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. 

Houston has quickly established itself as one of the most attractive cities for professionals aiming to advance their careers. With a booming economy, diverse job market and a business-friendly landscape, the city offers an ideal environment for career growth.  Robust Economy and Industry Mix  Boasting an extensive range of thriving industries, including energy, life sciences, aerospace and technology, Houston offers an abundance of career opportunities and pathways, catering to professionals with varied interests or those seeking to transition into new fields. According to the Partnership’s 2024 Houston Facts publication, Houston has added more than 620,000 jobs post-pandemic.   A Hub for Corporations and Innovation  With its leadership in key industries, Houston is globally recognized as the Energy Capital of the World and Space City, drawing major corporations to the region. The city now hosts 24 Fortune 500 companies, with Chevron being the latest addition. This corporate presence has created a fertile environment for entrepreneurship, providing startups with access to cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure, operational support and funding. Leveraging these resources, Houston has established itself as a city where you can not only build your business from the ground up, but also achieve scalability, an advantage that is difficult to find elsewhere.   According to the Partnership, Houston is home to 9,300 tech-related firms, including more than 1,000 venture-backed startups. These companies have received $7.54 billion in venture capital funding over the last five years, including $1.60 billion last year.   Home to Top-Tier Educational Institutions  The city is also home to prestigious institutions such as Rice University, the University of Houston and the Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical complexes in the world. These institutions serve as catalysts for research and groundbreaking discoveries, making Houston a leading hub for innovation.   Additionally, the city’s community colleges, including Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, Alvin Community College, Lone Star College and others, play an instrumental role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. These institutions provide a vast range of career development and training programs, as well as continuing education opportunities tailored to meet the evolving needs of the region’s job market.  Affordable Living Costs  Houston provides a cost of living that is six percent below the U.S. average and nearly 30 percent lower than that of the nation’s 20 largest metropolitan areas, according to the Partnership. The city also offers some of the highest adjusted salaries for new graduates, with an average annual income of $65,648, according to a report by payroll software company Gusto. This combination of low living costs and competitive salaries enhances the city’s appeal as a place where professionals can thrive both financially and personally.  Ready to advance your career? The Greater Houston Partnership’s Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs program provides valuable professional development for aspiring business and community leaders through networking and skill-building opportunities. Discover how you can participate and enhance your career growth.