"Houston's Creole institution since 1967, rebuilt after the Ike fire and still pouring turtle soup tableside — book it for an anniversary."
About Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's of Houston has flambeed Bananas Foster at the table since it opened in 1967, and it burned nearly to the ground during Hurricane Ike in 2008, then rebuilt and reopened the dining room in early 2009 without changing what it is. It is the Texas outpost of the New Orleans Brennan family, the clan behind Commander's Palace, and it cooks what the family trademarked as Texas Creole: Louisiana technique married to Gulf Coast and Texas ingredients.
The restaurant occupies a 1930s Latin Colonial building at 3300 Smith Street on the edge of Midtown, with a courtyard that draws the Sunday-brunch crowd. Mains run roughly $38 to $58; the turtle soup, finished tableside with sherry, is the dish to start with. For the wider city picture, see our Houston dining guide.
The Kitchen
The kitchen's identity was set over two decades by executive chef Carl Walker, who ran Brennan's through the 1990s and 2000s and trained much of Houston's fine-dining bench; chef Danny Trace led the post-fire reopening in 2009. The cooking is unapologetically classical: turtle soup laced with sherry, a Creole onion soup under a gruyere cap, pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and the Bananas Foster the Brennan family is credited with inventing in New Orleans in 1951, still set alight beside your table.
Prices are gentler than the cooking's ambition. Most mains land between $38 and $58, and the three-course Sunday Jazz Brunch is one of the better-value set meals in the city. The cellar runs deep on Burgundy and American classics. For other rooms in this register, compare our guide to the best fine-dining worldwide, or the contemporary kitchen at Bludorn.
The Room
The room is hushed and grown-up: white tablecloths, warm low light, a working courtyard you can see from the main dining room, and a bar that fills before seven. Tables are spaced for private conversation, and the sound level stays at a murmur even on a busy Saturday. Dress is smart, with jackets common but not required. It seats well over a hundred across several rooms, with private dining for events. This is a room built for occasions, not a quick weeknight bite.
Best for an Anniversary
Book Brennan's for an anniversary because it does ceremony without stiffness: the tableside turtle soup and flaming Bananas Foster give the night two built-in moments of theatre, the courtyard rooms stay quiet enough to talk, and the staff have marked anniversaries here for decades. Ask for a courtyard-view table when you book. For more rooms that suit the night, see our picks for an anniversary dinner and a business lunch.
Not for
Not for anyone chasing the new: Brennan's trades in tradition, and a diner who wants modernist plating or a tasting-menu pace will find it old-fashioned by design.
Frequently Asked
Is Brennan's of Houston worth it?
Yes, if you value tradition over novelty. Brennan's has cooked Texas Creole since 1967 and does the classics better than almost anyone in the city. The tableside turtle soup and flaming Bananas Foster are worth the visit on their own. It is a special-occasion room rather than a casual weeknight stop, and the prices reflect that.
How hard is it to book Brennan's?
Brennan's takes reservations by phone and online, and most nights you can book within a few days. Weekend dinner and the Sunday Jazz Brunch are the exceptions and fill a week or more ahead, especially for courtyard-view tables. Book early for holidays, Mother's Day and graduation weekends, when the dining rooms sell out well in advance.
What is the dress code at Brennan's?
Dress is smart and jackets are common, though they are not strictly required. Think business-casual at a minimum: no shorts, athletic wear or flip-flops. The room leans formal in the evening, particularly in the main dining room, so most guests treat it as an occasion. Brunch in the courtyard runs a touch more relaxed.
What is the average price at Brennan's?
Most main courses run between $38 and $58, with appetisers and the famous turtle soup adding to the total. The three-course Sunday Jazz Brunch is one of the better-value set meals in Houston. A full dinner for two with wine and the tableside Bananas Foster typically lands well above $150 before tip.
Is Brennan's good for an anniversary?
Yes. Brennan's is a classic Houston anniversary choice. The tableside turtle soup and flaming Bananas Foster give the evening built-in theatre, the courtyard rooms stay quiet enough for conversation, and the staff have marked anniversaries here for decades. Ask for a courtyard-view table when you book to make the night feel like an occasion.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's takes reservations by phone and online; weekend dinner and Sunday brunch book a week or more ahead.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address3300 Smith Street, Midtown, Houston, TX
NeighbourhoodMidtown
CuisineTexas Creole
PriceMains ~$38–58; Sunday Jazz Brunch set
Dress CodeSmart; jackets common
Seating100+ across several rooms; courtyard
ReservationPhone or online; 1+ week for weekends
