AVALON DINER
The Avalon Diner, attached to the Avalon Pharmacy, is known for excellent small-tread waffles at breakfast and some of the best lunch-counter cheeseburgers out there. www.avalondiner.com
- Included on Gourmet magazine's list of '20 Burgers to Eat Before It's Too Late'

THE BREAKFAST KLUB
Katfish and grits, wings and waffles top a tempting array of breakfast favorites from around the kountry at this kozy komfort food zone. www.thebreakfastklub.com - Included on Esquire magazine's list of the '59 Best Breakfast Places in America'

FEAST
Run by English restaurateurs Richard Knight and James Silk, alongside James' wife Meagan, Feast continues to receive accolades for its relaxed approach to dining and rustic dishes like Cassoulet with confit duck leg and French fish stew. www.feasthouston.com
- James Beard Award semifinalist for 'Best New Restaurant'
- One of the "Big Three" best meals in the USA by GQ magazine
- Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the '50 Best New U.S. Restaurants'
- Included on Bon Appetit's list of the 'Top 10 Best New U.S. Restaurants'

FUNG'S KITCHEN
This classy southwest-side Cantonese kitchen offers an authentic upscale Asian atmosphere and menu with more than 400 items. www.fungskitchen.com
- Listed in USA Today as one of '10 Great Places to Welcome Prosperity for the Chinese New Year'

GOODE CO. BARBECUE
This urbanized, Texana-decorated barbecue joint is wildly popular, thanks to expertly smoked brisket and variety of platters. www.goodecompany.com
- James Beard Award Semifinalist for 'Outstanding Restaurateur'

LANKFORD GROCERY
In all its '40s-style glory, the icehouse includes a grill that offers hamburgers--greasy real-beef patties and all the fixings.
- Included on Gourmet magazine's list of '20 Burgers to Eat Before It's Too Late'

REEF
Dedicated restaurant hounds should hustle to check out Reef, the new midtown seafood emporium from chef-owner Bryan Caswell. www.reefhouston.com
- James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest
- Chef Bryan Caswell named one of six Texas Tastemakers in Saveur magazine
- Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the '50 Best New U.S. Restaurants'
- Chef Bryan Caswell named one of Food & Wine's 'Best New Chefs of 2009'

T'AFIA
Emphasizing a local market approach drawing heavily on regional products, the Monica Pope's menu is reinvented each day. www.tafia.com
- Chef Monica Pope named one of six 'Texas Tastemakers' by Saveur magazine

TEXTILE
The main attraction at Textile is the tasting menu, offered every night. www.textilerestaurant.com
- Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the '50 Best New U.S. Restaurants'

VOICE
VOICE'S culinary concept captures the imagination and taste buds of guests while paying homage to the true spirit of the historic 1911 Union National Bank building and burgeoning downtown neighborhood that it calls home. www.hotelicon.com/voice-restaurant
- Included on Travel + Leisure's list of the '50 Best New U.S. Restaurants'