We just ate the Sunday brunch buffet during Valentine's Day weekend and it was delicious. The barbacoa, guacamole and homemade tortillas were my favorite but everything I tried was good. I'm not a big dessert person but they had an impressive dessert section. Service was excellent. Definitely recommend trying the Sunday brunch buffet. read more

I took my fiance here for their Happy Hour during Latin food week and overall the experience was delightful. We got the quesadillas, mussels appetizer, Brussel sprouts, and the seafood platter which were all amazing. The seafood was extremely fresh and one of my favorites from around town. The Brussels were top notch as well with the seasoning that didn't drench the Brussels like some spots. The quesadillas were also a good bite but the squash is definitely an acquired taste. Overall food was 9/10 with the highlight being the extremely fresh seafood. Onto the drinks which were honestly lackluster. We ordered the Xochi margarita from their National Tequila Day menu and the Paloma and the La Mezcalita off the Happy Hour menu. All 3 drinks tasted underwhelming in terms of actual liquor taste (the mezcal notes were buried by their side ingredients and only slight smokiness was brought through) and featured very straight forward taste notes. For the description and list of ingredients we honestly expected more, especially as both with backgrounds (and taste palettes) in cocktails and bartending. Overall the drinks fell bland with us even returning one drink (their Rose wine sangria) and was an overall sour point to what was otherwise a beautiful vibe accompanied by good food. read more

Outstanding food! Delicious and tasteful. The octopus is one of the best I have had! The service was outstanding. Patricia our waitress was very knowledgeable and gave us excellent recommendations. The margarita with Mezcal and jalapeño was phenomenal!!! Must try this! read more

Caracol - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Outstanding service and food quality. The atmosphere was extremely welcoming. The camarón con crema plate was exceptional

This was difficult to review. I'm torn between great food, drinks and great atmosphere vs not so great service overall. I would give 3 and a half stars if I could. At first look..The decor is beautiful and with a very nice atmosphere. Valet was also great. Very fast and friendly. We were seated quickly by the manager who was very nice to talk with. But...It took at least 10 minutes to get a server to the table (enough time to notice) and they weren't too busy for a Friday night, which surprised us. When she did come, she was very friendly and knowledgeable. She also never rushed us to order as we sat and talked. So that was all very positive. Where it goes down was after the order was placed. It was also strange that she wanted our entree order when we placed the appetizer order so I rushed to choose. I was 95% sure what I wanted and glad I ordered the stripped bass. It was very good. But she didn't ask if we wanted any sides and I hadn't gotten a chance to look over them, so I didn't think about it and missed out. The bigger issue we had. While waiting on our food to come, one of us spilled a drink, luckily most stayed on the table. But as their partner got up to clean the bit that got on him and some ice from the chair no one came over to help. Even a lady who was sitting by us offered napkins from their table to clean with. At this time 2 guests were standing wiping the table. We finally saw and flagged down our server. She was then trying to get the attention of two of the staff to help who were standing over by the wall talking. They could have easily seen that we needed assistance before our server got there if they were paying attention to the floor and not talking and laughing. They had been standing there a while just talking. I did feel bad for or server. Spilling your drink is always embarrassing, but having to clean it yourself because no one on the floor was paying attention, even while being flagged to help shouldn't happen. It was pretty obvious when two people were standing up wiping the table and chair. Finally the table was cleaned but there was no offer to replace the drink or dirty water nor was he asked if he wanted a new one. One of the glasses of water needed to be replaced which didn't happen until someone came around to refill our water. They actually tried to pour the fresh water in with cloudy water from the drink spill It was clear that something was not right with that glass of water. The drink that spilled was a white coconut pineapple drink (very good by the way) that spilled over the water glass. So it was very cloudy looking Weird that they didn't notice it. It should have been replaced right away though. Anyway.. moving on.., Our food comes out and everyone liked their choices. We had stripped bass, short rib, chicken enchiladas and the mixed seafood dish. All excellent! Like with everything I've ever had at all their restaurants the food was top quality and delicious. I did ask for some white rice when the food was delivered since I realized I never ordered a side. I just asked for rice thinking it would be a quick get. It never came. I kept looking for our server but we didn't see her for a while. I was disappointed. After getting home I went over the menu again realizing there were a couple sides I would have gotten if I had more time to look over the menu before ordering the entree. We also got churro's and hot chocolate to share for dessert. Oh So good!!! It's true Mexican hot chocolate but without the chili. It's made table-side. I highly recommend that! All the food was very tasty and beautifully presented as you would expect from this chef! If the service would have been as good, this would easily be 5 stars (as you can see most people give 5 stars, i was actually confident I would have a 5 star experience). I'm sure we will come back someday and I'm hoping I can give those 5 stars. The restaurant and chef both deserve that rating. If I could have broken it down by category I would given 5 for food, 3 for service and 5 for ambience. A little more attention to the floor and more visits or walk bys from service would have helped a lot. Do not let the 3 stars detour you at all. The place is very good overall with amazing food quality and creativity! I don't think the issue with service is common. Just not the best tonight. read more

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I love a good Sunday brunch, especially it's only around $45 per person for unlimited food from the James Beard Award winning chef. I couldn't stop eating the raw oysters and roasted cauliflowers. The food was very good, live music was a nice touch, the ambiance was every relaxing. I would definitely come back. It is in the BBVA building with complimentary valet parking. read more

Caracol - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Had a great experience here. At our initial reservations we asked for outdoors though since it was a cooler night they had covered and enclosed there outdoor seating so figured that was the same as sitting indoors so switched to indoors. Drinks - I'm more of bourbon/whiskey drinker so my eyes automatically hunts out those types of concoctions. At first glance I had seen the old fashioned which I normally get, but had just came from the Cellar which had a pretty good one there. Try something different so I read the Bruno DF and it had a drink I used to have when I spent time in Spain called Licor 43. Very sweet syrupy drink on its own, but they said it was only a small amount added so I tried it. I would rate it 3/5. Most of the ppl with me seemed to have been truly enjoying their drinks so I decided to try one of the ones they had. It has mezcal in it and i am definitely not a fan of mezcal, but gave it a try. Wowzers it was delicious and spicy and rimmed with chamoy and only a smoke hint of smoke - Shared Spice definitely the drink of choice for the table. Bruno DF - 3/5 Shared Spice - 5/5 From there we family style the rest of our dishes. Will say if you get any meat dishes definitely order them before the seafood dishes. Just a way to elevate the food tasting experience. We tried the short rib in the midst and it was good, but definitely would have been better at the beginning. If ordered first Costillas A Las Brasas - 4/5, after seafood 2.5/5 Camarones A La Lena - 3.5/5 Ceviche De Chile Canario - ***6/5 delicious we ordered these 2 dishes 3 times Ostiones Asados - ***6/5 Enchiladas de Pollo w/mole - 5/5 Pulpo Ahumado - 3.5/5 - missing something, tortillas it came with definitely diminished any flavor it had Tostadas De Atun Crudo - 4/5 be smarter than us...lay tuna flat so you can have a fighting chance of making a mess Caballeros Pobres - 4.5/5 thoughts Bread Pudding Tres Leches - 3.5/5 Parking Valet or Free Garage parking with ticket validation. Warning don't put ticket after its been validated near phone or it will get invalidated. read more

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Caracol is a strong 4.5. I had a great time there and there were some real stand out dishes. The staff were friendly and the food came out quickly. -We started off with grilled oysters (which I can never recommend enough) which was buttery and well seasoned. Definitely $3+ per but delicious. -We followed that up with the conch ceviche. It was good but needed more punch (acid or onion) for my taste. -For the main course I had the fried Duck. I saw one coming out of the kitchen and it looked so good I had to taste. It was well fried (skin reminded me of Chinese food chicken wings) with an extra crunchy skin and well seasoned. It paired really well with the sweetness of date sauce. Would have loved a little pickle or pop of freshness on top. -I wasnt gonna order desert but I figured WTH and got the flan. Im typically not a huge fan but it was the only dessert that wasnt chocolate. It was so so delicious. Great texture, not too sweet, and the perfect little bite with the berries. *chefs kiss* I had a few drinks throughout that were all good. Above average drink program for a restaurant. Id happily comeback to try the rest of their menu read more

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Came by with a group for a weekday lunch. Located near uptown business district, parking is available via valet or a parking garage. Note that the restaurant will waive the parking garage fee if you give then your ticket. The food here is an upscale seafood/Mexican inspired style. Interior is modern and corporate. We got a few apps, with the favorite being the ceviche and grilled oysters. The squid chicharron app was a little bland. The mussels were a little disappointing with the actual portion size but the soup base was very delicious. Mains were solid in terms of shrimp and pork tacos. Flavor was good and the food was well cooked. The burger was however disappointing. The seasoning was bland and the bun was a little bit stale. Overall, seems like a solid upscale option for the area that focuses more on the seafood trend. Pricing is definitely for the higher end price point. read more

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If you are hungry and do not like the wait than this is a great place to come . They have cover parking which is very convenient specially if it rains . There is good food, great music and excellent customer service read more

Caracol - Delicious , great service - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Went for restaurant week one year, I also hear they have a good brunch. Loved the ambiance and service! It was a great experience, valet parking available as well. Make reservations they get packed! read more

Caracol is a place I will take people when I want to show what Mexican cuisine can be. The food is another level to be followed with service and smiles. Take your friend's food great food and drinks. Gracias read more

Caracol - Spicy margarita with oysters - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Yum! Elote soup delicious! Empanadas smaller than expected but interesting that the outside is made of plantains. Fish tacos could use more flavor and was a little tough. The brisket enchiladas were pretty yummy and had a kick. read more

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Beautiful bar, excellent food. Liked the layout and the woodwork. Food was great and good service.

We are so happy we found this amazing brunch. We were supposed to go to their other restaurant, Hugo's, but Hugo's had power issues due to Hurricane Beryl. We've been to Hugo's before and loved it - but we agreed that we liked Caracol even better. The brunch buffet had everything we could possibly had wanted. A fantastic mix of raw bar, seafood, chicken, pork and beef - all with a Mexican flare. All the meats were tender and flavorful. The dessert bar was plentiful and delicious. Our service was impeccable. We can't wait to go back! read more

*BRUNCH REVIEW* During a recent visit to Houston, my friend picked Caracol as our Sunday brunch spot and it was a selection that absolutely knocked it out the park. The service as absolutely superb. Everyone we interacted with from the Valet to the hostess to our amazing server - was efficient, friendly, and completely accommodating. More importantly, however, the food was AMAZING. It took me a while to decided on an entree because there were SO MANY options that sounded amazing. And every dish I was being served at tables around me looked absolutely delicious. After much deliberation I settled on the Pollo Pibil dish and my friend the Arrachera con Huevo dish with a shared flan dessert between us. When I say the food was AMAZING - it's no exaggeration. My chicken dish was hands down one of the best meals I've had a Mexican restaurant. AND the serving is so huge that I had enough left over for dinner later that night. Add Caracol to your Houston dining list. You won't regret it! read more

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Caracol was a nice spot for a group brunch, but for the price I was not overly impressed. One thing I did like was the availability of a full vegan / vegetarian menu - not many places do that! However, my $20 deconstructed enchiladas was basically just a handful of chopped vegetables with queso fresco, I left still feeling hungry. They had a nice selection of oysters, so I would recommend those! Overall, it was an average experience. read more

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This is for HRW: The service was good, but the food just left a lot to be desired. Pork was super salty and i missed the concept of Mole in the dessert. I didn't take a photo of the Brussel sprout sope, which was good, but a tad small read more

Caracol - Pork carnitas on a salad of stewed greens and cheesy potsto gratin - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I came to Caracol on a busy (Astros game) night and we conveniently parked in the (free!) parking garage to the right of the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised at that option given the park of town we were in - figured we would need to valet or street park. Since it was a busier day, we ended up sitting in the bar section. We were told we could wait there until our reservation (granted we arrived very early) so we decided to get some appetizers to start. We never got updated on our reservation and ended up spending the rest of the night at the bar section at one of the high tops. Our servers were excellent, and while it seemed like there were two servers attending to that area, both were able to assist us any time we needed. NOW. On to the food. We ordered a LOT and it was ALL good. Apps: lobster ceviche (10/10, I don't even like lobster like that but it was so good), taquitos (can't go wrong there but not super unique), and the soup (a little creamy for my taste). The pulpo ahumado was one of my favorite dishes, especially with the blue corn tortillas. We also got the ostiones asados and I really felt that the cheesy breadcrumbs on top complemented the oysters themselves. For the meals, we got the duck and higo mole (pato con mole de higos), costillas de res, callo de hacha and the the carne asada con mole negro. All entrees were very large portions, so if you don't eat a lot I suggest sharing! Maybe it's also because we went a little crazy with ordering ahhahaha. For dessert, we had the el coco (which was fun to break with the hammer) and they also offered a birthday dessert for my boyfriend's mom. Overall the experience was great and I especially liked the blue corn tortillas as they tasted handmade and fresh! The front desk service could use some work but the food and overall experience was great. I'd definitely come back for brunch or another special occ read more

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Amazing variety at the New Year Day Brunch! Their service is always good. Not sure if the New Year Day Brunch is still offered for 1/1/2026?

While in Houston with family, my sweet sister in law made a dinner reservation for us at Caracol. Thank goodness she had the foresight to reserve a table, because this is a hotspot. We valeted and made our way inside. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and as it was a little chilly, we chose to sit inside. The hostesses were very welcoming and our table was ready so we were seated. The food: We ordered the crispy roasted potatoes and they were delicious!! I could've eaten the whole bowl! We also ordered the roasted Brussels sprouts. They were very good, but were sort of basic. I decided to order an appetizer - campechano estilo - good, but I found the sauce a little sweet, and a small plate - calamar y pulpo ahumado - delicious! Tender calamari, octopus and other yummy grilled seafood. And the house made tortillas were killer good. Oh, and it was happy hour too. There were several small bites and cocktails on the menu that sounded amazing. I went with a $7 mojito. I love a drink special, especially when it's this refreshing. This place is hopping for a reason. Good stuff. read more

Caracol - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Celebrated my daughter's birthday here, everything we ordered was delicious! Even surprised her with a birthday cake. read more

Caracol - Birthday chocolate cake - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

Brought my mom in for Mother's Day. We had a reservation, so there was no wait time. Our server was pretty nice. It was a busy night, so he had a bunch of tables to serve. We started off the dinner with a Taquito de Langosta (lobster taco) it was absolutely delicious. It's only one taco, so you definitely have to get multiple for the table. We also ordered guacamole and chips, their quac and salsa were very good! Then, for our entrees, my dad ordered the ceviche de coco he said it was delicious, just small portioned. My sister ordered the enchiladas of the day, and she said they were good, nothing crazy. My mom and I both ordered the cremoso de mariscos, and it was OUTSTANDING. The lobster and the shrimp were cooked and seasoned perfectly. Lastly, the churros and hot chocolate were very tastey, they were not too sweet, just perfect! read more

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A fancy spot just on the other side of a shopping plaza! Upon arrival, we were seated right away (made reservations for 6pm on a Saturday) and they had very tasteful decorations (a few weeks before Halloween). The service was awesome - we were offered the choice of still or sparkling water upon seating. We took advantage of the HH and ordered some items from the HH menu and appetizers from the main menu. Started off with a half dozen of Ostiones En Su Concha, raw oysters. They were okay! To be fair, we recently went on a trip to Cabo and had really delicious oysters so it was not a fair comparison. However, we were telling our server of a habanero sauce we had in Mexico and he brought a little dish out for us to try. I felt these were a bit on the small side but nothing we can do about it! Tostadas de Campechana - I thought these little shrimp tostadas were excellent! It was a big pile of seafood on a little chip so upon first bite, everything fell over but the flavor was so fresh, I liked it a lot. Ceviche de coco - a unique ceviche dish in a half coconut shell. The snapper was soft without being so soft I fell apart when it was picked up. The tangerine added a tang that cut through the coconut cream. Yum. Tostadas de atun crudo - refreshing little bite but with a big ol piece of tuna atop. It was a fresh bite with flavors that complimented the fish well. We asked our server what tapas style dishes we had to try on the menu and he recommended the ceviche de coco and the ceviche de Chile Canario so we got that one as well. The sauce in this dish was awesome, I used the chunks of snapper to sop of the sauce. The bites of tomato and cucumber added a pop of freshness to the creamy sauce. We finished off the meal with a great slice of.. I believe it was a tres leches. I honestly can't remember the name but I know it was delicious. The menu had a great variety. Service was on point. I would recommend for a special occasion or a nice dinner! read more

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If you're looking for a lively and flavorful dining experience in Houston's Uptown foodie scene, Caracol is a must-visit. This vibrant Coastal Mexican kitchen offers an abundance of fish and seafood dishes that will leave you craving for more. Caracol is also a great choice for business meetings, as the ambience is just as lively as the staff who are attentive throughout your meal. The drinks were upbeat and served frequently, making for a great addition to the meal. During our visit, I opted for the 2-for-$30 lunch appetizer deal which was perfect to whet the appetite in preparation for the main dishes. The Pulpo Ahumado, in particular, stood out as it was meaty and palatable - a must-try for seafood lovers. The Enchiladas Del Dia were also a standout dish, smothered in flavor and bursting with authentic Mexican spices. Overall, Caracol is a great choice for anyone looking for a flavorful and lively dining experience in Houston's Uptown foodie scene. The only thing that kept this from a 5-star review are the dish portions for the price tags on their menu! read more

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We've been to Caracol last night, the same group of people plus a messy baby, and everything was as excellent as the last time. I want to acknowledge the wonderfully attentive and helpful service, and thank everyone for accommodating our needs, such as preparing a non spicy guacamole for baby and grandma... Thanks everyone! read more

Date night for the hubby and I, boy am I so happy he chose this restaurant! All the food we ate here was out of this world! We started with the popular Ostiones Asados (wood-roasted oysters) and the ceviche for our appetizers. Then for our entrees we split the Mariscos Al Ajillo and the Callo de Hacha (scallops). Everything was so tasty and super fresh. The sauces in the dishes complimented the seafood so well. For our dessert we chose the churros; best churros I've had in years. And to make it even better it comes with the Mexican hot cocoa! I really like the concept of this restaurant; Mexican Seafood. You won't find this just anywhere you go. Everyone has to experience this at least once. I can't wait for another date night here. Tip: Parking is free with validation. read more

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Took a colleague to Caracol for a business dinner meeting. As usual the ambiance is wonderful. I have been to Caracol as well as all of Ortega's restaurants many times and I go to Caracol every year for my birthday. On this occasion I was somewhat disappointed. After raving about the Pulpo appetizer to my colleague we ordered it. What was brought to the table left me wondering what had happens to the quality. The appetizer was mostly small potato wedges, onion pieces and small chunks of sausage and VERY FEW pieces of Pulpo. So sad. We also ordered the scallops and these were to standard and tasty as always. We also ordered the lobster taco and this was the winner! Wow!!!! I could have eaten 5 of these. Anyway, i hope they return to their delicious Pulpo. read more

10/10!! Love this place. I can't think of not one thing I didn't enjoy. The corn bisque is to die for!!!! The oysters are truly so delicious I could finish a full order by myself and wouldn't feel bad about it! We came for happy hour, left way after dinner because we couldn't stop trying more things on the menu. The Cauliflower and Chicharrón Calamari really sealed the deal for us. The flavors are rich! Wish I remember the name of our server, she was attentive and patient as we asked a lot of questions and suggested most of the plates to us. Beautiful bar area and dining room had soft lighting and upbeat music. Owner if you see this, sponsor me I'm your biggest fan. Haha read more

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My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our two year anniversary. Our server, Steve, was very spectacular and had the BEST customer service skills we've ever had. He truly created an unforgettable experience. Our food came on time and was so delicious, he was very pleasant in greeting us, and walking us through the Caracol journey. He even made our anniversary more special with the complimentary sweet dessert and Prosecco to toast our occasion. *The ceviche de caracol melts in your mouth with blooming flavors from the pineapple and papaya. One of the BEST ceviches I've ever tried. We will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! If you're in Houston/Galleria area, this is the place to go! read more

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Delicious! Fantastic service. The guac and salsa are TO DIE FOR. My boyfriend loved his seafood plate and I enjoyed my vegetarian quesadilla. The tres leches cake was good. Good vibes- cute restaurant. I would definitely come back. read more

Caracol - TRES LECHES - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

I love this restaurant! The food, ambiance, and service are top notch. They have a wide variety of food choices. I especially love the options they have for vegetarians and vegans. The guacamole, salsa, and chips are amazing as well as the mushroom tamale with mole. The refried beans are some of my favorite beans in the city of Houston. Do yourself a favor and go to Caracol. You will not be disappointed! read more

Warning! The 4 and 1/2 star here is completely misleading. I do not know about the lunch and dinner but the brunch is No.No.No. I made the assumption that because this restaurant was located in post oak and with all the great reviews that it would be somewhat classy and I made big fat mistake. 90% of the patrons were in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers, so if you are planning on going, go in your casual best. The restaurant is small and cramped. You are constantly bumping into people, making your way back with your plate. The seats are uncomfortable and cheap. Add some Asian decor and you have yourself an classy Asian buffet down Hilcroft. The worst part of it all was the food. Mexican food at it's worst! Buffet didn't have great options, the salsa is too spicy (no mild options available) , the desserts were just as bad. The ONLY reason you are paying $42 per person is because of the unlimited oyster bar, even that was a thumbs down. The oysters were not chilled, just sitting on ice, they were covered with pico. They had ceviche and spoons of scallops that had a fishy taste, like they scrapped it from the bottom of the ocean. If you are a foodie and have high expectations on food, STAY AWAY! 2 people, food and drinks $101.00 tab, money down the drain. read more

Our server was so attentive and sweet! He recommended the fresh guava juice and it was the perfect refresher to start off Sunday brunch. The restaurant was bustling and we were seated right next to the live band! There was a vast array of seafood, Mexican breakfast/lunch dishes, and even fresh Mexican dessert. I wish I had a bigger stomach to try more food so I was honestly torn on what to eat because everything was just so delicately curated and fresh. I'd definitely recommend coming for special occasions and celebrations. read more

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It was my first time experiencing the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was decent but I wasn't amazed by anything in particular to make the price worth it. Not many kid friendly items unless you count the dessert bar which had great options. Our waiter was awesome especially with a big party like ours & offered recommendations. The tables seemed too clustered and the food sections seemed too chaotic without efficient crowd flow. Unfortunately, I don't think it would be worth trying again. read more

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Definitely want to try again. Just classy and service is prompt. The ceviche Caracol was excellent. Grilled oysters were good but probably wouldn't order again. . The coco dessert was fun to break open but only really enjoyed the shell. Inside was ok. Nice place and atmosphere. read more

Everything is fresh, perfectly timed, and the staff is lovely. The private room experience was glorious! Cannot recommend this place enough. From ceviche to margaritas, every possible shrimp dish, and overwhelmingly delicious dessert. we feasted like monarchs. read more

You. Know. I jus wasn't impressed. Looked amazing. Ambiance. Very nice. Playing beautiful. Service amazing. Food. Jus didn't hit like it should have. I enjoyed it. But I couldn't rave about it. Things felt so..... Eh... Nothing popped! Nothing screamed! No fire works . I didn't feel the depth . I should have felt new flavors developing as I chewed. I should have felt the development as the meals went on. read more

While in Houston for work, I was craving Mexican seafood and found Caracol. First, it's not super visible from the street and very hidden but I love that it's a hidden gem. It's super modern inside and has a beach y vibe but with a mina minimalist vibe. I was in luck that it was Houston restaurant week and so I got to pick from that menu. It was a ton of food. This was a unique restaurant as it wasn't your traditional Mexican cuisine, there was not a lot of citrus or spice but everything was delicious and savory. Can't wait to come back read more

Came here on a Sunday for their brunch buffet! The atmosphere here is so welcoming/relaxing. There might be a long wait so I would recommend making reservations. They offer both inside/outdoor seatings as well as the bar (first come basis). This place is a more upscale Mexican restaurant and offers oysters as well (so damn good). They offer live music on Sunday and the vibes are so chill. I haven't tried their dinner menu yet, so I can only speak for their Sunday brunch. Come check out this beautiful restaurant! Valet is available and free, they only get tips so make sure you bring cash! read more

Caracol - BlackBerry mojito - Seafood Near Me - Houston, Texas

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