The 38 Best Restaurants in Houston, Spring 2025 | Eater Houston

"Pastry chef Vanarin Kuch’s Koffeteria made the James Beard semifinalist list this year, and with good reason. The talented chef offers inventive takes on pastries inspired by countries across the Asian continent. Influences from Cambodia, Vietnam, London, and France are visible in beloved pastries like the black sesame mochi with salted egg yolk pastry, the pistachio baklava croissant, a citrusy London Fog roll, and his mainstay — the beef pho kolache. Kuch also crafts a brunch menu that fuses Cambodian and Houston flavors with pupusas made with funky fish paste and taco machetes made with Cambodian boudin. Must-try dishes: If going for brunch, order the Twako taco machete, a spin on a Mexican-style taco with beef-fat rice tortilla stuffed with refried peanut puree, cheese, and twako, or Cambodian boudin — a fermented, slightly sour beef. If craving something sweet, the Salty Cambodian coffee and almost any pastry will be enough to tickle your fancy. But, Know before you go: Pastries can sell out quickly. Fortunately, you can reserve your pastries online ahead of time." - Brittany Britto Garley