Brennan's Houston

Brennan's Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006, United States

+1 713-522-9711

Creole restaurant, Bar, Cajun restaurant, Contemporary Louisiana restaurant, Fine dining restaurant, Restaurant, Seafood restaurant, Southern restaurant (US)
(3202)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of Houston’s vibrant Midtown, Brennan’s Houston is an exceptional dining destination that masterfully celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana with a contemporary twist. Specializing in Creole, Cajun, and Southern cuisine, this fine dining restaurant promises an elegant yet comforting experience that transports diners straight to the soulful flavors of the South.

The menu at Brennan’s reads like a love letter to classic Louisiana dishes elevated by refined techniques and fresh, local ingredients. Start your meal with the iconic Snapping Turtle Soup, a Brennan’s tradition accentuated by a delicate splash of Lustau Sherry that immediately warms the palate. The Grand Marnier Crème Brûlée and Robin’s Lemon Meringue Pie are beautifully balanced desserts, rich and aromatic, perfect for ending your meal on a celebratory note.

If you crave seafood, Brennan’s does not disappoint. The Grande Seafood Platter is a showstopper, offering a lavish assortment of freshly shucked oysters, jumbo boiled shrimp, crab fingers, and Creole seafood cocktail—all served with indulgent accompaniments, including the tempting option to add caviar. For something equally decadent, try Jimmy's Grilled Oysters, bursting with smoky, buttery flavors that embody Southern coastal charm.

The main entrées maintain this high standard with standout dishes like the Pecan Crusted Gulf Fish, served alongside lemon-scented crushed corn and haricot vert salad, all brought together with a luscious Creole Meunière Sauce. The Gulf Fish Pontchartrain, layered with jumbo lump crab, shrimp, and crispy Louisiana oysters, offers a complex, textured symphony of seafood bliss. Another local favorite is the Texas Shrimp & Grits, accompanied by goat cheese stone-ground grits and sun-dried tomato butter, although some guests have noted an unexpected texture from the goat cheese addition—nonetheless, it remains a unique twist on a Southern staple.

Stepping into Brennan’s, you are immediately enveloped by an intimate and romantic ambiance that blends dim lighting with tasteful décor—perfect for a special occasion or a memorable night out. The attentive, knowledgeable staff add warmth to the experience, as echoed by many visitors praising servers like Manuel, Jaden, Taleah, and Julissa for their impeccable and personable service. One guest fondly mentioned how Captain Francisco enriches the visit with captivating stories of Brennan’s storied history, adding an extra layer of charm to the evening.

While some diners have noted that the dining room could benefit from a refresh to match the brilliance of the cuisine, Brennan’s remains a Houston staple that blends tradition with elegance. The drinks menu is another highlight, crafted with precision and creativity—a perfect complement to your meal, whether you’re sipping on a classic cocktail or exploring something new and bold.

In essence, Brennan’s Houston is more than just a restaurant—it is an immersive journey into the roots and sounds of Contemporary Louisiana cuisine right in the heart of Texas. For those seeking refined Southern flavors paired with gracious hospitality and a touch of southern charm, Brennan’s promises a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Contact & Location:
3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone: +1 713-522-9711

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in On-site services
Highlights
Great cocktails Great coffee Great dessert Great tea selection Great wine list Live music Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Organic dishes Private dining room Spirits Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy Historic Romantic Trendy Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Changing table(s) High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Paid street parking Parking Valet parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday
    10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Shenila Mehdi
    2 month ago

    We recently visited here for celebrating our anniversary date night on a Friday evening. We were able to make a reservation through Resi which was great. We parked with the valet ($5) and were greeted by the host upon entrance. We were seated right away and were welcomed by our server. The ambience was beautiful with dim lights perfect for a romantic dinner. We were served with a complimentary small plate appetizer and garlic bread which was really nice. I ordered Filet mignon, side of mash potatoes and my husband ordered pasta with chicken and shrimp. For the first half service was decent, we were checked upon a couple of times but the second half was pretty disappointing. Our server seemed to be attending other tables (large parties that were probably ordering drinks and more expensive items). The place was still only 20% full. We kept waiting on our server after dessert well finished but no one wanted to attend to us. Since we were done and had other plans after dinner, I had to call for another server to get us our check. Till the very end, our main server did not attend to us to ask how everything went. Lots of different seating sections and a beautiful patio seating available as well. The food tasted delicious but the slow and inattentive service is not what we expected from this place. It would have been great to get the dessert comped specially if someone is celebrating their birthday / anniversary etc.

  • Cindi Lou
    2 month ago

    The food was phenomenal, as always. The mixology was truly impressive, every drink we ordered was superb. Huge thanks to Taleah and Julissa for their outstanding service. You two are amazing!

  • Meagan Romero
    2 month ago

    Easily one of the best restaurants in Houston! My family have come here for decades and the service, ambiance, and food have always been extraordinary. Tonight we had the pleasure of being waited on by Manuel, Jaden & Ramon. They did a truly outstanding job and not only enhanced our overall experience but heavily contributed to our celebratory evening. Very thankful that we had them as waiters/wait staff! Overall an amazing evening. Wish I could give more than 5 stars!

  • Matthew Christensen
    3 month ago

    Brennan’s is a very good restaurant. Some of the items we enjoyed, particularly the desserts were wonderful. The main dishes were very good, but did lack some of the flavors I’d expect. The staff was outstanding but the dining room seemed a bit dated and worn.

  • EMC Le Sait Tout
    4 month ago

    Giving it an average of 4. The atmosphere is always nice. And the appetizers and desserts were very good, the entrees were ok and the drinks were strong! My one food critique is wondering why they choose to use goat cheese with the Shrimp and Grits, as it ruins the grits texture completely. Francisco, the Captain is great. He was eager to share old and new stories about Brennan’s, which I hadn’t been to in a while but saw the piece on Eat like a Local with Chris Shepherd. (Someone please get him on a training regimen). The new bar is beautiful, but they need to add those 25 cent Martinis to happy hour not lunch. Nobody should be going back to work after having one let alone two of their martinis. Francisco’s staff while very attentive were somewhat clumsy. The hostess is a little dry, needs to be more personable and welcoming. I will give the owner credit for following up with us the next day via text to ask us to please come in again before this review. Obviously, service is priority no. 1 for him.

  • chparatrooper88
    4 month ago

    Words fail me to describe the way the Brennan’s experience affects me. The atmosphere is superb. The food is outstanding. The presentation of each course leaves you wanting the next course. The service is just second to none. Our Head Waiter Love was engaging and funny. His knowledge of the menu and his wit were greatly appreciated. Price was high end restaurant prices. But considering the entire experience…well worth it and to me…a bargain.

  • Jimmy Si
    4 month ago

    This is a very old school and well known fine dining establishment. Sister restaurant to Commanders palace. I ordered the snapping turtle soup and gulf fish Pontchartrain. The turtle soup was so good and meaty. It almost tasted like a chili with how soft and tender the meat was with the soup and good flavor. The Gulf fish Pontchartrain was also great. The shrimp and lump crab and fried flounder (fish of the day) were all excellent with the creole sauce. The fried oysters were ok and wish they were fried a bit more. The staff was very nice and our waiter (Alison) was very charming and funny and extremely helpful in suggestions and the service. She was very nice in suggestions around Houston proper also. The decor is very neat and the atmosphere is lovely with a family type vibe. The holiday spirit at this time was also felt with a sleigh bell necklace given to us as we were greeted...it felt like we were treated as family.

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