Came for restaurant week back in August. We had a reservation but it was honestly not super busy on the night we came. The service was quick and our wait staff was very attentive. Started out with aguachile negro. This was honestly my favorite dish of the night. The fish was so obviously fresh and the sauce with it was divine. For main course I had Pulpo Zarandeado. I've been on a real octopus kick lately and this hit the spot. Although it ended up being a lot more than I needed haha And for dessert I had the Erizo Del Mar- it was definitely one of the more unique desserts I've had in a while. With a passion fruit sponge and the lemon verbana cream it was an interesting flavor combo but not bad! Overall we had a great experience and I would definitely consider coming back to try more of their many dish options read more

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We were a group of four and were seated outside since inside was really busy and loud (like people's conversations were bouncing off the wall) on Tuesday. It was a hot evening, so having misting fans outside would have been a nice touch. The food was amazing. We shared the pan de olivia, aguachile negro, pescado (branzino), picanha, tableside caesar, puré de papa, and repollitos. Everything was delicious, and the service was attentive throughout the meal. Overall, it was a great experience, and we really enjoyed our evening. read more

Zaranda is beautiful inside! My friends and I grabbed a few seats at the bar. The service was pretty quick even for one bartender behind the bar. For my order, I got some items off the happy hour menu. They do have a good happy hour special so I highly suggest taking a look. For drink, I tried the Sangria but requested to swap the white for the red sangria. Honestly, I wasn't thrilled for either. It wasn't listed, but I asked the bartender if he could make a lychee martini which he was able to and that was so good! Another must try is the Hugo Spritz! They do offer valet parking for $11 but there are also street parking around in the area. Be mindful you may have to pay for street parking depending on the day and time you visit. Ostiones Asado- is the best of the oysters in my opinion. This is the grilled oysters that is seasoned to perfection. Torta de Rez- This was AMAZING! I enjoyed every bit and it was so full of flavor. I'm getting hungry just writing this review. The only con is that it was slightly oily, i imagine due to being toasted and butter spread and they don't offer full size for dinner but only lunch. Aguachile negro- This dish was yummy and refreshing as well! This is comparable to a shrimp ceviche. Overall, this place is now on my favorite after work places to check out and Zaranda will be seeing me again. I hate that I'm just learning about this place after it has been open since late 2025/ early 2026. read more

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I went here for Houston restaurant week and ended up ordering a bunch of other items from their lunch menu. Parking does cost money, the area is located downtown. The service was great. The bar looked nice and classy. Tons of seating outdoors and indoors. I ordered the picanha medium rare and it wasn't a bad steak just chewy. The other items were much better. For the appetizer I got the corn soup which was a thicker grinded up form of corn. The other item I tried was the Tostaditas de Tiradito, Empanadas de Borrego, Taquitos de Atún, Ostiones Asados, flan, and Tostadas de Pulpo. The Tostadas de Pulpo was the most vibrant and had the most variety of flavors blending together. It had a hint of citrus and then the refried beans gave it a creamy texture. It was for sure one of the best items I had there. My other favorite item that I tried was the Tostaditas de Tiradito. I was really surprised with this one because it's basically a fusion of Japanese inspired flavors and salsa. Everything worked well together and it had a chili spicy flavor to it. The empanada was more on the softer side and the insides were doughy and soft instead of a crunchy flaky texture. Ostiones Asados-the oysters. The oyster itself was fine but I think it was the parmesan cheese that ruined it for me. I think that really overpowered the flavors and texture of the oyster. The flan was sweet and had a subtle Carmel flavor. It was the perfect finishing bite. Honestly, everything was good here. The parking just sucks but it is downtown so what do you expect. read more

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Dinner at Zaranda was amazing! The dishes were fresh, creative and well seasoned. Service was attentive and accommodating. The restaurant has a vibrant ambiance that's perfect for groups or an intimate dinner for two. 10/10, would recommend giving this restaurant a try! read more

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Zaranda is such a wonderful spot for happy hour! They have a great menu with a variety of offerings at a great price point. Their service is extraordinary and attentive. The ambiance is bright, cozy, and chic. Their food and cocktails were SO good. Can't wait to come back! read more

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As the newest addition to the Hugo restaurants, Zaranda was pleasantly quiet on a weekday and it didn't disappoint! The inside felt like a nice modern resort in Los Cabos with clean minimalist wood elements and soft colors reminiscent of the beach and sea. We were impressed by the top-notch service and the freshness and presentation of the food. - Fish of the day (5/5): they serve red snapper or branzino for dinner, and we got a beautifully grilled red snapper. There was a lot of meat and all of it was so tender and tasty! It came with a large warm tortilla, a salad, and sauces/salsas. Would totally get again and highly recommend. - Caesar salad (4/5): definitely paying for the presentation and for it to be prepared table side on this one! But the 2 leaves that were served were undeniably crisp, flavorful, and delicious with the creamy sauce clinging onto each of them. - Brussels sprouts (4/5): well cooked with a nice texture, was more of a salt and pepper flavor and looked more flavorful than it was. A solid Brussels sprout dish. - Cabbage (5/5): a hefty half head of cabbage! Doused in a layer of cheese on top. This was hearty and tasty; the cabbage was well cooked and soft enough to cut through easily without being mushy. Yum! - Tuna tostada (4.5/5): nice and crisp. The aoili definitely carried the punch of flavors here while the provided the heartiness. It was a little salty but was still quite tasty with soy sauce and green onion being the main flavors. - Octopus taco (3.5/5): not much flavor, tasted more like a plain bean taco, but I liked the creaminess of the potatoes inside. The texture of the tortilla was nice with a little crisp on the outside. Honestly, we tried Zaranda specifically for their desserts, and I was really happy with them-- beautiful presentation with an interesting contrast of flavors and textures in each: * Pastel de datiles (3.5/5)-- simple and rich date cake, very sweet and definitely could taste that bourbon in the toffee sauce (not a fan of the alcohol taste but others might enjoy!). * Erizo Del Mar (4/5)-- an impressive work of chocolate art made to look like a sea urchin! While the chocolate didn't taste like much, the cake and cream were really fragrant with the lemon and mango. Definitely one for the fruity dessert fans! My favorite part was the hibiscus caramel and chocolate cookie crumbs outside of the urchin shell. * Dolar de Arena (4/5): white chocolate sand dollar on top of almond sponge cake with coconut mousse and almond praline. Super interesting taste, mostly tropical but nutty from that almond praline! * Galleta de macadamia (5/5): my favorite one and dish of the whole night! Aside from beautiful presentation, the little tower was so fun to eat as each layer was a chocolatey treat in itself-- yum! Starting off with a sweet, crisp, and chewy tuile. Then a crunchy and chocolatey cracker perched on a thick, rich, and decadent chocolate ganache. The chocolate macadamia cookie (?) on the bottom was an epic dark chocolate puck that was just sweet enough and crunchy with the macadamia bits. Omgawd, delish! The black sesame ice cream would satisfy any black sesame fan. I felt like the passion fruit gel was a bit out of place but would come back just for this dessert! They were also so kind to bring us (not only one, but two!) complimentary chocolate cake for our birthdays (we were there to celebrate my bday, but it was only a few days after MT's bday). We thanked them but declined the extra one since we were already indulging quite a bit! But the cake was super moist, almost on the brink of being a tres leches. The frosting was sweet and creamy-- definitely extra rich but I could definitely have that again! Our dessert mission was a success, and our dinner was wonderful overall, topped off with exceptional service-- we were happy campers! Definitely recommend Zaranda for your next seafood dinner or dessert splurge :) read more

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Zaranda is such a chic addition to downtown Houston, with a clear Mexican influence that feels modern, intentional, and beautifully executed. I tried it during Houston Restaurant Month and absolutely loved the entire experience. The tuna taco appetizer was a standout -- fresh, light, and the perfect way to ease into the meal. Paired with their guacamole, it made for an awesome starter that set the tone for what was coming next. For my entrée, I chose the butterflied branzino, served with toasted corn tortillas and three different salsas/toppings. The fish was cooked perfectly and seasoned so well that every bite felt balanced and thoughtful. It's one of those dishes that looks simple but delivers big flavor. Dessert was a tropical dream. Mango, passion fruit, coconut, and white chocolate all came together in a presentation so pretty I almost didn't want to touch it. Almost. The plate went back completely clean -- no regrets. Overall, Zaranda delivers a chic atmosphere, thoughtful dishes, and a menu that feels both familiar and elevated. I'll definitely be returning. read more

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I'm a big fan of chef Hugo and went to all of his restaurants in Houston. Now I know on his latest one by the discovery green area, I have to go. Service has been nice and food was good as expected. The restaurant ambiance is very nice. read more

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Did not know this was a place. Not sure how long it's been open but I was in downtown for a meeting at four seasons and tried it out. Really different menu. Lot of seafood options. Upscale feeling inside. Not too busy. Loud but fun loud not overbearing. Excellent service. Expensive enough to a special night out but not outrageous. Great for date night or double date or group business dinner. There is a private room. read more

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Another great spot by Hugo. Stopped for lunch during the restaurants weeks. The place looks great, and the service was excellent. For starters we had the ensalada de verano and the tostaditas de camote. The salad was forgettable, but the tostaditas were excellent. For our main course we had the picanha, that had great flavor, but was soooo hard; and the tostadas de pulpo, that were the winner of the day. For dessert we had the pastel de dátiles, which was delightful. They had a wine list complete enough to entertain you. Definitely coming back! read more

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Stop by before going to the Alley theater. The ambiance was one of my favorite parts of the visit. Bright and easy going. We sat by the window overlooking the park, which made for a beautiful and relaxing setting. I ordered drinks and dessert, and everything was delicious. The drink was refreshing and light. The dessert was rich. This is such a cute spot for a date night. read more

Zaranda - DOLÁR DE ARENA - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Zaranda has been on my radar and I finally got a chance to try the restaurant! Complimentary valet on Sundays! Super chic & trendy place. Excellent service. Ordered Infamous (hibiscus-infused Amaras mezcal); strong & not too sweet Enjoyed both the roasted and raw oysters (half dozen each)! Mariscos (clams, mussels, shrimp) was delicious & savory! Picanha was also solid, along with sides of carrots. Tostada de tiradito (hamachi) was unique! Ended the evening with a carajillo norteño (sweet/smooth drink) & complimentary bday dessert (mango/coconut cream)! Can't wait to dine here again next time. read more

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I had a fantastic time during a large work dinner at Zaranda. Upon hearing it was under the Hugo/Xochi umbrella, I came with very high expectations. On a rainy Tuesday evening, the place was so lively and bubbly with almost every table filled! We ordered a variety of starters including empanadas, ceviche, and guacamoles. All were fantastic. For mains, I ordered the picanha with a side of shrimp and carrots. The steak was absolutely phenomenal and I would also highly recommend the carrots. Our table ended with a variety of desserts and we had such a fun time admiring the beautiful presentations. The pastel de datiles (warm date cake with candied pecans) was my favorite while the solar de arena was served in such a creative way. Noting this was for a large 15 person table, the service was above and beyond. I'd really like to come again (with less people haha!) to experience more of the menu in an intimate setting. read more

Zaranda - PICANHA - amazing - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ok. Let's jump right into the food! The Caesar table side is a darn good salad! We got the smaller portion but it was so good I wish we had shared the larger portion but then I wouldn't have been able to finish my entree. Dilemma! The bread was super good. Came with an olive oil/herbed butter. Yum. Be careful, you might eat too much! Drinks were delightful. Got a margarita, La Paresa. It was light & fresh. A nice refreshing margarita. Service was wonderful. Our server was personable & attentive. The overall vibe was great, really upbeat, lively yet chill if that makes sense. I wasn't that hungry so my dining mate & I decided to share the rice dish, Pato y Conejo (duck & rabbit). Side note: The branzino was the catch of the day which they said was a whole 2lb fish, butterflied for $110. I really wanted that but knew I wasn't hungry enough. So the rice (paella) was pretty good. Not outstanding. I absolutely had to add both salt & pepper but once I did it was pretty good. Without the salt & pepper, I would say it was lacking sufficient flavor. The dish came with duck & rabbit. The rabbit was way more flavorful than the duck. It was truly the duck that needed the additional seasoning. Overall it was a nice experience. I would visit again & I do recommend it especially when you are in the downtown/convention center area where it's a convenient, short walk. read more

4.5/5 overall Service was great! Staff was attentive and made sure we had plates because we were sharing. We came on Sunday when there was live music 3/5 Dragon in the grass mocktail was aesthetically pleasing but taste pretty mid 4/5 Chilaquiles. Good flavor, hearty just not especially unique. 5/5 Tostaditas de pulpo. The seared octopus taste fresh. Presentation is also good. 5/5 Bistec con huevos. The steak was juicy and delicious. Flavor good and didn't feel heavy. Overall one fo my favorite dish there. 4/ 5 Empanada de borrego. Empanada was good but a little bit too cheesy. I couldn't really taste the braised lamb as much. 5/5 Torta de Res. Another favorite from here. Good flavor overall. Fries were crunchy on outside soft inside. 5/5 Flan de queso. Dessert was well presented and had interesting flavor profile with the passionfruit and pistachio tuile. read more

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Overall, I really loved the ambiance and overall experience of this restaurant. The staff was kind, the interior decor is really beautiful and picturesque, and it really complements the vibe of the area it's in downtown. The food was really delicious and flavor, and it was nice to see their take on menu items that I'm familiar with in a different style. I really enjoyed the sangrias as well, and appreciated that our server was able to get us samples of both to decide what we liked more. I'd highly recommend for lunch or even a date night! read more

Zaranda - SANGRIA ROJO - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Zaranda was the perfect elevated place for lunch to celebrate my first Mother's Day with the family! They had a preset 3-course menu for Mother's Day at $59/person. First came out the muffins to share amongst the table. My favorite was the chocolate. It was moist and perfectly sweet. Next I opted for the tuna tacos which had large, fresh pieces of tuna. It was delicious, but I loved the lamb empanadas a tad more. They were warm and comforting. For my entree, I got the avocado toast. Sounds boring, but I loved how fresh it was, the kick that the sambal provided, and how the crusty bread was still soft. I also tried the French toast, and it was honestly one of the best I've had at a restaurant. For dessert, I got the coconut cake. It was perfectly sweet and I liked the citrus touch of the yuzu. I washed everything down with a white sangria. It was perfectly tart and not too strong. My husband got the Dragon in a Glass mocktail. It was vibrant purple, refreshing, and a beautiful drink altogether. Service was excellent and our waiter was very attentive. The restaurant is a beautiful place and although they were busy for Mother's Day, our table still had enough room to put my baby's stroller at the end of the table. They're located next to Discovery Green and had free valet which was great. I'd come back to try their happy hour (Mon-Fri 4-6pm). read more

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Let me just say the restaurant most definitely gives Cali vibes. Very fresh, clean aesthetic, and welcoming. I parked my work truck off the street during lunch. However, I would suggest valet as there is construction going on nearby. All staff were very attentive and nice. I wanted to try a few things so I opted for Houston Restuarant Week. I also ordered the Aguachile Negro from the main menu. The presentation was well done, and the homemade blue and yellow corn tortillas were a nice touch. It was primarily shrimp with cucumber, and a charred avocado (it did not taste charred). The waiter poured the sauce table side which was an elegant touch. Overall it was just limey. I didn't get any heat and I was hoping a smoky flavor would creep up on me. It was nearly $20 for the app so I expected it to deliver on key notes. For restaurant week my other starter was Tostaditas de Comote which was a sweet potato tostado with salsa macha, queso fresco, and crema. It was cool it didn't wow me, but I appreciated the clean flavors. The salsa macha was a welcome spice that was needed to elevate the dish. Otherwise it was just sweet potato on a tostada with crema and cheese. Now for the entree I ordered the Picanha. It was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed every bite. The bone marrow butter was delicious and the lemon aioli paired with the fries perfectly. The fries could have used a little more crunch but the seasoning and aioli made up for that. This was my favorite part of lunch. I will most definitely pop in for dinner service or cocktails as I am interested in what the menu has to offer. Please drop by and join them for lunch or dinner. read more

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Had low expectations walking in on a hot summer May afternoon but was pleasantly surprised with the California style vibes in the restaurant.. food was on point and was a super pleasant and delicious experience! read more

Zaranda - DOL-R DE ARENA - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I came here on a saturday night with my 2 girlfriends and husband to celebrate my birthday. We were restaurant hopping so not necessarily coming here for a full meal but we planned to get 1-2 drinks and 1-2 dishes to share to sample the menu. When we arrived, we got valet parking as it's in the downtown area and there's not really self-parking that we saw that seemed safe. Entering the restaurant, it's absolutely beautiful inside. I love the esthetics and lighting inside the restaurant. Upon sitting, we were asked if we wanted to get any drinks but hadn't received menus, so the manager came over to give us menus and then got us waters. Then the server came over and asked if we wanted to start with waters and we let him know that the manager had already told us he'd get us waters. Eventually he came back to us to get drink orders after giving us some time to look at the menu, and then we did get drinks. I got a glass of wine, my friends and husband each got cocktails. We sipped for a while and then ordered some snacks. We started with raw oysters and baked oysters first. Then ordered the mini tacos and empanadas. The oysters came out with bread and we asked for some butter on the side. The food was actually quite delicious and I love oysters! I'm not big on baked oysters but my friends enjoyed it. I would recommend this place for anyone who enjoys a twist on spanish/mexican food. I'm not big on tequila/ mezcal based drinks however which is primarily what they offer, with a few other cocktails. I did enjoy their wine so I'd recommend this place for the wine and food! If you enjoy cocktails, this is your place! I think service could be worked on abit- it was confusing with having a manager come up and then a server come up to take orders, it seemed abit disorganized that the manager was checking on us at the same time like he was a server too. Overall, the server did hear that it was my birthday and came out with dessert for me on the house which was very nice of him. Great for groups as it seems they can accommodate groups of 6-8 people also, not just 2-4. read more

The restaurant was okay I believe I interpreted at the menu incorrectly so I don't believe I ordered the proper items the ambience and the aesthetic of the restaurant were great. The service was great, but not so sure about the food. Might have to go back a second time. read more

Hugo's newest concept did not disappoint! What a wonderful experience and a restaurant we will keep on our list to frequent. We were fortunate to dine on the night before the Houston freeze so the crowd was light and service was amazing. Their menu was fun, although a little overwhelming as I would have liked to have tried everything. The wine menu was not as deep as I had hoped and built around their Alta California/Mexico theme. Nonetheless, found a beautiful Mexican cab. Enjoyed the table side Caesar salad presentation and the flavors of our appetizers and entrees were amazing. Highly recommend read more

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Came for brunch with my girlfriends and the experience was absolutely amazing. The service was fantastic, our waiter was very attentive to us, and answered all the 100 questions our group had and always kept a smile. The food was tasteful, it did not disappoint. The ambiance was nice, great decor, music, and lighting as just perfect. read more

Zaranda - Eggs and steak - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I Visited Zaranda for a team lunch and overall, it was a really great experience. First things first--the interior. Absolutely stunning. It gave luxury beach club meets island resort vibes. The space was beautifully designed, and the attention to detail? Chef's kiss. You can tell intention went into every corner of the restaurant. For my entrée, I ordered the Pollo Rostizado. It was decent--I've definitely had better chicken before, but it was okay for what it was. I personally would've loved a bit more seasoning and moisture, as it leaned slightly on the dry side. As a group, we shared appetizers, including the Ensalada Caesar and the Empanadas de Borrego--and listen... if you've been following my reviews, you already know I'm a Caesar salad girl (honestly, salads in general). This Caesar, though not traditional, was one of the best I've had in a long time. Truly impressive. The empanadas were also delicious. Between the salad and the empanadas, I could've easily been full without even touching my entrée. For drinks, I had the School of Fish, which was super cute and perfectly on brand for the restaurant. It included chia seeds, blue curaçao, and tequila. I was a little skeptical about chia seeds in a cocktail, but it worked--and it was definitely strong in the best way. Overall, I highly recommend Zaranda. Whether you're local or visiting from anywhere in the world, this spot is absolutely worth experiencing. Beautiful atmosphere, solid food, and a vibe that makes you want to stay a little longer read more

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Going to give Zaranda 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Took my daughter and son in law there for their 11th wedding anniversary. The space is beautiful and we were seated upstairs with a great view of Discovery Green!! Our server was great and friendly and had excellent knowledge of the menu. We started out with the roasted oysters which were good, but not great like the ones we have had at Caracol. One of the best dishes we had was the Aquachile Negro - A very tasty shrimp based crudo accented with cucumbers and avocado. The Negro sauce was outstanding. We also enjoyed the Tuna taquitos which were like mini tuna tacos. Flavorful and fun to eat. The tableside preparation of the Caesar Salad was fun, but the dressing wasn't as punchy as we would like, so minor points off. The table shared three entrees - A seafood Paella like dish called Mariscos on the menu which was excellent and fun. The second entree was the Pulpo - This dish was disappointing to the table. Kind of one note and not as texturally pleasing as some of the better octopus dishes we've had. I know most of the yelp reviews rave on this dish, but we will likely give the whole fish a try next time. The third entree was the ribeye that I thought was very flavorful and maybe my favorite of the three entrees, but the rest of the table wasn't as enamored with it as I was. The brussel sprouts side we had was not memorable. Desserts were excellent as they are at all Hugo's restaurants. Bottom line an excellent experience and one that will have us coming back again to try other menu items. read more

I came here for a birthday dinner and overall had a really nice experience. The restaurant had only opened recently, and the inside is super elegant without feeling stuffy. The service was really good, and our food came out pretty quickly. We ordered a few items to share Taco de cangrejo suave (soft shell crab taco): Pretty good as a taco. Seeing the entire crab on top was shocking at first, but it tasted amazing. Taco de gobernador (shrimp taco): Unexpectedly spicy, but the flavors were really well done. Borrego tatemado (braised lamb shank): Just alright. The lamb itself was fine, but everything was kind of drowned in black beans, which overpowered it a bit. Zanahorias tatemadas (roasted carrots): Easily the best thing we ordered - cooked and seasoned beautifully. Tostada de langosta (lobster tostada): Really solid, and the garnishes complemented the lobster really well. Erizo del mar (chocolate "sea urchin" dessert): Super unique and surprisingly really good. A great new restaurant in downtown Houston, and I love the chef's vision with his food. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant! Although I ate outside on the lovely patio, I walked around and saw the gorgeous two-story interior and was impressed. So nice. I ordered from the Houston Restaurant Weeks lunch menu. While I did not enjoy the tortilla soup (which literally tasted like a bowl of warmed up salsa topped with a few tortilla chips), the fish tacos and the warms date cake for dessert were chef's kiss! The service was attentive and friendly. It was a wonderful dining experience I enjoyed to the fullest! read more

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Wow, this is a fantastic addition to the group that brought us Hugo's, Urbe, Xochi, and Caracol. We made reservations for a Friday night, but the restaurant was honestly pretty empty when we got there. Might just be because it is so new. It's located in the heart of downtown, so parking is not easy - they have a $11 valet, which is probably the easiest. Watch out if you come here when there are events going on at the Toyota Center (just a block or two away) - we left as a Rockets game ended, and it was pretty hectic leaving the area. The space itself is huge - lots of tables on the first floor, and it looked like it had a whole separate space on the second floor. They also have a decent number of tables on the patio. Service was friendly and quick. We got several plates to share and they were all fantastic! Tuna crudo taquitos - 5/5 so delicious! Asian style, ginger forward, good amount of spice to it as well. So yummy! Lamb empanadas - 5/5 - very yummy! They were soft and cheesy. Lamb was tasty. Pro-tip - if you're a fan of spice, ask for their habanero salsa - it was perfect with it! Lobster tostada - 4/5 - lobster was cooked really well, lots of interesting ingredients are combined and they all work pretty well together. Octopus - 5/5 - this is a huge portion of octopus! It's cooked so perfectly - cooked over fire, so it's nice and crispy. It's seasoned well, and comes with different types of salsa, tortilla, and a salad. "Sea urchin" chocolate dessert - 3/5 - this is the dessert they recommend, and it's gorgeous to look at! The chocolate shell is filled with so many different ingredients - maybe too many. Most prominent flavor is probably passion fruit. It was okay, but didn't all seem to work together. Overall, we're a huge fan of the restaurant! We definitely want to come back again for brunch, and try some of the other dinner items. Great addition to the downtown food scene! read more

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Zaranda is such a beautiful new spot near Discovery Green! I parked at work and walked over, but noticed they even have valet which is super convenient since downtown parking typically can be difficult. The decor inside is absolutely stunning, modern yet warm, and you can tell a lot of thought went into the design. They're currently only open for dinner, but happy hour and lunch are coming soon so can't wait for that! There's a gorgeous upstairs area perfect for hosting big parties, plus a smaller private room that fits around 30 people for events. We sat at the bar and started with the Infamous and a G&T, both excellent. The staff were so welcoming and even brought us complimentary drinks for the second round, we tried the Coco Rosado and Holy Water (not even on the menu yet!) and both were fantastic. They also surprised us with a sample of their tuna crudo, and it was absolutely delicious. Everything about Zaranda, from the vibe to the drinks to the service, was top-notch. Can't wait to come back and explore the full dinner menu! read more

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Came for lunch service at a new Hugo spot. Located on the first floor of a building next to Discovery Green. Very modern and nicely decorated interior. The food ranges from average (beef taco) to great (octopus taco). Some of the flavor profiles were very creative and tasty. Good add to the downtown scene! read more

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The vibes?! 10/10. The architecture and inside of this restaurant is STUNNING! The service? Also 10/10! Super nice server and very attentive. The food?! 10/10 as well! Overall an amazing experience at zaranda. We had a group of 7 and all of us enjoyed the food. The roasted oysters were absolutely delicious. The steak was amazing with the fries being perfectly crispy outside but very fluffy inside. Great lemon aioli to dip! Delicious. read more

Zaranda - Roasted oysters - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I really liked Zaranda! I came here on a girl's night and honestly was so impressed with the quality of the food. The ambiance is beautiful, perfect for a date night, and our waiter was so kind too. We started off by sharing the small caesar salad, which they actually take a cart out and prepare entirely in front of you. Then, we opted for some sangria, and while I preferred the red, my friend preferred the white. Both were delicious though, and which you prefer would probably depend on your vibe/what fruits you like! For food, we shared the Ostiones en su Concha (oysters), the Repollo Asado (cabbage), Tostada de Langosta (lobster tostada), and the Taco de Cangrejo Suave (soft shell crab taco). Everything was delicious. The soft shell crab taco was good, but I dont know why I wasn't prepared to see the full crab on the taco. I didn't prefer the visual so probably would have gone with something else next time, but the repollo asado and tastada de langosta were standouts for me. I've heard a lot about the Zarandeado, but we weren't feeling hungry enough to share the catch of the day. Maybe next time when we have a bigger appetite, or have more friends to help us :) Still - loved this place! Would definitely come back on a Sunday, as I hear they do complimentary valet and happy hour pricing all day! read more

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It was our very first visit there, and we had the pleasure of catching up with some friends from out of town, making the experience truly special. Our waiter was incredibly thoughtful, giving us time to reconnect before taking our order. We're already looking forward to returning and sharing this lovely place with our friends! Food was so good and portions were good. read more

Came here on a Saturday night, and surprisingly not super packed, but lively enough. I had the branzino, which was absolutely delicious, and a huge serving at that. It also comes with a large toritilla (which was okay), and sauces. I also had the Taco de Gobernador, which was a medium size taco, good, but I would say overpriced for what it is. I also had the greatest ranch water, which actually was the the greatest ranch water I ever had lol. My partner had the octopus, which he enjoyed as well. read more

Best meal I've had in a while. I tried multiple dishes, all were good. The 10/10 ones for me were the empanadas, tuna crudo tostada, lobster tostada, and the butterflied snapper. I can't wait to go back. Staff were super friendly, helpful in explaining menu and making suggestions. Our server Manuel was amazing! It's also very cute inside. read more

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This might be our new favorite restaurant by Hugo! The inside decor is absolutely gorgeous. Love the small couches. It is a very big restaurant. Service was exceptional although a little late to start. We went for the Valentines Menu which was a great deal and a good selection. The taco de para was very delicious. The pescado was amazing. Loved every bite. I loved their cocktails as well. I wish the steak came with a side dish but my hid was able to have some things that came with my fish. The dessert was one of the best we have had. Very unique and well conceived. We will return! read more

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Super impressed with the food and prices. Everything we had was fantastic. Service was ok as it was a very busy night. I def recommend everyone to try this spot. Such a beautiful restaurant in downtown. Downtown needed this restaurant. read more

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9.5/10. The food and ambiance were amazing. The roasted oysters did not disappoint. The picanha was cooked perfectly, just a bit oversalted. The best brussel sprouts I've had. Service and ambiance are second to none. read more

Zaranda - Picanha and Brussel Sprouts - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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