The Woodlands’ Best New Restaurants — 13 Hotspots Transforming Dining Outside of Houston

It’s no secret that when it comes to new restaurants, The Heights, Montrose and EaDo are blowing up. New restaurants are opening up nonstop, and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon.

But there’s more to the Houston restaurant scene than meets the eye — and more than just what you’ll find inside the loop.

The Woodlands is an emerging dining mecca in its own right, scoring uber-popular joints like Killen’s Steakhouse and, on the flip side, its health-centric veggie-everything polar opposite, Flower Child.

This is no mere suburb. The Woodlands is getting tons of new restaurants this year — and at least one major one’s already been revealed that is coming in 2020. Read on to find out where to dine next. These are The Woodlands’ best new restaurants.

Killen’s Steakhouse

Meat master, chef and restaurateur Ronnie Killen has set his sights on The Woodlands, and he’s got some pretty appetizing plans. The former Bob’s Steak & Chophouse space at 1700 Research Drive will be totally transformed. And it’s happening chop, chop — within 60 days.

This is quite the boon for The Woodlands — the pitmaster’s Pearland steakhouse just made Thrillist’s coveted list of the 31 Best Steakhouses in America. Thrillist heaped praise on Killen’s extensive selection of rare meats and Japanese Wagyu.

Flower Child

This health-centric concept took Space City by storm when it opened just last year, so it’s no surprise the gourmet chain is making mores moves. The Woodlands’ new Flower Child at 1900 Lake Woodlands Drive will boast the same tasty bowls, salads and more that made the Uptown outpost such a hit.

Think the Mother Earth Bowl with ancient grains, sweet potato, grains, Portobello mushrooms and avocado. Or the Flying Avocado whole-grain pita wrap bursting with smoked turkey, Gouda, romaine, tomato and avocado hummus. Prepare to get gluttonous, guilt-free.

Zanti Cucina Italiana

This pasta paradise is set to spring open this spring. The Italian menu will feature such eats as pizza, ravioli, risotto and house-made pasta and a full-service bar with a carefully curated wine selection and specialty cocktails.

These delights are headed to Westgate Crossing, a mixed-use project along 1488 and FM 2978. The area straddles The Woodlands and Magnolia. The owners are making the most of their space, planning for an 8,000-square-foot restaurant with a spacious-yet-intimate private dining area that can seat 45 diners.

Peli Peli

This South African fusion restaurant brought the spice of life to Houston, and now it’s bound for The Woodlands. This spring or early summer, Peli Peli will open the doors to its fine dining concept at 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive.

Peli Peli’s taking over the former Mi Cocina space and will be all about Portugese beef fajitas, flat potato fries, grilled veggie noodles. It’ll even serve up authentic peri peri chicken, a delicacy marinated with the chili for 24 hours, then basted in lemon herb butter and flame grilled.

Snooze: An AM Eatery

This popular eye-opening brunch spot wants The Woodlands to wake up and smell the coffee — and taste the pancake of the day. Opening this summer, this Snooze outpost will be the Houston area’s seventh.

Snooze is headed to 2415 Research Forest Drive soon, promising a bevy of bennys — including the Smashed Avocado Benny with green chili and vine-ripened tomatoes, and the Bella! Bella! Benny with prosciutto and Taleggio cheese— corned beef hash and more.

The Toasted Yolk Café

Snooze isn’t the only toast of the town when it comes to brunch time. But the Toasted Yolk takes it one step further with lunch and a full bar, beyond the standard mimosas. You can find it at 207 East Shore Place this April.

The must-eat treats: the double-decker four-egg omelette, churro-style donuts and pork chop breakfast.

Clean Juice

In a few weeks, juice lovers can get their cold-pressed bottles and acai bowl fix. Coming to 6777 Woodlands Parkway, Clean Juice stands out from the crowd of juice shops with its USDA-certified organic street cred. It’s the only one out there for now.

You can enjoy cacao milk, cold brew coffee, protein smoothies, wheat grass shots and almond toast.

Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

Sorry, y’all — this one’ll be a long wait. But it’ll definitely be worth it. The barbecue haven is set to open at 25657 1-45 North in the first quarter of 2020. It’s OK if your mouth’s already watering at the thought of pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue nachos and loaded macaroni and cheese.

But be patient. Good things come to those who wait. 

Now that you know what’s coming, check out the recent Woodlands restaurant openings that have proven to be worthy visits.

Tris

Chef Austin Simmons’ Tris may have opened back in September, but it’s more than deserving of a shout-out. The true dining destination’s worldly chef has totally reinvented Hubbell & Hudson Bistro into a new restaurant with more refined service and sophisticated dishes.

You haven’t eaten at Tris until you’ve tried Simmons’ signature Korean butter poached crab on a kimchi pancake at 24 Waterway Avenue. This would be a top restaurant in any neighborhood.

Sorriso Modern Italian Kitchen

This brand new Westin delight is helmed by Washington D.C. chef Enzo Fargione. The culinary master has brought the best Italian dishes made with fresh Texas ingredients. No Italian menu is complete without pizza, and Sorriso offers up six different pies for lunch and dinner, cooked in its legit brick oven.

On the fancier side, you can dine on homemade pasta dishes like pappardelle short rib ragu and spaghetti cacio e pepe. For the more daring, there’s braised veal osso bucco and charred octopus. Head over to 2 Waterway Square Plaza to check it out to see if that’s amore.

Como Social Club Poolside Terrace & Bar

This chic new venue at 2 Waterway Square Plaza has an energetic vibe, designed after the allure of Italy’s Lake Como. Guests can take in the view as they sip on handcrafted cocktails and inventive light bites.

House of Pies

This quaint late-night mainstay has finally made its way to the ’burbs. Now, you don’t have to be in the loop to munch on cottage fries and Bayou Goo. Just head over to 1330 Lake Woodlands Drive, any time, day or night.

Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe

This sweet creperie opened earlier this month at 9595 Six Pines Drive. The restaurant folds thin and tasty savory and sweet crepes, including the ham and Gruyere crepe and Nutella crepe and crème brulee crepe. But even health and fitness nuts can find something there, with vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free crepes.

The restaurant is expansive and bright at 2,285 square feet with a patio.