Photos by Art Meripol

This funky, unabashedly Southern strip is pulsing with cocktails, craft beer, and a world of vibrant flavors.

The formerly rough-and-tumble strip known as Lower Westheimer in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston used to be known more for tattoo parlors and flamboyant nightclubs than craft cocktails and haute cuisine. But thanks to a few committed chefs, the neighborhood has morphed into the hottest food zip code in town. “It’s the heart of the city,” says Chris Shepherd, chef at Underbelly, this year’s most anticipated restaurant opening and a culinary valentine to the city’s diversity. “There’s no other place like it.”

Underbelly
Chris’ menu includes items such as Gulf seafood and the popular Korean-style dumplings and braised goat. underbellyhouston.com

The Hay Merchant
Craft and rare brews are paired with amazing bar grub such as Pork Trotter Tots with Creole mustard. haymerchant.com

El Real Tex-Mex
Follow the vintage neon for bloody Marias, puffy shrimp tacos, and bacon enchiladas. elrealtexmex.com

Brasil
This cafe/gallery is the spot for macchiatos and Eggs El Salvador (eggs over corn cakes with salsa, chorizo, and queso fresco). brasilcafe.net

Anvil Bar & Refuge
Sip bold drinks, such as Chatham Artillery Punch (bourbon, rum, Champagne), or classic juleps. anvilhouston.com

Uchi
Expect signatures from Tyson Cole’s Austin institution and specials such as tomorokoshi congee (a poached egg and dashi grits). uchirestaurants.com