The Woodlands is one of the most beautiful locations I’ve ever lived. The Woodlands, located on Houston’s north side, is a gorgeous sanctuary of restaurants and residences surrounded by plants and trees. Restaurants in The Woodlands vary from Italian to New Orleans, and there are even hipster hangouts with live music and surprisingly good sushi!
The Woodlands is just 40 minutes north of Houston, straight up Interstate 45, and it has a slew of delightful tiny old and modern eateries. Since it may be difficult to discover things in the Woodlands, I’ve frequently observed that it’s like the island in Pirates of the Caribbean that can only be found by those who already know where it is. Nonetheless, it gives the impression that the whole place is a well guarded secret. Therefore, without further ado, here are my top 10 best-kept Woodlands secrets.
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The Woodlands, Texas’s Top Ten Restaurants
Sushi with Unicorns
+1 281-298-71779595 #860 Six Pines Dr
Uni Sushi is not just one of the top ten restaurants in the Woodlands, but its proximity to a movie theater makes it ideal for dinner and a movie.
Uni is a contemporary, elegant restaurant with a well stocked bar, ideal for happy hour and always busy on weekends. Uni is distinguished by its culinary innovations on typical Japanese sushi bar staples.
I recommend beginning with fresh fish ceviche or roasted avocado. Then select two things from their trendy makimonos collection and you will not be disappointed. Watch your butt with tuna, salmon, cream cheese, and jalapeño or Armando with crab, salmon, avocado, jalapeno, and cream cheese are two of my favorites. This Woodlands fine dining establishment will not disappoint.
Restaurant Republic Grille
W Panther Creek Dr #490, 281-719-5895
The Republic Grille, located near Woodlands Parkway and Gosling Road, is a Southern Texas-style restaurant. The Republic Grill focuses on comfort food, such as chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes. It’s one of the few places in the Woodlands or anyplace else where I can honestly state that everything is delicious.
The TRG salad, a bed of lettuce with grilled chicken, strawberries, red grapes, goat cheese, cranberries, and nuts, is my particular favorite. On the terrace, you may enjoy seasonal outdoor sitting. However keep in mind that seasonal outdoor sitting in The Woodlands does not always encompass July and August!
New Orleans Kitchen Schillecis
+1 281-419-42429595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1120
Schillecis, voted Best Restaurant in The Woodlands practically every year, may truly be the greatest. Schillecis’ genuine New Orleans-style cuisine is the greatest outside of New Orleans. Nonetheless, since it is a tiny restaurant, it is preferable to make reservations on weekends.
Schillecis is pricier than typical, yet it is ideal for special events. Crab bisque, etouffee, and barramundi risotto are among the tastiest delicacies available.
My favorites, though, are the crab and artichoke dip and the Cajun fettuccine alfredo with crawfish. All of the pan-seared fish platters are great, but my favorites are the pan-seared fish with crab meat or stuffed shrimp. Jambalaya is accessible and delicious for individuals who do not consume seafood. Visit this Woodlands eatery for a taste of New Orleans in Houston.
The Olive Oil Bistro
Sawdust Rd., +1 281-367-0114373 Sawdust Rd.
A little family-owned Greek restaurant at the entrance to the Woodlands is easily missed just off Interstate 45. It’s in a little space in a strip mall, and despite its unassuming appearance, it’s fantastic.
The Olive Oil Restaurant was rated the best for gyros, but I like their more genuine Greek meals such as moussaka, pastitsio (baked layers of Greek pasta), and the leg of lamb.
They also offer great pork chops and chicken parmigiana for those seeking a less genuine experience. My particular favorite, though, is the grilled snapper. The Olive Oil Restaurant is also quite cheaply priced, with most meals costing between $10 and $16 dollars, making it one of the finest buys among Woodlands eateries.
Poured locally
Hughes Landing Blvd #350
Local Pour is the greatest venue for happy hour, and owing to its position on restaurant row, it fills up with businessmen about 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
It’s a terrific spot for after-work drinks with pals, but it also serves superb meals. The appetizers include traditional pub fare with a twist, such as turmeric deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped shrimp.
They, however, are not the major draws. Their ahi tuna sandwich is the finest I’ve ever tasted, and their spinach and berry salad is out of this world. By far the greatest meals are the southern comfort foods. You won’t be sorry if you order the southern chicken fried chicken, shrimp & grits, or the local fish. They also provide excellent service. Therefore, whether you’re on your way to the bustling music venue or simply stopping for a quick drink, this is where to dine in the Woodlands.
Café Black Walnut
+1 281-362-16789000 New Trails Blvd.
Black Walnut Caf is known for its fresh cuisine and hipster beats. Here is the place to go if you want vegan tacos, veggie burgers, or a spot to charge your electric car.
Superior ingredients result in better meals, and Black Walnut Caf is evidence of that. It’s both nutritious and tasty. Brunch is my favorite meal, but it’s difficult to choose since everything is so amazing. If you go on the weekend, there will be a queue out the door, so arrive early or avoid peak time.
For brunch, I definitely suggest the eggs benedict or the build-your-own omelet. Indeed, they do serve egg and avocado toast. You must try the Fish Risotto if you go for lunch. Black Walnut Caf also has a gluten-free menu. This is the place to go in the Woodlands if you want a trendy, high-quality restaurant.
Landry’s Seafood Restaurant
Lake Robbins Dr., +1 281-362-96961212 Lake Robbins Dr.
Landrys Seafood Restaurant, with its stunning Woodlands Waterway vista, is a lovely romantic setting for an anniversary meal or special event. It’s also close to the movie theater, Cynthia Mitchell Pavilion, and The Woodlands Mall, making it ideal for a romantic night.
It is little more costly than typical, but the food is definitely worth it, and the service is excellent. If you prefer oysters, this is a good place to start; otherwise, try the New Orleans crawfish bread or shrimp en brochette. You can’t go wrong after that.
The stuffed redfish and snapper Our chef advises are to die for and are both locally sourced. Today’s catch includes a variety of fish prepared in a variety of ways. If you don’t like shellfish, one of my favorite dishes is Landry’s chicken fettuccine. It’s not often that you can find an on-the-water restaurant this far from the Gulf, but Landry’s is unquestionably one of the greatest local eateries in the Woodlands.
Woodlands
Lake Woodlands Dr., +1 281-465-89931201 Lake Woodlands Dr.
My favorite spot to celebrate my birthday was always Brios Tuscan Grille. It is less costly than a nice dining establishment yet has the same ambiance.
Brios Tuscan Grille is the greatest Italian restaurant in the Woodlands, in my opinion. The shrimp and lobster fettuccine is delicious, as is the spaghetti pesto, but my personal favorite is the pasta al la vodka. The ricotta-filled spaghetti with a spicy cream sauce is my favorite. Although most pastas are the same, it’s the sauces that set Brio apart.
If you want an appetizer, I recommend the lobster ravioli or the spicy shrimp and eggplant. They are both delectable. Take your special someone to Brios while you’re in town, and you won’t be disappointed. There is also a gluten-free menu available for those who choose it. What is the best Italian restaurant in Woodlands? Brio.
Anayas, the cyclone
Waterway Ave #120, +1 281-419-577120
Any list of Texas favorites would be incomplete without a mention of a Mexican restaurant, and Cyclone Anayas is the greatest. While it is labeled a Tex-Mex restaurant, it is not your usual Tex-Mex establishment. It’s a high-end Mexican restaurant.
Let your eyes to glaze over the Tex-Mex mixtures and focus on the house specialities. My particular favorite are the enchiladas de espinaca, which are loaded with white cheese and spinach and topped with a Chardonnay cream sauce and pine nuts. All of the house specialities, though, are fantastic, and I believe they make handmade flour tortillas.
Cyclone Anayas is a bit more expensive than your normal Mexican restaurant, but it’s well worth it. Cyclone Anayas is one of The Woodlands’ greatest restaurants for a fascinating look into Mexican food.
Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar Sakekawa
Woodlands Pkwy., +1 281-419-59886777 Woodlands Pkwy.
I understand that having two sushi places on a top ten list may seem unusual, and I honestly fought with the choice. Sorry to those of you who do not like fish, but these two places were just too excellent to pass up. As proof, I must admit that I ate at Sakekawa once a week when living in the Woodlands. That’s how fantastic it is.
My favorite roll was the scorpion roll, which had shrimp tempura with jalapeo and cream cheese, avocado, and crab, as well as a spicy mayo and eel sauce on top. I was never a fan of sushi until I tried this roll. I’m sure you’ll discover something you like there. It would be tough to choose the finest of the top restaurants in The Woodlands, but this is the place to go for sushi.
Which of these The Woodlands, TX restaurants do you want to try the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!
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