Guidebook for Houston's East End

James
Guidebook for Houston's East End

Food Scene

This fun coffee shop is great for families with kids who love games, or for avid gamers themselves! The Houston Chronicle sums it up well: "The gaming cafe from San Francisco Giants outfielder (and Houston native) Hunter Pence and Greenway Coffee’s David Buehrer [opened] the doors in February [2018] at 1318 Telephone Road. "In addition to the bounty of card, board, and role-playing games that will be on offer, Coral Sword will serve a full menu of coffee drinks, beer and wine, and pizza to keep gamers satiated as they play cards and flip through the shop’s collection of comic books and graphic novels."
25 recommandé par les habitants
Coral Sword
1318 Telephone Rd
25 recommandé par les habitants
This fun coffee shop is great for families with kids who love games, or for avid gamers themselves! The Houston Chronicle sums it up well: "The gaming cafe from San Francisco Giants outfielder (and Houston native) Hunter Pence and Greenway Coffee’s David Buehrer [opened] the doors in February [2018] at 1318 Telephone Road. "In addition to the bounty of card, board, and role-playing games that will be on offer, Coral Sword will serve a full menu of coffee drinks, beer and wine, and pizza to keep gamers satiated as they play cards and flip through the shop’s collection of comic books and graphic novels."
Maga's is a charming little Mexican-inspired cafe that serves delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. It opened up in 2017 in a renovated tire shop off at the corner of Polk and Dumble. We personally recommend going here for breakfast and getting the fish tacos or vegetarian omelet.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Maga's Restaurant
1123 Dumble St
19 recommandé par les habitants
Maga's is a charming little Mexican-inspired cafe that serves delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. It opened up in 2017 in a renovated tire shop off at the corner of Polk and Dumble. We personally recommend going here for breakfast and getting the fish tacos or vegetarian omelet.
Bohemeos has been a funky and a classic Greater Eastwood icon since 2006. As its name implies, it welcomes customers of all shape, sizes, and creeds. As the Houston Press reports it: "Beloved East End gathering spot Bohemeo's is known for its lush patio, live music, coffee and open-mike nights thanks to former owners and local artists Lupe and Sid Olivares. Current owners Kent Marshall (also of TK Bitterman's and Market Square Bar & Grill) and Keith Adkins of Fontana Coffee Roasters introduced some changes when they took over, and the changes suited Bohemeo's well. In addition to coffee, Bohemeo's also offers a tap wall of all-local craft beers."
43 recommandé par les habitants
Bohemeo's
708 Telephone Rd
43 recommandé par les habitants
Bohemeos has been a funky and a classic Greater Eastwood icon since 2006. As its name implies, it welcomes customers of all shape, sizes, and creeds. As the Houston Press reports it: "Beloved East End gathering spot Bohemeo's is known for its lush patio, live music, coffee and open-mike nights thanks to former owners and local artists Lupe and Sid Olivares. Current owners Kent Marshall (also of TK Bitterman's and Market Square Bar & Grill) and Keith Adkins of Fontana Coffee Roasters introduced some changes when they took over, and the changes suited Bohemeo's well. In addition to coffee, Bohemeo's also offers a tap wall of all-local craft beers."
You wouldn't know it by driving past it on Lawndale, but the disarmingly nondescript El Greco is home to some of the best Greek food in Houston. This is a great spot to stop for lunch or dinner, or to order for takeout after a day exploring Houston to eat back at our Air BnB location. Be sure to come between 3 and 6 pm to take advantage of their two gyro special for $10. We especially also highly recommend the shrimp skewers.
El Greco Kitchen & Grill
5420 Lawndale St
You wouldn't know it by driving past it on Lawndale, but the disarmingly nondescript El Greco is home to some of the best Greek food in Houston. This is a great spot to stop for lunch or dinner, or to order for takeout after a day exploring Houston to eat back at our Air BnB location. Be sure to come between 3 and 6 pm to take advantage of their two gyro special for $10. We especially also highly recommend the shrimp skewers.
Are you looking to buy enough food to satiate two hungry adults on a budget of 7 dollars? Look no further than this muy auténtico taco shop right on Telephone road. Speaking Spanish helps, but by no means a requirement to order from the very gracious señoras behind the prep counter. As a heads up, the spicy salsa at the sauce station here is super hot and super legit: your mouth has been warned!
Taqueria Monchys
719 Telephone Rd
Are you looking to buy enough food to satiate two hungry adults on a budget of 7 dollars? Look no further than this muy auténtico taco shop right on Telephone road. Speaking Spanish helps, but by no means a requirement to order from the very gracious señoras behind the prep counter. As a heads up, the spicy salsa at the sauce station here is super hot and super legit: your mouth has been warned!
To say that The Original Ninfa's on Navigation is a famous Mexican eatery in Houston is like saying Michael Jordan was a pretty good basketball player. Yes, the prices here are a little steep, but only because Ninfa's has become so famous for being so good. Delicious and largely-portioned, the food here is consistently a 5-star experience. Worth checking out if you have an afternoon to sleep off a joyous food coma.
265 recommandé par les habitants
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
2704 Navigation Blvd
265 recommandé par les habitants
To say that The Original Ninfa's on Navigation is a famous Mexican eatery in Houston is like saying Michael Jordan was a pretty good basketball player. Yes, the prices here are a little steep, but only because Ninfa's has become so famous for being so good. Delicious and largely-portioned, the food here is consistently a 5-star experience. Worth checking out if you have an afternoon to sleep off a joyous food coma.
Yummy, relatively new brunch spot.
59 recommandé par les habitants
Leeland House
2119 Leeland St
59 recommandé par les habitants
Yummy, relatively new brunch spot.
This BBQ shop has become my go-to for seriously delicious and filling breakfast tacos. They are open by 6:00 am from Tuesday through Saturday, so if you have to hit the road early and need food on the go, this is the stop for you.
Texas Tacos and BBQ
1000 Telephone Rd
This BBQ shop has become my go-to for seriously delicious and filling breakfast tacos. They are open by 6:00 am from Tuesday through Saturday, so if you have to hit the road early and need food on the go, this is the stop for you.
Tasty Mexican ice cream flavors are found here! Perfect for a hot Houston day.
Treats of Mexico
724 Telephone Rd
Tasty Mexican ice cream flavors are found here! Perfect for a hot Houston day.

Getting Around

This METRO Rail stop is only 1 mile from our house. The METRO is great for running into downtown to take advantage of the late night bar scene without having to deal with the limited parking there. We recommend riding a bike to this station, or parking your car on a nearby residential street.
Altic/Howard Hughes Station
This METRO Rail stop is only 1 mile from our house. The METRO is great for running into downtown to take advantage of the late night bar scene without having to deal with the limited parking there. We recommend riding a bike to this station, or parking your car on a nearby residential street.

Drinks & Nightlife

From Houston.Eater.Com: "It may be the city’s most ridiculously named bar, but Li’l Danny Speedo’s Go Fly A Kite Lounge is a solid destination for tacos, beer, and shots of tequila rimmed with Tajin. If the frozen rum punch, a mix of gold and demerara rums, Angostura, pineapple, and orange juice, is on the menu, it’s a must-order."
11 recommandé par les habitants
Lil' Danny Speedo's Go Fly a Kite Lounge
823 Dumble St
11 recommandé par les habitants
From Houston.Eater.Com: "It may be the city’s most ridiculously named bar, but Li’l Danny Speedo’s Go Fly A Kite Lounge is a solid destination for tacos, beer, and shots of tequila rimmed with Tajin. If the frozen rum punch, a mix of gold and demerara rums, Angostura, pineapple, and orange juice, is on the menu, it’s a must-order."
Ok, ok, this place is technically in East Downtown (EADO for those of you from out of town) rather than our neighborhood of Greater Eastwood, but this place is such a classic Houston icon that we had to throw it into this list. If you like huge beer selections, savory food trucks, big ol' outdoor patios, family-friendly lawn games, and huge statues of iconic Houston art, then you will love Eighth Wonder Brewery. Bring you loved one, bring your kids, or bring a whole party of friends. In any case, this place is a crowd-pleaser. Bonus points if you ride your bike here.
253 recommandé par les habitants
8th Wonder Brewery
2202 Dallas St
253 recommandé par les habitants
Ok, ok, this place is technically in East Downtown (EADO for those of you from out of town) rather than our neighborhood of Greater Eastwood, but this place is such a classic Houston icon that we had to throw it into this list. If you like huge beer selections, savory food trucks, big ol' outdoor patios, family-friendly lawn games, and huge statues of iconic Houston art, then you will love Eighth Wonder Brewery. Bring you loved one, bring your kids, or bring a whole party of friends. In any case, this place is a crowd-pleaser. Bonus points if you ride your bike here.
Warehouse Live is the biggest venue on the east side of Houston. From metal to rap, from stand-up comedy to burlesque, this place caters to variety of entertainment genres that would impress even the most eclectic concert-goer. Do yourself a favor and look at their concert calendar: I dare you to walk away unimpressed.
82 recommandé par les habitants
Warehouse Live
2600 St Emanuel St
82 recommandé par les habitants
Warehouse Live is the biggest venue on the east side of Houston. From metal to rap, from stand-up comedy to burlesque, this place caters to variety of entertainment genres that would impress even the most eclectic concert-goer. Do yourself a favor and look at their concert calendar: I dare you to walk away unimpressed.
Have you ever walked into a hardware store and craved a beer by the time you walked out? If yes, then allow this bar to satisfy that deeply repressed desire. But don't just take my word for it, listen to what HoustonPress has to say about it: "[East End Hardware is] a great space, seemingly dressed in lost-and-found thrift store finds and well-curated art, with a huge rolling garage door, a projector wall that on this night was screening an FX show in which an angel spewed blood and flying creatures from its mouth, a side patio that will likely become an expanded parking lot, and another side patio that is likely going to be revamped into a covered seating area. The place has good vibes."
21 recommandé par les habitants
East End Hardware
3005 Leeland St
21 recommandé par les habitants
Have you ever walked into a hardware store and craved a beer by the time you walked out? If yes, then allow this bar to satisfy that deeply repressed desire. But don't just take my word for it, listen to what HoustonPress has to say about it: "[East End Hardware is] a great space, seemingly dressed in lost-and-found thrift store finds and well-curated art, with a huge rolling garage door, a projector wall that on this night was screening an FX show in which an angel spewed blood and flying creatures from its mouth, a side patio that will likely become an expanded parking lot, and another side patio that is likely going to be revamped into a covered seating area. The place has good vibes."

Parks & Nature

BRAYS BAYOU *NOTE* We are listing Gus Wortham golf course instead of Brays Bayou above because the golf course is the best place to access the trail from our AirBnB **END OF NOTE** The Brays Bayou hike and bike trail is a continuous 23 mile-long path, making it the longest single bayou trail in Houston. A portion of it runs directly behind the Gus Wortham golf course, located about one mile east from our house. This trail gives you an uninterrupted path from Greater Eastwood neighborhood to University of Houston, to Herman Park, the Medical center, and all the way down to Sugarland, Texas in the southwest. It is especially great for those looking for nice long bike ride!
6 recommandé par les habitants
Gus Wortham Golf Course
7000 Capitol St
6 recommandé par les habitants
BRAYS BAYOU *NOTE* We are listing Gus Wortham golf course instead of Brays Bayou above because the golf course is the best place to access the trail from our AirBnB **END OF NOTE** The Brays Bayou hike and bike trail is a continuous 23 mile-long path, making it the longest single bayou trail in Houston. A portion of it runs directly behind the Gus Wortham golf course, located about one mile east from our house. This trail gives you an uninterrupted path from Greater Eastwood neighborhood to University of Houston, to Herman Park, the Medical center, and all the way down to Sugarland, Texas in the southwest. It is especially great for those looking for nice long bike ride!
A cool art-park located right next to the Orange Show, this place is by the people and for the people. By that we mean it has been slowly built and decorated by weekend volunteers over the last few years, and that it is free to the public. This park is hard to describe, but let's just say that if you like shiny things that are surprisingly beautiful, you'll love it. Worth a quick stop before you jump onto Highway 45 to drive on to your next destination.
33 recommandé par les habitants
Smither Park
2441 Munger St
33 recommandé par les habitants
A cool art-park located right next to the Orange Show, this place is by the people and for the people. By that we mean it has been slowly built and decorated by weekend volunteers over the last few years, and that it is free to the public. This park is hard to describe, but let's just say that if you like shiny things that are surprisingly beautiful, you'll love it. Worth a quick stop before you jump onto Highway 45 to drive on to your next destination.

Everything Else

If you don't know what kombucha is, do yourself a favor and Google this fizzy delicious drink. This local business distributes to coffee shops, grocery stores, and bars all over Houston. But on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm, you can buy it directly from the source! Buy a growler from them, or bring your own, and walk away with tasty experimental kombucha flavors that are not normally available in stores.
Kickin' Kombucha
5420 Lawndale St
If you don't know what kombucha is, do yourself a favor and Google this fizzy delicious drink. This local business distributes to coffee shops, grocery stores, and bars all over Houston. But on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm, you can buy it directly from the source! Buy a growler from them, or bring your own, and walk away with tasty experimental kombucha flavors that are not normally available in stores.

Arts & Culture

If you love the color orange, or like funky art, or are just morbidly curious, this secret little icon of Houston's art scene is worth checking out. As RoadsideAmerica.com reports: "The Orange Show brightly screams in a Houston neighborhood of small single story homes, an out-of-place cacophony of sculpture and junk turned to folk art. Multi-hued metal juts from a jumble of balconies and buildings; American and Texan flags flutter in the breeze. Did crazed cross-dimensional clowns crash land here? Nah -- but it's a stellar example of dementia concretia and the vision of a singular dreamer."
37 recommandé par les habitants
The Orange Show
2401 Munger St
37 recommandé par les habitants
If you love the color orange, or like funky art, or are just morbidly curious, this secret little icon of Houston's art scene is worth checking out. As RoadsideAmerica.com reports: "The Orange Show brightly screams in a Houston neighborhood of small single story homes, an out-of-place cacophony of sculpture and junk turned to folk art. Multi-hued metal juts from a jumble of balconies and buildings; American and Texan flags flutter in the breeze. Did crazed cross-dimensional clowns crash land here? Nah -- but it's a stellar example of dementia concretia and the vision of a singular dreamer."