We were feeling fancy so we went out and tried the top 5-star restaurants in Houston! Here’s how it went!

Turner’s is one of the 5-star restaurants in Houston that offers customers a fine dining experience. What’s great about Turner’s is that their waitstaff remains attentive, ensuring guests will always get the attention they need.

We even love how the service staff explains the menu and how the multiple courses will be served. This experience is great, especially for first-time fine diners.

Speaking of the menu, we love how the food at Turner’s is diverse, allowing customers of all ages to find something they want.

Aside from their great wine list, Turner’s is also good in mixing old-fashioned cocktails and martinis.

Turner’s also has a strict dress code for both ladies and gentlemen, allowing customers to keep the exclusive and 5-star image of Turner’s.

Another thing that we love about Turner’s is that they have piano nights every Saturday, great for those who would love to listen to some soft background music while on a romantic date night.

Meanwhile, customers at Turner’s are also seated immediately with minimal waiting, ensuring a seamless start to their dining experience.

However, it’s worth noting that Turner’s only provides a 15-minute grace period for tbise with reservations. Failure to comply will forfeit the reservation.

Has piano nights every Saturday

“Absolutely divine. Old English meets speakeasy deco vibe… fun decor, amazing food, perfect service with attentive waitstaff. Saturday piano night is perfect also. The chicken biscuit was amazing, along with the pasta and the prime rib.”

Jessi Koop, Google Review

Great wine list

“Great wine list and amazing musicians. My 3rd visit here and never disappointed. Last was here on Friday the 12th, July after the hurricane and they only had 7 tables but they still had 3 musicians preforming which were all incredibly talented. Dinner and wine for 2 people is around $400 upwards depending on your wine selection and of course how much you drink and tip. Have an upcoming reservation in 2 weeks but surely it will be much busier.”

Aram, Google Review

Ciel Restaurant & Lounge is a great 5-star restaurant option for those who appreciate a place with a celebratory and festive vibe.

However, the music volume inside Ciel Restaurant & Lounge is a bit too loud. With that, this 5-star restaurant isn’t too good for those who love making conversations.

On the other hand, customers love that they get to taste a fusion of Japanese and French cuisine, all under one roof. Even better, Ciel Restaurant & Lounge uses traditionally aged Japanese charcoal in a Josper grill, resulting in umami-rich dishes.

On top of that, vegan dishes are also being offered at Ciel Restaurant & Lounge, allowing them to tap more customers.

What’s also great about Ciel Restaurant & Lounge is that they have a great list of cocktails. The bartenders ensure that they offer craft creative and flavorful drinks, perfect for a party night.

Moreover, they also provide an extensive wine list, ensuring that guests can find a good vino to pair with their mains.

Another thing we love about Ciel Restaurant & Lounge is that they have a dedicated lounge area. Customers can enjoy a more laid-back area where they can enjoy some good music in a more relaxed spot.

Meanwhile, those who wish to bring their cars will appreciate their valet parking services, making room for a hassle-free experience.

Has entertaining dancers

“Amazing restaurant in Houston! The vibes and dancers were exciting while you ate, the staff was fun and upbeat. Our server Patty was PHENOMENAL! She loved her job and you can definitely tell. The food is out of this world and Chef Hernandez personally came out to ensure we enjoyed everything. This place is upscale the way it should be!”

John H, Google Review

Lovely atmosphere

“Love the atmosphere here,  this place have such good vibes! The DJ that performed played good music and I overall had a wonderful dining experience here celebrating with my friends!! I recommend everyone to get the sushi platter here and try the blood orange margarita!”

Leyna Le, Google Review

Brenner’s Steakhouse On The Bayou offers a picture-perfect 5-star dining experience in Houston. Located along Buffalo Bayou, guests will enjoy water views while savoring their high-quality dishes.

Because of the lush greenery and calming views, customers opt to be seated at the outdoor patio area. With that, clients need to secure a spot ahead of time.

On top of that, customers can roam around Brenner’s Steakhouse On The Bayou landscaped gardens, a great way to explore the outdoor area before and after dining.

Aside from the premium quality steaks offered by Brenner’s Steakhouse On The Bayou, their seafood dishes have built a good fanbase. Even better, Brenner’s offers customers a fresh catch of the day, every day!

It’s also quite impressive that Brenner’s Steakhouse On The Bayou has a wide range of wines. The staff even helps guests find the best pair for their chosen meal.

Another thing we like about Brenner’s on the Bayou is that those on wheelchairs can easily access the restaurant’s facilities through their ramps.

Meanwhile, those who wish to have a more intimate dining experience can choose from their four private dining rooms. Guests can choose the largest one if they want a more elegant touch such as the fireplace, cigar lounge, and wine room.

Good intimate date night spot

“Decided to reserve a table for Valentines Day. We arrived early and we’re quickly seated in their patio area. It was covered and heated, very nice. Once our table was ready, we were quickly seated. Our waitress was friendly and offered great recommendations. We had the Redfish, Lamb, Bang Bang Shrimp. Everything was absolutely delicious. It’s is an upscale restaurant  but it is worth every penny. Highly recommend! Great for a intimate date night. They have a beautiful setting outside, complete with a beautiful gazebo and fountain.”

Estephany Galvan, Google Review

Efficient valet service

“Had a lovely time for my boyfriends birthday. Valet was quick and efficient. Server was knowledable about the menu and friendly. The food was very good. My only negative was the jazz music was quite loud and it was very dark inside but if that’s your thing then this is the place for you.”

Kayla Fesperman, Google Review

What sets Musaafer apart is that they have attentive and knowledgeable servers. We’re quite impressed that they take their time in explaining every dish, the inspiration behind it, as well as where the certain dish originated from.

What we love about Musaafer is that they source various spices across rural India. Because of this, the chef’s been able to curate dishes that aren’t available in other Indian restaurants.

Even better, Musaafer gives a new life to old recipes, allowing the younger generation to appreciate them even more.

Moreover, Musaafer considers every dietary restriction, allowing them to tap more customers.

Despite the intricacy of their menu, we love that the service at Musaafer remains efficient. Their tasting menu courses are timed perfectly, allowing customers to indulge without feeling rushed.

The staff also ensures that drinks and water glasses are filled, and used plates are cleared promptly, which is a plus in our books.

We also appreciate Musaafer’s relaxing atmosphere indoors. We even love how they keep their music on average volume, ensuring it doesn’t drown the customers who are enjoying their conversations.

Meanwhile, for those who wish to jam with their DJ over curated drinks, Fridays and Saturdays would be the best days to visit Musaafer.

Exceptional knowledge about the dishes

“This restaurant is truly remarkable it stands out from the typical Indian restaurants around my area. I was greeted with a warm “Namaste” upon entering, and the staff demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the dishes. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who may have any doubts or has not yet been to Musaafer.”

Shimanto Rahman, Google Review

Authentic flavors

“Musaafer really is a culinary gem that transports you to all parts of India with its authentic flavors and exquisite decor. Dinning here really opened my eyes to depth and richness of Indian cuisine. My standout dishes were the Laal Maas and the Masala Papad. I also can’t forget the Lychee Ceviche, which is a remarkable reimagining of traditional ceviche with South Indian flavors. The staff’s knowledge and attentive service elevate the dining experience, while the innovative cocktails complement the vibrant cuisine. You’d be crazy not to check this place out—it’s a journey for your taste buds you won’t want to miss. Vegetarian options: There are so many vegetarian options on the menu. Dietary restrictions: A lot of vegan and dairy free options, they’re very accommodating to all dietary restrictions.”

Taran Varyani, Google Review

For those who crave for Mexican dishes, especially Oaxaca-inspired ones, then Xochi is the best 5-star restaurant to go to. We love that the decor is even inspired by the lively and colorful culture of Oaxaca!

Upon entry, we appreciate that the staff takes their time in acknowledging the guests’ presence, making everyone feel like an instant VIP!

It’s quite impressive that Xochi’s staff remains well-versed in Oaxacan cuisine. They even share the ingredients used, as well as the preparation methods.

On top of that, they also offer some kids’ menu, making it easy for parents to choose dishes for the little ones.

What sets them apart is that they stay committed to keeping the highest standards in the restaurant. They even send out email blasts to restaurant guests just to ask for feedback, which is a plus in our books.

Another thing that we like about Xochi is that they have a good beverage selection. Their mixologists offer curated selection of cocktails and will even suggest great pairings for their customer’s food.

However, it’s worth noting that it’s quite challenging to secure a parking slot. It’s highly recommended to go to Xochi a bit earlier before the reservation to allot enough time to find a spot.

Great drink selection

“Everything about this restaurant was amazing! The service, appetizers, entrees and desserts were on point. The drink selection was quite nice. I had a margarita on the rocks , so refreshing! The atmosphere was busy but not overly loud! Beautiful restaurant and restrooms were very clean. It’s pricey, but exquisite for special occasions!  Do yourself a favor and try the chicken in mole, chef’s kiss!! 🙌”

Cynthia Ramirez, Google Review

Menu is consistent, with lots of options

“I went with a couple of friends for dinner here and their food is amazing and authentic. It is super busy and I can tell why, their food presentation is so thoughtful and their menu is consistent and broad with lots of options for everyone! We ordered 2-3 rounds of the chips and salsa which came with tasty and rich sauces. I also ordered the enchiladas and they were delicious! Every topping was fresh and tasted great. The was the cacao dessert was so clever and perfectly crafted I was so impressed! Overall, no complaints for this restaurant but I will say it is very busy and sort of loud but I understand it’s because of its seat capacity and location (downtown)”

Arist Centeno, Google Review