Houston is one of the best cities in the country for food lovers. With people from all over the world calling Houston home, the city is packed with amazing restaurants serving all kinds of delicious dishes. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived here for years, there’s always something new to try. Here are some of my favorite must-try restaurants and where to find them!

Craving Tex-Mex? Head to El Tiempo

Tex-Mex is a mix of Texas and Mexican flavors, and here in Houston, we do it better than anywhere else in the world. My opinion of course! One of the best things to try is queso – a warm, cheesy dip often served with tortilla chips. You could throw a dart on the map of Houston and land on a Tex-Mex restaurant that serves great queso. Now combine that with sizzling grilled fajitas, and you have yourself a staple of the genre. My favorite queso and fajitas have to be from El Tiempo, conveniently located across the street from Camden Greenway. They have locations spread out around Houston, such as Midtown, the Galleria, the Heights, EaDo, and even Stafford, right near Camden Sugar Grove.

Photo courtesy of Camden Greenway Apartments

If you’re looking for real BBQ, then you’ve got to try Truth BBQ

Texas is famously known for its barbecue, and in Houston, brisket is king. This slow-smoked beef is juicy, flavorful, and melts in your mouth. One of my top spots is Truth BBQ. This place is only a mile and a half away from Camden Heights. Truth BBQ is where the brisket is perfectly smoked and served with tasty sides like mac and cheese. Pro tip: You have to get there early or be prepared to wait in a long line. It’s that good! The Pit Room is another great bbq spot in Houston, known for its rich, smoky flavors and Tex-Mex twist.

There’s nothing like Southern Breakfast – The Breakfast Klub

If you love sweet and savory flavors together, you have to try chicken and waffles. This classic Southern dish combines crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles, usually topped with syrup. Just down the block from Camden McGowen Station, the Breakfast Klub is one of Houston’s most famous spots for this dish, drawing many people every weekend. It's always well worth the wait.

When in doubt, sushi is the move - The Fish

Photo courtesy of Ramon Cordova

Nestled on West Gray, within walking distance of Camden City Centre, this spot offers you a fun yet relaxed ambiance perfect for a date night or a casual dinner. Dishes from The Fish are not only visually appealing, but their flavors will keep you wanting to come back time after time. A must-try is one of my personal favorites, the Mango Salmon Roll. This roll has shrimp tempura, snow crab, and avocado, and is topped with mango and seared salmon with an unagi sauce.

The best Persian food in town – Kasra

Houston has several Persian restaurants, but I truly enjoy going to Kasra Persian Grill, located in the Westchase District of Houston, minutes from Camden Holly Springs. This place offers authentic Persian food and is the perfect place to enjoy lunch. I could eat their flavorful Chicken Sultani every day. This dish consists of two skewers of charbroiled premium quality beef with delicious basmati rice and grilled tomatoes.

This is just a small sample of some of my favorites. Houston’s food scene is as big and diverse as the city itself. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, BBQ, or something unique like Persian food, there’s always something delicious to try. So grab a fork (or your hands) and start eating your way through Houston!