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Barbacana — Restaurants in Houston

Barbacana

Fine dining restaurantHouston, TX

4.7 out of 5 stars4.7(132 reviews)

Quick info

+1 832-538-0652
907 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
$80–90 · Reported by 16 people

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About Barbacana

Barbacana is a fine dining restaurant in downtown Houston, on the corner of Franklin and Travis. The kitchen runs a multi-course tasting menu that can be taken as chef's choice with optional wine pairings, and a "No Reservations" option hands the decisions to the kitchen entirely, sending out savory chef's choice courses, seven or more, until you have had enough. Dishes range across the eclectic, with Seared Gulf By-Catch and Texas Wagyu among the 84 on the list, and wagyu turning up as both a carpaccio and a steak. Bao buns include a duck confit version, and a separate pastry program handles dessert, including a fig crostata. Cocktails sit alongside the wine program. Counter seats look straight into the kitchen, and servers talk each table through the courses and the pairings. Mural artwork covers the dining room, and a private dining room takes larger parties. The restaurant opens Tuesday through Saturday and closes Sundays and Mondays.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Paid multi-storey car park · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
  • Accessibility
    Has wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Good for kids
    High chairs available
  • Dietary
    Serves vegetarian dishes

Menu & Prices

84 dishes · mains $6–95
  • Jicama, Pumpkin Seed Sikil Pak, Pickled Mango$16.00
  • Crab Maison, Little Gem Lettuce, Tomato Vine Oil$16.00
  • Seared Gulf By-Catch$12.00
  • Texas Wagyu$20.00
  • Jolly Farms Chicken$15.00
  • Jolly Farms Chicken Shawarma, House Pita, Harissa$14.00
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.7/5
132 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention tasting menu with wine pairing, duck confit bao buns, chef's choice no reservations option and desserts like fig crostata.

5★
116
4★
6
3★
5
2★
2
1★
3

Customer Review Summary

The multi-course tasting menu dominates, with diners describing chef's choice progressions that run to seven or eight plates and flow, in one account, from a jicama tetela with prawn carpaccio to a husk cherry stroopwafel with foie gras. Close behind are individual dishes reviewers single out: duck confit bao buns, tuna toast with sardine, wagyu carpaccio, pork collar, and a fig crostata praised for its flaky pastry and fresh fig. Wine pairings and cocktails draw repeated approval, as does a staff described as friendly and attentive without being intrusive, walking larger tables through each course. The clearest dissent comes from one diner who found execution errors, a wagyu steak chewy enough to leave a piece uneaten and spring peas overpowered by their greens, and who plans to wait before returning. Another felt a party of four left less than full. Several urge trying the "No Reservations" option and letting the kitchen send savory courses until the table is full.

Featured reviews

  • Kay Cornelius
    “Order the "No Reservations" option and let the chefs and servers show you their full repertoire. You will not regret one single moment of tjis experience. Such a great time!”
  • Raj K
    “​This meal was a masterclass in food and hospitality. The atmosphere is fantastic, but the people and the plates are what make it truly special. ​The food quality is undeniable—the bao buns were incredibly tender and the fish sliders were fresh and vibrant. However, the biggest highlight were the pastry/desert made by amanda and her team. Their work is world-class; the execution and balance of sweetness in their desserts are top-tier. Amanda's genuine kindness made the evening unforgettable. ​Our server, Michael, was also exceptional. He was professional, attentive, and ensured the entire experience flowed perfectly. It’s rare to find a spot where the service and the pastry program are just as elite as the main kitchen. We will definitely be back!”
  • Brad Rich
    “We recently hosted a client dinner at Barbacana with a party of 10 and the entire evening was outstanding from start to finish. Chef Christian Hernandez put together an incredible experience. Every course was thoughtful, beautifully presented, and delicious. The wine pairings were perfect and reasonably priced. This was a culinary experience, not just a client dinner reservation. The service was just as impressive. The staff did a great job walking our table through each course, explaining the ingredients and pairings, and keeping everything running smoothly for a larger group. The pacing was spot-on and the attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed. Chef Hernandez brings the experience of someone who has worked in Michelin starred kitchens, and it shows in every course. If this is the standard he’s setting at Barbacana, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the restaurant earn that kind of recognition soon. It was a perfect evening for our team and our clients. We will absolutely be back.”
  • Angela Persicke
    “We had an incredible experience at Barbacana last night for my birthday! Absolutely delicious food, cocktails and wine. But the attentive and friendly staff made the night so special!”
  • Elaine Fernandez
    “Been to Barbacana a handful of times for both work and leisure, needless to say only have good things to say about this place. The food is truly one of a kind, Chef Christian really sets the bar high and his experience is showcased in every bite. Food like you’ve never had before, at least here Houston. I would recommend this place for anyone who is looking to try real good food that isn’t an imitation of another restaurant in the city. Everything here is original. Great to impress out of towners!”

Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
,
Wednesday
,
Thursday
,
Friday
,
Saturday
,
Sunday
Closed

Highlights

  • Serves great cocktails
  • Serves great dessert
  • Has great wine list
  • Good for watching sport
  • Popular for popular for dinner
  • Popular for good for solo dining

Amenities

  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Paid parking lot
  • Accepts reservations
  • Serves dine-in
  • Serves vegetarian dishes
  • Has bar on site
Show more amenities
  • On-site services available
  • Serves beer
  • Serves coffee
  • Has private dining room
  • Serves small plates
  • Serves spirits
Offerings· 3
  • Serves alcohol
  • Serves cocktails
  • Serves wine
Dining options· 4
  • Serves lunch
  • Serves dinner
  • Serves dessert
  • Has table service
Popular for· 2
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining
Planning· 1
  • Dinner reservations recommended
Highlights· 4
  • Serves great cocktails
  • Serves great dessert
  • Has great wine list
  • Good for watching sport
Atmosphere· 3
  • Cosy
  • Romantic
  • Trendy
Crowd· 2
  • Good for groups
  • Popular with tourists
Facilities· 1
  • Has toilet
Accessibility· 3
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking· 4
  • Paid multi-storey car park
  • Paid street parking
  • Plenty of parking
  • Valet parking
Family-friendly· 1
  • High chairs available

Location

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  • The Nash4.3261
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