Located just minutes from Downtown, Houston’s Montrose neighborhood stands out for its historic charm and eclectic spirit. From its unique art galleries and vibrant murals to its diverse dining scene and vintage shops, Montrose offers something for everyone. Here’s your guide to exploring this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.   Art & Entertainment  Click to expand At the heart of Montrose’s art scene is The Menil Collection, a world-class museum offering free admission to a diverse range of artworks, from ancient and Byzantine artifacts to African, Pacific Islands and modern and contemporary pieces. The museum’s campus spans five buildings, including the Menil Drawing Institute, the only standalone facility in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary drawings. Also on the campus is Richmond Hall, home to the Dan Flavin Installation, an immersive light experience.  Click to expand Take a stroll down Westheimer or Shepherd streets to explore the neighborhood’s vibrant murals and street art.   Click to expand The neighborhood is also home to Stages, a three-theater facility that hosts a wide range of performances, from comedies to musicals. Live music lovers can catch acoustic sets and folk performances at Anderson Fair, an intimate and historic venue that has been showcasing singer-songwriters since 1970, including Texas Country legend Robert Earl Keen. For a more eccentric experience, AvantGarden, a patio bar and lounge, offers a mix of local bands, poetry readings, art classes and more in a laid-back setting.    Restaurants & Shops  Montrose is a food lover’s paradise, serving up unique dishes that are as diverse as the neighborhood itself. Long-standing establishments like Hugo’s, famed for its authentic Mexican cuisine, The Pit Room, a go-to barbecue spot and Uchi, an innovative Japanese restaurant, founded by James Beard award-winning chef Tyson Cole, provide unforgettable dining experiences.  Click to expand Meanwhile, exciting new spots like The Marigold Club, a French-inspired concept, Októ, a Mediterranean restaurant and Thai Tail, a fast-casual eatery offering a unique blend of Thai and American dishes, are gaining popularity in the neighborhood.  Click to expand Shoppers can indulge at the Montrose Collective, a new mixed-use center featuring trendy dining spots like Sophie’s Cocktail & Terrace Bar and Marmo. The Collective is also home to stylish storefronts such as Mejuri, a fine jewelry boutique, and Reformation, a popular clothing retailer. For wellness and beauty, the center offers top-tier facilities like Hi, Skin, a luxury facial spa, and Solidcore, a cutting-edge Pilates studio.  Click to expand The neighborhood is also a haven for vintage lovers, offering a variety of thrift and vintage shops like Pavement, Leopard Lounge, The Guild Shop and Out of the Closet, where you can discover quirky finds and hidden treasures. If you’re in search of local art and handmade goods, Space Montrose offers a wide selection of products from Houston-based artists and makers. For book enthusiasts, Basket Books & Art is a true literary gem, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of books alongside a contemporary art gallery. The independent bookstore also hosts community events, including book club meetings, author meet-and-greets and poetry readings.  Parks & Green Spaces  Click to expand Montrose offers numerous parks and green spaces for a retreat from the urban hustle. On the Menil Collection Campus, you’ll find Menil Park, offering 30 acres of serene green space with a picturesque view of unique sculptures and shady trees. If you’re a dog lover, head to Ervan Chew Park, where you’ll find a spacious dog play area and a playground and splash pad for kids, making it a fun spot for the entire family.  Mandell Park is another beloved local gem, featuring lush gardens, walking trails and shaded areas perfect for picnics or a quiet afternoon with a book. The park also hosts community events such as teaching gardens and live music nights. Other neighborhood favorites include Cherryhurst Park and Shiffick Park.  Discover more about living in Houston. 

Houston Restaurant Weeks is back for its 21st year. The annual fundraiser, which runs through Sept. 30, gives food enthusiasts the chance to explore Houston's diverse culinary scene while contributing to a worthy cause. With more than 400 participating restaurants, this year's event promises an exciting array of new dining experiences you won't want to miss. Here are our top five picks of this year’s newcomers:  Belly of the Beast | Spring  Belly of the Beast reopened late last year after the pandemic disrupted its 2020 debut. Chef Thomas Bille is showcasing a vibrant selection of Mexican-inspired dishes for Houston Restaurant Weeks with a three-course dinner. The meal starts with your choice of tuna tostada, wedge salad or grilled peach and burrata toast. For the main course, options include birria tacos, pork belly tacos or carne asada, with the choice of grilled shrimp or roasted chicken to complete the meal.  Click to expand Blue Tuba | The Heights  This eatery, which opened in May, blends European and Texan flavors. For Houston Restaurant Weeks, Blue Tuba will offer both Brunch and Dinner menus. Brunch features a German-style platter, goulash, apple foster French toast and Hungarian crepes. For dinner, starters include Slovak mac & cheese and Polish tacos, while main course options feature pork schnitzel and chicken paprikash. Dessert choices include crème brûlée and tiramisu.  Click to expand Le Jardinier | Downtown  Located inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Le Jardinier serves up a French-inspired cuisine. Created by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli, Le Jardinier offers an extensive Houston Restaurant Weeks menu, with options for brunch, lunch and dinner. The highlight of the menu is the three-course dinner, which includes whipped burrata, corn velouté with shrimp, roasted red pepper risotto, Verlasso salmon and strawberry mousse.  Click to expand MaKiin | Upper Kirby/River Oaks  Created by the team behind the beloved Kin Dee Thai restaurant, MaKiin debuted at the Hanover River Oaks last year. For Houston Restaurant Weeks, MaKiin offers a delectable three-course dinner. Starters feature a sampler with three curry choices, Khao Tang Na Tang and a summer salad. For the main course, diners can choose from pork ribs, salmon in a rich panang curry, curry jackfruit or filet mignon. Dessert includes unique delights such as butterfly pea flower-infused coconut ice cream and mango sticky rice.  Click to expand Norigami | West University   Opened last year by the team behind Hidden Omakase and Sushi by Hidden, Norigami specializes in hand roll sushi. For Houston Restaurant Weeks, Norigami is offering a three-course dinner that begins with your choice of steamed, garlic or spicy edamame. This is followed by a selection of crudos—madai, salmon or hamachi. The meal concludes with a choice of hand rolls: spicy salmon, bluefin tuna or spicy scallop.  Discover more about living in Houston.