Best Cozy Restaurants in University of Houston

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Houston

Neighbourhoods

AstrodomeBellaireDowntownEast EndGalleria / UptownHeights / Washington

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

James Beard AwardMICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

125 restaurants available nearby

1. Milton's

4.8

Exceptional(148)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Rice Village

Booked 47 times today

Formerly known as Eau Tour, Milton's is an Italian-American trattoria from the same team that you already know and love! Milton's will feature homemade pastas and wood-fired meats, and an array of craft cocktails made to be enjoyed in our vibrant, revamped space. Opening soon!

2. Fiori

4.1

Excellent(666)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Montrose

Booked 2 times today

Fiori is a charming and cosy Italian restaurant and floral boutique in the heart of Montrose, led by chef Alessio from Rome. The restaurant is located in a cute two-story building, has a nice patio with lights hanging on the outside and a terrace; massive oak trees surround the building creating an unique atmosphere. The beautifully interior, decorated with fresh flowers, plants and paintings, offers a lovely and light ambience. Fiori focuses on using authentic traditional recipes. At lunch offers salads, pasta and Italian sandwiches. At dinner, Fiori transforms to a relaxed lounge atmosphere with a full bar and refined wine selection, where you can have a classic Italian aperitive and then taste a selection of true Italian dishes. Periodically Fiori hosts local artist to delight you with paintings and live entertainments. Moreover, you can surprise your guests with a table floral arrangement or a bouquet for your partner. Fiori is available for private parties/events of many sizes.

3. Coppa Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(596)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Rice Village

Booked 74 times today

Coppa Osteria is the perfect paring of food and lifestyle, taking its personality from the affluent, family centric West University, Southampton, Rice and Museum District neighborhoods. Its clientele is an eclectic mix of professionals, university academics and young families – who all seem to know one another. With craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, it's easy to find the perfect beverage to pair with Coppa's modern Italian cuisine. Neapolitan-inspired pizzas are some of the most popular items on the menu – the Coppa Pepperoni and Carnissima are crowd favorites. Diners also flock for the Fritto Misto, Burrata Tartufo and Spaghetti Carbonara (Coppa's signature dish). Complete with a lively bar scene and a large outdoor patio that lends itself to sipping rosé and taking in the surrounding neighborhood scenery, Coppa is the ideal setting for an intimate all-day dining with family & friends.For group or private dining for 7+ guests, please submit a private dining inquiry below.

A photo of BCN Taste & Tradition restaurant

4. BCN Taste & Tradition

4.8

Exceptional(1928)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Montrose

Booked 41 times today

BCN Taste & Tradition, the name gives a nod to Barcelona and the meld of traditional and modern Spanish cuisine. Chef Luis Roger relocated from Girona, Spain - trained under Michelin Chef Ferran Adria at elBulli- and taught at the renowned culinary school Aula Gastronomica de l’Emporada. Located on a 1920’s era Victorian home in the trendy Montrose/Museum District (4210 Roseland St.). BCN Taste & Tradition will recreate an authentic Spanish style dining experience with unparalleled service. The menu will showcase all the fantastic, cutting-edge haute cuisine that put Spain on the world stage. Credit card info required for reservations larger than 5 guests. A $50/person fee will be charged if you are unable to cancel within 48 of your scheduled time or if your party decreases in size within 24 of your reservation. No fee will be assessed for transferring the reservation to a different name.

5. Grace's

4.8

Exceptional(4376)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

Booked 58 times today

Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is primarily first come, first served. If you do not see the time you want available online, please call us directly. When owner Johnny Carrabba set out on his next restaurant venture, he knew his vision would include the fond memories he had of his dear grandmother Grace Mandola. Grace, also known to the family as Mama, was a Sicilian woman born to immigrant parents in Louisiana. She had a flair for cooking, hospitality, and deep faith.She was known to make bread from scratch every Saturday for her legendary three-hour Sicilian Sunday lunches; and, her newly established family roots in Louisiana added interesting flavors to her home cooked meals. The entire Mandola family, including her five children and fourteen grandchildren, was regularly greeted in her home with smells of warm bread, well brewed sauces and homemade soups. It was around her table that her family learned the true meaning and value of relationships, friendships and good food.

6. Roost Houston

4.7

Exceptional(544)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Montrose

Booked 2 times today

Nominated by Food and Wine Magazine as best chef southwest and 4 time winner of the Houston Iron Fork competition, Roost is slowly standing in a class of its own. With accolades like winner of the Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay and competing on Guy's Grocery Games, local Chef Kevin Naderi loves developing global flavors and serving his hometown. Roost’s 50-seat space is cozy and unpretentious, amid walls paneled with old shutters and Edison-like light fixtures. Roost’s rustic and diverse menu is revised every five weeks, inspired by local availability of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and flavors of the world, including the American South, Asia, and from the Middle East, taking advantage of Chef Naderi’s Persian heritage. With over 13 years of serving Houston, we are proud to be a delicious option for our incredible city, and we truly looking forward to giving you a casual- fine dining experience.

A photo of Annabelle Brasserie restaurant

7. Annabelle Brasserie

4.5

Awesome(1026)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Montrose

Booked 67 times today

Situated as the anchor restaurant of Autry Park, a 14-acre mixed-use Hanover development on Buffalo Bayou Park, Annabelle Brasserie will serve French cuisine lunch, dinner seven and weekend brunch in a lively atmosphere with picturesque views. To ensure the best experience for all of our guests, we kindly request that outside food or drinks not be brought into the restaurant. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to serving you!

8. Lucille's

4.5

Awesome(2420)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Regional American (Southern) • Museum District

Booked 49 times today

Nestled in a 1920s mission-style home in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, Lucille's specializes in well-refined Southern cuisine with infusions of international techniques and flavors. The restaurant serves as a tribute to the culinary tradition began by Executive Chef & Owner Chris Williams’ great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who was a culinary pioneer and successful entrepreneur who founded her own food corporation. Today, the Lucille’s team continues to pay homage to their namesake by replicating some of her most famous recipes while embellishing others to create innovative takes on Southern food classics.

A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston restaurant

9. Clark's Oyster Bar - Houston

4.9

Exceptional(466)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montrose

Booked 83 times today

Located in a former auto shop in the vibrant Montrose neighborhood near The Menil Collection and Museum District, Clark’s Houston is the third and largest location of our popular neighborhood oyster bar and seafood restaurant. Opened in Fall 2023, Clark’s features freshly shucked oysters, crudo, lobster roll, daily fish specials, caviar and blini, bowls of chowder and cioppino as well as a much-loved burger and shoestring fries.The restaurant specializes in martinis and signature cocktails as well as an extensive Champagne and wine list. The design is light, bright, and airy with nautically-themed touches including a centerpiece fish tank, teak wood furniture, bright white walls, and blue and turquoise tones.In addition to a marble-topped oyster bar and dining room, there’s a large, covered patio for prime people watching and oyster slurping. Clark’s Houston also offers a semi-private dining room for special occasions and events.

A photo of Le Jardinier - Houston restaurant

10. Le Jardinier - Houston

4.7

Exceptional(220)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • Heights / Washington

Booked 13 times today

Le Jardinier is a cozy restaurant with a relaxed-luxury atmosphere. Custom art pieces and an Isamu Noguchi-designed sculpture garden set the scene. As one reviewer puts it, 'This is, by far, our favorite spot in Houston. If you want to be dazzled with amazing food and ambiance with the touch of excellence, you will absolutely love Le Jardinier.' Another reviewer praises the 'beautiful space' and the 'lovely, modern atmosphere.' This place truly embodies the essence of cozy.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston •46 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Ambience plus, scrumptious food, and exceptional service. Everything was perfectly timed with great recommendations from our server, Kyle. Our table enjoyed the chargrilled oysters, leeks vinaigrette, eggplant Parmesan, sourdough tagliatelle and bucatini. The bucatini was our least favorite dish, but still very good. We can’t wait to return.
More info
Milton'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Rice Village
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Victoria •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food was incredibly tasty! We all had a wonderful time and will be back again. Thank you
More info
Coppa OsteriaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Italian• Rice Village
•
4.7
M
Martha
Exclusive •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
First time eating at Graces and everyone in our party of six loved it! The Campencha and Sticky Ribs appetizers were so delicious! The chicken pot pie was perfectly seasoned and so very tasty. Other dishes ordered which were equally delicious were the shrimp tacos and the beef stroganoff. The restaurant ambience was enjoyable on this Tuesday evening, and it was easy to hold conversations around our table. The choice of either valet parking or the parking garage made parking easy! We are already planning our next visit to Graces and talking about the menu items we want to order!
More info
Grace'sPrice: Expensive• American• Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor
•
4.8
L
LuisVIP
Chicago / Illinois •114 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great service, delicious food and fun ambiance. Highly recommended .
More info
BCN Taste & TraditionPrice: Very Expensive• Spanish• Montrose
•
4.8
S
SherryVIP
Houston •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 11, 2025
Food here is just delicious! Everything we had was very good.
More info
FioriPrice: Expensive• Italian• Montrose
•
4.1

Explore OpenTable

Neighbourhood
Cozy

University of Houston

Bellaire
Astrodome
Northwest Houston
Downtown
North Side
Westside
Vintage Park
Clear Lake / Webster / Bay Area
Dickinson
Montrose
Conroe
Fulshear
Rice Village
The Woodlands
Far Westheimer
Heights / Washington
Westchase
Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor
League City
Kemah / Seabrook