I walk about 10-15 minutes to get to the Shops at Houston Center. To us, it's like a mecca of food. Chick fil a, Potbelly's, Au Bon Pain, Great American Cookies (they always have samples, yay!), and especially Doozo Dumplings. Mediterranean food, Ninfa's, Great American Cookie, Simon's Homestyle Cafe... the options seem endless compared to our measly corner of the Downtown Tunnels. At least two Starbucks are sprinkled in between all of it.
If you don't want to feel lonely, come here between 11am and 3pm. Great people-watching. It's always bustling, almost crowded. You're bound to run into someone you know. Sometimes at Potbelly's they have someone singing and playing cover songs on the guitar. Like Jack Johnson's Banana Pancakes.
There are lots of chairs, couches, and even shoe shiners.
You can get your nails done,
your grocery shopping done,
your hair done,
your workout done,
I could go on and on.
Unfortunately, the bookstores are closing down, but I loved going to browse books during lunch time. If you go there now, you can find something for 50-70% off ;)
They have a Chase bank, so that's pretty convenient for me. Hallmark, GNC, Jos A Bank and other shops are there for the browsing. Several Texas knick knack stores are around too. If you have the time to get a mani pedi, there are places here for that.
Right across from the Shops is the Kelsey Seybold clinic- convenient if you want to get some lunch and a doctor's appointment in.
Overall, pretty good selection of shops/restaurants for a break from work. The location is really close to the Houston Pavilions, so you can go catch a game of bowling at Lucky Strike or shop at Forever 21. read more