Founded as the first Afghan restaurant in Houston by Omer Yousafzai in 2012, Afghan Village is a meat lover’s dream a few blocks from the Mahatma Gandhi District. Start with dogh, a cooling, tangy, and savory yogurt drink that’s a perfect complement to the rich spices of the menu. Dishes star halal grilled meat kebabs and curries, prominently featuring goat and lamb, all to be eaten with Afghan naan—a bit more toasted than the Indian version. Off the grill, opt for vegetarian dishes like eggplant curry, hummus, and bolani, a type of turnover stuffed with leek, potato, onion, and herbs. —Biju Sukumaran

Luanda Lounge in Katy has the distinction of being the only Angolan restaurant in the Houston area. It’s become a hub for the local Angolan community, which the owner says is in the 300s. Start with the mufete de peixe cacusso, a whole grilled pompano with earthy palm oil beans, yuca, sweet potato, and a pungent onion sauce. Ask for cassava crumbs for your beans and a side of peri-peri sauce. Also consider the muamba de galinha com ginguba, a chicken dish served with okra in a sweet peanut sauce, with a side of funge, a “swallow” made from cassava. —Daniel Renfrow

Australians are sometimes described as “British Texans,” due to our mutual friendliness and religious feelings about barbecue. Test out that affinity at Platypus Brewing on Washington Avenue. Start your journey down under with the Bobby Dazzler, a refreshing Australian blond ale. While there’s no ’cue here, enjoy some fish ’n’ chips battered with the brewery’s Olé Chit Mexican lager. Chase it with a meat pie before another round of coldies and a turn on the AC/DC pinball machine. Consider treating your hangover the next day with a flat white and some brekkie at new Australian cafe Citizens of Montrose. —DR

Opened in 2013, Café Adel is a family-operated Bosnian restaurant just west of Tanglewood. Owner Anel Abdulovic offers a diverse menu of standard salads, pizzas, Bosnian sandwiches, and more traditional mains like flavorful vegetable rolls stuffed with ground beef, beef stews, lamb shank, and sakavci—Bosnian meatballs served over pasta. Several dishes come with a roasted red pepper sauce that adds a zing to starters like the fried anchovies. A must-try is the meza, a Bosnian charcuterie board with an array of cheeses and red peppers, but it’s the sudzuk, a traditional smoked meat, that steals the show. —BS

Koffeteria pastry chef and owner Vanarin Kuch may have risen to Houston fame
thanks to his skillful, creative baked goods—think pho kolaches and black sesame mochi cake—but you shouldn’t sleep on the newly launched Cambodian street food brunch at the East Downtown cafe. Kuch explores his motherland through dishes like lort cha, made with rice “pin” noodles that are glossed in a thick, savory sauce and lightly charred from being stir-fried, then tossed with Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, garlic, and herbs. Order the Salty Cambodian on the side, a latte made with condensed milk, sourdough butter, and Maldon salt. —Emma Balter

If you’re ever in the mood to catch a hockey game while snacking on comfort food, stop by this Canadian pub in Midtown. The poutine is a must-order, a Canadian classic of either fries or tater tots smothered in a rich gravy, and the bar stocks many imported Canadian beers, including Unibroue, Labatt, Molson, and Moosehead. If hockey is not your thing, enjoy the on-site pub games like darts and pinball. Some of Maple Leaf’s dishes incorporate other international flavors—like in the samosadilla, an Indian-Mexican fusion stuffed with peas and potatoes and served alongside a spicy-honeyed tamarind-date chutney. —Uvie Bikomo

By Emma Balter

In Bellaire, the family-run Café Piquet stands in a stately converted house with a spacious front patio sheltered by a gazebo and accented with elephant ear plants. Inside, the decor is more simple and modest, yet tasteful. Owned by Nelly Piquet and her daughter Cristina Benitez, the Cuban restaurant serves food that remains very traditional, such as croquetas de jamón, ropa vieja, garlic-infused pork pernil, and beef empanadas. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, order one of the entree samplers, which gives you a little bit of everything. Don’t forget a side of sweet maduros and congri, a savory dish of black beans and rice. —Geneva Diaz

While there are plenty of kolache shops in Houston, the most authentically Czech is the Original Kolache Shoppe in Golfcrest. Founded in 1956, the extra-homey shop has been family-owned and operated for three generations. While the yeasty fruit-and-cream kolaches here are stellar, it’s the shop’s klobásníky that really sing. Unlike the more dough-heavy versions of some of its competition, the ones here sport a more balanced ratio of meat and dough. Consider also stopping by one of the three Houston-area locations of the separately owned Kolache Shoppe for Texas-influenced kolaches stuffed with things like boudin, brisket, venison, and eggs. —DR

This tiny joint in an almost-deserted strip mall in Willowbrook is the definition of punching above its weight. Take the mangú tres golpes, a satisfying mash of green plantains topped with salami frito, delightfully chewy fried cheese, pickled red onions, and a little Dominican flag. We also loved the pastel en hoja, the DR’s answer to tamales, made with plantain and root vegetables instead of masa, stuffed with ground beef, and wrapped in a banana leaf. Definitely add an order of the super flavorful quipe, a deep-fried bulgur and beef appetizer brought to the country by Middle Eastern immigrants. —EB

Kenz Egyptian has been offering authentic Egyptian and Mediterranean food since 2018 in the Galleria area. The “Authentic Egyptian Experience” dinner encompasses almost every item on the diverse menu, including staples like dolma, roasted eggplant, falafel, tzatziki, and pita bread. “Kenz” means “treasure” in Arabic, and the ambience, though simple, reflects this, with curios dotted throughout, juxtaposed against background paintings of Egyptian scenes, hanging Turkish mosaic lamps, and the restaurant’s signature garlic bulb logo. For Egyptian-specific dishes, try the koshary, the country’s national dish, a carb-packed meal of ditalini, lentils, rice, and chickpeas liberally covered in fried shallots and garlic. —BS

By Geneva Diaz With Emma Balter

Go on a journey at this Upper Kirby restaurant filled with Ethiopian art, sounds, and artifacts like mesob, a bread basket used as a serving vessel for large gatherings. Servers dressed in traditional habesha kemis (embroidered flowy dresses) guide you through the restaurant’s Northeastern African cuisine. The flavorful, slightly gamey yebeg tibs—lamb cubes sautéed with onions, jalapeño peppers, and fresh rosemary—stand out, while the yemissir wot, a red lentil stew, has a bold aromatic profile infused with ginger and garlic. And the soft, slightly sour injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread, serves as a perfect utensil for the robust stews. —UB

We never thought French food would come back in style—let alone become fun again. But it has, thanks to Local Foods owner Benjy Levit, whose new Eau Tour in Rice Village is a delightful experience, from the retro decor to the playful food. Here, the onion soup comes with sourdough croutons, the quiche with black truffle, and the leeks vinaigrette dish will actually get you excited about the vegetable, with the assist of aioli, boquerones, hazelnuts, and pecorino. Eight months after opening, Levit hired acclaimed chef Seth Siegel-Gardner as culinary director, making Eau Tour one to watch. —EB

When the waitstaff wear lederhosen and have names like Greta, you’re in for an authentic experience. Founded in 1976 as an Austrian restaurant, Rudi Lechner’s in Mid West rebranded as German when people kept mistaking it for an Australian spot. It remains a favorite for its kitschy alpine décor, live polka music—complete with yodeling—and traditional German fare. Start with latkes and the garlicky kaesespaetzle, a German-style macaroni and cheese topped with Viennese fried onions, before progressing to the crispy jaeger veal schnitzel with an umami-packed mushroom sauce. Add a German beer flight for a really good time. —DR

Helen Greek in Rice Village is an elegantly appointed space with towering racks of Greek wines signaling a commitment to providing Houston with a high-end version of the cuisine. Here you’ll find unique takes on classic dishes, like the greens and cheese pie, a spanakopita meets chicken potpie. You’ll also find traditional and larger dishes, like gyro platters or whole roasted fish, but what shines are the side elements and techniques: the rack of lamb comes with an ouzo grape sauce, the chicken is feta-brined, and the roasted cauliflower uses tahini, confit garlic, and pickled grapes to elevate the entree. —BS

By Biju Sukumaran

This completely halal Persian restaurant in the Gandhi District went through a remodeling in recent years, the lush plants, clean lighting, and wood-slat accents adding to its modern, chic vibe. Reza’s beef barg is pounded and grilled into a tender, juicy cut of meat that is accompanied by a harmonious blend of grilled tomato, bell peppers, and onions. It’s served with imported basmati rice that is infused with earthy saffron, whose floral profile complements the succulence of the beef. The kashk bademjan, also a must-try, is a lightly salty, creamy layered eggplant dip with minty and nutty profiles. —UB

You won’t find anyone who’s eaten at Hamsa, Sof Hospitality’s Israeli restaurant in Rice Village, and doesn’t rave about their experience. A meal here should always start with salatim; we love the baba ghanoush and harissa carrots. Then stay for chef Yotam Dolev’s Baladi eggplant (an Israeli heirloom variety) with tahini, pine nuts, and pomegranate seeds, or his charcoal-grilled meats that come skewered on a sword. Every Thursday, diners are treated to a parade of belly dancers for Tel Aviv Night, and you’ll definitely want one of the restaurant’s arak-based cocktails in your hand for the show. —EB

Among the surge of new (and often flashy) Italian restaurants to have hit Houston over the past couple of years, none is as worthy of your time (and money) as Mimo. The East End joint is excellent in its simplicity, serving vibrant salads like a finocchio—shaved fennel, fennel fronds, hazelnuts, and Parmigiano—and understated handmade pastas that overdeliver, like the paccheri tossed in a Castelvetrano olive pesto. No truffle-shaver-wielding server in sight, just how we like it, and Mimo has a concise wine list of Italian favorites and lesser-known selections to boot. —EB

You’re no longer in Acres Homes at Jamaica Pon Di Road, which feels like a Caribbean beachside restaurant. The converted house’s vibrant blue exterior is outshone only by straw umbrellas, a white pebble lawn, a massive oak deck, and, of course, a Jamaican flag. But the food is the star of the show: The succulent brown stew chicken is slow-cooked to perfection in a slightly sweet brown sauce; the smoky jerk chicken is a dance of flavors with notes of allspice and nutmeg, and a fiery kick; and don’t miss the drunken plantains, enhanced with a glaze for extra sweetness. —UB

The wait is long and the hours are limited at this Bellaire Boulevard joint, but for good reason. The Miyagis are the restaurant’s two lone staffers: the husband, a classically trained sushi chef, in the kitchen, and the wife waiting tables. The dining experience feels like stepping into their home, where you’re greeted warmly and have to be patient, allowing you to admire how they’ve decorated the space with art and wall tapestries from Japan. We recommend springing for one of the platters: $60 gets you 12 pieces of sushi (chef’s choice, of course) and four rolls. —EB

We are forever grateful that Souli Phaduangdet hustled her way from the food truck life to this brick-and-mortar in Garden Oaks, where she serves a menu that, like her, is half-Thai, half-Lao. The latter is what intrigued us the most on our visit, notably the addictively complex broth of her boat noodles, a dish that has no fewer than 40 ingredients, including rib eye steak, pork meatballs, and pig’s blood. We were also enamored with the nam khao, a lightly crunchy fried rice salad tossed with red curry paste, bright herbs, and fermented Lao sausage. —EB

The flag of Lebanon on every table, on a mural on the wall, and its iconic cedar tree on decals parading across the glass storefront—Cedars Bakery in Mid West knows how to show its Lebanese pride. The neighborhood staple and community gathering space also shows it with its food offerings, particularly the manakish (or manaeesh), a Lebanese flatbread that comes with various toppings. Get the half-cheese, half-za’atar, and watch as the bakers pop the dough in one of the open kitchen’s large brick ovens. —EB

Phat Eatery, one of Katy Asian Town’s crown jewels, offers Malaysian specialties
in a fun, colorfully decorated space. Start with the uberflaky roti canai, which comes with a slightly sweet curry dipping sauce, and the sweet, spicy, and crunchy kerabu prawns. For a main course, order the nasi lemak, the national dish of Malaysia. At Phat Eatery it comes deconstructed, with coconut rice, curry chicken, ikan bilis (fried anchovies) with peanuts, a fried egg, sambal, and cucumber all occupying separate portions of the plate. Have fun with it and play around with different flavor combinations as you eat. —DR

By Adán Medrano

Founded by MasterChef: Legends runner-up Suu Khin, Burmalicious by Suu hosts pop-ups at various markets and businesses around town that explore Burmese food in unique ways, serving dishes like mohinga, a fish noodle soup, and laphet, a pickled tea leaf salad. In one collaboration with Mayank Istwal of Indian restaurant Musaafer, the two chefs took turns playing off cultural and childhood memories from their respective heritages. A standout was the ohn no khao swè, a Burmese chicken noodle soup in coconut broth. Khin’s take had tagliatelle made from coconut and a broth that packed immense flavor. —BS

At Momo House, just outside the Mahatma Gandhi District, authentic Nepalese food is on full display. Seated in a simple room festooned with Himalayan-style prayer flags, adventurous diners can sample goat offal, goat testicles, and water buffalo. Many dishes come with another traditional Nepalese item: a crunchy beaten rice that adds an additional textural contrast. But the star of the show are the momos—Nepalese-style dumplings—that come with a wide array of stuffings, customizable spice levels, and dipping sauces. Do not miss the restaurant’s most popular dish, the chile momos, crispy pan-fried dumplings in a spicy red chile sauce. —BS

By Uvie Bikomo

Houston’s hot summers always call for ice cream, and we can thank Booza for bringing us one more option. The Galleria-area spot serves a special kind, called booza, made stretchy from the addition of mastic gum. The Rukab family brought over recipes from the ice cream parlor they operated in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, opened in the 1940s. Booza offers a variety of flavors, from the simple chocolate and strawberry to ashta (clotted cream), orange blossom, rosewater, and Turkish coffee. —EB

What started as an Austin food truck 13 years ago is now a Houston restaurant, opened in the Heights in 2020 by Mark Pascual and Giovan Cuchapin. Be More Pacific boasts tropical decor, a weekday happy hour, karaoke rooms, a full bar, and large patio. The menu features the biggest hits of Filipino cuisine. Start with appetizers like lumpia or longganisa tots with banana ketchup. Choose a main (“ulam”) like the traditional adobo chicken or kare kare stew with lechon in peanut sauce. Save room for turon—an egg roll filled with banana and jackfruit—or a classic halo-halo. —GD

The fresh-baked-in-house focaccia and sourdough bread alone are worth the visit to this Midtown-area establishment. Owners Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio’s Indian and Portuguese heritage add depth to the menu. For a taste of Portugal, try standout shareables such as croquetas de bacalhau batatas bravas, and queijo de cabra. For Indian fusion, don’t miss the chicken curry empanadas and the frango vinho d’alhos—a rich, garlicky braised chicken vindaloo served with house-made naan and fragrant basmati rice. Order a budget-friendly wine on tap or a bottle of Portuguese vinho from the thoughtful selection, and conclude with the rich espresso chocolate torte. —GD

By Geneva Diaz

The new kid on the block at Dun Huang Plaza is buzzy and the wait is long, but Duck ’N Bao owners Grace and Leo Xia have understood the assignment with their new all-you-can-eat restaurant. Here, premium cuts of meat like Wagyu belly and Black Angus brisket take center stage with Cajun jumbo shrimp and garlic butter chicken, with excellent, moreish banchan to pair. The cocktails are a step above what you’d expect at a Korean barbecue place; we love the K-Shawty with soju, Yakult, Milkis soda, strawberry, and lemon. —EB

People don’t go to MAD in River Oaks for a predictable and ordinary dinner. The entire experience—from the lavish seating, neon lights, and walls full of mirrors to the eclectic Spanish- and Basque-inspired menu—is a sensory delight. Start with the tapas and try more traditional options like the tomato salad, croquetas, and bravas tomas, or opt for the Wagyu crisp, cooked and blowtorched at your table and served with escalivada (smoky veggies). For something more celebratory, embark on a 12-course tasting adventure, with or without a wine pairing. Keep it classic with chocolate con churros for dessert. —GD

By Daniel Renfrow

The British aren’t exactly known for their cuisine, but you can’t argue with an English breakfast. Red Lion’s is $24, raising an eyebrow to anyone used to paying £5–12 for a plate at a pub in the motherland, but if you find yourself with a craving and no plane ticket, this Montrose spot is the place to be. Dig into traditional sausages from Jolly Posh Foods, blood sausage, Heinz baked beans, buttered toast, and fried eggs while soaking up the atmosphere—likely the constant, distant, comforting roar of a crowd cheering on an English Premier League game emanating from the TV. —EB

By Minh Truong

So you’ve read this guide from A to Z (or rather, from Afghanistan to Vietnam). Now what? A pop quiz, that’s what. Test yourself to see how well you know the different global cuisines that make up our city’s amazing food scene.