The Olive Oil Restaurant: Enjoy Greek Fare and the Sounds of Live Bouzouki

Located just a short trip from Avana Grogan’s Mill, The Olive Oil Restaurant is an authentic dining experience in the heart of the Woodlands. The dimly lit, rustic interior is full of comfortable tables large enough for the whole family, and guests are always greeted warmly at the door by one of the friendly servers.

The wine list is very impressive, and the menu is just as large. Specials change daily, but traditional favorites like grape leaves, moussaka, gyros, and cheese pies always stay the same. The Olive Oil Restaurant serves a number of beef, lamb, and seafood platters with your choice of traditional sides like arakas or bamies. Best of all, the restaurant hosts live music and belly dancing evenings on weekends complete with the tradition of breaking plates and shouting “Opa!”

The Olive Oil Restaurant
373 Sawdust Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 367-0114
www.oliveoilgreekrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-oil-restaurant-the-woodlands

Caffe di Fiore: A Fusion Menu in The Woodlands

Caffe di Fiore serves up a fusion menu in The Woodlands. The emphasis may be on Mexican cuisine, but the restaurant's menu also features a selection of pastas and pizza.

Breakfast is a great time to stop in and fuel up for the day on hearty fare like Chilaquiles Con Pollo with tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans & sour cream, Huevos Con Chorizo with spicy sausage, cheese & refried beans, and Vegetarian Eggs Benedict with spinach & tomatoes. Later in the day, you can try Tacos de Barbacoa with beef, onions & borracha salsa, Green Enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, and Tampico Style Carne Asada with refried beans & guacamole.

Caffe di Fiore is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands, Texas.

Caffe di Fiore
10110 Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 298-1228
www.caffe-di-fiore.com/ordereze/default.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-di-fiore-the-woodlands

Enjoy a Relaxed Meal at the Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub

Named after a little green park in Ireland where locals grazed their geese, The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub boasts a menu of traditional Irish fare flavors, as well as fresh, modern dishes. This restaurant is a favorite among locals, who say the traditional dishes simply can't be beat.

Try the crispy, ale-battered cod filets served with seasoned fries and a unique apple-based coleslaw, or dig into a rich serving of shepherd’s pie filled with braised sirloin, leeks, carrots, peas, and onions, all topped with a layer of creamy cheddar whipped potatoes. If you'd prefer something lighter, try the wasabi-and pistachio-encrusted ahi tuna steak served with grilled vegetables, or opt for the restaurant's signature grilled chicken salad with a unique mix of spring greens, berries, dates, tangy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and house-made cornbread croutons. Whatever you order, you can be confident it will be served quickly and with a smile.

The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 466-1502
www.thegoosesacre.com/modules/wfchannel
www.yelp.com/biz/the-gooses-acre-bistro-and-irish-pub-the-woodlands

Kona Grill: Enjoy A Varied Menu in The Woodlands

Kona Grill serves some stellar modern American cuisine along with an expansive menu of sushi. Indoor and outdoor seating and a bright ambiance add to the appeal of this popular local restaurant.

Happy Hour is a great time to visit to enjoy spectacular specials on food and drinks! Order a cocktail, beer or glass of wine and a sumptuous starter like Chicken Satay or Ahi Wonton Crisps. Flatbreads and salads are on Kona Grill's menu, along with a flavorful list of sandwiches. Offerings include a Turkey Burger, an Avocado Chicken Club, and a Big Kahuna Cheeseburger with applewood bacon. Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon with pork fried rice, Pan-Asian Noodles with beef tenderloin, and Miso Sake Sea Bass with ratatouille are among the entrees avilable here.

If you'd like to try it for yourself, Kona Grill is open every day in The Woodlands, Texas.

Kona Grill
3 Waterway Square
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 466-4061
www.konagrill.com/restaurants/the-woodlands-tx.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/kona-grill-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar: Caribbean Flair in The Woodlands

Whether you're looking for restaurant to host a group dinner for a special occasion, or you simply want to relax and enjoy a good meal on a Friday night, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar is a solid choice. This place is often packed, and yet customers still routinely give it high marks for both hospitality and food.

Yelp reviewers rave over the coconut crusted crab cakes with Thai chili sauce, so if you like seafood, this is a good appetizer to begin your meal. As far as entrees go, the blackened fish taco with tomato relish and chipotle aioli is another customer favorite, while the kona coffee crusted ribeye steak served with herbed marrow butter and warm potato salad is one of the kitchen's specialties. Be careful, however: the menu is so varied and appealing that it can be easy to fill up without leaving room for dessert. Regulars will tell you this is a big mistake, because dessert at Tommy Bahama is simply delicious. Finish your meal with a slice of triple layer chocolate cake, and you'll likely leave with a smile.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 292-8669
www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/Woodlands.jsp
www.yelp.com/biz/tommy-bahama-restaurant-and-bar-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

Cru Wine Bar: Making Wine Tasting Approachable

Catch up with friends at Cru Wine Bar, a Texas-based chain with a location in The Woodlands. Offering 30 by-the-glass options and over 300 bottles in the cellar, you'll be sure to find a new favorite wine. Sample one of the many wine flights, which are reasonably priced and have generous pours. The food menu offers a nice variety of small plates and full size entrees. Many customers order several plates and share with the whole table. Be sure to try the Goat Cheese Beignets and the Roasted Wild Mushroom Pizza with fontina, pesto and white truffle oil.

Dine inside for a chic and trendy evening out, or linger over Sunday brunch with French toast and bottomless mimosas on the outdoor patio. In addition to weekday happy hour from 4 p.m to 6:30, Cru has daily specials like Pizza Mondays: buy any bottle of wine and your choice of pizza is on the house.

Cru Wine Bar
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-9463
http://www.cruawinebar.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cru-wine-bar-the-woodlands

Salata: Salads and Wraps in The Woodlands

Salata is a restaurant where you can build yourself a wrap or salad from a flavorful array of super-fresh ingredients. The salad option features several lettuce choices, plus fresh veggies, fruits, nuts and cheeses. Add on one of their signature dressings and some bread, and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal. Chicken or seafood can also be added in flavors like Spicy Chipotle, Herb Marinated, or Pesto.

Wraps have the same ingredient options and come with chips. Yummy soups include Broccoli, Tomato Basil and Tortilla. Got gluten allergies? No problem, they can create a tasty sans-gluten meal. You can also take home a bottle of their salad dressings that include Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch, Ginger Lime, and Chipotle Ranch.

Salata is open every day in The Woodlands.

Salata
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-0775
http://www.salata.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salata-the-woodlands-2

Expect Flavorful Italian Fare and Fireside Dining at Grotto Ristorante

With vibrant painted murals, a gleaming curved wooden bar, and walls stacked with wine bottles, Grotto Ristorante is a lively setting for a flavorful repast. Settle in by the fireplace indoors or out on the patio and get your party started with a glass or bottle of wine and an antipasto, like mussels marechiaro with white wine and fresh tomatoes, the scampi grotto with mushrooms, or the mozzarella in padella with tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Pizza and pasta are featured on the menu, along with entrees like shrimp paillard with jumbo lump crab, roasted bell peppers, and lemon sauce, and snapper Siciliano with Roma tomatoes, garlic, shrimp sauce, and lump crab.

Grotto Ristorante is open every day. Stop by for weekend brunch for a sumptuous feast!

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
www.grottorestaurants.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2

Uni Sushi: A Chic Sushi Spot in The Woodlands

Uni Sushi features a flavorful selection of sophisticated fare in an upscale Art Deco setting with chandeliers and onyx columns. If sushi's your thing, settle in at the sushi bar and order one of their specialty rolls like the Angry Dragon with yellowtail, jalapenos, cilantro, habanero, tobiko, and ponzu sauce.

If you prefer something warm, a bowl of Miso Soup is always a nice choice. Rock Shrimp Tempura, Lobster and Shrimp Rolls, and Gyoza Dumplings are on the appetizer menu, and Uni Sushi's entrees include dishes like Wild Mushroom Chicken, Asian Pesto Tuna, Rib Eye Beef Rolls, Firecracker Chicken and Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops, all served with steamed rice and your choice of vegetable tempura or Asian vegetable sautee!

Uni Sushi is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands.

Uni Sushi
9595 Six Pines
The Woodlands, TX 77380
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/directory/taste/dining-restaurantes/uni-sushi/
www.yelp.com/biz/uni-sushi-the-woodlands

The Blue Mug Cafe: Casual Dining at Its Best

The Blue Mug Cafe is a fast-casual eatery serving breakfast and lunch. You place your order at the counter, and you're given a beeper that will alert you when your food is ready. Regulars note that the owners of The Blue Mug also own the poplar Black Walnut Cafe, so you can expect the same high-quality food and service.

One of the top dishes is the bruleed French toast, and once you taste it, you'll see why. The bread is extra thick sourdough, and it's grilled and then baked until it's golden brown. It's topped with powdered sugar, a medley of nuts, and the cafe's house-made bourbon amber maple syrup. The French dip sandwich also gets rave reviews. Diners note that the portions are generous, so you should expect to have some food to take home to Avana Grogan's Mill.

Blue Mug Cafe
30420 FM 2978
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 292-2583
bluemugcafe.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Pin It on Pinterest