Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Houston

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Houston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus - Houston

4.8

4.8 (298)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

THE MARIPOSA located in Neiman Marcus HOUSTON is open to socially distanced seating, in accordance with local jurisdiction guidelines.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at the Mariposa® HOUSTON. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let the Mariposa® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower . We have the perfect menu and atmosphere for you and your guests.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Receptionist didn’t know how to check people in on Open Table and didn’t note arrival until we left. Just needs some training. Food and server were excellent.

Masraff's

4.8

4.8 (3943)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

West Side

About the restaurant

Masraffs, long recognized as a premier restaurant in Houston, offers affordable elegance, attentive service, impeccably prepared and exquisitely fresh American cuisine created with the best ingredients from around the world.

Top review

DanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

There is a reason that Masraff's has been around a long time. Their standards are consistently high and their food is consistently excellent. We were there On Saturday night for a birthday celebration and they took excellent care of our table for 6. The service was good and the food remarkable. The senior Mr. Masraff (as usual) came by the table looking very dapper and visited with us for a while. I hope they continue long into the future.

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Popular dish

Chilean Seabass

Popular dish

Garlic Seared Calamari

Popular dish

14 oz Bone-In Filet Mignon

Relish Restaurant & Bar - Town and Country

4.8

4.8 (50)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Side

About the restaurant

Relish Restaurant & Bar Town & Country is a neighborhood eatery serving up classic American food with Mediterranean influences. At Relish, we aim to create an environment where absolute guest satisfaction is our highest priority. Through a shared commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to the uncompromising quality of our food, service, and people, while taking exceptional care of our guests and staff. We simply believe food should be uncomplicated, delicious and something to be relished!

We are currently open for Happy Hour from 4:30 - 5:30 and for Dinner from 5:30 - close.

Top review

DianaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great initiation! I’ll be back for more. My reservation was at 8 and I arrived at 7:30. My table was ready. While the noise was loud, there was a lot of energy. Service was fantastic. Unique and tasty drinks. Appetizers were wonderful. Try the deviled eggs. Perfect number of entrees, not too many but a good variety.

Roost Houston

4.8

4.8 (533)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Montrose

About the restaurant

Nominated by Food and Wine Magazine as best chef southwest and 4 time winner of the Houston Iron Fork competition, Roost is slowly standing in a class of its own. With accolades like winner of the Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay and competing on Guy's Grocery Games, local Chef Kevin Naderi loves developing global flavors and serving his hometown.
Roost’s 50-seat space is cozy and unpretentious, amid walls paneled with old shutters and Edison-like light fixtures. Roost’s rustic and diverse menu is revised every five weeks, inspired by local availability of farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and flavors of the world, including the American South, Asia, and from the Middle East, taking advantage of Chef Naderi’s Persian heritage.
With over 13 years of serving Houston, we are proud to be a delicious option for our incredible city, and we truly looking forward to giving you a casual- fine dining experience.

Top review

FloraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Roost never disappoints! We’re loyal customers and have been ever since the restaurant opened in our neighborhood. So lucky to have such a great place for casual and special dinners. Highly recommended!!

Relish Restaurant & Bar - River Oaks

4.8

4.8 (1040)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

River Oaks

About the restaurant

Relish Restaurant & Bar is a neighborhood eatery serving up classic American food with Mediterranean influences. At Relish, we aim to create an environment where absolute guest satisfaction is our highest priority. Through a shared commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to the uncompromising quality of our food, service, and people, while taking exceptional care of our guests and staff. We simply believe food should be uncomplicated, delicious and something to be relished!

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined 3 days ago

As always it was excellent and excellent service. Thank you!

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4.8

4.8 (50)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Montrose

About the restaurant

At Rosie Cannonball, we’re serving European comfort food in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant celebrates the origins of cooking through open, live fire and is centered around a wood-burning oven and grill.

The menu draws inspiration from individual ingredients: local vegetables, pastas and pizzas, simple seafood and locally-sourced meat cooked over live fire.

Master Sommelier June Rodil curated an expansive list of delicious wines with a strong Italian, Spanish and French focus from their favorite producers new and old, along with options from progressive New World producers.

The cocktail menu has strong Italian influences, mirroring the focus of the food.

Chef de Cuisine: Matt Hamilton
Sous Chef: Karla Moreno
Executive Pastry Chef: Samantha Mendoza
General Manager: Brandi Kinney
Front of House Managers: Lauren Allen
Goodnight Hospitality Partners: Bailey & Peter McCarthy, Felipe Riccio, June Rodil

Top review

Blair

Dined 6 days ago

Everything we ordered was delicious and the service was top notch. Will definitely be back.

The Audrey Restaurant & Bar - The Woodlands

4.8

4.8 (742)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

The Audrey Restaurant & Bar is a stylish modern restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant will be located on the second floor of Market Street, overlooking the beautiful greenery of the center through our large elegant windows. Featuring elevated American favorites with an elaborate menu including our Seafood Tower, Tuna & Avocado Martini, a selection of fresh pasta dishes, butcher cut steaks, sandwiches, and salads. A Breakfast at Tiffany’s style brunch will also be offered. Additionally, The Audrey will feature a curated bar program offering craft cocktails and a fabulous wine selection.

Top review

KellyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful date night spot! Beautiful restaurant. We had excellent and friendly service. The burrata appetizer was delicious and so was the shrimp scampi. The cocktail menu is fun. We will definitely be returning!

51fifteen Cuisine & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (1310)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Galleria / Uptown

About the restaurant

51fifteen Cuisine and Cocktails, located in Houston's Galleria area is a top-notch dining destination with an upscale atmosphere. The menu features a diverse range of global cuisine made with fresh ingredients, including seafood, steaks, salads, and vegetarian options. The bar offers an impressive selection of classic and modern cocktails, wines, and beers. With its prime location, 51fifteen is an ideal place to take a break from shopping or enjoy a night out with friends. Overall, it's the perfect spot for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The Lobster was the best I have ever had in life. Ambiance was next level…

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The Union Kitchen (Memorial Dr)

4.7

4.7 (2025)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Side

About the restaurant

The Union Kitchen features a unique menu served in a casual atmosphere. Our lunch menu focuses on sandwiches, wraps, entree salads and some of the best burgers in Houston. At dinner, steaks, chops, chicken dishes and seafood take center stage. We have a unique hand selected wine list that complements our cuisine perfectly.

Top review

Charlotte

Dined 1 day ago

Well located, good menu, server was pleasant, service was slow, food was not hot.

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Whiskey Cake - The Woodlands

4.7

4.7 (1953)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

The Woodlands

About the restaurant

We’re serving up tasty farm-to-kitchen dishes & cocktails out of our from-scratch-only kitchen and bar. Microwave? Never heard of it. We use slow-cooking methods on our live-wood grill, smoker, and spit because food just tastes better that way.
We believe that local is a place as much as it is a way of eating. Everything on our menu is infused with and inspired by the local ingredients available each season. All of this goodness is served to you as you kick your feet up in our rocking chairs, dine at a fancy table, or relax out on our porch.

Top review

Alexandra

Dined on Jan 12, 2025

A great time per usual! There is a reason this place is so crowded! Can’t beat the staff, drinks, and farm to table

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Popular dish

Whiskey Cake

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