Top 5 Quirky Houston Restaurants

As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston has no shortage of delicious and diverse restaurants. However some stand apart from the crowds because of their unique menus, quirky designs or intriguing owners. With so many one-of-a-kind options at your fingertips, why would anyone want to stick to the chains? Make the most of your trip to Space City by trying something new and exciting like these five places:

The Hobbit Cafe is one of the most delicious yet quirky Houston restaurants
The Hobbit Cafe is one of the most delicious yet quirky Houston restaurants

Hobbit Cafe

This Lord Of The Rings themed restaurant is a must-try for any visitor to Houston, but especially for Lord Of The Rings fans. The restaurant is full of all kinds of Tolkien items from movie posters to figures to photos. However the menu is completely normal, albeit a bit heavy on the vegetarian dishes. Meat lovers need not fear though, there are plenty of options for you as well. Despite the fact I have never seen any of the movies, I really enjoyed the Hobbit Cafe, even if it was a little cramped.

Eat Quirky · Explore Quirky     Offbeat Houston Sights & Activities

Jus’ Mac

As the name implies, Jus’ Mac serves nothing but macaroni and cheese dishes. The menu is divided into two categories, Radical and Conservative. On the radical menu there are dishes like the Hangover, perfect for a Sunday morning brunch, or my personal favorite the Cheese & Chong. The conservative dishes might be better for those who are not the most adventurous of eaters, but even those are unique twists on this classic American comfort food.

Kanomwan became one of the top quirky Houston restaurants thanks to the now departed Soup Nazi
Kanomwan became one of the top quirky Houston restaurants thanks to the now departed Soup Nazi

Kanomwan

If you are a fan of Thai food then this little restaurant should not be missed. It is a favorite of local Houstonians who all know their favorite dishes by the letter and number combination, such as H5 or S11. The original owner of this delicious restaurant is lovingly referred to as the Thai Soup Nazi (a reference to the Seinfeld episode about the Soup Nazi), however he passed away in 2010. Luckily the restaurant remains relatively unchanged and the food is still as delicious as ever. Plus, it is BYOB, so how can you go wrong?


Just Dinner

Another great BYOB Italian restaurant is Just Dinner. The name comes from the fact that this restaurant is literally only open for dinner, from 6pm to 9pm every day except Sunday. Because of that, it is highly recommended you make a reservation first. The building is actually a house turned restaurant with a cozy, intimate feel and delicious menu. I recommend the Prime Beef Filet Mignon — simply to die for!

Brothers Taco House

Brothers Taco House in Houston, Texas
Brothers Taco House can be summed up in one word: mmmmmmmmmmm

Given the state’s proximity to Mexico, it should be no surprise that tacos are a staple of most Texans diets. Brothers Taco House is well-known by Houston locals for having the best tacos in all of town. From top-notch breakfast tacos to vegetarian favorites like rajas con queso and classics such as barbacoa, there is something here for everyone.

Wherever you decide to eat, make sure to also check out some of these cool, unique and offbeat Houston sights/activities 😉

Any other quirky Houston restaurants?

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About Derek Freal

"Some people eat, others try therapy. I travel."   Cultural enthusiast. Adrenaline junkie. Eater of strange foods. Chasing unique and offbeat adventures around the world since 2008. Derek loves going to new destinations where he does not speak a word of the local language and must communicate with hand gestures, or places where he is forced to squat awkwardly to poo -- supposedly its healthier and more efficient. For more information (about Derek, not squat pooing) including popular posts and videos, check out his bio.

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