
No list of rooftop restaurants in Houston would be complete without a mention of this iconic Houston institution.
As suggested by its name, The Grove is a stunning glass building located amidst the leafy sprawl of the city’s 12-acre Discovery Green Park, making it a welcome retreat from the fast pace of downtown.
The sleek, modern interior boasts wall-to-wall windows so all diners can enjoy the views.
But during warmer months, definitely make the most of the outdoor spaces–their breezy rooftop lounge is a great place to soak in the sunshine while you chow down.
Speaking of food, their New American menu is full of delicious staples like steaks, salads, and sandwiches.
We hear the blue crab corn fritters, ahi tuna, beet hummus, and NY strip steak are all mouth-watering.
In an extra innovative (and eco-friendly) twist, The Grove’s rooftop garden actually provides most of the herbs and produce used in the kitchen down below.
Plus, it absorbs that Houston heat to more efficiently cool the restaurant’s interiors!
Strato 550
$$ | Website | (832) 280-8977 | 1415 Louisiana St 43rd floor, Houston, TX 77002
Although it only opened recently (in 2019), Strato 550 has quickly become a go-to when it comes to restaurants with a view in Houston.
After all, the sights from 43 stories above the ground floor are hard to beat.
Catering to Houston’s young professionals, this up-and-coming hotspot introduces itself as “your new power lunch destination,” or the perfect place to unwind after a long day at the office.
Whether you’re there on a business meeting or a date night, the upscale dining room does not disappoint.
Although there is no outdoor seating, you’re welcome to wander the expansive rooftop balcony and snag a few photos.
Strato 550’s Mediterranean-inspired menu features a range of burgers, soups, salads, and pastas, as well as small bites like flatbreads and charcuterie boards.
A business casual dress code is enforced.
Monarch Restaurant & Terrace
$$$ | Website | (713) 527-1800 | 5701 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005
For the next in our lineup of rooftop restaurants in Houston, we head to a chic dining destination located inside Hotel ZaZa.
Elevated and elegant, this spot is a place to see and be seen, so go for the ambiance but stay for the food!
Crowd favorite dishes include crab cakes, sea bass, and pan-roasted redfish. If you prefer family-style, order “The Tour Group” and sample all of Monarch’s most popular starters.
They also boast an extensive array of craft beers and specialty cocktails, as well as a wine list that will have you spoiled for choice.
But perhaps the best part of an evening at Monarch is the stunning view. You’ll be right in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, so catch a glimpse of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Mecom Fountain below.
Ivy Bar & Bistro
$$ | Website | (713) 510-9681 | 2613 Potomac Drive, Houston, TX 77057
Got a hot date while out in Houston? Take your special someone to Ivy Bar & Bistro, a charming, intimate hideaway in the midst of the upscale Galleria neighborhood.
A touch of European flair and a mouth-watering Italian menu make this spot a hit every time. Choose from a simple but satisfying selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas.
They even have a number of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options, like a specialty pizza with cauliflower crust, soy cheese, and spicy Italian soy sausage.
For dessert, don’t miss out on their array of sorbets and gelatos, complete with unique palate pleasers like almond fig and grapefruit mint, as well as more classic flavors such as lemon and mint chocolate chip.
While many rooftop restaurants in Houston can get quite rowdy, Ivy Bar & Bistro keeps things pretty relaxed.
However, the venue does kick things up a notch on Thursday and Saturday nights with live DJ sets and jazz bands.
JOEY Uptown
$$$ | Website | (346) 646-5639 | 5045 Westheimer Rd Suite X-01, Houston, TX 77056
JOEY is an international name, having already made a splash all across Canada, as well as stateside in LA and Seattle. Their Houston location is the latest to open and, as is fitting of Texas, one of their biggest.
All in all, the venue boasts 10,288 square feet of modern dining, with ⅕ of that space dedicated to their sprawling outdoor patio (temperature-controlled and with its own bar)!
As for views, you’ll be tucked among the glittering towers of Houston’s Galleria neighborhood.
JOEY delivers fabulous flavors in every dish; the chicken lettuce wraps, lobster ravioli, Korean fried cauliflower, and seared salmon sushi are all big hits.
Vegetarians will find plenty to love with Szechuan tofu lettuce wraps, crispy tofu bowls, Impossible burgers, and more.
For dessert, indulge in baked apple pie, a decadent molten lava cake, or warm Italian donuts baked to perfection.
The Dogwood
$$ | Website | (281) 501-9075 | 2403 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77006
Want a delicious meal without the dress code? Head straight for Houston’s premier “modern sports bar,” which blends Southern comforts with polished interiors and killer views of the city skyline.
As they put it, the Dogwood dishes up “high-end food in a casual setting,” perfect for those that want a relaxed night out without skimping on flavor.
Speaking of food, you’ll have your pick of quintessentially Texas dishes with creative standouts like their sweet tea marinated wings, chicken ‘n waffle sliders, jalapeño mac and cheese, and smothered tater tots.
The venue can get packed past midnight on weekends, with DJ sets, giant crowds, and strong drinks that keep the party going into the early hours of the morning.
El Big Bad
$$ | Website | (713) 229-8181 | 419 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002
Calling all tequila lovers! El Big Bad is the proud home of the world’s largest infused tequila bar (and some mouth-watering Mexican cuisine).
Although it’s a tall order, their food menu manages to keep up with their drink menu.
The street tacos, elotes, and tortilla soup have received rave reviews, although all of the dishes on offer are hearty enough to soak up the tequila.
El Big Bad’s infusions begin with 100% blue weber agave blanco tequila and range in flavor from beef jerky to jalapeño to pumpkin spice.
While you can find plenty of more traditional fruity infusions, adventurous foodies may want to branch out to weirder options like chorizo or Thai curry.
As for the views, the venue is located in one of Houston’s most charming neighborhoods–the Historic District between the Theater District and Market Square area.
On their outdoor patio, you’ll find pastel walls and colorful art, with the bustling streets (and some gorgeous architecture) below.
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
$$$$ | Website | (713) 862-1814 | 1814 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
When you imagine places to eat in Houston, meat is probably one of the first things that comes to mind.
Of all the states, Texas clocks in as the fourth largest producer of red meat, and they have the steakhouses to prove it.
B&B’s is set inside a vintage butcher shop since converted into a seriously upscale dining destination. Their full-service rooftop patio has incredible Houston downtown views but be warned that smoking is allowed.
Their menu kicks off with three different types of bacon and just gets meatier from there.
The main dishes run the gamut from the finest Texas and Japanese Wagyu beef to in-house 28-day and 55-day dry-aged USDA Prime beef.
In fact, B&B is one of only 29 restaurants in the country that have been certified by the Kobe Beef Association in Japan!
Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
$$ | Website | (281) 823-8600 | 909 Texas Ave. Suite 2A, Houston, TX 77002
Last, but certainly not least, on our list of rooftop restaurants in Houston is Lawless Spirits & Kitchen, a swanky joint located inside the renowned Rice Hotel.
In addition to comfy lounge seating and sweeping views of downtown Houston, they also dish up a menu of bar bites and small plates (think flatbreads, sliders, nachos, and grazing boards).
Their wine and beer lists have a nice variety, but the craft cocktails are where Lawless’s creativity really shines.
They even have snow cones, and coolers spiked with either liquor or Boba bubbles and CBD oil.
DJ sets on Wednesdays and Thursdays turn the energy up a notch, while great happy hour deals run Monday-Saturday starting at 4 PM.
Final Thoughts on Houston Rooftop Restaurants
As one of the warmest and biggest cities in America filled with skyscrapers, Houston is an excellent rooftop city.
Inspired by the Space Center Houston, we decided to go up in the sky and bring you this list with our favorite rooftop restaurants in Houston.
With refreshing cocktails and amazing views, no wait, unparalleled views, Houston’s rooftop scene is quickly expanding, so you have a lot to catch up with.
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