The best of dining and imbibing on lower Westheimer during the past 15 years

The opening and quick success of Underbelly in 2012 made me realize that there was now a critical mass of excellent and interesting restaurants and bars along a short stretch of a single road here. The length of Westheimer from Bagby, where it happens to start, west to Dunlavy is barely over a mile, which is an inconsiderable distance in car-happy Houston. This was a restaurant row, certainly in car terms.
 
So, I compiled a list of the best spots. I’ve updated it a few times, first for the Deep South publication two years later in 2014, and then a couple more times, as the establishments have changed. Here are my lists, snapshots in time, including one in an article I just posted. The number of recommendable places has grown in the past nearly fifteen years.
 
2012
 
Jeannine’s Bistro – 106 Westheimer – Belgian
Feast – 219 Westheimer – Modern British
L’Olivier – 240 Westheimer – French
Melange Creperie – 403 Westheimer – Crepes
Dolce Vita – 500 Westheimer – Pizza / Italian
Roots Bistro – 507 Westheimer – American
Osaka – 515 Westheimer – Sushi
Indika – 516 Westheimer – Modern Indian
Uchi – 904 Westheimer – Japanese
Aladdin – 912 Westheimer – Middle Eastern
Little Bigs – 2703 Montrose– Hamburgers
BB’s Café – 2710 Montrose– Cajun
The Hay Merchant – 1100 Westheimer – Beer Bar / American
Underbelly – 1100 Westheimer – New American
El Real – 1201 Westheimer – Tex-Mex
Anvil – 1424 Westheimer – Cocktail Bar
Da Marco – 1520 Westheimer – Italian
Hugo's – 1602 Westheimer – Mexican
Poscol – 1609 Westheimer – Italian
Mark’s –1658 Westheimer – New American
 
2014
 
Georges Bistro – 219 Westheimer – French
L’Olivier – 240 Westheimer – French
La Casa del Caballo – 333 Westheimer – Mexican Steakhouse
Melange Creperie – 403 Westheimer – Crepes
Dolce Vita – 500 Westheimer – Pizza / Italian
Indika – 516 Westheimer – Modern Indian
Katz’s – 615 Westheimer – Deli
Uchi – 904 Westheimer – Sushi
Aladdin – 912 Westheimer – Middle Eastern
Little Bigs – 2703 Montrose– Hamburgers
Blacksmith – 1018 Westheimer – Coffee Shop
The Hay Merchant – 1100 Westheimer – Beer Bar / American
Underbelly – 1100 Westheimer – New American
Anvil – 1424 Westheimer – Cocktail Bar
Da Marco – 1520 Westheimer – Italian
Poscol – 1609 Westheimer – Italian
Hugo's – 1602 Westheimer – Mexican
Mark’s –1658 Westheimer – New American
Common Bond – 1706 Westheimer – Bakery
 
2018
 
Bistecca – 224 Westheimer – Steak
Avondale – 240 Westheimer – New American / French
El Tiempo – 333 Westheimer – Tex-Mex
Dolce Vita – 500 Westheimer – Pizza / Italian
Pappa Geno’s – 515 Westheimer – Sandwiches
Indika – 516 Westheimer – Indian
Aqui – 520 Westheimer – Pan-Asian
Poscol – 608 Westheimer – Italian
Katz’s – 615 Westheimer – Deli
Uchi – 904 Westheimer – Sushi
Aladdin – 912 Westheimer – Middle Eastern
Blacksmith – 1018 Westheimer – Coffee Shop
The Hay Merchant – 1100 Westheimer – Beer Bar / American
Georgia James – 1100 Westheimer – Steak
El Real – 1201 Westheimer – Tex-Mex
Mala Sichuan – 1201 Westheimer – Sichuan
Anvil – 1424 Westheimer – Cocktail Bar
Da Marco – 1520 Westheimer – Italian
Ramen Tatsu-Ya – 1722 California (twenty yards north of Westheimer) – Ramen
Hugo’s – 1600 Westheimer – Mexican
UB Preserv – 1609 Westheimer – New American
Goodnight Charlie’s – 2511 Kuester (a half-block north of Westheimer) – New American
One Fifth Romance Languages – 1658 Westheimer – Spanish / French / Italian
Common Bond – 1706 Westheimer – Bakery
 
2026
 
Maderas – 120 Westheimer – Mexican
Xolo – 223 Westheimer – Mexican
Soto – 224 Westheimer – Sushi
El Tiempo – 333 Westheimer – Tex-Mex
Osaka – 500 Westheimer – Sushi
ChòpnBlọk – 507 Westheimer – West African
La Sicilia – 515 Westheimer – Bakery
Traveler’s Table – 520 Westheimer – Eclectic
Poscol – 608 Westheimer – Italian
Katz’s – 615 Westheimer – Deli
Fiora’s Bottle Shop – 888 Westheimer – Wine Bar / Wine Shop
Okto – 888 Westheimer – Middle Eastern
Uchi – 904 Westheimer – Sushi
Aladdin – 912 Westheimer – Middle Eastern
Blacksmith – 1018 Westheimer – Coffee Shop
Doc’s – 1201 Westheimer – Jazz Club
Mala Sichuan – 1201 Westheimer – Sichuan
The Montrose Grocer – 1340 Westheimer – Wine Bar / Wine Shop
Anvil – 1424 Westheimer – Cocktail Bar
Da Marco – 1520 Westheimer – Italian
Ramen Tatsu-Ya – 1722 California (twenty yards north of Westheimer) – Ramen
Hugo’s – 1600 Westheimer – Mexican
Montrose Cheese & Wine – 1618 Westheimer – Wine Bar / Wine Shop
Rose Cannonball – 1620 Westheimer – Italian / Spanish
March – 1624 Westheimer – European
The Marigold Club – 2531 Kuster (steps from Westheimer) – American
Common Bond – 1706 Westheimer – Bakery

The very fun wallpaper at The Marigold Club