Houston Press Highlights Best of Houston 2026

Houston Press’ Best of Houston 2026 features writer-selected local businesses rather than a public-vote popularity contest. New additions include Dreamers Books + Culture, a Latiné- and Latin American-focused bookstore expanding for its growing audience and cultural programming; Saint Arnold’s community-oriented beer garden; Houston Wine Merchant; and Willow’s Smokehouse, an East End barbecue tavern. The roundup also highlights Henderson & Kane General Store’s house-made smoked beef garlic sausage, Star Rover’s classic steakhouse fare, and an EaDo bakery run by chefs Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy, known for inventive pastries and butter chicken kolaches. H-E-B is recognized as a Texas-rooted grocery chain and for its Quest for Texas Best program, which offers Texas businesses funding and shelf space; Houston honey maker HIVE Food Co. was among this year’s finalists.