
Xochi
Quick info
About Xochi
On Walker Street in downtown Houston, Xochi serves Oaxacan food across a menu of 160 dishes. Mole negro anchors several plates, including enchiladas, tlayuda and barbacoa, giving diners a thread to follow across the menu. The Memela appears among the offerings, and guacamole tostadas and churros with hot chocolate round out the range from starter to dessert. Mezcal-based cocktails, including a mezcal margarita and a jalapeño mezcal marg, run alongside a wine list. A Sunday buffet adds a dessert section with live music. Reservations are recommended, and a wait is common even so. Valet parking is available, and the step-free entrance suits visitors with mobility needs. A private dining room accommodates groups, outdoor seating is available for those who prefer to dine outside, and dogs are welcome there. Families with young children are served with high chairs, and the kitchen also offers takeaway and delivery for eating off site.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Valet parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
- DietaryServes organic dishes · Serves vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
160 dishes · mains $4–55- Ceviche De Atun$22.00
- Robalo$19.00
- Queso De Rancho$18.00
- Memela$16.00
- Taquitos Dorados$16.00
- Molotes De Xoxocotlan$16.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mole tasting menu, churros with chocolate, cauliflower dish and guacamole tostadas.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mole tasting menu, churros with chocolate, cauliflower dish and guacamole tostadas.
Customer Review Summary
The mole tasting menu and its many variations draw the most attention, with reviewers describing rich, velvety renditions like the mole negro and the mole on the barbacoa de res as standouts, alongside praise for individual dishes like the cauliflower, the memela, and the churros with chocolate, which several call their favorite item on the menu. The Sunday and Easter buffets also get repeated mentions for their range, especially the dessert spread and vegetarian options, with servers noted for explaining ingredients and accommodating allergies. Cocktails come up often too, from the mezcal margarita to the Hoja Santa and Spiced Pluma. The recurring caveat is price versus payoff: one diner calls the food "average and overpriced" after paying for table guacamole and enchiladas, and another buffet-goer flags that most dishes arrived room temperature rather than hot. Birthday and anniversary visits repeatedly end with a complimentary dessert, a tres leches cake or chocolate dish, brought out by staff to mark the occasion.
Customer Review Summary
The mole tasting menu and its many variations draw the most attention, with reviewers describing rich, velvety renditions like the mole negro and the mole on the barbacoa de res as standouts, alongside praise for individual dishes like the cauliflower, the memela, and the churros with chocolate, which several call their favorite item on the menu. The Sunday and Easter buffets also get repeated mentions for their range, especially the dessert spread and vegetarian options, with servers noted for explaining ingredients and accommodating allergies. Cocktails come up often too, from the mezcal margarita to the Hoja Santa and Spiced Pluma. The recurring caveat is price versus payoff: one diner calls the food "average and overpriced" after paying for table guacamole and enchiladas, and another buffet-goer flags that most dishes arrived room temperature rather than hot. Birthday and anniversary visits repeatedly end with a complimentary dessert, a tres leches cake or chocolate dish, brought out by staff to mark the occasion.
Featured reviews
- mishelle phillips
“Our group gave Xochi a solid 9/10. This was actually my second visit, and one of the reasons I wanted to come back to Houston. The food is memorable, unique, and beautifully executed. We spent about $180 before tip for our group, and overall felt it was well worth it. We ordered the memela, molote, cauliflower, tlayuda, tacos dorados, and enchiladas de pollo con mole negro. For dessert, we tried the churros with chocolate, the corn ice cream with whisky, and the blue corn atole. The standout dish for me was the cauliflower. It was absolutely incredible and one of the best dishes of the night. The churros continue to be my favorite thing on the menu and are worth saving room for every time. The memela was a hit with our table, especially with our friend, who travels frequently and eats Mexican food all over the world. He was very impressed with the quality and authenticity of the food. The molote was the only dish that didn’t wow me, but that’s purely personal preference. My husband wasn’t as enthusiastic about some of the dishes as the rest of us, but he absolutely loved the cauliflower and the corn ice cream dessert. My daughter cleaned her entire plate, which says a lot. Our friends also ordered a mezcal that was excellent and paired beautifully with the meal. Xochi isn’t the cheapest meal you’ll have in Houston, but if you’re looking for elevated Oaxacan cuisine, creative flavors, and an experience that feels special, it’s absolutely worth a visit. We’ll definitely be back.”
- SRS
“Wow, this place was amazing. Went the first time for happy hour. Great drink variety. I had a skinny Mezcal margarita, tweaked to my preference. Many other HH options priced in the $10-$12 range, which was. a good value. We ordered most everything off of the HH food menu (as in, nearly EVERY item on the HH food menu) to give it a try. Our server, Francisco, boasted this was the best Mexican (Oaxacan)food in the USA. Now, after 2 visits, I’m sure this was absolute fact. Francisco suggested we return for the Mole tasting menu. I’m so pleased we did. Here is the review. People unfamiliar with Oaxacan food tend to think of Mole as spicy chocolate sauce that you buy in a jar in the Mexican section of the grocery store, or see as the most common mole on menus in Mexican restaurants; however, the mole variations are numerous, which is why the tasting menu at Xochi was such a great experience. It was also well-priced for a 5 course meal ($85 pp plus your drinks, tax/tip). As an award-winning dinner splurge, this was great value. I’ve spent more on a 3- course meal that couldn’t touch this in quality, presentation, or knowledgeable and professional service. I’m posting the tasting menu, and the photos I took- minus the first course (sorry but I ate it before I decided to take photos for a review). It was beautiful. Made with blue corn and wrapped in a leafy triangle on a beautifully creamy bright green mole. You’ll see 2 desserts in the photo because we were celebrating, so we got an extra one. Both were great. The chocolate cake listed served on the tasting menu was bliss- truly death by chocolate. Enjoy!”
- Brian Brenner
“I’m usually not one to go to upscale Tex mex restaurants and this place is an example as why. The food is average and overpriced. Spent $40 on table guac with a few tostada chips, a coffee and the enchiladas of the day. Nothing special. Best part is the low key atmosphere and the fact that during a day when most restaurants have a 45 minute wait at the minimum, there was no wait. An adequate choice if none other is available. But if I had one, I’d go somewhere else.”
- Hanh Nguyen
“Today is my husband’s birthday and I wanted to have him try something new but good. Xochi was just that. We were very happy with our meal and first time Oaxacan restaurant. Our waiter was very warm and friendly and our food was very good. We sat in the terrace as it was nice and breezy outside. My husband got a chocolate dessert complements of Xochi for his birthday. It was very nice of them .”
- Devon Peters
“This was a really fun experience. I was in town for work and wanted to have a “special” dinner for my Birthday that was coming up. This was my first time having such a large array of mole. While it may not be my preferred type of dishes, it was definitely unique and worth a try. The service was good and environment lovely.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Chic downtown destination for Oaxaca-inspired dishes, plus cocktails and wine.”
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Has no-contact delivery
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- On-site services available
- Service options· 1
- Offers delivery
- Offerings· 15
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Serves healthy options
- Serves late-night food
- Serves organic dishes
- Has private dining room
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 8
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Serves local speciality
- Accessibility· 4
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Does not have assistive hearing loop
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
- Planning· 4
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
- Dining options· 7
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 5
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trending
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Valet parking
Location
Restaurants near Xochi
- Hearsay On The Green4.31,4480.2 mi$20–50Good for kidsReservations
bacon wrapped shrimp, chicken milanese, spinach artichoke dip
- The Nash4.32610.3 mi$30–90Good for kidsReservations
cauliflower hot wings, craft cocktails, steak and prime ribeye
- 0.4 mi$20–30Reservations
mrs. claus cocktail, birthday table decorations, perfectly cooked steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XochiGood for kids · Reservations | 4.64,161 | — | $30–90 | mole tasting menu, churros with chocolate, cauliflower dish |
| Hearsay On The GreenGood for kids · Reservations | 4.31,448 | 0.2 mi | $20–50 | bacon wrapped shrimp, chicken milanese, spinach artichoke dip |
| The NashGood for kids · Reservations | 4.3261 | 0.3 mi | $30–90 | cauliflower hot wings, craft cocktails, steak and prime ribeye |
| The Palm - Downtown HoustonReservations | 4.4819 | 0.4 mi | $20–30 | mrs. claus cocktail, birthday table decorations, perfectly cooked steak |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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