George R. Brown Convention Center – Dining
It’s not all barbeque and smoked meats in Houston. The city’s culinary scene is actually one of the most diverse in the country. Immigrants from all over the world have settled in Houston; over the decades, the food scene transformed into quite the melting pot. There’s a reason it’s known as the culinary capital of Texas. If you like eating out, this is the city for you. In fact, there are over 20 restaurants right near the convention center. As awesome as Houston’s restaurants are, you may not always have the time to leave the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) to grab a bite. But you’re in luck. The convention center and conjoined hotels house 13 eateries.
George R. Brown Convention Center
Grotto Downtown
Dining on-site isn’t a bad thing at George R. Brown Convention Center. Inside this 1.9 million square foot convention center are five places to eat. One of the most popular is Grotto Downtown. This restaurant is fashioned after an old country Italian trattoria and serves some fantastic classic Italian food. Both lunch and dinner are available. Grotto Downtown’s lunch menu is a bit limited, but it’s not hard to find something delicious. There are two fresh salad options and sandwiches like grilled salmon and the Italian Grinder. Traditional entrees such as a trout prepared with crispy Brussel sprouts caponata and a carbonara served with garganelli pasta, pancetta, wild mushrooms, in a white wine cream sauce are also on the lunch menu. The dinner menu adds plenty of pasta dishes, more seafood, chicken, and small plates like short rib gnocchi and peppered tuna.
McAlister’s Deli
When you’re looking for a more casual experience at George R. Brown Convention Center, there’s nowhere better than McAlister’s Deli. McAlister’s is a national chain that’s famous for its freshly made sandwiches and spuds. Some of the deli’s most popular sandwiches include the Black Angus Club, Spicy Southwest Chicken, and the Horseradish Roast Beef & Cheddar. Sandwiches are awesome, but the loaded Spud menu is out of this world. Big eaters will want to try the Spud Max, which is filled to the brim with bacon, black olives, cheddar-jack cheese, and other tasty toppings. Vegetarians have a spud specifically for them too, the Veggie Spud, topped with an assortment of vegetables and cheese.
Kulture
Guests who are craving something a little different will love Kulture. This uniquely southern eatery incorporates influences from Africa and the Caribbean into its dishes. This marrying of cuisines is evident in many of Kulture’s entrees: Oxtail Ragout with coconut rice grits and mushroom conserva (kind of like a mushroom preserves), pork and beans, and Johnny Cakes, which are cornmeal cakes with crispy ham and a drizzle of chili maple glaze.
Pappadeuax
If you’re salivating for some more traditional southern cooking, GRB has that too. Pappadeuax is known for its down home country dishes, specifically the seafood. Diners can eat here for lunch and dinner. Be a little adventurous and order the crispy alligator or grilled Spanish octopus for an appetizer. Or, you could always play it on the safe side and try the New England Lobster Bites or fried calamari. There are four fried seafood options, as well as some specialties like a Jumbo Shrimp Brochette and Crawfish or Shrimp Etouffee. Pappadeaux’s menu is loaded with all kinds of fish, including salmon, scallops, rainbow trout, and of course lobster and crab.
Starbucks
The last eatery found in George R. Brown Convention Center is Starbucks. Not much needs to be said about this place. Everyone knows what Starbucks has to offer.
Hilton Americas-Houston
Hilton Americas-Houston is one of the two attached hotels located on GRB’s property. This hotel has a few dining options of its own for guests to enjoy. In addition to the restaurants, the hotel also offers in room dining, a bar, and a Starbucks.
1600 Bar + Grille
Tastefully combining upscale and casual atmospheres in its decor, 1600 Bar + Grille prides itself on using farm-fresh ingredients in its cuisine. Breakfast is served from 6 am to 11 am, lunch from 11 am to 2 pm, and dinner from 5 pm to 10 pm. Some early morning fan favorites are the 1600 Croissant Sandwich, Golden Malted Texas Waffle, and the Pulled Pork Arepas. Some other tempting options include the Buttermilk Pancakes, Brioche French Toast, and Eggs Bennie. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the Crispy Pork Belly Carbonara, 1600 Bar+Grille Burger, or Grilled Fish Tacos. Lastly, 1600 Bar + Grille’s dinner menu is loaded with amazing entrees: Braised Short Rib Mac & Five Cheese, Pan-roasted Snapper, three steak options, and more. You can also order alcoholic drinks during lunch and dinner hours.
Pappasito’s Cantina
No trip to Houston is complete without some quality Tex-Mex. Fortunately, you don’t need to travel far to get it. Pappasito’s Cantina is the place to go for sizzling fajitas, ceviche, homemade salsa, and plenty of other Tex-Mex staples. Nobody will go hungry here. With choices like tacos, enchiladas, fresh fish, empanadas, and quite a few guacamole dishes, there isn’t a weak link on the menu. Pappasito’s also has a small lunch menu.
Marriott Marquis Houston
The other hotel connected to George R. Brown Convention Center is the Marriott Marquis Houston. Out of the three buildings on the property, this one provides the most restaurants. 24-hour room service, buffet, continental, and full American breakfasts are also offered.
Biggio’s
Sports fans, this one’s for you. Biggio’s is an upscale sports bar that serves craft beer and classy cocktails. The place is decked out with TV’s. It doesn’t matter where you sit; you’ll be able to watch the game. As for the food, Biggio’s elevates pub fare to the next level. Pass around some starters. The bison chili is something you don’t see every day. The wings can be prepared with six different sauces. Sliders and street tacos are some other perfect sharables to order for the table. Biggio’s also cooks up some beef brisket hotdogs, as well as several sandwiches, burgers, and flatbreads. You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes listed under the “Hall Of Fame” section: chicken & waffles, wild boar mac & cheese, steak skewers, and BGO – two filet mignon sandwiches with herb garlic aioli and onion straws.
Cueva
After a long day, there’s nothing like relaxing with a drink. That’s where Cueva comes into play. Boasting over 200 wines, craft cocktails, and plenty of beers, you’re bound to find the drink for you. Once your stomach starts rumbling, you can take advantage of Cueva’s tapas-style menu. Munch on marinated olives, edamame, or a buttery lobster roll. Pass around some sharable appetizers like Houston Dairymaids cheese, Duck Confit Quesadillas, or a decadent Charcuterie arrangement. For you dessert lovers, don’t forget to try the keylime cheese cake, strawberry short cake, or apple toffee parfait.
High Dive
Get a little sun while you eat and drink. Stop by High Dive, the hotel’s rooftop pool bar and grill. The drink menu is very extensive: frozen cocktails, vodka pitchers, beer, wine, and even Jell-O shots. The food menu mirrors the drink menu in its variety. From loaded nachos, chicken quesadillas to burgers, chicken fingers, and wraps, High Dive cooks up all the bar food you could want. High Dive also has a mini-menu called the Cabana Menu. It’s full of High Dive’s most popular drinks and meals.
Texas T
Casual coffee shop, that’s the vibe of Texas T. This “one-stop-shop” adjacent to George R. Brown Convention Center serves Starbucks coffee and tea, along with some tasty snacks. Whenever you need to grab and go, Texas T is the best spot. In addition to the hot and cold drinks, customers can purchase pastries and salads. The menu also features some food items you don’t normally see at a coffee shop. What other coffee shop makes house-made BBQ beef jerky, corn tortilla chips with charred tomato salsa, and white bean + roasted red pepper hummus?
Walker Street Kitchen
Looking for somewhere to eat breakfast besides the hotel buffet? Walker Street Kitchen has your back. The restaurant’s atmosphere is bright and cozy, two excellent qualities for a breakfast joint. The morning menu is full of reinvented classics, from smoked brisket hash and crunchy French toast to a broken yolk sandwich, and several 3-egg omelets. There are also some lighter options like an egg white frittata, oatmeal, and yogurt. But that’s not all. Walker Street Kitchen is a popular brunch spot too. This menu adds entrees like brisket green chilies and chorizo baked eggs. Alcohol is also served during brunch.
Xochi
Xochi is one of those restaurants that you’ll think about long after you’ve left. Exploring the flavors of the Oaxaca region, Xochi elevates Mexican cuisine through the use of premium ingredients and the implantation of creative spins on traditional dishes. Xochi is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Houston. That being said, it is the most expensive restaurant at George R. Brown Convention Center, but it’s totally worth it.
This place is open for lunch and dinner. It also has a happy hour and bar bites menu. Vegetarians you get a menu just for you too. On the weekends, Xochi hosts brunch from 11am to 3 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 2:30 pm on Sunday. One thing to note, on Saturday you order brunch off a menu. On Sunday, Xochi does a brunch buffet. If you have a preference for how you like your brunch, make sure to go on the right day.