(Updated March 2024. Originally published in 2021.)


Indian cuisine meets French technique at this luxe location near the waterway

Amrina

🌟🌟🌟🌟 — Among the best restaurants in Texas.

🥇 Best Happy Hour
🥇 Best Indian
World-class Indian cuisine from noted chef Jassi Bindra meets French technique in this swanky location near the Woodlands Waterway. GM Giorgio Ferrero has assembled a spectacular wine list (first growth Bordeaux, anyone?) to complement the luxurious, beautifully crafted cuisine. Spare-no-expense interior design is the backdrop for a special night out; those looking for an upscale scene need look no further. Amrina is piling up the awards: Not only have they been recognized by TWTX one of the best restaurants in Texas, but they were Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year 2022 for Houston. At this rate, they’re going to need a bigger trophy case.

Read our full review >

$$$ and $$$$ | Indian
Brunch, Family-Run Small Business, Full Bar, Good Desserts, Good for Vegetarians, Happy Hour, HRW2023, Late Night, Live Music, Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Romantic, and Upscale

3 Waterway Square Pl #100 | The Woodlands 77380
| Map | Review
Full Info | Website

Cali-Mex Cuisine in a festive spot on Waterway Square

Baja Cantina

🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.

🥈 Recommended Mexican
🥈 Recommended Tacos

Baja is the region of Mexico south of California, and Baja Cantina brings California’s spin on Mexican food to the Woodlands. A talented team has come together to bring this lighter take on Mexican cuisine to the business types who congregate at lunch, families at dinner, and the millennial party crowd on weekends. We think all groups will enjoy such specialities as the spectacular tuna soft taco, the huge nacho tower, and the unique pork belly and mint salad. Cocktail program looks promising; their margarita was smooth and flavorful, with unique herbal accents that aren’t usually found ’round these parts. House made aqua frescas will keep the designated driver delighted.  Just don’t come looking for Tex-Mex; Baja Cantina is a whole different state of Mexican food.

$$ | Brunch, Mexican, and Tacos
Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Dining, and Scenic View

24 Waterway Ave Suite 160 | The Woodlands 77380
Waterway Square
832-432-2252
| Map
Full Info | Website | Menu

Latin cuisine with a Texas flair

Churrascos

🥈 Recommended Steak

The Woodands outpost of Michael Cordua’s successful empire has hit its stride in the scenic waterway district. Delicious latin-influenced cuisine including Cordua favorites like the chimichurri-topped churrasco steak and the iconic tres leches are present and accounted for. New lighter options are available as well, all are skillfully executed by the well-managed staff.

Beautiful waterfront location with one of the most scenic patios in the Woodlands is perfect for happy hour; the bar is a hotspot after work. Well priced brunch is also turning heads.

Read our full review >

$$$ | Brunch, Latin American, and Steaks
Brunch, Catering, Full Bar, Happy Hour, HRW2020, HRW2021, HRW2022, HRW2023, Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Romantic, Scenic View, and Upscale

21 Waterway Avenue | The Woodlands 77380
281-367-1492
| Map | Review
Full Info | Website | Menu

New York pizza from a coal fired oven

Grimaldi’s Pizzaria

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, this high-end pizza chain boasts a coal-fired oven and old school New York-style pizza. The craft approach uses great ingredients (don’t pass up the Italian sausage) and an artisan sensibility to put together pricey pizzas that appeal to refined pizza palates. But bumpy experiences aren’t uncommon: too frequent reports of poor service and inconsistency. The hot coal oven requires constant attention, and too often the pizza is either undercooked or over done. But when they’re on, they’re superb, and at these prices, they should be. Do you feel lucky, punk?

$$ and $$$ | Pizza
Outdoor Dining and Scenic View

20 Waterway Ave #100 | The Woodlands 77380
281-465-3500
| Map
Full Info | Website

Treetop views and a rooftop deck on the Woodlands Waterway

Rose Rooftop

Rose Rooftop is definitely a spot for those who want to see and be seen. Located on the Woodlands Waterway, the establishment features a downstairs lounge and restaurant, complete with a wraparound deck overlooking waterway square. From here, a tightly edited menu of upscale American favorites is served; we were particularly impressed by the flavorful Ceviche and the stunning Tuna Tartare. Lemon Pepper Salmon was another highlight; as was the substantial Rose Burger. On the roof, sceeensters dance the night away and enjoy a taco bar late through the evening. Friendly service.

$$ and $$$ | American (Traditional) and Burgers
Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Romantic, Scenic View, and Upscale

20 Waterway Ave Ste #200 | The Woodlands 77380
832-341-5142
| Map
Full Info | Website | Menu

Modern Italian in a chic hotel setting

Sorriso Modern Italian Kitchen

This casually ambitious Italian eatery bursts onto the Woodlands Waterway scene with a playful approach to Italian dining. Our first look at his food is promising. Well priced appetizers, pizzas, pastas, and desserts take center stage, and the completely rebuilt dining room is both modern and inviting. Excellent wine list.

Read our full review >

$$ and $$$ | Brunch, Italian, and Pizza
Full Bar, Happy Hour, HRW2022, Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Romantic, Scenic View, and Upscale

2 Waterway Square Place | The Woodlands 77380
In the Westin Waterway hotel
281-419-4300
| Map | Review
Full Info | Website | Menu | Order Online

An Irish pub on the Woodlands Waterway

The Goose’s Acre

The Woodlands has a real Irish pub located on the Waterway, complete with a bar imported from Ireland. This two-story pub serves modern pub grub, and daily specials (including half-price burgers on Wednesday) pack in hungry diners. Signature salads, proper fish and chips, and hand-tossed pizza are solid choices on the broad menu. Beautiful Waterway location with scenic outdoor decks.

$$ | American (Traditional), Brunch, and Burgers
Full Bar, Happy Hour, Live Music, Outdoor Dining, and Scenic View

21 Waterway Ave #140 | The Woodlands 77380
(On the Waterway)
281-466-1502
| Map
Full Info

Raising the bar for dining in the Woodlands

TRIS

🌟🌟🌟🌟 — Among the best restaurants in Texas.

🥇 Best American (New)
🥇 Best Burger
🥇 Best Happy Hour
🥇 Best Seafood
🥇 Best Steak

Chef-driven restaurants are rare in The Woodlands, but Chef Austin Simmons demonstrates how successful they can be. Formerly known as Hubbell & Hudson Bistro, TRIS features innovative cuisine, and everything from the outstanding burgers to the most elaborate entree shows the kind of attention to detail that is the hallmark of a great restaurant.

Not only does Tris butcher their own beef, but they’ve created their own hybrid breed of cattle (Gyulais, a wagyu/charolais hybrid) that meets the chef’s exacting standards.. Chef Austin has the uncanny knack of combining diverse and unique ingredients into dishes that surprise and delight, while maintaining the integrity of the cuisine.

Steaks are a strength; from USDA prime to Texas wagyu to their own Gyulais herd to Japanese A5 (Miyazaki) for the true connoisseur. Each is cooked with the technique that will bring out the unique flavor of the breed and cut of beef. Seafood is another specialty, and it’s handled superbly. A deep dive into the appetizers can bring great rewards, from the now-iconic Korean butter-poached crab to the ethereal hamachi sashimi.

Many establishments slip a notch when the name on the door isn’t in the house, but not Tris; Simmons has created a well oiled machine. Chef Courtney helms the kitchen in the maestro’s absence, and we can’t detect any difference at all. That is the mark of an outstanding organization, and Tris exemplifies just how good a restaurant can be with a great team and a creative genius at the helm.

Read our full review >

$$$ and $$$$ | American (New), Burgers, Seafood, and Steaks
Catering, Full Bar, Good Desserts, Good for Vegetarians, Happy Hour, HRW2020, HRW2021, HRW2022, HRW2023, Outdoor Dining, Private Room, and Upscale

24 Waterway Avenue | The Woodlands 77380
281-203-5641
| Map | Review
Full Info | Website | Menu | Order Online


Restaurant Listings

Amrina $$$ and $$$$ Indian   Waterway
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Baja Cantina $$ Brunch, Mexican, and Tacos   Waterway
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Baker St. Pub & Grill $$ American (Traditional)   Waterway
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Bar Louie $$ American (Traditional) and Burgers   Waterway
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Blue Door Coffee $ Coffee, Salads, and Sandwiches   Waterway
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Churrascos $$$ Brunch, Latin American, and Steaks   Waterway
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Cureight - closed $$$$ American (New)   Waterway
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Cyclone Anaya’s $$ and $$$ Brunch and Mexican   Waterway
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Grimaldi’s Pizzaria $$ and $$$ Pizza   Waterway
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Hearsay on the Waterway $$ and $$$ American (Traditional) and Brunch   Waterway
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Mahoney’s $$ American (Traditional)   Waterway
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Morton’s Grille $$$ and $$$$ American (Traditional), Brunch, and Steaks   Waterway
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Refuge Bar & Bistro $$ American (Traditional)   Waterway
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Rose Rooftop $$ and $$$ American (Traditional) and Burgers   Waterway
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Sorriso Modern Italian Kitchen $$ and $$$ Brunch, Italian, and Pizza   Waterway
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The Goose’s Acre $$ American (Traditional), Brunch, and Burgers   Waterway
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TRIS $$$ and $$$$ American (New), Burgers, Seafood, and Steaks   Waterway
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