Hispanic Heritage Month Our Guide to Latin American Cuisine
¡Buen provecho!
With Houston being the most diverse city in the country, you bet we have a culturally diverse culinary scene too. Did you know that over 25% of H-Town residents have heritage linked to Mexico, Central America, or South America? During Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 - October 15, we celebrate all the contributions that the Hispanic community makes in our city, including their delicious cuisines. From tacos to empanadas to pupusas, you’ll definitely find them in Houston. Here’s our guide to Latin American Cuisine in Houston.
DOWNTOWN/EADO/EAST END
In the heart of downtown Houston, you’ll find Underground Hall with eateries like Birria Los Primos. Here, diners can taste Mexican spicy Birria Tacos, Quesabirria, Birria Nachos, Birria Burrito and more! Pair your meal with a drink from the bar or a Mangonada drink with mango chunks and chamoy!
Chef Richard Sandoval’s award-winning Pan-Latin Steakhouse, Toro Toro at the luxury Four Seasons Hotel is the perfect fine dining spot to taste incredible dishes. With a full Suviche Bar (Sushi & Ceviche), start with their Amarillo Ceviche accompanied by Lomo Saltado, share a 52oz Prime Tomahawk and complete with Housemade Churros!
If you’re looking for some of the best (and tender) Fajitas in town, head over to El Tiempo Cantina on Navigation Boulevard in Houston’s East End for a great time with friends and family. We promise you’ll love their guacamole, margaritas and homemade tortillas. You can’t go wrong with their delicious Tex-Mex dishes.
MONTROSE/MIDTOWN/RIVER OAKS
Want to try authentic Mexico City street tacos? Look no further than Midtown’s La Calle. Enjoy street elote, birria tacos, tortas and drink specials on their patio. Open until 3 a.m., it’s a great spot to visit after a fun night out in Midtown’s bar scene!
Specializing in Venezuelan cuisine, Gusto Gourmet offers popular dishes like empanadas, tequeños and arepas. This cozy eatery also offers a vegetarian and vegan menu, there’s something for everyone!
Since 1988, locals and visitors have dined at Churrascos, a Latin American restaurant with multiple locations in Houston. Here you can taste flavorful empanadas, ceviches, signature plantain chips and chimichurri marinated center-cut tenderloin.
For a quick snack, we recommend trying a variety of savory Argentinian empanadas at the new 5411 Empanadas in Midtown!
NORTH HOUSTON/HEIGHTS
Mastrantos is an intimate and modern Latin American restaurant in the Houston Heights perfect for a date night! Their open kitchen concept, excellent service and aromatic dishes like Argentinian Shrimp Crudo, Pickled Esquites and savory Oven roasted Birria Tagliatelle pasta will make for a great dining experience.
Executive Chef Manuel Pucha’s Maison Pucha restaurant serves up Ecuadorian cuisine in the Houston Heights. Taste the Blackened Salmon with applewood smoked salmon, green pea, asparagus, risotto, pesto, lobster foam and end with a Crème Brûlée.
El Bolillo Bakery in Houston’s northside is a must-visit! They are known for their freshly baked small French baguette-like bolillos, perfect tres leches cakes, Mexican sweet bread, churros and more. For great fajitas, carnitas and street tacos, try Teotihuacan, a casual restaurant and the popular Taconazo Food Truck.
MEMORIAL/WASHINGTON AVE
Another restaurant serving up incredible South American cuisine is Sal y Pimienta Kitchen in City Centre. After you’ve shopped, visit for lunch or dinner and enjoy meal options like Empanadas Uruguayas, Chivito Al Pan sandwich, Ceviche and Milanesa de Carne among others. Celebrate your birthday, date night or next event here!
Can’t decide on Mexican or Peruvian for dinner? At Pollo Bravo, you can have both types of cuisines! This restaurant serves a mix of Mexican dishes like Camarones a la Brava and Peruvian dishes like Lomo Saltado. We also recommend their incredible rotisserie chicken, one of the best in town!
The next time you visit Memorial City Mall, be sure to taste authentic Venezuelan arepas at Arepas By Perla. The arepas are served warm with combinations of pork, pulled beef, chicken, gouda cheese and black beans. You’ll be wanting to come back for more!
GALLERIA/UPTOWN
One great dining option for Mexican food is Chef Hugo Ortega’s new URBE which offers tasty street foods of Mexico like quesadillas, Tacos al Pastor with trompo pork in achiote, charred pineapple, onion, cilantro, habanero salsa, corn tortillas, burgers and more. Their counter service makes it quick and easy to sit down and enjoy a meal with friends.
For some of the best Lomo Saltado steak with rice, sauteed vegetables and fries, you must try Latin Bites Kitchen! Their Peruvian-inspired menu offers a variety of ceviche options, beef skewers, empanadas, aji de gallina and so much more to choose from. Be sure to visit during Happy Hour Monday - Friday 2:30PM - 6:30pm for $3 beer, $5 house wine and $6 cocktails!
Ever had Mexican coastal food? You can at Caracol in the Galleria area. Dishes like Ceviche de Langosta, Ostiones Asados and Pescado Zarandeado are inspired by cuisine from 16 Mexican coastal states. We also recommend tasting their amazing brunch menu!
WEST HOUSTON/WESTCHASE/SOUTHWEST
Can’t get enough of Salvadorian food? We recommend La Pupusa Loka near Westchase where they serve extra large pupusas stuffed with cheese, pork, loroco, beans, chicken and beef and of course, the traditional pickled cabbage and homemade tomato salsa to top it off.
West Houston is home to many Peruvian restaurants as well. You really can’t go wrong with the traditional dishes at Lemon Tree, Chick Houz and Peru Gourmet Restaurant.