Atly Logo
New Yorkers 1st Choice
the CBD's best

Lunch and seafood spots

A midday meal featuring fresh seafood provides a lighter, more deliberate break from the desk.

Based on 653 Opinions
+650
User
User
User
Updated June 2026
01
Pokeworks image 1
Pokeworks image 2
Pokeworks image 3
View all
Poke bar

Poke bar in underground tunnels offers a quiet, peaceful atmosphere with fresh Hawaiian-inspired dishes and quick-moving lines despite high customer volume. The vibe feels enjoyable and positive, making it a solid choice for a healthy lunch.

Quick and healthy lunch options stand out here. Meals come together fast and taste fresh, making it a solid choice for a midday break.

Shrimp dishes come out charred to perfection and the fish stays extremely fresh. Options include fresh vegetables alongside great fish selections.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be fresh and amazing."

"This lunch spot has super friendly and efficient staff."

"The seafood here is so fresh, especially the shrimp."

Good to know

1

The line moves quickly even during busy hours.

2

There is plenty of seating nearby in the downtown tunnels.

3

Expect a high volume of customers during lunch hours.

02
Zydeco Louisiana Diner image 1
Cajun restaurant

Retro 50s diner with authentic Cajun vibe and New Orleans atmosphere featuring music and antique decor. The space feels cozy and laid-back despite a downtown setting, with a cafeteria-style setup. It offers a lively, friendly environment that transports diners to Louisiana.

Lunch offers authentic Louisiana cuisine with dishes like crawfish etouffee that bring strong regional flavors. The menu includes bread pudding for dessert, providing a complete and satisfying midday meal.

Seafood dishes include Shrimp Creole, Mixed Gumbo, and a shrimp platter with butterflied shrimp fried to golden perfection.** Prices stay very reasonable for seafood options.

People are saying

"I found the chicken and sausage gumbo to be just delicious."

"This lunch spot has delicious, comforting Cajun food."

"The fried catfish and shrimp were golden perfection."

Good to know

1

Zydeco Louisiana Diner is only open on weekdays for lunch until 2 PM.

2

They now offer take-out for some dishes in convenient bowl sizes during the evenings.

3

Zydeco offers authentic New Orleans cuisine served cafeteria style.

03
Treebeards image 1
Southern restaurant (US)

Cafeteria-style Southern restaurant with a hearty menu featuring chicken fried chicken and seafood gumbo. Atmosphere is not too noisy with plenty of seating, catering mainly to downtown workers. Prices stay reasonable, and proceeds support homeless aid.

Quick lunches come well prepared and presented here. The catfish with sauce stands out as a solid choice for a midday meal. Walking over for lunch works well alone or with colleagues.

Seafood gumbo stands out with rich flavors. Shrimp etouffee comes consistently well prepared and appears in the traditional rookie plate alongside red beans and rice.

People are saying

"This lunch spot's fried chicken is juicy and seasoned just right."

"The Rookie plate, half รฉtouffรฉe, is a good choice if you're unsure."

"The seafood here is a good choice if you're unsure what to get."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required, but expect a busy lunch crowd.

2

Chocolate cake may not always be available; check before ordering.

3

The restaurant offers reasonable prices for generous portion sizes.

04
Zaranda image 1
Mexican restaurant

Space combines stylish interior with inviting patios and a lively u-shaped bar. Atmosphere blends luxury Baja feel with Boho chic vibes, creating a cool and elegant setting. Crowd includes groups and couples, with amenities like high chairs and private event spaces enhancing accessibility.

Lunch features delicious Octopus and suits both business meals and casual dining. The spot offers a wonderful holiday lunch atmosphere.

Shrimp Crudo offers a fresh, light start. Pescado Zarandeado features grilled branzino torn and spread with aioli and sauces for a flavorful bite. Whole fish dishes deliver a satisfying seafood experience.

People are saying

"The fresh seafood, especially the oysters, was my favorite."

"Carlos's cocktails are like works of art."

"The food at this Lunch Spot is fresh, stunning, and uniquely crafted."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers discounted drinks and appetizers after work.

2

Valet parking costs $12 and can be paid at your table.

3

Zaranda has two private event spaces available for booking.

05
China Garden Restaurant image 1
Chinese restaurant

Rosewood tables and hand-painted dividers create a dated 1980s decor with a family atmosphere that feels like visiting home. The space includes a full bar with a welcoming bartender and offers large group seating with lazy Susans. The environment is cozy but can feel stuffy due to lack of windows.

Lunch offers big portions and delicious specials. It suits those working nearby looking for a consistent meal option.

Shrimp dishes stand out with Hunan Shrimp offering a spicy kick and Shrimp and Lobster Sauce delivering a rich, Cantonese-style flavor. Shrimp dumplings and pork wonton soup also feature as notable seafood options.

People are saying

"I found the egg rolls here to be amazing and fried perfectly."

"This lunch spot's portions are generous and the food is delicious."

"The egg rolls are huge, handmade, and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant has its own parking lot, which is convenient for downtown visitors.

2

There is a good amount of street parking available nearby.

3

Sunday brunch is a popular time to visit, offering a unique experience.

06
The Nash image 1
New American restaurant

Space combines scored concrete floors with simple table setups, creating a quiet, calm ambience that suits private dining well. The atmosphere feels pleasant and peaceful, with a gorgeous interior that contrasts with a generally low activity level.

Strong choice for business lunches with a setting that suits work meetings and celebrations. Lunch options satisfy a variety of tastes and keep the meal enjoyable.

Red fish comes perfectly seasoned and cooked without dryness. The menu features day boat scallops, shrimp appetizers, and calamari, all well-prepared and popular. Shrimp linguine offers a solid seafood pasta option.

People are saying

"The food during Happy Hour is exceptionally good, like a magazine photo."

"The Lunch Spot food is solid and tasty."

"The calamari here is some of the best I've had."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-7pm with $12 cocktails and appetizers.

2

Reservations are recommended for private dining for groups of 22-28 people.

3

Valentine's Day features a special set menu with appetizer, entree, and dessert.

07
Cellar7 image 1
American restaurant

Eclectic mid-century style restaurant with cozy vibe and bubbly decor offers both indoor and nice outdoor seating. Atmosphere is stylish and lively, though loud music can make conversation difficult. Frequented for tasty food and a great bar with well-crafted cocktails.

Lunch offers excellent food with well-sized portions suited for business meals. Service can be slow, especially for appetizers, and a persistent smell lingers during the meal.

Fresh oysters stand out, especially the grilled ones. The menu also features dishes like shrimp carbonara and red fish, alongside sides such as brussel sprouts almondine.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and of excellent quality."

"The fresh oysters here are the best I've ever had."

"I found the lunch food here to be excellent."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-7pm on weekdays with special drink prices.

2

Cellar7 offers a variety of finger foods during happy hour.

3

Parking is free at the nearby 601 Travis St parking garage.

08
Toro Toro image 1
Steak house

Open-concept dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows offers stunning city views and a classy yet chill vibe. Festive decor and live music create an elegant atmosphere complemented by well-crafted cocktails and a comfortable layout.

Wide and reasonably priced lunch menu offers variety. Welcoming energy from staff adds to the experience. Some dishes like Peruvian ceviche are not available at lunch.

Dover Sole stands out for those who love fish. Appetizers include duck confit tacos, shrimp aguachile with poached shrimp and a unique red sauce, and a tuna-topped roll.

People are saying

"The food here is phenomenal, especially the empanadas and desserts."

"I loved the shrimp aguachile and other delicious seafood appetizers."

"The lunch spot's ambiance is stellar."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially during busy events like restaurant week.

2

Valet parking is available but can be expensive; check for validation options.

3

An automatic tip is added to the bill, which may lead to double tipping.

09
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks image 1

Private booths with curtains offer quiet privacy in a gorgeous, upscale setting. A huge shaded patio invites larger groups for outdoor dining. The atmosphere ranges from comfortable and beautiful to occasionally loud with blaring music.

Strong focus on business lunches with an environment that supports good conversation without loud background noise. Service is consistently good, making it suitable for professional meals.

Oysters stand out with freshness and crispy toppings that add texture. Shrimp tacos offer a unique flavor edge, and fish eggs help neutralize the sea smell of the oysters.

People are saying

"The seafood here is great, and the servers are genuinely one of the best."

"The Date Spots here have flawless lemon drop martinis and exceptional grilled oysters."

"The food at this lunch spot is consistently good."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6:30 pm with great drink specials.

2

Taco Tuesday offers excellent deals on tacos during happy hour.

3

Reservations are recommended for large groups, especially during busy times.

10
Kulture image 1
Restaurant

Live band with R&B vibe sets a whole vibe atmosphere, balancing energy and sound perfectly. Spacious layout with round tables encourages conversation, complemented by a classy professional design and soothing city views. Cocktails and food, including exceptional fried chicken and best-ever biscuits, enhance the dining experience.

Limited menu offers very tasty options. It works well as a local lunch spot during busy times.

Catfish and grits come topped with shrimp and crab, adding rich flavors. The Gulf Shrimp and grits and branding fish stand out for taste and presentation.

People are saying

"The food here is flavorful and soulful, truly finger-lickin' good."

"I'll be craving this delicious seafood for a long time."

"You have to try the shrimp and grits; they're life-changing."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for live music events on weekends.

2

Parking is validated in the attached garage for up to two hours.

3

Expect large portion sizes that exceed typical restaurant servings.

11
Brasserie Du Parc image 1
French restaurant

Glass walls offer quiet people-watching with views of a green park outside. The space feels cozy and elegant with tasteful decor and a calm, pleasant atmosphere. Seating near the bar can be lively with foot traffic and music, while other areas remain peaceful.

Lunch offers flexible menu options with the ability to substitute dishes like mushroom ravioli for a small upcharge. Meals come out fabulous and fit well between meetings or casual weekends.

Seafood dishes feature sautรฉed salmon, plump shrimp, succulent scallops, and roasted mussels. The shrimp pesto risotto and seafood linguine offer rich, creamy textures with perfectly cooked shrimp.

People are saying

"The French food here, especially the steak frites, is perfectly cooked."

"Our seafood took about 50 minutes to arrive, and the kitchen was behind."

"The service at this Lunch Spot was fantastic."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially during busy hours.

2

Happy hour specials are available only in the bar area.

3

The restaurant participates in Houston Restaurant Week with a special menu.

Discover more

Central Business District, Houston

Area guide
Loading Map...