Overview
Neartown is a general name for the lively area that encompasses the neighborhoods just west of Downtown. It is bounded by I-69/US-59 to the south, I-45 to the east, and Allen Parkway (adjacent to Buffalo Bayou Park) to the north. The western boundary is approximately Shepherd Drive.
6 sights · 5 things to do · 22 places to eat · 13 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Neartown
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM)
Located in the historic Light Guard Armory, the BSNM is dedicated to the brave Black men and women who courageously served in every great American war and military campaign, offering a complete look at African-American m…
Diverse Works
Alternative artwork center. Check the calendar for current exhibits and their hours.
Menil Collection
The private family collection of John and Dominique de Menil, consisting of 20th-century modern masterpieces. The museum building is the centerpiece of a neighborhood featuring satellite gallery spaces and related cultur…
Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel, founded by John and Dominique de Menil, was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief. A quiet, modern, meditative environment inspired by the mural canvasses of Am…
Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University
Built in 1997 by architect Philip Johnson, this is a very unusual building, with a big golden dome and a black belfry built into a wall. There is a labyrinth next to the building. Generally, the campus area is not especi…
Houston Center for Photography
Gallery with neat exhibitions of local photographers. In the back room there's a small library with a diverse collection of photography books that is open to visitors.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Oct. (climate data from nearby Houston)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HOU William P. Hobby Airport, Houston — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $90–$90 a night (typical $95), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$220.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Menil Collection, Houston Center for Photography, Rothko Chapel
- Lunch Da Marco
- Afternoon Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University, Greek Festival
- Dinner Chapultepec Lupita
- Evening Boondocks
Day 2
- Morning Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), Diverse Works
- Lunch Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
- Afternoon Aurora Picture Show
- Dinner The Breakfast Klub
- Evening Pub Fiction
Day 3
- Morning Buffalo Bayou Park
- Lunch El Tiempo 1308 Cantina
- Afternoon Great Day Houston
- Dinner Barnaby's
- Evening Rudyard's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Both a street name and a neighborhood, Montrose is Houston's longtime home to a large portion of its LGBT community. Due mainly to gentrification, Montrose has slowly transformed from a quirky, artsy, affordable cluster of 1920s bungalows to a more upscale, commercial, artsy neighborhood (although there are still plenty of quirkiness and bungalows!). Montrose is one of the few places in the city where walking is common, but with an August average afternoon high temperature of 92 °F with 54% humidity, one might find a car the better solution during the summer.
Midtown experienced serious redevelopment in the 1990s and is now home to many of Houston's young professionals, newer restaurants and bars/clubs. The nightlife here is hip and very vibrant.
See
See Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM)
Located in the historic Light Guard Armory, the BSNM is dedicated to the brave Black men and women who courageously served in every great American war and military campaign, offering a complete look at African-American military history from 1770 to 2000 (the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War) with interactive multimedia exhibits. The BSNM is an active participant in National Veteran projects, such as the Veterans' Registry Program.
See Menil Collection
The private family collection of John and Dominique de Menil, consisting of 20th-century modern masterpieces. The museum building is the centerpiece of a neighborhood featuring satellite gallery spaces and related cultural institutions set in a park-like setting. It boasts a large group of surrealist works and includes a special room devoted to the objects that the Surrealists themselves collected, which inspired many of the works on view.
See Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel, founded by John and Dominique de Menil, was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief. A quiet, modern, meditative environment inspired by the mural canvasses of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, the Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors each year, people of every faith and from all parts of the world. Leashed dogs permitted outdoors; only trained service dogs permitted indoors.
See Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University
Built in 1997 by architect Philip Johnson, this is a very unusual building, with a big golden dome and a black belfry built into a wall. There is a labyrinth next to the building. Generally, the campus area is not especially rich for architectural gems but is green and cheerful.
Do
Do Buffalo Bayou Park
With downtown's skyline as its backdrop, Houston's premier greenbelt of 124 acres winds from Shepherd Drive on the west to Bagby Street on the East End. Eleanor Tinsley Park, located within this greenway (Taft-Sabine), is the site of major Houston festivals and events, including the city's Fourth of July Fireworks. Bike and jogging trails run from Shepherd Dr. through downtown.
Events & festivals
Buy
Walk along Westheimer Blvd between Montrose Blvd. and Shepherd Dr. and browse the fashion resale shops, antique stores, and variety of eateries and watering holes. Empire Cafe is a popular brunch spot for local residents. Cafe Brasil serves salads, pizzas, coffees, alcoholic beverages in more in an urban European style cafe.
In reality, 'true' lower Westheimer embodies the now run down section of Westheimer between Montrose and Bagby (i.e., downtown).
Shop Magick Cauldron
A one-stop shop for incense, crystals, magic candles, herbs, spell ingredients, pagan jewelry, and anything else regarding the supernatural one might need. Even if you're don't practice any magick you can still find a plethora of interesting things. Limited parking available.
Eat
Eat Houston Crawfish & Seafood
Combining Asian & Cajun influences, with a fusion menu of special and traditional dishes, cajun crawfish, fresh seafood, Thai food, and Vietnamese food.
Budget
Eat Amy's Ice Cream
Texas' own super premium, all natural ice cream.
Eat Barnaby's
This local restaurant features some incredible, and TEXAS sized, salads as well as mouthwatering burgers and other entrees. Brunch menu on Sundays.
Eat Katz's
Crave blintzes at midnight or corned beef and cabbage at sunrise? This is your place. Cops from next door rub shoulders with families, politicos and all walks of colorful Montrose life at this brick-paved double-decker. Complete with subway artifacts and Grand Central Station-style handrails, it's city slick and open 24 hours a day.
Eat Mai's
Vietnamese food, popular with the late night crowd.
Eat Niko Niko's
Authentic and tasty Greek food.
Eat The Breakfast Klub
Hotspot for diner-style American eats & stick-to-your-ribs soul food including chicken & waffles.
Eat Chapultepec Lupita
Cozy Tex-Mex joint open 24/7 Thursday through Monday, known for bargain prices & dozens of tequilas.
Eat Ono Poke
Bright, cozy counter serve offering Hawaiian poke bowls in set & customized combinations.
Eat Gloria's Latin Cuisine
Family-friendly chain featuring Salvadoran & Tex-Mex favorites, plus mojitos & margaritas.
Eat Pho Saigon
Informal eatery serving a variety of beef noodle soups (pho) & other classic Vietnamese fare.
Eat Cali Sandwich & Pho
Snug, no-frills eatery featuring Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle soups & other traditional dishes.
Mid-range
Eat Dolce Vita
Marco Wiles (Da Marco restaurant) brings his penchant for pizza to this casual, welcoming restaurant. The simple yet intriguing menu is based on authentic thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas and Italian antipasti. From a rocket-hot wood-burning oven handmade in Rome, the pizzas arrive crispy and slightly charred around the edges. Close to 20 kinds of pizzas are offered, with toppings like proscuitto, arugula, wild mushrooms and fresh herbs. A varied list of small dishes rounds out the menu.
Eat El Tiempo 1308 Cantina
The tasty, cooked from scratch Mexican food has been handed down, generation to generation in the Laurenzo family and is a staple in the Houston food scene. Great Grandmother Ninfa Laurenzo came to Houston in 1948 and started cooking almost immediately, spawning the huge chain of Ninfa's restaurants. 1308 Cantina puts together all of the best for an incredible taste of Tex-Mex cooking sure to leave your mouth watering. The fajitas and margaritas have been amazing the Montrose since the Cantina opened.
Eat Feast
Feast is "Rustic European Fare" served in a cozy house (with a nice upstairs patio). The Brit owners and servers are friendly, the continental wine list is varied and interesting, and the ever-changing menu veers from adventurous (breaded pig tails with dipping sauce, anyone?) to comfy (lamb stew with dumplings). The 2- or 3-course prix-fixe lunch is a fantastic deal for what you get (dinner-sized portions!); there's also a "roast" lunch by reservation every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.
Eat Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
A conveyer belt sushi restaurant chain. They also have two other locations in the Houston area.
Eat Osaka
Some of the tastiest sushi in Houston can be found here at Osaka. The portions are generous and you may be happily surprised with something on the house.
Eat Indika
Well known option for innovative Indian dishes & handcrafted cocktails in modern, airy environs.
Eat Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Japanese chain where diners cook meat, seafood & veggies on individual tabletop grills.
Splurge
Eat Da Marco
One of Houston's best restaurants--known for great wine and Italian fare. Reservations required.
Eat Tony's
Parisian chef Olivier Ciesielski interprets contemporary cuisine with classic French care. Reservations required.
Eat Brennan's of Houston
New Orleans character & cuisine shine at this decadent eatery serving turtle soup, oysters.
Drink
Drink JR's
JR's is one of Houston's most established and popular gay bars. Located next to SouthBeach, many patrons begin their night here before heading to SouthBeach. The bar continues to be a favorite of Houston's gay community.
Drink Meteor
Meteor is a gay video bar in Montrose near Midtown. The crowd tends to be well dressed, a mixture of young and formerly young, and fun.
Drink Rudyard's
Live music on most nights, this British pub in the heart of Montrose attracts a diverse and fun crowd embodying the neighbourhood in which it is located.
Drink Scott Gertner's Sky Bar
This penthouse club is a hot spot in Houston's club scene, located at the top of a mid-rise in Montrose.
Drink South Beach
SouthBeach is Houston's premier gay dance club. World renowned DJs and special events pack the crowds into the late night hours, dancing to the hottest tracks in the gay club scene.
Drink West Alabama Icehouse
Open since 1928, the Icehouse is a bar that provides outdoor seating and free hot dogs. Because of the outdoor seating, people are allowed to bring their dogs, play horseshoes, and basketball. There is usually live country music on Friday nights.
Drink Poison Girl
Poison Girl is off of Westheimer Rd. near the Dunlavy St. intersection. It has a dive bar atmosphere and offers quality drinks and great prices. The perfect place to go and hang out with friends.
Drink Anvil Bar and Refuge
Anvil is one of the best bars in Houston. Their drinks are inspired by prohibition era concoctions. The mixologists (not bartenders) are talented at what they do and can create a drink with almost any flavor that you like.
Drink Boondocks
Boondocks is a fun dive bar/dance club that plays music from recent top 40s hits to disco!
Drink Etro Lounge
If you like 1980s music and you like to dance, this "dive lounge" is the perfect place to go and jam out with friends on the laser lit dance floor. Etro is located directly behind Anvil Bar and Refuge.
Drink Royal Oak Bar and Grill
This laid back bar has a rustic interior and an excellent patio scene in front and out back. Valet parking is available or you can self park across the street. This is the perfect place to enjoy cold beers on a warm spring night or watch a game with friends.
Drink Howl at the Moon
Lively bar with a party vibe featuring dueling piano shows & novelty bucket drinks.
Drink Pub Fiction
Chill spot for drinks & sports on TV, along with outdoor patio seating & occasional live music.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Nearby
Pasadena
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Stafford
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Pearland
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Sugar Land
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Webster
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Alvin
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