

Houston
It’s sprawling; vibrant; relentless; and undeniably diverse. Houston, the unapologetically Texan city, defies easy categorisation. Its skyline rises amidst a patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own flavour and story. Yet, amid its ceaseless growth and ever-changing landscape, Houston remains a beacon of opportunity and energy.
A city of contrasts, Houston wears its complexity proudly. From the opulence of River Oaks to the grit of the East End, it is a tapestry woven with threads of ambition and resilience. Despite its challenges, Houston pulses with a spirit of innovation and determination, attracting dreamers and doers from every corner of the globe.
For some, Houston is a city of dreams, offering boundless opportunities in industry, technology, and the arts. For others, it’s a labyrinth of highways and strip malls, where the heat and humidity seem to conspire against you at every turn. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s an undeniable warmth to Houston – a sense of community that transcends its vast expanse.
Love it. Hate it. Houston elicits strong emotions in equal measure. Its swagger is as big as its Texas-sized portions, drawing people in with promises of bold flavours, vibrant cultures, and endless possibilities. Food, music, sports, and space exploration – Houston has it all, and then some.
Introducing our latest City Guide: Houston. A curated collection of the latest hotspots, hidden gems, and must-see attractions, designed to help you navigate the Bayou City with ease. From the heights of the Space Center to the depths of the Museum District, our City Notes guides are your passport to all that Houston has to offer. So buckle up, and get ready to experience the magic of Houston, one neighbourhood at a time.
Shopping
Set inside Houston’s historic El Dorado Ballroom, Kindred Stories redefines what a bookstore can be. Designed by local studio gin design group, this vibrant space brings literature, community, and cultural legacy together under one bold roof....
Eating Out
Blending cinematic flair with Japanese-inspired cuisine, Haii Keii brings an electrifying new energy to Houston’s River Oaks/Upper Kirby neighbourhood. Located at 3300 Kirby Drive, this 3,000 square foot dining destination — plus a 1,000 square...
Hotels
Bunkhouse Hotels open their first lodgings in Houston, Hotel Saint Augustine located in the eclectic Montrose neighbourhood and now home to 71 hotel rooms and suites, an all-day lobby lounge, listening room, event space, destination restaurant, and...
Eating Out
With a name references the time of year when the Sears catalogue would drop on doorsteps across the USA, bringing joy to all who would begin excitedly circling items to hopefully arrive for Christmas, 'Late August' is a culinary project from chef...
Eating Out
Husband and wife team Sara and Martin Stayers (the duo behind Houston favourites Nobie’s and Toasted Coconut) add a retro pizza joint to their list of eateries, the eclectic Montrose neighbourhood now home to Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern, where...
Eating Out
Chef David Cordúa opens The Lymbar, a Latin-Mediterranean all-day restaurant, bar and lounge, located at the Ion, a hub of creativity in Houston, Texas. Named after Lymbar Drive, the street on which the chef-owner grew up, the restaurant is an...
Eating Out
Celebrating the distinctive flavours of China's Sichuan province, Mala Sichuan Bistro is a small chain of authentic restaurants found dotted throughout Houston, Texas. Unlike in the West, where 'spicy' refers to a wide range of tastes with the...
City Notes
Set inside Houston’s historic El Dorado Ballroom, Kindred Stories redefines what a bookstore can be. Designed by local studio gin design group, this vibrant space brings literature, community, and cultural legacy together under one bold roof....
City Notes
Marking a decade in hospitality design, London- and LA-based interior architecture studio, Fettle, unveil their latest work in collaboration with Amsterdam-born apartment-hotel brand The July. Hot on the heels of BOAT&CO and The July — Twenty...
City Notes
Valentyns sets a striking new standard for workplace design, launching a progressive model in Cologne, Germany, that puts small and mid-sized businesses on par with global firms. Housed in a modernist 1960s building with views over the Rhine, the...
City Notes
First featuring 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin way back in 2014, the inspired design hotel already stood out as one of the capital’s boldest lifestyle concepts. Now, over a decade later, Studio Aisslinger returns to breathe fresh life into the...
Dispatches
Columbus, Ohio’s capital and a major hub of urban activity, sees constant traffic from commuters, students, and visitors alike. With packed highways like I-70 and bustling downtown intersections, car accidents here are, unfortunately, a common...
Dispatches
Furniture is one of the most important elements in any room. It is not just a necessity for seating, storage, or sleeping; it also defines the style, comfort, and mood of a space. Whether you are redesigning your living room, bedroom, or dining...
Dispatches
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness anymore. Sometimes, it looks like scrolling for hours without feeling anything. Or forcing a smile during video calls. Or feeling completely alone even when you’re getting dozens of messages a...
Dispatches
From architecture and interiors to fashion, digital products and beyond, the A’ Design Award & Competition casts its net wide, and with submissions for the 2025—2026 edition open until 30 September, creatives, designers, and entrepreneurs across...