Check out six dining updates from the Greater Houston area, including businesses that recently opened and new spots coming soon, as reported by Community Impact.
Now open
Family-owned Mexican cafe holds grand opening in the Houston Heights
Alturas Mexican Cafe serves authentic, flavorful meals that reflect Mexican traditions and heritage.
On the menu
Founded by the Navarro family, the cafe is dedicated to preserving recipes passed down through generations, according to the website.
The menu features classic items such as enchiladas and street tacos, as well as more cultural dishes such as Pambazo, Milanesa and Quecas, which are fried corn tortilla quesadillas stuffed with melted cheese and protein.
Popular local cookie shop opens fifth location in the Heights
A new walk-up bakery and coffee shop has opened in the Heights. Tiny’s Milk & Cookies opened its fifth location earlier this month.
What’s on the menu
Owned by Baron Doke, Gregg Thompson and Lance Thompson, Tiny’s Milk & Cookies offers a variety of housemade sips and bites from house-roasted coffee to artisan breads. However, it is most known for its famous chocolate chip cookies.
The bakery and coffee shop is connected to its parent brand, Tiny Boxwoods, a garden-side restaurant that has been in the Houston area and Austin for almost a decade.
Coming soon
Merit Coffee to open first Houston cafe off of Buffalo Speedway in June
Merit Coffee, a San Antonio-based coffee shop, is getting ready to launch its first of two new Houston locations this summer.
The details
Merit Coffee operates more than a dozen cafes in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. In late 2025, officials announced that the brand would expand to Houston in mid 2026.
A representative with the company confirmed that the Buffalo Speedway location, which is intended to serve West University Place and River Oaks, is scheduled to open in June. However, officials noted that the date could get pushed back depending on construction and permits.
Dallas-based La La Land to open Katy location
A new La La Land cafe is expected to open in Katy’s Meadows Marketplace, according to recent filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
What they offer
Known for its yellow branding, La La Land’s mission is to create a space filled with joy and hope, according to the cafe’s website.
The menu features craft lattes and teas such as the Banana Cloud Latte and a signature Arnold Palmer, per its website. Several toasts are also served, including an avocado toast, a truffle burrata toast and a toast topped with hazelnut cacao spread, strawberries and bananas.
Playa Bowls to open new location in Springs Crossing
Per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listing, Playa Bowls has plans to open a new location in the Spring area.
The details
According to the website Playa Bowls was founded by Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor—both Jersey Shore natives and long time surfers. Starting with a blender and a patio table in New Jersey, Playa Bowls has since expanded with over 300 locations nationwide.
Playa Bowls serves health conscious treats including açaí bowls, cold pressed juices, smoothies and cold brews, according to the website.
Dining spotlights
Bellaire baker turns a life of travel into cakes inspired by the world’s flavors
From Central Asia to Southeastern Europe, baker Goha Dosmuratova finds inspiration for her homemade recipes from around the world.
After closing her bakery in Romania and moving to Texas in 2024, Dosmuratova opened a new shop in Bellaire, serving custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
Quote of note
“I’m a sweet tooth person,” Dosmuratova said. “I love desserts, I love cakes, and when you travel around the world … and you don’t like the taste, but you really want the cake, you’re just trying to bake it yourself to make it perfect. So that’s how I came up with my recipes.”
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