Ресторан · Houston · ⭐ 8.9/10 · 6911 reviews · $$ · updated: 2026-06-30 19:55:00
Address: 420 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Taste Kitchen + Bar — Soul Food in Its Evening Clothes
There is comfort food, and then there is comfort food that gets dressed up and taken downtown. At Taste Kitchen + Bar, collard greens, candied yams and golden waffles arrive with cocktail-bar polish, proof that the Southern table can glow just as brightly under city lights.
The Concept
Houston native Don Bowie was practically raised in a kitchen — both parents were chefs fluent in Cajun and Southern traditions — and his years in New York and Los Angeles added craft cocktails and big-city pacing to the inheritance. The downtown restaurant is his thesis: a scratch kitchen where soul food classics meet global accents, and where brunch is considered too important to confine to weekends.
What to Order
Begin with a signature cocktail and let the table share the jerk lamb chops. The chicken-and-waffle board is famously nine versions deep — the smothered rendition is pure comfort, the Nashville hot adds swagger. The Taste of Soul platter is the heart of the menu: smothered chicken, braised collards, candied yams, rice and gravy, with a biscuit waffle or cornbread to mop up the evidence. Desserts stay Southern and unapologetic.
The Space
A historic downtown building reworked into three levels of dining, two bars and a patio that catches the street’s rhythm. Exposed brick and warm lighting keep it intimate; a DJ-adjacent soundtrack and a well-dressed crowd keep it lively. Date-night tables and group booths coexist without friction.
Who It’s For
Date nights that need flavor and volume in equal measure, birthday tables, girls’ brunches on a Tuesday just because, and anyone homesick for a grandmother’s cooking they never actually had.
Good to Know
When should I book? A few days out for weekend evenings; brunch on weekdays usually seats promptly.
Is it loud? Pleasantly — the music swells toward the weekend; ask for an upper level if you want conversation-first seating.
What is the signature dish? The Taste of Soul plate — a full Southern Sunday dinner on one platter, available whenever you need it.
Are the cocktails worth it? They are half the concept — the founder’s cocktail obsession shows in every glass.
Does it suit special occasions? Very much — celebrations are the house specialty, and staff play along enthusiastically.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Friday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00–22:00 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 19:55:00
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: houstonka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
We visited Houston and Taste Kitchen for the first time. All the food was tasty and very tasty. The service was nice. We went there on a Saturday around 4pm. When we called, they wouldn't let us book a table ahead. So we…
I REALLY loved this place! ❤️❤️
My server was Tay, and I highly recommend asking for her if you can. She was patient, kind, attentive and incredibly sweet throughout my visit.
I ordered the oxtails and asked to swap the…
I never leave reviews!! This place impressed me… I recently moved to Houston, and a friend came to visit for my birthday. I'm sooo glad we visited this place. First, let me say our server Jeff told us about everything…
It was our first time here. The best experience of our lives. The wait was very short for a Sunday during brunch. Clark was very pleasant and was the one who seated us. Later he came over to check we were okay and if the…
The drink was small but fairly strong, about $20. The food was mediocre at best. The best dish on the plate was the cornbread waffle. And it really wasn't even that tasty. My chicken had to be swapped, because it wasn't…