Excited

A game-changing international food and market hall reimagined in a historic post office. A proven-to-be-epic Asian smokehouse from two Texas restaurant industry titans. Life-affirming Afro-Asian eats from a real-deal Top Chef, and Mexican street food from one of the city’s most beloved culinary masterminds. These are just a few of the things Houstonians have to look forward to for the remainder of 2021 (oh, and there’s pizza and burger windows, a ballpark brewery, and taco- and cocktail-strewn patio, to boot). Here are 15 of the hottest bar and restaurant openings coming to Houston this fall.

Heights
Opening date: Fall 2021
Powerhouse restaurant group Hai Hospitality (Uchi) is bringing this relaxed Asian smokehouse to the Heights. Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin and chef Tyson Cole are behind the concept, with Marcos Leal (Hotel Galvez, Wolfgang Puck Express) tapped as local chef de cuisine. Get ready for Smoked Brisket with Thai Herbs, Hoisin-Slathered Char Siu Pork Belly, Sesame Noodles and Oak-Smoked Salmon Rice Bowls, and boozy slushies to wash it all down.

Midtown
Opening date: Fall 2021
Perched at street level in a jewel box corner suite inside Houston’s new technology and community hub, The Ion, is this sexy Latin-Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar from veteran chef David Cordúa (Américas, Churrascos). Here, Cordúa shows off French training via a globally kissed lineup of small plates and mains from a theater-style open kitchen. A