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    Neo

    4.8 (69 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM

    Neo Photos

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    Roe
    Riel S.

    Neo was a great experience from start to finish--chill vibe, super friendly staff, and food that really stood out. The dry-aged fish was a highlight, with a deep, clean flavor that made you appreciate how much care goes into their process (which they actually take time to show and explain in the back room--very cool). The dessert was unique, though the flavors didn't quite hit for me on this tasting menu. Still, the complimentary drinks, the knowledge the team shared, and their genuine hospitality made the whole night feel special.

    How close you are to the experience.
    David G.

    This was an absolutely fantastic experience. The food was spectacular and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. They put the dinner on at an alternate location due to having their place remodeled, but it was a great place with a great vibe.

    Desert
    Sa'Rah H.

    Amazing! I'll just start there. I attended my bestie's birthday dinner at Neo. The moment you walk through the first entrance you're in this minimalist, chic space and promptly served a glass of bubbly. After a quick moment of chatter, we were led to the main dining space which also served as a fashion boutique. We were all seated around a half moon dining counter and served more champagne. Next we were served 16 courses of the most delicious and perfect bites ever. So much thought and consideration was put into each course to create a truly special dining experience. I had a menu to refer to for my review but my dog literally ripped it to shreds so the menu was meant to be kept a secret. The Chefs and staff were absolute amazing, kind and patient with us while explaining every detail of each dish and what made it unique. You will absolutely need to book this omikase dining experience in advance and expect a hefty price tag.

    Elaine D.

    Very innovative omakase that the texture and flavor were so delightful. I wasn't a fan of the dessert but their fish was fresh. I wish I was able to go to their original Neo but they were able to host at an interesting place.

    1
    PJ M.

    Really enjoyed our okakase here. Wish I could remember what everything was but suffice it to say everything was delicious, fresh and gave you that "oh crap that's so good" feeling. I think my friend says it best, it's so good. It pisses you off because you can't have it every day.

    Sandra S.

    A unique and delicious neo omakase experience. This omakase is not just the traditional sushi, but a mix of that along with a tasting menu of a few bites of cooked dishes and dessert to follow. There's a bit more of a mysterious feel as you enter what looks like a newly renovated home in a neighborhood. Street parking. When you enter, the waiting room is a boutique clothing store. And then as you walk inside that, the seating is around a home kitchen island counter. 10 ppl max. One of the differences between this one and some of the other omakases that I've tried is that the price of this includes wine and sake pairing that continue to be served during the meal. You are greeted with Cava wine as soon as you enter and wait in the reception room and topped off. Then you are given 2 other sakes during the meal. The sushi portion was delicious. I would say maybe have a few pieces that don't have the wasabi. Don't get me wrong I love a good fresh grated wasabi but I think a lot of them tasted the same because it tasted like the wasabi. Menu: MADAI KINILAW | Heart of Palm, Coconut KAMPACHI | Japanese Amberjack MUKI HOTATE | Hokkaido Scallop MANAGATSUO | Butterfish HOKKAIDO UNI | Sea Urchin AKAMI | Lean Bluefin Tuna CHUTORO | Medium Fatty Bluefin Tuna OTORO | Fatty Bluefin Tuna BLUE LOBSTER | Seaweed Hollandaise ANAGO | Salt Water Eel BADGER FLAME BEETS | Abalone Emulsion, Kimchi VENISON | Stinging Nettle TSUKUNE | Hibiscus Tare, Sansho GUNGOGU | Grapefruit, Hazelnuts COULANT | Sicilian Pistachios MIGNARDISE | Yamamomo, Golden Berry, Fruit Leather I couldn't bring myself to get this but they also sold a quarter of Miyazaki mango for $35. It looked really good. Bonus: I got 1 free scoop of caviar for my birthday along with a cute Polaroid photo. Everyone was super friendly. Although pricey, it was a wonderful birthday dinner.

    Diana J.

    Excellent service, good ambiance. Definitely a top tier omakase in Houston. They explain where everything is sourced. There's also a dry aging tour at the end if you have time.

    Diep L.

    Holy bananas!! I cannot recommend this place enough. All the reviews are totally accurate. So first of all the location is so cute. The fact that it's inside a clothing shop is so unique. You're greeted by champagne and can look around the shop. The bar itself seats 10 people. The chefs greet you in the beginning and are very knowledgeable. Everyone who worked there is so nice. There is a sake or wine pairing included. For sake there were 2 sakes poured throughout the meal. They give you options to add supplements like caviar to one dish. I got to try fish I've never had before and I've had a decent share of omakases. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing!! I already cannot wait to be back.

    Hayley S.

    I've been to Neo nearly 10 times since they first opened, and I plan to return many more. From the very beginning, this place has stood out as something truly special. While I miss the smaller, more intimate seating and the like-minded foodies from its early days, Neo still delivers an unforgettable experience. The vibe has shifted a bit lately, with the crowd feeling less personal and friendly, but I'm hopeful future visits will bring back that sense of connection. What hasn't changed is the sushi--it's absolutely to die for. Each of the 18 (or so) perfectly crafted bites is prepared right in front of you, with detailed explanations that make the experience incredibly special. I always find myself getting full about halfway through, but I happily power through every bite because it's just that good! My favorite is anything dry-aged! A quick tip: Arrive a little early to grab one of the limited parking spots, or be prepared to park along the road. Despite the minor shifts in atmosphere, Neo remains one of the most unique and delectable sushi experiences in town. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves artfully prepared, unforgettable cuisine! I just remembered that we also attended their special seatings in partnership with 13 Celsius which included a wine tasting of which we upgraded to premium of course! It couldn't have been a more perfect collaboration as we also frequent 13 Celsius... going on at least 15 years now... and adore Harold and Adele. They do the most wonderful and carefully curated events and collabs.

    Ara A.

    Neo is without a doubt top tier in Houston for Japanese Omakase. Luis Mercado and the team always deliver such inventive, deliciously fresh dishes with the perfect execution. We have been to new since they first started their pop ups at Glass and it has been so exciting to see how much our city continues to support them. I look forward to every new iteration of their seasonal menus. Michelin better give you all the stars!!

    Nette T.

    This is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and in a clothing store. In the back, through a door, is the omakase 10 seat counter experience. The itamae made a short speech and our service began. The knife skills were on point, service was on point and our meal was outstanding. Our menu for the night was: Maguro Crudo ~ Green strawberries Madai ~ Japanese Sea Bream Kampachi ~ Hokkaido Salmon Roe Sawara ~ Japanese King Mackerel Chutoro ~ Medium Fatty Bluefin Tuna Maine Uni ~ Sea Urchin Sepia Salae ~ Squid Garum Kinome Norwegian Blue Lobster Unagi ~ Fresh Water Eel A5 Wagyu Maitake ~ Hen of the Woods House Fermented Kombucha Cappalletti ~Butternut Squash, Pecorino Truffle Sando ~ Jamon Mamey Ice Cream ~ Pecans, Pixtle Oil Goma Dofu ~ Wasanbon, Sesame Seeds Everything tasted fresh and it was an interesting fusion of flavors near the end of the meal. We paired our meal with Joy Junmai Ginju Genshi sake. I really enjoyed my meal here. Who knew that this clothing store had such an astonishing omakase in the back? Highly recommended!!

    Fish of the night
    Haley G.

    Wow wow wow. This is my second time here and I love it! Food is mouth watering. Definitely worth the cost! Service is great, walking around re filling drinks the entire dinner, along with cleaning the table. Ambiance is a men's small clothing store. Really unique and fun experience!

    Surya U.

    So so so good. We loved this experience so much. Each bite was something special. Yes it's a pretty penny but worth it.

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    5 years ago

    Top 5 dining dining experiences of my last 8 years living in Houston. Thank you Neo, keep on keeping on!

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    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks

    4.3(318 reviews)
    0.6 miRiver Oaks, Montrose
    $$

    This place has been on my to-go list for a while and it did not disappoint! We started off with age…read moretakoyaki and toro carpaccio, which were both recommended to us by our server. The age takoyaki was creamy and good to share amongst a group. The toro carpaccio was amazing as well and melted in your mouth. We also ordered chicken curry udon, chicken karaage, and tantan noodles. All had really great flavors but my personal favorite was the tantan noodles which came with poached egg, sauce, and garnishes that you got to mix into the noodles. Super creamy and nutty! I really loved the vibe of the restaurant too, it's small but has a homey vibe that would be great for either a small group hangout or a date. There's a lot of bars to visit nearby too. Our server was also so sweet and brought us a baggie of Japanese candies & sweets after our dinner since it was Valentine's Day. Only complaint was parking. Very small lot and very packed! Get there a bit before your reservation to figure out parking.

    Good food and cozy ambience. Our waiter was really friendly!…read moreI enjoyed the menu options and a lot of them are quite authentic and similar to what I eat in Japan. Because it is an Izakaya, the portions are small. I do think the pricing is a bit on the higher end for the small portions but overall I had a good time. The jellyfish salad is soooo goood.

    Photos
    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - Sushi bar

    Sushi bar

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

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    #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Handies Douzo - Hotate

    Handies Douzo

    4.7(222 reviews)
    0.9 miMontrose, Fourth Ward
    $$

    I'm not joking, I'm salivating as I'm writing this review. Handrolls is very high on my favorite…read morefood list - that means I'm also quite picky about it. Handies hands down is among the BEST. I'm crazy about their handrolls, but surprisingly, even more obsessed with their crudos. I wanted to try everything on the menu but had to leave some for next time. What I love about Handies' dishes is not only the high quality ingredients, but also the different garnishes each dish has - especially the crunchy fragrant fried garlic, or the hint of mint. Food presentation is also top notch (not a must for me but I understand that matters for some) The seating here is like most handrolls places, you sit at a bar facing the chefs. Your food gets delivered right in front of you by the chefs, and waiter/waitress takes your drink orders. I did try the sake with lychee and yuzu cocktail - it was unique and delightful.

    This was my third visit to this restaurant. The first time I came, I absolutely loved it. The sushi…read moreexperience felt personal and intimate, and I appreciated that we could still enjoy conversation while sitting at the bar. Since it was our first time dining this way, the staff was attentive and took the time to explain everything. We also had the chance to chat with the owner, which made the experience even more memorable. The food has always been outstanding. The hand roll sets are absolutely worth it, and my favorite dish is actually the crudo. Unfortunately, the service has declined with each visit. During our second visit, we assumed the lack of attention was because the restaurant was packed and likely understaffed. However, our third visit made it clear that wasn't the issue. Throughout the meal, we were consistently overlooked. We were never offered water refills, had to repeatedly flag down staff just to order, and even had to ask the chefs to get a server's attention. Meanwhile, the tables on either side of us were regularly checked on and served promptly. We watched guests who were seated both before and after us receive much more attentive service. Eventually, we left earlier than planned because we were tired of waiting just to order more food. It's disappointing because the food is genuinely excellent, but after multiple visits with declining service, it's hard to justify coming back.

    Photos
    Handies Douzo - Negitori w caviar

    Negitori w caviar

    Handies Douzo - Spicy Tuna

    Spicy Tuna

    Handies Douzo - Kani Roll

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    Kani Roll

    Zen Japanese Izakaya - Bluefin Tuna Special Bowl

    Zen Japanese Izakaya

    4.2(332 reviews)
    0.6 miMontrose
    $$

    This restaurant is a cozy, authentic gem for Japanese small plates. The space is intimate with a…read moresmall dining area. Reservations are highly recommended. There aren't many tables, and it fills up quickly. Service was incredibly friendly and attentive. This is what we ordered: 1. pepper tuna tataki 2. hamachili 3. hijiki 4. karaage 5. agedashi tofu 6. Rock N Roll roll 7. Zen Mega Dragon roll 8. hamachi sashimi 9. hamachi roll 10. Extra Picante roll 11. Yakisoba noodles 12. Brussel sprouts Almost everything was absolutely delicious. The pepper tuna tataki and hamachili were fresh and flavorful. The karaage was crispy, tender and juicy, and the agedashi tofu had that perfect texture in a savory broth. All were sooo good. The Zen Mega Dragon roll, hamachi hamachi roll, and Extra Picante roll were all fresh and excellent. The only two dishes that didn't quite wow us were the hijiki and the Rock N Roll roll. Both were a bit basic compared to everything else on the table. The yakisoba noodles did take a little while to come out, but wow... they were soooo worth the wait. Savory, hot, and incredibly satisfying. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, which makes it even better. There is free parking, but the lot is small. When it's busy, finding a spot can be a little tricky. We will definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

    this was a very tasty spot. the flavors of the sushi were so good i ended up not needing any soy…read moresauce at all. the service was very friendly and attentive which was nice. the ambiance was dark but welcoming. it was nice having dessert on the menu that was more unique than usual and i had to try one of their options you just don't see on others menus. it was nice getting something more earthy and authentic. presentation was very pretty as well. overall it was a great experience that made me want to go back.

    Photos
    Zen Japanese Izakaya
    Zen Japanese Izakaya - Fish from Japan

    Fish from Japan

    Zen Japanese Izakaya

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    Koi - Tuns tower $21

    Koi

    4.6(287 reviews)
    1.0 miMidtown, Montrose, Fourth Ward
    $$$

    Amazing all around! Decor was refined and modern throughout the entire dining floor…read more Fish were all super fresh and delicious! Also had to highlight their house made soy sauce which was extremely umami, very unique and sets this place slightly apart from the many other sushi joints in its range Truffle crab chawanmushi was certainly a top highlight for me as well - rich truffle oil with the perfectly light steamed egg and sweet crab chunks, just an incredible dish and I could have easily eaten several of these The uni was also extremely fresh and buttery and was nice even for someone who doesn't usually like uni In the same class and range as places like Kata Robata and I would say it's a strong rival! Would come back again!

    A great spot for sushi in the Montrose area. They have a small parking lot in the front otherwise…read moreyou can find street parking in the neighborhood behind the restaurant. Easy to make resy online. The inside had low lightings, giving an intimate ambience. It wasn't too crowded when we were there on a weekday night. Menu had a variety to your usuals between sashmi, nigiri, maki, or cold tasting items. They also have a chef's feature menu. We ordered a few items to share: - Carbonara udon - Uni pasta - Royal chutoro maki - Wagyu and mushroom tarts - Toyosu sashimi platter - Salmon flight My favorite of the night. I am usually not a huge udon fan but the udon noodles were super soft and melts in your mouth. Probably one of the best udons I have had. We had to try the uni pasta when we saw it on the menu. A good amount of uni and the sauce was perfect with the pasta. For sashmi option, the Toyosu sashimi platter was a great choice that offer a variety of the chef's curated imported fresh Japanese sashimi. We also got the salmon flight which had 6 pieces of the salmon and salmon belly. Service was friendly and quick. Overall, a good spot for sushi in the Montrose area.

    Photos
    Koi - Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

    Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

    Koi - Crispy rice

    Crispy rice

    Koi - Yuzu Mojito

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    Yuzu Mojito

    Ramen Tatsu-Ya - #4 MI-SO-HOT (Tonkotsu)

    Ramen Tatsu-Ya

    3.8(1.3k reviews)
    0.3 miMontrose
    $$

    I had a great experience at ramen Tatsu-ya. It was my first time here & I was very impressed…read more I ordered the "mi-so-hot" & it was amazing. First - the ramen came out super fast. I was very surprised. And my broth was so delicious. It had such a rich umami flavor due to the miso & I thought the spice level was perfect. Honestly - I could eat jhst that broth for a whole meal. Unlike buldak or some other spicy ramens - the main selling point wasn't the spice. You could get an additional "spice bomb" if you wanted some more heat. The ramen toppings were good but not outstanding - same with the noodles. I thought the "mi-so-hot" was easily 3x better than "the og". The broth in "the og" was pretty interesting and more unique tasting. It felt like the main notes were just umami, pork, and oil. Not bad, but felt like it was missing a little something to make it truly good. If I had just got the OG, I'd rate this place a bit lower - but as it stands I'd 100% come back here for the "mi-so-hot" The interior was pretty nice. It was more "communal style seating" with a couple of big tables. There is also some smaller booths. It's an "order at the counter" type restaurant as well. I saw several comments about parking & was a bit concerned when driving over. I know that part of westheimer is always packed! But there is an attached parking lot & at 3pm on a Sunday, there was plenty of parking! Also - there is some street parking in the neighborhood north of the shop. Overall - will 100% be coming back for some more spicy ramen. Would recommend

    I've gone to a couple of ramen places in Houston, but OMGGG!--HANDS down one of the best ramen…read more I've had in my life! The broth is so rich in flavor, I could drink it alone & be content! We got the fried gyoza and I forgot what the other appetizer was but was savory & even more in-depth with the sauce it was paired with! It wasn't packed for going on a weekend and I loved that the menu had limited options--makes you choose quickly and get to the GOODS the NOODS! Will be going back during our Winter peak--adds to the element (highly recommend during this time).

    Photos
    Ramen Tatsu-Ya - Dining area

    Dining area

    Ramen Tatsu-Ya - Chashu Rice bowl

    Chashu Rice bowl

    Ramen Tatsu-Ya - Lucky cat at night

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    Lucky cat at night

    Neo - japanese - Updated September 2026

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