Lauren McDowell

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the best of the south lies in Tex-Mex restaurants, at least not in Houston, which boasts one of the most exciting culinary scenes in America. The fact is that their restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as the six million-plus residents that inhabit. Translation: 10,000 restaurants representing more than 70 different cuisines.  Those with an expectation for Tex-Mex and barbecue need not worry. Those mainstays are widely done and done darn well. But did you know that Houston has the second-largest Indochinese population in America, behind Los Angeles? Chinatown ain’t no novelty lil’ town—it’s a thriving district. Add Gulf Coast seafood, decadent European fare, and authentic South-East Asian delights, and well, you’re in foodie heaven…with Texas-sized portions. We’ve plucked our favorites from the mahoosive range of eateries available, so all y’all gotta do is show up hungry and wear loose-fitting pants. RECOMMENDED: The best Houston AirbnbsRECOMMENDED: The best Houston attractions