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

"Helmed by chef Lucas McKinney, who came to Houston from Biloxi, Mississippi, this Midtown restaurant is a celebration of Gulf Coast cuisine. Self-described “a little bit classy, and a little bit trashy,” Josephine’s offers an array of dishes that harness flavors of the South, starting with appetizers like smoked redfish dip, jambalaya arancini, and hushpuppies. Order biscuits for the table before digging into mains — from the more casual po’ boys and muffulettas to heaping sides of red beans and rice and collard greens, to plates of fried chicken and grilled redfish on the half-shell. And with crawfish season upon us, Josephine’s is a sure-fire pitstop, offering flavorful seafood boils, served dry (Louisiana-style) or drenched in a Viet-Cajun wet sauce that’s a buttery combination of seasonings and lemon. The cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage selection here is also a hit, and, of course, includes bottles of Barq’s Root Beer (also from Mississippi). Must-try dish: It’s hard to choose just one. The buttery jerk snapper collards, dripping in chile butter, and the baked macaroni and cheese topped with fried chicken skins and a dash of hot honey are both winners." - Brittany Britto Garley