Where to Eat and Drink Near NRG Stadium

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Whether you're going for a Cowboys football game or the hippest concert in town (Luke Bryan, anyone?), NRG Stadium is the it spot for entertainment in Houston. To make it a great night on the town, make sure to eat and drink at these top restaurants and bars.

A fixture of the Acres Homes neighborhood since the 1980s, Burns BBQ serves low-key yet high-quality barbecue favorites for the meat-loving masses. Anthony Bourdain paid this spot a visit while shooting Parts Unknown in Houston. Order a small-end rib or a slab of ribs depending on your appetite, but either way don’t be afraid to get messy.

This inconspicuous strip-mall treat in EaDo is worth the visit: Homestyle Vietnamese favorites here include the duck salad and the fresh spring rolls. Best news of all: it’s BYOB.

Located in Houston’s Montrose area, in a 1920s building designed by the same architect who built City Hall, Hugo’s promises atmosphere along with great food. Stop in for fresh Mexican ceviche, mole, or a weekend brunch (a buffet on Sundays) that’s way more than just bacon and eggs – think braised suckling pig and Chilaquiles.

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Chef Addison Lee trained under Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and helped open Nobu in London before opening Kuu (which translates to “the art of eating”). Lee didn’t initially enjoy eating raw fish (though he does now), and so Kuu’s menu features a well-rounded assortment of Japanese choices. Stick to sushi and appetizers for lighter fare, or try a tasty sake crudo or Wagyu and unagi – the ultimate surf and turf.

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For an upscale dining option that still has a meat-and-potatoes vibe, head to Triniti. Chef Ryan Hildebrand, a Houston native, worked a stint in New York City before returning home to work with some of Houston’s finest chefs: Mark Cox of Mark's, Philippe Schmidt at Bistro Moderne, Jim Mills at the Houstonian Club, and Scott Tycer at Textile restaurant. At Triniti, fresh ingredients are a constant, though dishes vary by season.

Get your protein in before the game at the aptly named Underbelly, where James Beard-winning chef Chris Shepherd serves everything from spiced meatballs to Korean braised goat. The meat is all sourced from the Gulf Coast and its surrounding farms and ranches before being prepared at the in-house butcher shop — needless to say, your carnivorous cravings will be satisfied after a meal here.

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Whether you’re into sweet or savory, you should treat yourself to a Kolache while in Houston. Kolaches are a typical Czech comfort food — puffy, dough pastries filled with a dollop of filling, like sweet sausage or peach — that have made their way to Texas and beyond. No matter how they got to Houston, these doughy delicacies can be filled with pretty much anything and make a solid snack before heading to the stadium. Take your food to-go, or grab one of the few small tables in this small bakery.

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It’s hard to go wrong with wood-fired Italian pizza in a cozy setting, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Coltivare Pizza & Garden. The “garden” aspect is literal; the restaurant grows its veggies right in the backyard, making for some very fresh toppings, salads and pesto. Try the stinging nettle, fennel, and feta pizza for a combination not found at your typical neighborhood pizza joint.

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Plentiful glass and tranquil shades of blue throughout the restaurant make you feel like you’re eating right on the ocean, even when you’re in Houston’s Midtown. Sit down and enjoy the day’s freshest catch, or cruise through for delicious happy hour bites, like calamari or shrimp shooters prepared by Chef Bryan Caswell. If fish feels too light, order the famous fried mac n’ cheese for an indulgent side.

Not casual dining here, but Artisans is the perfect stop on a two-part date before a game or concert. Chefs Jacques Fox and Russell Kirkham serve aesthetically-conscious plates amid dimly-lit, wood-covered ambiance. The fine French cuisine is worth the splurge: Sample the coffee-crusted venison carpaccio and the duck confit pâté rillette with arugula pesto.

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A fixture of the Acres Homes neighborhood since the 1980s, Burns BBQ serves low-key yet high-quality barbecue favorites for the meat-loving masses. Anthony Bourdain paid this spot a visit while shooting Parts Unknown in Houston. Order a small-end rib or a slab of ribs depending on your appetite, but either way don’t be afraid to get messy.

This inconspicuous strip-mall treat in EaDo is worth the visit: Homestyle Vietnamese favorites here include the duck salad and the fresh spring rolls. Best news of all: it’s BYOB.

Located in Houston’s Montrose area, in a 1920s building designed by the same architect who built City Hall, Hugo’s promises atmosphere along with great food. Stop in for fresh Mexican ceviche, mole, or a weekend brunch (a buffet on Sundays) that’s way more than just bacon and eggs – think braised suckling pig and Chilaquiles.

Chef Addison Lee trained under Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and helped open Nobu in London before opening Kuu (which translates to “the art of eating”). Lee didn’t initially enjoy eating raw fish (though he does now), and so Kuu’s menu features a well-rounded assortment of Japanese choices. Stick to sushi and appetizers for lighter fare, or try a tasty sake crudo or Wagyu and unagi – the ultimate surf and turf.

For an upscale dining option that still has a meat-and-potatoes vibe, head to Triniti. Chef Ryan Hildebrand, a Houston native, worked a stint in New York City before returning home to work with some of Houston’s finest chefs: Mark Cox of Mark's, Philippe Schmidt at Bistro Moderne, Jim Mills at the Houstonian Club, and Scott Tycer at Textile restaurant. At Triniti, fresh ingredients are a constant, though dishes vary by season.

Get your protein in before the game at the aptly named Underbelly, where James Beard-winning chef Chris Shepherd serves everything from spiced meatballs to Korean braised goat. The meat is all sourced from the Gulf Coast and its surrounding farms and ranches before being prepared at the in-house butcher shop — needless to say, your carnivorous cravings will be satisfied after a meal here.

Whether you’re into sweet or savory, you should treat yourself to a Kolache while in Houston. Kolaches are a typical Czech comfort food — puffy, dough pastries filled with a dollop of filling, like sweet sausage or peach — that have made their way to Texas and beyond. No matter how they got to Houston, these doughy delicacies can be filled with pretty much anything and make a solid snack before heading to the stadium. Take your food to-go, or grab one of the few small tables in this small bakery.

It’s hard to go wrong with wood-fired Italian pizza in a cozy setting, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Coltivare Pizza & Garden. The “garden” aspect is literal; the restaurant grows its veggies right in the backyard, making for some very fresh toppings, salads and pesto. Try the stinging nettle, fennel, and feta pizza for a combination not found at your typical neighborhood pizza joint.

Plentiful glass and tranquil shades of blue throughout the restaurant make you feel like you’re eating right on the ocean, even when you’re in Houston’s Midtown. Sit down and enjoy the day’s freshest catch, or cruise through for delicious happy hour bites, like calamari or shrimp shooters prepared by Chef Bryan Caswell. If fish feels too light, order the famous fried mac n’ cheese for an indulgent side.

Not casual dining here, but Artisans is the perfect stop on a two-part date before a game or concert. Chefs Jacques Fox and Russell Kirkham serve aesthetically-conscious plates amid dimly-lit, wood-covered ambiance. The fine French cuisine is worth the splurge: Sample the coffee-crusted venison carpaccio and the duck confit pâté rillette with arugula pesto.

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