Musaafer
Modern Indian restaurant · Galleria
Suite C-3500, 5115 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
Highlights
Michelin-starred Indian eatery featuring regional dishes & opulent decor
Michelin-starred Indian eatery featuring regional dishes & opulent decor
"Executive chef Mayank Istwal strives to take diners on a journey at this Galleria restaurant. The regional menu, which traverses 29 states in India, is one experience, while the restaurant’s decor is another. The traveler’s room, for example, houses the “musafir” — or “traveler” — statue, which gives the restaurant its name. A shadow room draws inspiration from traditional henna, with light installations casting intricate patterns onto the walls. The most jaw-dropping room, though, is the Sheesh Mahal, a palace of mirrors, which features more than 220,000 mirrors sourced from India to recreate the grandest of Indian palaces." - Marcy de Luna
"Houston’s Michelin-starred Indian restaurant whose chef participates in collaborative tasting events that spotlight Indian cuisine and its intersections with other foodways; recently partnered on a 10-course collaborative menu exploring the interplay between Indian and Native American culinary traditions." - Brittany Britto Garley
"With its breathtaking design and opulent decor, Musaafer is a Michelin-starred restaurant you must see to believe. Made up of various dining rooms, including a room coined the Sheesh Mahal — or palace of mirrors — built with more than 220,000 mirrors, the restaurant truly transports diners to majestic India. The menu takes a modern approach to Indian cuisine, showcasing dishes in an artful way and reflecting the foods and flavors of the country’s 29 states. Must-try dish: The tasting menu offers a visually stunning introduction and overview, but diners can also venture into the à la carte menu, which features a beautiful, vegetarian lychee ceviche. Whatever you do, don’t miss the nihari birria tacos — corn tortillas stuffed with pulled lamb, Indian cheddar, and red onion, served with a nihari consommé." - Brittany Britto Garley
"This lively Galleria-area restaurant, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2024, showcases Indian cuisine in a modern way with halal options. The beef vindaloo, a filet mignon served with balchao baby potatoes, really shines, while other notables include the dum ki ribs — a braised short rib plate with cashew and golden onions served with yogurt-stuffed chili. Whether you’re looking to grab tapas at the bar or have a full-blown meal, there’s something to satisfy every palate." - Brianna Griff
"A Houston Michelin-starred Indian restaurant is previewing its New York expansion with a nine-course tasting-menu collaborative dinner at a Michelin-starred New York Chinese restaurant; the menu mixes Indian and Chinese elements, including dishes such as lychee ceviche and abalone served with preserved enoki, daikon, and sweet rice. The tasting takes place in a Hell's Kitchen space on Tuesday, February 25 at 5 p.m.; the $225 dinner can be booked online. The restaurant's New York location is slated to open in the spring." - Nadia Chaudhury
