We asked our contributors to the Resy Hit List to share their top dining experiences in their cities this year — to choose 10 restaurants that define the state of great dining right now. Welcome back our Best of The Hit List for 2025.
When radio host Angela Yee recently asked Padma Lakshmi which city’s cuisine had surprised her the most (in a good way), the former “Top Chef” host didn’t hesitate. “Houston,” she replied, to Yee’s astonishment, praising the city’s remarkable diversity and the far-reaching food scene that naturally comes with it.
Lakshmi’s assessment was on the nose. Houstonians have been shouting this from the rooftops for years. Travel to any Houston neighborhood and you’ll encounter an extraordinary range of cuisines: smoky Texas barbecue, Gulf Coast staples, modern Latin dishes, Nigerian and West African specialties, and every variety of Asian food imaginable — not to mention innovative mixing and matching. That’s right, fusion. There was a time when the word carried a dubious reputation in the restaurant world, but that’s changed. Houston’s chefs have mastered the art of blending global flavors into fresh, exciting creations that feel wholly their own.
This year, in celebration of the rich diversity that continues to define the city, we highlight 10 standout restaurants that offer a glimpse into what defined Houston’s vibrant culinary landscape in 2025 — and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.