I would rate this place 3.5 stars. We visited on May 10 and had a 1p reservation. Our server was fantastic! (I think) Her name started with a B and she had long blondish braids. She was warm and friendly, with very helpful recommendations when asked. I am big on service and she is the reason I would give this establishment another chance. We had a lady (I believe Julianne) lead us to our seat/section and I don't think she was very welcoming. She sat us in our section and proceeded to tell us that the door leading to the outdoor patio would be open. Mind you, it was extremely windy and it literally was impacting the quality of our experience indoors. It was absolutely unpleasant. It wasn't until that issue was pushed, that she went (somewhat grudgingly) to ask the manager if she could close the door. Thankfully, they agreed to. Moving on to the food - the blanco ceviche and hamachi appetizers were DELICIOUS! My entree was the chicken & waffles, and I probably wouldn't get again due to fried chicken being soggy and the waffles lacking the sweeter flavor I prefer. From reports of others - the salads were tasty as well and nicely portioned. The drinks were finely crafted as well. We had a gin 75 and a Bloody Mary experience which was tasty. Would recommend getting those! The ambiance is incredible. A lot of greenery and beautiful artwork. But I need more than aesthetics, I want to walk away feeling GREAT about the entire experience, not just looking like the experience was good. read more

See all

I've been thinking about what to say about this place, and unfortunately there's not much. I should've trusted my gut that the hype might not be worth it. The place looks nice, sure, but the food Not so much. Let's start with the valet you have to valet your car, and it's between $15 for regular or $40 for "VIP," which is almost laughable considering the actual entrance is around the back of the building anyway. We arrived on a Sunday evening and grabbed a drink at the bar while waiting for our table. Cool vibe, yeah but $60 for two mezcal cocktails Rough. Once seated, we started with the wonton A5 wagyu tacos. Let me tell you, the lime wedges were literally bigger than the tacos themselves. The meat didn't taste like wagyu at all chewy, underwhelming, and for nearly $40? Come on. We ordered another round of drinks while trying to decide whether to keep going. I almost ordered the tomahawk, and I'm so glad I didn't. I watched the table next to us get it big show, sure, but visually Meh. My wife went with the NY strip, ordered medium rare, with a side of truffle mac and cheese. I had the short rib enchiladas with cilantro lime rice. The steak was Overcooked and aggressively salty. The mac and cheese was probably the best thing we had rich, creamy, well done. My enchiladas were disappointing. The meat could've used way more time braising it was tough and the sauce was overly acidic. I suspect the cast iron skillet it was served in might have intensified that sourness. The rice Just decent. At this point, I should've thrown in the towel but I ordered one more round of drinks, which ended up being flat-out bad. The dessert, though, was actually good. All in all: 6 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 mains, 2 sides, 1 dessert--$500 later. Would I go back? Probably not. Oh, and heads up: if you're coming for the show, don't bother--they don't have it on Sunday night. read more

See all

Great experience! Karla is a great server. Food was delicious. Especially beef and tres leches!

Food, service and atmosphere are all excellent. Highly recommended, especially for a date night.

What an experience. From the food, the entertainment, and amazing drinks. It felt like I had left Houston and was out the country. I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday dinner here and they made it special. Drinks were a bit pricey but the presentation was entertaining. For entree I ordered the branzino with prawns along with the truffle Mac and cheese. Branzino was seasoned perfectly and prawns were juicy. Truffle Mac was very rich but created a good balance with the branzino. My friend had the ribeye with lobster tail added. That dish was a 9/10! Now for the real star of the show the brown butter cake!!!! I don't think I have had a dessert better. Definitely will be back for the cake for sure. read more

See all

Angelica!! You were so amazing! We had a wonderful girls night out here. Very clear this is the social spot to be for dinner. We had shots on fire and the best churros. Definitely will be back. The service here was amazing!! read more

The food 10/10 The service - Queen was amazing! So attentive, quick, and kind. 10/10 The ambience is the best I've seen in Houston. You feel like you're in Mexico. Sometimes these ambiance heavy restaurants let the food suffer and they focus on decor. Not here! 10/10 Money well spent; we will be returning. read more

Thanks DIGGY for enhancing my experience at Toca Madera!! The service was impeccable, and you read me like a book with your spirit and food recommendations. Look forward to returning soon. You're the bomb!!!! read more

See all

Walked in with a date dressed to the nine after having dinner at Chardon across the way just to see what all the fuss was about at Toca and it ends up that the place was reserved for a private event. The Manager approached us as soon as we entered & opened up with "You look lost". Did not like that. Then he proceeded to inform us that the establishment was reserved for a private event by "someone who spent a lot of money so I'm gonna have to ask you to leave". What the??? RUDE. I've never ordered anything from there before and now I never will. He could have gotten his message across in a much more respectful and professional manner but decided to talk down to us. Lesson that so called "Manager" needs to learn is to treat everyone with respect who walks in because you never know who you might be talking to. Especially in this town in that neighborhood. read more

This was my first time dining at Toca Madera Houston, but not my first experience with Toca Madera--and unfortunately, the Houston location was nothing comparable to the experiences I've had at their other locations. Upon arriving for my reservation, I was immediately told that I was not in dress code. What made the situation particularly frustrating is that, prior to my reservation, the restaurant sent me a link outlining an extensive dress code. I reviewed it, and nothing I was wearing was listed as prohibited. I arrived in a button-down shirt, pants, and Prada sneakers. To make matters even more confusing, the dress code posted directly at the restaurant entrance explicitly states "business casual." Had business casual been clearly communicated as the actual requirement beforehand, that would not have been an issue. The problem is that the information provided online and sent directly to guests does not align with what is apparently being enforced at the door. I asked to speak with a manager specifically to address that discrepancy. Her response was essentially that the general manager has been enforcing the dress code and that she does not manage the website, so she could not explain why the online policy and the policy at the restaurant were different. That response was probably the most disappointing part of the experience. If your restaurant is providing guests with inaccurate or inconsistent information, that is an issue for the restaurant to own--not the customer. There was no apology for the confusion, no attempt to find a reasonable solution, and seemingly no interest in salvaging the experience. I understand and respect restaurants having dress codes, especially upscale establishments. My issue is not that Toca Madera has one. My issue is expecting customers to comply with standards that are not clearly or consistently communicated, and then offering no meaningful customer service when that discrepancy is brought to management's attention. Moving forward, I refuse to spend my money at an establishment that demonstrates such little regard for the customer experience before I'm even seated. Given the positive experiences I've had with Toca Madera elsewhere, I expected significantly better from the Houston location. read more

We mostly enjoyed our night at TM however there is room for improvement. First the prawn dish my date ordered was grossly overcooked. He is the kind of guy that complains about everything but this time he was spot on. The prawns were so hard and chewy they should have been sent back to the kitchen. They do have live entertainment including an electric guitar player and a fire dancer walking around but you need to be seated in the main dining area to view this. We were seated in an area off the right. The room itself was just as pleasing as the rest of the restuarant but we couldnt see any of the live entertainment that was walking around because they never came to our area. Speaking of the live entertainment the music here is too darn loud. Seeing the ambiance online its dark, cozy and moody, you'd think its the perfect date night spot but it is not idea because you literally cannot have a conversation without screaming at each other and straining to hear. On the positive, the petite filet was Ah-mazing as was the Pillow Talk martini and the service definitely matches the price point - attentive and yielding. I would probably give them another try but I would ask to be sat in the main dining area due to the noise level and proximity to entertainment. read more

Fabulous queso, Fresh tortillas. Salsa awesome, I had filet my girlfriend steak tacos also awesome. It's her new favorite place and she's a native Houstonian. read more

See all

Hmmm... This is an interesting one. First off...Toca Madera is absolutely gorgeous. Like...stunning. From the inside out from the outside in. It's really not just dining-- it's a FULL experience. It's a resort style ambiance and truly unforgettable flavors. I will say on record I have the best enchiladas I've ever had in my entire life here... And when dinner comes with a fire performance.. say less! Ha. Where else can you go that is giving resort dining in the city? Okay.. so I have the short rib enchiladas. It was rich and tender and perfectly layered with salsa roja and melted queso chihuahua. And I can say it was absolute perfection. It comes with three enchiladas and I can only finish one and a half. But, when I tell you the next day?? I ate the other one and a half and it was still incredibly delicious. Omg.. I wanted more. 10/10 Also! Before you order there are tortilla chips and pico de gallo. Like.. how do you elevate Pico de gallo?? The tortilla chips were crisp and lightly spiced with the perfect crunch paired with pico that was really tangy and refreshing and so bright. I could have eaten baskets of it! 10/10 My little sister had the noble burger. I actually wanted to taste it but I didn't want to come to a Mexican restaurant and order American food, you get me? LOL but, she said it was really really good. They were double A5 wagyu smash patties, melted white cheddar, shaved onions, pickles, and Dijon on a toasted brioche bun. The fries look pretty good too! I was going to swipe one of hers but I didn't want it to mess up the flavors that were bursting in my mouth from the enchiladas. We also have dessert! The brown butter cake with bourbon toffee sauce, feuilletine crumble, fresh berry drizzle, some fresh berries, and creamy vanilla bean ice cream. It was quite beautiful aesthetically visually but the cake was just okay. Kind of hard but I would say the toffee made it better. 7/10 Now the parts that made it interesting is like this place is like the Spirit airline of restaurants. Lmbo! Like seriously.. they nickel and dime you for everything. The mocktails are extremely expensive, they don't give you a birthday dessert, even the candle is $3. LOL.. I was like whaaaa. One redeeming quality is that they offer you umbrellas if you use their valet and, surprisingly the valet is only $10 (about $12 when she factor in tax) I would say that's a win considering most restaurants this Posh are $20 for valet minimum. All in all I had a phallus experience and an incredible time. The food was amazing and the ambience was the star of the show. I'm so coming back Time and Time and Time and Time again! read more

See all

My friend and I had a reservation and the food and service was great. What made the evening stand out was the AMAZING bartender, Karla. We had a few drinks at the bar after dinner and she was so kind, attentive, the customer service was a 10/10 and her drinks were amazing. Definitely going back to see Karla! read more

Toca Madera - Ceviche and watermelon marg - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

We had a great experience overall. The vibe and atmosphere were thoughtful and well designed giving off a strong Tulum inspired feel perfect for a celebration. Our server DJ was a highlight really knowledgeable about the menu and provided excellent service throughout the meal. We had a full course meal and the highlight was definitely the sashimi. Everything else was okay but did not quite stand out in the same way. The music was enjoyable and fit the energy of the space but it was a bit too loud at times which made conversation slightly difficult. Still a memorable spot and definitely worth visiting for the ambiance alone. read more

See all

We have been hearing about this restaurant for quite some time and finally made it during our last our trip to Houston. Needless to say, this place is very well put together with very energetic ambience. You're greeted by music and a vibrant scene. The cocktail menu has some great drinks, including excellent Mezcal offerings. We shared the tomahawk steak which was made to perfection and served at the table side in a beautiful showing. The Branzino was also excellent. The desserts were spectacular, tasty and the presentation unforgettable. The wine menu is extensive and has a great collection of Mexican wines as well. This is a definitely Above average restaurant with a great ambience and an overall great experience. read more

See all

I was very excited about visiting Toca Madera due to the social media hype. Unfortunately, I was not blown away by the overall experience. Our reservation was for a Friday date night. The restaurant offers valet parking for $12 which is reasonable for Houston. I must say the decor and theme of the restaurant was executed beautifully! It gives a very elevated dining experience with extravagant entryways and a staff who dressed the part. Our waiter was nice but he made us feel rushed. The menu offers steaks, tacos, and a few other Mexican inspired dishes. I ordered the passionfruit margarita which was absolutely delicious. Please be mindful if you order a cocktail, the glass will likely be filled with tons of ice. I ordered the chicken Al Pastor tacos which were overpriced and extremely dry. I had to ask the waiter for a side of aïoli inspired sauce in which he was able to make it happen. Unfortunately, when he packed up my leftovers, he did not include the sauce. I also ordered the truffle fries which came with a delicious side sauce. Unfortunately, my packed leftover fries did not include the side dipping sauce. I didn't realize this until I arrived home. The restaurant offers a brief fire show, which was incredible. If you were looking for a restaurant to engage in good conversation, be prepared to yell because the music was extremely loud. Overall, the restaurant is very beautiful, but the food did not live up to the hype. I'm not sure if I'll be visiting again. read more

Toca Madera - Al Pastor Tacos - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

From the moment you step inside, the restaurant sets a standard of elegance that goes far beyond expectations. Warm lighting, contemporary Mexican design elements, and a subtle melodic soundtrack transport you into a setting that is both luxurious and deeply rooted in cultural authenticity. The ambience is immersive -- modern, refined, and decidedly romantic without feeling pretentious. The meal begins with an artful presentation of plates that look more like gallery pieces than dishes. Each course arrives with color, precision, and a balance of textures that immediately speaks to the chef's vision. It demonstrated exactly what elevated Mexican cuisine can achieve with tradition and technique meet fine dining finesse. Sauces are vibrant and nuanced, never overwhelming the dish but enhancing every flavor. Cocktails, particularly a Mezcal forward interpretation of a classic margarita, are crafted with the same level of intention as the food -- thoughtful, balanced, and memorable. Service is polished yet personable. Staff are well-versed in the culinary story behind each dish and can guide diners through the menu without overwhelming them. A masterclass in elevated Mexican cuisine -- stunning ambience, exquisite flavors, and an experience worth savoring long after the last bite . read more

See all

Overall, this high end steak house is overpriced and not as good a value as comparable and lower end places. This place seems to fit an apparent trend in higher end restaurants. That trend is having a night club atmosphere. For example, it is dark, loud music, and the waitresses are scantily clad. While this was ok for a business meal like we were having, we would not bring our family here. We did see on family with small children, but we would not do that. We got a steak, chicken, and a side of seasonable vegetable. All of these items were prepared and cooked well and seasoned well. However, they were all overpriced for the size of what you got. For example, at both Ruth Chris and Salt Grass you get a larger steak of comparable quality at a far better price. You are basically paying for the name and atmosphere at TM. The service was decent to good, but not excellent. Be warned that most places in Houston add a 20% gratuity and there is an attendant in the toilet whom you need to give a cash tip. So bring small bills if you plan to use the toilet. Reservations may be required at busy times. Overall, we would not return here because it is just not what we are looking for in a restaurant. We are far more comfortable at Salt Grass or Ruth Chris and feel we get a better value there. read more

See all

Had an excellent experience here. Rico was an outstanding server and made the entire night enjoyable. He did a great job keeping up with our party of six, stayed attentive, and made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish. The food was just as impressive--everything was cooked well and full of flavor. If I come back, I'd skip the ribeye and go straight for the porterhouse paired with the lobster mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. That combination was easily the highlight of the meal. This has quickly become one of my new favorite steakhouse spots in Houston. Great service, great food, and a great overall experience. read more

Service is great. But the food, for the price, skip it. Skip the drinks and the food and the ambience. So, don't go unless you're up for going to a place where you just want to be seen with social media influencers and tourists. There are so many better restaurants in Houston. Far better. I've been to taquerias better. This place to me is one of those loud show restaurants that will be replaced just like a popular club for about two or three years. Was the steaks good, na. Better at home. Were the sides good. Eh... Queso was pretty good. Oh, and screw the music read more

Found this place through social media for its vibrant and date night ambiance. We went for our anniversary and even though the restaurant met those expectations, the food was pretty poor quality. I ordered the rib eye steak. The steak was over seasoned but had a very rough texture and the quality tasted poor. The Mac and cheese was good and their queso was room temperature and didn't have much flavor. The service was great. I think there are much better steakhouse especially for the price they charge. read more

Great experience! Christina and Ashley were so attentive and helpful with our large party. Would recommend.

It was a wonderful experience. Andre was our server and he was knowledgeable about the menu and was very professional. Will definitely come back for the ambience and service. read more

Service from Rafael and the team was amazing! The ambiance in the restaurant was great and we loved our date night there. The food and dessert was perfect! We ended the night with flame shots. read more

Toca Madera - Ribeye & Tiger Prawn with Agua Fresca Coctel - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place is not just a restaurant, it's an experience. The ambiance and overall atmosphere is second to none. The drinks(like everything else here) are pricy, but unique. The smoky old fashioned is a must...as are the chips/salsa and guacamole. The food doesn't quite live up to the price, but I would definitely recommend for a classy night out. read more

The good : beautiful decor, very friendly staff, live DJ, and performances, unique cocktail menu. The mehh: music is loud, and ?house music, which isn't my favorite. Food was good, but nothing special -- Nothing that you would say, "I have to go back for that!" The bad: I was shocked that the fries were curly fries. At a steakhouse?? And I feel like that should be made clear on the menu, especially for $20+. Speaking of prices, prices felt overpriced but I'm not too surprised. Overall, wasn't bad but don't think I'd dine here again. Maybe come for drinks at the bar, and that's even questionable because parking is a headache or pay for valet. read more

See all

Visited Toca Madera during a business trip to Houston. Didn't have a reservation and sat at the bar, Tanner was amazing! Really took care of us and had a wonderful experience, ordered everything he recommended and it was absolutely delicious. Love the vibe, definitely recommend sit at the bar, Tanner will hook you up! read more

See all

This was great service and the food was really good. I'm always happy to see vegan/plant based options at restaurants. This almond butter toast was light but packed with lots of flavor. read more

Toca Madera - Almond Butter Toast - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

RAFAELLLLL!!! If you go to Toca, ask to be sat with Rafa. He goes above and beyond and transforms your entire experience. We came for a chill dinner and had an incredible experience. The food was so good, I had the taco flight and you have to get the mushroom if you love mushrooms. The sea bass is heavy on the breading but still super tasty. And Rafael recommended the passion fruit margarita SO DELISH!!!! The Caesar is a must have cheesy, spicy and so fresh. The Tuna tacos are the perfect starter as well with the caviar. Talk about TASTYYYYY. My boyfriend had the lobster enchiladas and THOROUGHLY ENJOYED. I would definitely recommend coming to Toca, whether it be a cool night or a date night! read more

Toca Madera is an experience from start to finish! The hip, vibrant atmosphere sets the perfect mood, the food is incredible, and the drinks are just as impressive. But what truly made our visit unforgettable was the outstanding service. Regie and Ashley are the absolute best--warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to making sure you have an amazing time. They made us feel welcomed, taken care of, and added that extra touch that turns a great dinner into a memorable night. Great vibes, fantastic food, wonderful drinks, and exceptional service. Regie and Ashley are truly the stars! We'll definitely be back! read more

We came to dine at Toca Madera for a birthday brunch during HRW. We had such a lovely time. Vidal, our server, was exceptional and was very personable. He went above and beyond to make our experience outstanding. The entire staff was warm and friendly; everyone was so attentive. The food was phenomenal. The tres leches French toast was very yummy; rich and decadent. The ambience was like we were transported outside of houston. Coming back for dinner is now on our bucket list! read more

See all

Everything was so delicious! It was our first time eating here and our waiter was so helpful and really nice. Our reservation was at 5:45 on a Saturday which was perfect because it seemed to get really busy around 7. The flaming tomahawk is an amazing experience with the bone marrow chimichurri. Very flavorful and pairs amazing with a red wine. I definitely would love to come here every year for my birthday read more

See all

This was our first time visiting Toca Madera. We came with a family of six and had to come a little early due to no kids after 7 pm - but completely understand. This place is beautiful and there are so many places to take pictures. Our waitress, Christina, was amazing. She was so kind, helpful and full of life. She explained the menu and drinks in detail. It was perfect because we were able to select items based on our palette and be adventurous too. We grabbed the calamari and Tostaditos. The short rib was flavorful and soft. The calamari was delicious and I enjoyed the fried jalapeños. For dinner we got the flamin tomahawk. It was a great presentation and very tasty. It is paired with a bone marrow chimichurri - so delicious. We even got Mac and cheese and fries. The fries were ok, but kids loved them. We ordered the churros and the butter cake for dessert. Both delicious The drinks we tried were amazing. Nothing overly sweet and definitely complex. Our favorite were the fresh margaritas. I had them make me a passion fruit Serrano margarita that was delicious. Will definitely be back read more

Angelica was great! THE BEST SERVICE! Awesome vibes, food was delicious, wine selection 10/10

Andres was a fantastic guide to an incredible experience. The ambiance was fantastic and the food was absolutely amazing. Some of the best cuisine in Houston! read more

See all

So good. Great ambiance. Great dinner. Service 11/10. DJ was a true DJ for us. Will be back!

Toca Madera - I had mixed feelings about visiting when it opened in June. It seemed like more of a place to go when on vacation, and I wanted to venture outside of my own town when I did go. However, with a reason to celebrate, we decided to try it out for a Sunday dinner. We went all out and ordered the American Wagyu Flaming Tomahawk 40oz. It arrived at our table flaming, with the server scooping out the bone marrow and melting it into a chimichurri. I know that sounds extravagant, but it truly was just as impressive in person. As a huge bone marrow fan, the presentation alone blew me away! The steak had a great char and was perfectly cooked to everyone's preference, thanks to the hot rock they provided. The steak came out medium-rare, and for those who preferred medium, they could use the rock to cook it further--such a great idea! The chimichurri added a nice flavor add-on, but make sure to eat it fast as the bone marrow does solidify. For sides, we had the seasonal vegetables (carrots) and the truffle mac & cheese, which paired perfectly with the steak. It was a wholesome meal, leaning more on the American side than the Mexican side, contrary to what I expected, but that didn't take away from the experience. The restaurant itself is huge, with a beautiful entrance--be prepared for a line of people taking pictures! It's a very lively spot. Our waiter was friendly, though we did have to request water a few times. For dessert, we chose the Oaxaca Chocolate Mousse, a vegan chocolate cake with strawberry mousse, and oat milk ice cream. Honestly, that's a move I didn't expect. (Fun story, we wanted the brownie, but our waiter mentioned it was reserved for birthdays. However, since we were celebrating a job promotion, he brought it out for us anyway--thoughtful! read more

Toca Madera - Oaxacan Chocolate Mousse - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

This place is awesome for a date night or catching up with friends. The ambiance is grown and sexy.. that's is it. You can move your shoulders, enjoy the music, the show if they having one and converse with your friends, your boo, or someone you trying to impress on a date. The service is A1, with the server, and those working with them being very polite, helpful, and attentive. We even got to talk to the apprentice chef who was helping with making the food. The cocktails I had were a 10/10 except for the passion fruit mojito. The passion fruit mojito was beyond sour but the cocktail version was delicious. The Mayan prawns are a 10/10. It was full of flavor, and the prawns were the correct size. Notice I did not say shrimp, I said prawns which are a way bigger version of their crustacean brethren. My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary and the presentation of the strawberry tres leches cake and the complimentary brownie and ice cream was wonderful. The strawberry tres leches cake is a 10/10 and if you like strawberry shortcake, you would love this. Now... the place is pricey, so please don't come in here expecting to pay below $37 for a food item. The most basic thing you can get which is a burger is going to cost you. I'll put it like this, if you are going to come here, you are going to spend money and to some it will be worth it and to others it may not be. My personal opinion is that it was worth it because my wife and I had a beautiful 1 year anniversary here. The portions fit us, the price made sense to us, and we left happy. If you looking for cheap eats with flavor, don't come. If you looking for pricy eats with flavor, come on through. read more

See all

Passion fruit margarita (non alcoholic): 10/10. So delicious. Watermelon margarita (non alcoholic): 9/10 Sea Bass Tacos: 9/10 Street Corn: 7.9/10 Strawberry Tres Leche: 8/10 Service: Phenomenal Ambiance: Grown and Sexy read more

See all