Zaranda

Absolutely loved experiencing the soft opening of this stunning new downtown gem! The space is gorgeous—inviting patios with plenty of shade, a stylish interior, and a lively bar that was perfect for catching up with friends (and have you seen these beautiful drinks?!). But the real star here is the food. Chef Hugo has created a menu that brilliantly blends the bold, vibrant flavors of fresh Alta California fare with a Baja CA coastal flare. Every dish bursts with flavor—beautifully presented, perfectly balanced, and impossible to stop eating (especially the Empanadas and Picanha sliced steak). This spot is destined to be my new go-to for happy hour and dinner downtown. I can’t wait to come back once they are open daily.

Absolutely Fantastic Experience at Zaranda! 5/5 Stars I had the pleasure of dining at Zaranda for the first time tonight, and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time! The meal itself was superb. I ordered the Borrego Tatemado (the braised lamb shank), and it was truly cooked and seasoned to perfection—tender and full of flavor. I also tried the Eden Martini, and I can honestly say it was the best apple martini I've ever had! Beyond the incredible food and drinks, the service was truly fantastic! The entire staff showed awesome customer service, making the whole evening a pleasure. I especially appreciated having a great conversation with the Director of Operations, Carlos Neri. Overall, Zaranda delivers a world-class dining experience. I will definitely be back again soon! Highly recommended!

My husband and I came here to celebrate, and we had such a great experience! We sat at the bar he doesn’t usually drink much, but he tried four different cocktails and loved every one of them. The bartender’s recommendations were spot on! We ordered a variety of appetizers, and the lobster quesadillas were our favorite, absolutely delicious. The oyster alternative was also really unique and surprisingly realistic. For our entrées, we had the ribeye and the lamb, and both were cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, which made the evening even better. Great food, great atmosphere, we’ll definitely be back!

We had the pleasure of attending Zaranda’s grand opening last night and it did not disappoint. The usual hiccups that come with an opening night? Not at Zaranda. It is evident that the Htown Restaurant Group Crew knows what they are doing and have executed this concept marvelously. Aesthetic/atmosphere/location The build out is gorgeous. Spacious and airy with beautiful organic lines evocative of the coastal landscapes of Baja and Alta California. The Ballena Bar is in an inviting u-shape and is sure to draw happy hour crowds. Location is great. We went at night but the floor to ceiling windows facing Discovery Green have ever changing scenery that will create visual interest looking in and out at all times of the day. Service The excellent service you’ve come to expect from this group. Friendly and attentive wait staff who are knowledgeable about the food, ingredients, concept and history behind the dishes. Well paced meal and fresh plates/silverware after each “course” - my favorite!! 😍 Cocktails Our table tried quite a few of the drinks, all were excellent but the winner was Coco Rosado. Honorable mention to the Isla de Luz. We had: Zarandarita, Conejo Malo, The Best Margarita Ever Made, School of Fish (super refreshing and SO Visually interesting) and the Guayaba Azul. Food We ordered family style to maximize the dishes we tried. DO NOT MISS: Ostiones Asados - idk what cheesy goodness the put on these but they are addicting. Aguachile Negro - perfect, fresh appetizer for any ceviche lover. Served with little blue corn chips for the perfect bite every time. Ensalada Ceasar - made table side. If you think you’ve had Cesar salad, you have not had Zaranda’s ode to the original Cesar salad (created in Tijuana, perfected at Zaranda). Pescado Zarandeado - order this, please. Catch of the day was a branzino, grilled. Tear your sobaquera, spread the aioli first, then either the red or green sauce then spoon the flaky fish on top. Fold and enjoy the perfect little baby fish taco bite. Taco De Pato - Zaranda’s take on Peking Duck, in taco form. Date mole, duck skin chicharron. A masterpiece and homage to the Chinese immigrant influence of Las Californias. If you’re not a duck person, this will convert you. Rib Eye - 3 words: bone marrow butter. Order medium rare. Dessert It was so hard to pick one…so we got 3! All winners. The sand dollar, the chocolate sea urchin and the miloja. Miloja was my personal favorite. All 3 were beautiful AND delicious. So excited to come back to Zaranda and looking forward to another excellent Houston staple by the Htown Restaurant Group. The intentionality, passion and creativity shines through at Zaranda. What a pleasure to eat at a restaurant where they obviously love food, value excellent ingredients and put the customer experience first. These folks continue to knock it out of the park. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If it was possible to give a 20 out of 10 I would! I highly recommend Zaranda. My family still cannot stop talking about it! The space is also stunning. The atmosphere made me want to visit Baja California. The food was unbelievable and so fresh. Everything was delicious, but I want to highlight the lamb empanadas, the catch of the day, almeja bruja, aguachile negro, mariscos, and all of the desserts. I wish I could recreate the branzino. That was the best fish I’ve ever had! The cocktails and wine were also delicious and so fresh. The service was wonderful. The staff was so kind and great at explaining some of the foods. They provided great recommendations as well. Overall I HIGHLY recommend, and my family will definitely be back soon! H Town Restaurant Group is crushing it with Zaranda!!!

New restaurant alert! Beautiful aesthetically pleasing Hugo’s restaurant in the heart of downtown Houston. Service was impeccable and the ambiance is promising. I stopped just to grab a drink and an appetizer and they didn’t disappoint. Would def head back there to explore the menu

I got to visit Zaranda during the soft opening with friends and family, and it was the best dining experience I’ve had in years! The room is elegant without feeling stuffy, and the service is dialed in. Everyone greets you with a smile, and you can tell the bartenders and servers are genuinely happy to be there and share their knowledge of the culture and story behind the food. The menu is unlike anything else in Houston. Chef Hugo, his family, and the team have built something truly their own and distinct from their other concepts. From the Pescado Zarandeado and the Aguachile Negro, to the prime porterhouse and their fantastic duck taco, everything tastes fresh and cared for. I’m not even a salad person, but the tableside Caesar won me over. I’ve never been the first to reach for seconds of a salad, until now. Their cocktails are balanced and bright, and you can taste the fresh juices without losing the fun! As to their desserts, the Erizo del Mar (resembling a chocolate sea urchin) and the Dólar de Arena were both my favorite. Chef Ruben and Pastry Chef Roxanne have really let their creativity and love for pastries shine! All in all, Zaranda feels special. It’s easy to forget it’s a family-owned and operated location. Put it on your list for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or your next family or work event.

Wiliiam took care of us. Great food by Hugo’s amazing chef Retauranteur in the city. Congrats. All is great; perhaps a bit more volume to the music and less light at the end of the day …