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
Opened in September 2025, HYLL brings a new interpretation of country hospitality to the Cotswolds, a hotel rooted in its landscape, designed to slow the pace and dim the noise. Set within a restored 16th century manor house, the 26 room property...
City Notes
Sircle Collection, the international hospitality group behind a growing portfolio of hotels and restaurants, introduces The Cover Vienna this November, a private members’ club in the city’s 7th District. Set within the Max Brown Hotel, the club...
City Notes
In the centre of Bergen, a new chapter has opened for a concrete landmark designed by Egill Reimers in 1920. Once home to bakeries, offices, shops and social services, the building has been reimagined by architecture studio LOCAL as Bergen Camping,...
City Notes
On Barcelona’s recently beautified Avinguda Diagonal, a new kind of café experience has arrived, one that has already piqued the curiosity of both locals and visitors. Jaç Hi-Fi Café, designed by Isern Serra Studio for owners Ligia and Arnau,...
Dispatches
Running a small business is no easy feat, but it’s also never been more exciting! The next generation of entrepreneurs are flexible, tech-savvy, and design-led in their approach to work, which means they demand the same from their...
Dispatches
Some places in the world just scream romance and beauty, and Italy's Lake Como is definitely at the top of that list. Tucked away like a fjord between steep Alpine slopes, it offers a mix of dramatic nature and old-world aristocratic charm that you...
Dispatches
Many landlords battle with late bills each month. You ship reminders, make calls, and nevertheless watch for lease that doesn’t come on time. It’s disturbing, in particular whilst your bills and loan rely on those payments. You begin thinking if...
Dispatches
The Adventure of Traveling Alone Travelling alone has a unique charm. You get to move at your own pace. You pick destinations without debate. You decide what feels exciting. You feel freedom in a way that group travel rarely allows. Solo travel...