I was visiting Houston and decided to stop by after a local's recommendation and I am so glad I did. The food and drinks were amazing, and I ended up ordering more during the meal because it was that great. The flavors they mix into each dish are playful but done well. Service was attentive and friendly as well. -Shaved jicama: very light and refreshing but grounded by the pumpkin seed sikil pak -Wagyu carpaccio: the combination of cheese and raw Wagyu is light and the strawberry lightens it up even more -tuna tartine: so good. Was tempted to order another one -cocktails: I got the Rumba III which was refreshing and the bartender came by with a sample of a new cocktail he made and it was so fresh and light I had to order that one as well. Don't think it's officially on the menu yet but if you see something with watermelon and gin, get it read more

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We had a great dinner at Barbacana. Service was very nice, and the restaurant was very quiet on a Friday evening. Here's what we tried: -Sourdough milk bread service: The bread service is a great way to start the meal, with pull-apart bread and yummy honey butter. -Tuna tartar toast/terrine: Delightful, with tons of tuna piled on top--it was my friend's favorite item of the night. -Foie gras toast/terrine: This toast was good, though maybe a bit too pretty sweet. But if I had to choose between the tuna terrine and the foie gras terrine, I'd pick the tuna terrine. -Carrots: The carrots are a MUST ORDER item--tied with the rice cake as my favorite item. Carrots are super tender and delicious and *spicy*, which was great. -Crispy rice cake: This dish is also a MUST ORDER item, one of my favorites from the evening. It's a rice cake with a crispy crust and topped with mushrooms. This dish reminded me of a mushroom crispy rice dish at Uchi, which is one of my all-time favorites. -Duck: Very good, perfectly cooked. We were pretty full by the time we ate the duck, but I liked the pistachio dusting. -Strawberry honey cake dessert: read more

After hearing a lot about Barbacana we finally made it for dinner on an early Thursday evening before seeing a show. The restaurant itself is beautiful but I can't speak to the vibe since we got there at 5:45. The service was really wonderful and our waiter gave us great recommendations. We did not do the tasting option but I think it's nice that they have that available. For dinner we shared the tuna Crudo, broccolini, carrots and dry aged duck breast. My favorite dishes were the carrots and the duck breast which was served with a delicious date sauce. I was more impressed with dinner than my spouse who thought it was good not great and was underwhelmed by the affogato. He said that the ice cream was served much too cold and that instead of being slightly melted by the hot coffee it immediately chilled the coffee and was very difficult to eat with a spoon. Either way, I really enjoyed both the space and my meal and would be interested in coming back with a group to try out more dishes. read more

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Amongst all of the dishes we had, the real standout to me was the newest dish on their menu... a crispy rice with mushroom sauce dish that was complex in flavors and textures. This was the highlight that really stood out to me. Everything else was cooked nicely in a largely protein forward meal selection. I am still thinking about that crispy rice dish. read more

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Had a solid experience for lunch service. Their dishes had fairly well seasoned items and had nice homemade sauces and aioli's. Service was top notch and was one of the top dining options in downtown that is open for lunch. Parking might be difficult if you don't have parking in the area. read more

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In what used to be an old beer tap, something pretty unique has sprung up for downtown Houston. Probably one of the more approachable taste of upscale dining that I've been to in a while. The decor is an elegant mix of stones and woods with splashes of color and pattern that pair to the eclectic feel of the food available. Our server seemed passionate about the menu and unlike when you can tell they also enjoy the food they are offering. The menu is very tight, so intentionality has to come through. I asked for a dinner menu and lunch time, and we were accommodated which opened up many of the more interesting options for our group. I was impressed too to bottom with the dishes. Each plate incorporates an interesting flavor pairing, contrast of textures, purposeful plating. Duck breats that had shatteringly crisp skin, tuna toast with bread that melts upon contact. Even the mocktail is presented with a bit of flair and attention to detail. I could gush a bit more, but it feels like spoiling a movie. Worth a try or two and I look forward to seeing what's next. read more

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My husband and I first noticed Barbacana while walking our dog a few months ago, and we finally decided to stop in for lunch this week. The décor is colorful, eclectic, and definitely interesting, though I didn't quite get the "upscale" vibe mentioned in other reviews. Perhaps the atmosphere feels different at dinner service. Since there were only two tables being served, I expected things to move fairly quickly, but overall the service was on the slow side. Our drinks were refilled promptly, which I appreciated, but the food took quite a while to arrive. We were offered bread right after sitting down, though they forgot all about it and we had to remind them. Once it did arrive, though, it was excellent. The butter with honey was so absolutely addictive I could have eaten it by the spoonful and called it a day. The menu itself is brief but clearly curated by Chef Hernandez with thought and intention. We decided to share two dishes: the Texas toast wagyu burger and the sticky rice with lemongrass chicken. The burger was solid but nothing memorable (I'd give it a 6/10), while the sticky rice was a standout (8/10). The balance of flavors and textures was spot on, and I ended up loving the lemongrass, which I wasn't sure I would at first. When the check arrived, I was surprised to see we'd been charged for two orders of bread when we only received one. They did adjust it when I pointed it out, but I was also surprised to learn the bread wasn't complimentary--it's $10. That said, it was so good I can't even be mad about it. I'd honestly come back just for the bread and butter. Overall, I enjoyed trying a new spot for lunch, but I'm not sure I was wowed enough to return to try their dinner menu. read more

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Came in with a reservation for date night on Friday, seated immediately. Food 5/5: we had the tuna toast, mushroom Donburi, robuchon potato's and pork collar. Got the rumbo III as well. Everything tasted fantastic my personal favorite was the pork collar but you can't go wrong with any of them Ambiance 5/5: beautiful restaurant with quiet ambiance, location in downtown Service 5/5: fantastic service, very attentive, polite and knowledgeable. Folded napkin when I stepped away and quick. Value 3.5/5: you get what you pay for, seems about what to expect at a fine dining restaurant like this. Overall 4.5/5: would come back to try other options on the menu, wish parking situation was better. Parking: street parking with a tiny like 10 car lot out front. We parked 3 blocks away and walked as we were headed elsewhere in downtown after. read more

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We chose this restaurant randomly in Houston downtown and it turned out to be good. It does require a taste bud while eating the food. Chef Christian Hernandez has a very good blend of mixtures ingredients in his food. Service was very good. The restaurant is emptied during lunch but we were told they are packed at nite. read more

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Was super excited to try this spot but left with a 50/50 attitude regarding returning. The location --- love to see more true downtown spots that are near Post, theater district, etc but with that unfortunately comes parking perils. I was lucky enough to find street parking with a little walk but my friends ended up paying $20 for a nearby lot. The interior gives you warm, upscale vibes so a good ambiance for a date night or pre-show experience. The Food --- we decided to go with the "Around the World" experience which is a chef's tasting menu. The portions and amount of food brought to the table was ample except that dessert was not included which was kinda weird? Some dishes we really appreciated and some we were meh about. Specifically, the tuna crudo was slightly fishy and lacked balancing flavors, the shrimp tart had a strong bitter seasoning taste that reminded me of like crab boil/old bay vibes. The chicken tacos had great potential but was overmarinated with blobs of yogurt? underneath the skin that needed to be removed prior to enjoying. We did appreciate the accompaniments with the tacos. Pork collar was nice. Our favs were probably the desserts! We loved both the corn and smores desserts. An odd experience during dining probably sealed the rating here -- - We unfortunately were approached by an individual asking for money. He entered the restaurant and proceeded to take a lap around the uncrowded dining area asking for money. He left then came back for a second lap without staff knowing. We made them aware as this could be a safety issue since the person made 2 laps in and out of the restaurant without acknowledgement. Overall could I be persuaded to give it a second go -- probably. But would it be my idea? Probably not. read more

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Came here thinking HRW would be the perfect way to sample a bit of this apparently inventive menu. How easily we are swayed- and ended up doing the No Reservations tasting between four of us. This did not disappoint in terms of quantity of food! We got 2 salads, the tuna crudo , mushroom donburi, tart , pollo Al carbon, pork collar. Desserts are not included in the tasting. We ended up trying the corn one, but the real winner was the s'mores ice cream sandwich. The marshmallow was part of the outer "cookie" layer. As I'm writing this review I'm thinking how I would like another bite of that. There were definitely some interesting flavour combinations and concepts especially with the first 2 salad dishes. I was not a fan of the tuna crudo (slightly fishy), and there was something bitter that I couldn't put a finger on in the shrimp tart. And the shrimp tasted more like crawfish. Loved the chicken dish, building my little tacos. The mole and homemade shot sauce were great accompaniments. The pork collar I think is a cut of meat that I'm not crazy about- juicy and fatty and very porky. So if you love pork- I'm sure you'll love this. Overall the restaurant seemed pretty quiet but this was probably a typical weeknight turnout. Of note while we were winding down with out mains a homeless person walked in to the restaurant and right up to our table without anyone noticing. He then walked to a few other tables before exiting. During this time there were no staff to be found and the one server that was nearby , I'm not sure if he didn't notice or just didn't know what to do about it. All to say it was just very awkward as the diner. And the fact that he entered a second time stopping at another table, still with no one to flag down or notice from the restaurant staff, was a little disappointing. There is a parking lot directly across the restaurant- but expect to pay $20 there. Anyway this is downtown- can't complain too much as you know it's going to be tricky. My overall rating I would say veers more towards a 3.5. read more

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Went for HRW and it was quite yummy!! Starting off with the cocktails everything we ordered was fantastic, even the mocktails. The sourdough bread with their whipped was addictive and we almost ordered a second. For the main dishes the standout was the Pollo Al Carbon - it's the tortillas that were the star for me! You'll want to order extra tortillas. It's a big order which was awesome for HRW standards. This paired well with the mushroom donburi rice bowl. We thought the pork collar and snapper were fine but not as good compared to the pork. As for desserts, we were really excited about the Korn cake but surprisingly we liked this one the least. There's a green oil they finished the cake with and it was a bit too strong of a basil flavor for everyone at the table. The clear winner was the Peach & Cream dessert! The s'mores ice cream was good but a little too spongy for my liking. I'd love to come back to try some of their tarts. My biggest point of feedback was the service. They were really friendly and had great suggestions, especially for their cocktails. However, as often as they came by they didn't refill the water. Minor point, but everything else was great! read more

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I was here for a private event and the ambiance was great! It's freezing though so bring a sweater! I can't speak on their regular dinner menu but I would say that a lot of the samples I had of their small bites are pretty good! Also their cocktails are strong and they have classic cocktails, so if you don't like to taste your alcohol you might have to request something off menu. I want to come back to try more of their food! Service staff was super fast and attentive as well! read more

Did the tasting menu and can't racket highly enough about this place, the servers, and each of the dishes! We came to celebrate my dads birthday and the staff not only took great care of us, but also included some additional creative dishes as part of the experience, as well as a few surprises to celebrate my dad. The ambiance is also intimate, trendy, and well designed. Loved everything about this spot and can't wait to come back. read more

Ask for Mike, best wine choices I've had in years. Food was off the chart, chef was nice and platting was A1. Check it out. read more

Barbacana - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I recently hosted a client dinner at Barbacana with a party of 10 and they knocked it out of the park. Chef Christian Hernandez put together a great experience. Every course was well done and the wine pairings were spot on and reasonably priced. It felt like a true culinary experience, not just a client dinner. The service was equally impressive. The staff walked us through each course, explained the ingredients and pairings, and handled our larger group without missing a beat. Chef Hernandez has clearly spent time in Michelin starred kitchens, and that experience shows. It was a great evening for our team and our clients. We will definitely be back. read more

Service was good. I didn't have to ask for my water to be refilled and he checked on me multiple times. I made a reservation for right when then opened for lunch so there was no one else in the restaurant. The brassica pickle chips came out piping hot and were well seasoned. The garlic aioli was good too. However, after a while the dish tastes one note and heavy and the aioli doesn't cut through the fattiness of the oil. The grilled prawns had four prawns. I liked the flavor of the dish but only 1 prawn had an acceptable texture. The other 3 tasted like mush and broke apart in my mouth after the first bite. The Greek potato pave and TX wagyu Denver were okay. Overall there was nothing that blew me away, and I wouldn't return anytime soon after the prawn dish. read more

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Chef Christian Hernandez, a native Houstonian got it right with Barbacana!! The food was amazing and the service was top notch. Please sell you homemade michelada mix...I would buy a gallon of it. The playlist does not disappoint either. I came because the chef owner had given his time to support a local second ward urban farm, Small Places at their fundraiser Finca Tres Robles. Any entrepreneur that gives of themselves, I am happy to support. #shoplocal #shopsmallbusiness #givingback read more

Barbacana - Espresso martini -the brew the espresso fresh... No cold brew stuff - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Server was pretty quick, though a bit talkative. The ambiance is mostly quiet and intimate. Once a while there is a bit of loud music. Food was pretty good. Had the sunchoke, tart, potato's, and salad. The salad is the best of them all. The potatoes are pretty good, and the desert is great as well. The sunchoke and tart fell a bit short. It's a pricy place, so expect a big bill. We also got some coffee at the end with the French press. The server didn't know how to use the press, which is weird. The server also charged me extra dish I didn't order, and when I told him about it he didn't correct it. As a result, I'm less inclined to give a higher rating for the place. read more

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Came here for Tasting Collective and I was very excited to try them out, however the service, food and overall experience left us extremely disappointed. I get we came with Tasting Collective, but it felt like our tasting menu was a guinea pig trial and we were second rate guests at this restaurants. They never refilled our tables water glasses and when we begged for a second glass of wine, they were out? The only option was a $25 glass of Pinot noir which I did not want with the duck. I can't imagine a restaurant running out of wine and no other options were offered. The food was interesting at best. Most of the time we couldn't tell if the dish was supposed to be cold or if it was partly due to the coordination of the dishes with the group. I haven't written a review in a long time but my husband and I still can't stop talking about this disappointing experience. I will not be coming back or recommending this to friends. read more

shoutout to the valet men yesterday, they saved my life. I was walking to my car when a homeless man started chasing me. I jumped behind them and they made a wall. One even walked me to my car 10 ft away. I don't know their names but I'm so grateful, idk what I would have done if they weren't there. read more

The food, service, and the setting were lovely. I enjoyed dining at this restaurant. I advised the Denver wagyu and their shrimp dish. read more

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Amazing place!! New to me but recommended and I am grateful for suggestion. What amazing culinary experience (not just good dinner) Chef Hernandez is A++ with his talent and creations. You can tell he is in his element when you taste the food and admire the presentation. The Wagyu Denver was perfection and I actually ordered another Jicama salad to go... sooo good. Chef even came out to check on how we were enjoying the food. This upscale downtown restaurant was worth the trip. Do not let the downtown location deter you. Parking lots/garage all around, we parked in the lot immediately in front of place, and since our reservation was @ 6:30, traffic was lighter. Did I mention the cocktails? Delicious and meticulously crafted by a bartender that takes pride in his concoctions. read more

Barbacana - With Chef Hernandez - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The dining is elevated and the service is excellent and goes above and beyond. From the moment we entered, we were greeted by the very friendly maitre de' Nicholas. My husband and I decided to do the tasting menu. Every dish was so well crafted, thought out and delicious. The portions for each dish were perfect as well. We were able to enjoy each course without feeling stuffed. The wine pairings were also perfect and went so well with each dish. This was truly a spectacular experience through and through. Our server and each person we interacted with were friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. I cannot say enough good things about our time visiting and we will definitely be back. read more

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The ambiance of this spot is on point. The service starts when you make a reservation. The food was a vegan/vegetarians dream. The wine pairings elevated the experience of each dish perfectly. My compliments to Sommelier Jake and Chef Christian read more

Barbacana - Cauliflower Steak. - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Barbacana delivered the best dining experience we've had in Houston--hands down. The tasting menu was phenomenal from start to finish, but three standouts absolutely stole the show: the duck, the wagyu, and the curry. Each dish was a masterclass in flavor, technique, and balance. The wine pairings that accompanied those courses were exceptionally well-chosen--elevating the meal and making the whole experience feel effortlessly refined. What made the evening even more special was the personal attention from Chef Christian Hernandez. He stopped by our table multiple times--not just to check in, but to genuinely engage, share insights, and make us feel welcome and seen. That kind of thoughtful presence is rare and so appreciated. The space is intimate and beautifully designed, with an atmosphere that feels warm, elevated, and exclusive without being pretentious. Barbacana is doing something truly special downtown--this isn't just dinner, it's an experience. We'll be back, and we'll be bringing friends. read more

To be honest, I did not have a full table service but our homeowners association had our annual meeting there and the food was not impressive whatsoever if you're gonna spend $500 a couple for the prefix menu plus one pairing I don't know if it's even worth it! We live directly upstairs from the restaurant and after six months of construction, the noise was absolutely horrible, which caused our plumbing to leak into the restaurant and we had to pay the $800 repair bill for our plumbing that they caused. They should've respected us and asked us to come down for dinner, but of course they did not this restaurant continues to be empty night after night. I am not shocked read more

I don't know if I've ever left a review on here but I'm here in Houston for a work conference. Stopped in here because my boss saw the tequila brand he likes, wasn't expecting too much off first impression but was wowed from start to finish. The bartender's name was Andrew, I think, and he was phenomenal with menu knowledge/descriptions and discussion around tequila/wine/bourbon. The food was delicious all around & I can't say enough good things about the two desserts we got, especially the pecan one. Only slight detractor for us was it felt like the music didn't fit the overall vibe but that's truly nitpicking. I'll be back! read more

We've eaten here twice now and they exceeded expectations both times. Delicious food and drinks and terrific service. North Downtown has been longing for this fresh new option and these fun selections for too long. I hope everyone is as hungry as I was for this and takes advantage real soon. read more

Service and food were amazing!! Every dish was presented beautifully! The restaurant exceeded all expectations, Can't wait to go back!!! Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just out on date, this is the place! Highly recommend read more

The food is amazing! We had a lot of variety in our dishes and left very full and happy. Very excited for the a la cart menu and can't wait to go back. The people are incredibly nice and attentive. The wine on hand is incredible, need to find some for my house! The ambiance is very cool, very much Houston vibes. read more

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We came to try the tasting menu in this new culinary star in downtown Houston. Had no preconceived ideas of the quality of the chef and his handpicked staff. I have had tasting menus from Paris, London, New York to mention a few. This is one of the most remarkable dining experiences I have ever experienced. The variety and creativity of each dish was surpassed only by the next. Fish, duck, beef were transformed into unique epicurean visions. The wine steward provided an amazing spectrum of known and new varietals, each paired perfectly with the each course. If you are looking for the next Michelin star chef, look no further. I think this is Houston's next rung on the ladder of superlative dining experiences!! Bravo!! read more

I attended the soft opening inaugural tasting menu. The first of eight dishes, the Jicama Tetela, Prawn Carpaccio was the start of a delicious experience. The combinations of textures and flavors flowed nicely from one dish to the next. Some of the seasonings, all of which were made in house, were new to me and honestly wanted some to take home! Every course was presented beautifully with generous portions. The husk cherry, stroopwafel with foie gras was the last course and a perfect way to close out the delicious and filling dinner. Hard to choose a favorite so I hope each one makes it to a future a la carte menu. The service staff were all friendly, en pointe, always attentive but not intrusive. We were seated at the counter with direct view to the kitchen and it made for an interesting backdrop to the great meal. The ambiance was thoughtful, casually refined with beautiful textures, colors and mural artwork. There is an area perfect for parties or group meal. Looking forward to the a la carte menu on my next visit. I saw that they are now having happy hour 4pm-6pm...perfect stop after work. Nice way to wait for traffic to die down. Located on the corner of Franklin and Travis near the theater and court districts, with pay parking lots and metered street parking. Convenient location for Uber drop-off/pick up. read more

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Came here on a Saturday to try the tasting menu and was really pleased with the experience. Since Houston is not known for many tasting menus, I think the concept is fun and exciting. I work nearby and have always thought downtown lacks the great and creative food you get in Montrose, EADO, ect. Will definitely be back to try their happy hour menu. read more