Houston’s Restaurant in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Houston’s is a long-standing favorite for Atlantans who want polished service, consistent food, and an upscale-but-relaxed atmosphere. While it’s part of a national chain, the Atlanta locations feel very much like local fixtures, especially for business lunches, date nights, and special-occasion dinners.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a night out in the city, this guide walks you through where Houston’s is, what to expect from the menu, how “international” the cuisine feels, typical price points, and local tips to make the most of your visit.

Where You’ll Find Houston’s in Atlanta

As of recent years, Houston’s has had multiple locations in the Atlanta area. Specific site openings or closures can change, so it’s always wise to check directly for the most current status, but historically you’ll see Houston’s in:

• Buckhead / Lenox area – Popular with office workers, hotel guests, and shoppers.
• Peachtree / North Atlanta corridor – Convenient to major business districts and residential neighborhoods.
• Perimeter / Sandy Springs area – Often used for business lunches and after-work dinners.

Because this is a well-established brand, Atlanta locations are typically on or near major roads with ample parking and close to MARTA bus routes or rail stations, depending on the site.

If you’re planning a special outing, you can contact the specific restaurant directly by phone for:

• Current hours
• Reservations or call-ahead seating options
• Dress expectations
• Large-party or private-dining questions

What Kind of Food Does Houston’s Serve?

Although this article is under “International Cuisine,” Houston’s is best described as a contemporary American restaurant with global influences.

You’ll usually find:

• Classic American entrées
  • Steaks and prime rib
  • Rotisserie or grilled chicken
  • Burgers and sandwiches
• Seafood with international touches
  • Fresh fish with Asian-inspired sauces or seasonings
  • Sushi-style or ahi tuna options in some locations
• Salads with global flavor profiles
  • Thai- or Asian-style salads
  • Southwest-influenced salads with tortilla strips, avocado, or chipotle dressings
• Comfort sides & starters
  • Artichoke dips
  • Loaded baked potatoes
  • Seasonal vegetables

Houston’s isn’t a traditional “ethnic” restaurant like a dedicated Thai, Indian, or Ethiopian spot. Instead, it offers globally inspired dishes presented in a familiar American steakhouse-style setting, which fits comfortably under an “international cuisine” umbrella for many diners.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

In Atlanta, Houston’s restaurants are known for being:

• Upscale but not formal – You’ll typically see business-casual attire, nice jeans, and collared shirts.
• Dimly lit and comfortable – Wood tones, leather booths, and a polished bar area are common.
• Lively but controlled – It’s busy, especially on weekends, but usually not chaotic.

You’ll see a mix of:

• Business diners during weekday lunches
• Couples and small groups on weeknights
• Families celebrating birthdays and milestones on weekends

If you’re choosing a location for a date or client dinner in Atlanta, Houston’s is often seen as a “safe” choice: pleasant atmosphere, predictable quality, and attentive service.

Reservations, Wait Times, and When to Go

Houston’s in Atlanta tends to draw a crowd. Wait times can be very different depending on the location and time of day.

Typical patterns many locals notice:

• Weekday lunch (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.)
  • Busy around nearby office corridors.
  • You might wait if you arrive right at the peak lunch hour.
• Weeknight dinner (6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.)
  • Consistently active, especially in Buckhead and other high-traffic areas.
• Friday and Saturday nights
  • Often the heaviest waits, particularly around 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Early dinner (before 6:00 p.m.)
  • Usually more relaxed and easier to get a table.

Many locations accept call-ahead or standard reservations; some rely more on walk-in lists. Because policies can vary, it’s best to call the specific Atlanta Houston’s you plan to visit and ask:

• “Do you take reservations or call-ahead names?”
• “What’s your typical wait time tonight around 7 p.m.?”

Dress Code and What to Wear

Houston’s in Atlanta generally expects neat, casual to business-casual attire:

Commonly appropriate:

• Nice jeans or chinos
• Collared shirts, blouses, casual dresses
• Clean sneakers or casual shoes

Often discouraged or out of place:

• Beachwear
• Gym attire
• Very distressed clothing

If you’re coming straight from an Atlanta office job, you’re likely already dressed appropriately.

Menu Highlights Atlantans Often Look For

While specific dishes can change, certain categories are widely associated with Houston’s in Atlanta:

Steaks and Prime Rib

Houston’s usually focuses on high-quality cuts, simply prepared, such as:

• Ribeye or New York strip
• Prime rib (often limited daily)
• Filet-style options at some locations

These are popular choices for business dinners, special nights out, or “treat yourself” meals.

Burgers and Sandwiches

For a more casual or lunch-friendly option:

• Classic cheeseburgers
• Specialty burgers with unique toppings
• French dip–style steak sandwiches

These are often chosen by locals who want the Houston’s atmosphere without ordering a full steak dinner.

Salads with International Influence

Salads at Houston’s are typically large and entrée-sized, sometimes with globally inspired flavors:

• Salads featuring Asian dressings, sesame, or peanut-based sauces
• Salads with Tex-Mex or Southwest notes like black beans, tortilla strips, or cilantro

These can work well if you’re looking for something lighter but still substantial.

Seafood and Global-Inspired Dishes

Depending on the season and location, you might see:

• Fresh fish with citrus, soy, or miso-based glazes
• Seared tuna or sushi-style influences
• Shrimp or other seafood starters with spice blends inspired by various cuisines

This is where Houston’s most clearly fits into the “international cuisine” category in Atlanta, offering familiar proteins with global flavors.

Typical Price Range and Budget Planning

Specific prices change over time, but Houston’s in Atlanta is generally considered:

• More expensive than casual chain restaurants
• Less formal than fine-dining steakhouses, but often comparable or slightly below them in price

You can plan roughly for:

For two adults in Atlanta sharing an appetizer, ordering two entrées, and adding a dessert or drinks, many diners expect a mid-to-upper range total, depending on steak and alcohol choices.

Taking Kids or Groups to Houston’s in Atlanta

Families with Children

Houston’s is not a kid-centric restaurant, but well-behaved children are common, especially early in the evening. Consider:

• Early dinner (around 5:00–6:00 p.m.) if you’re bringing kids
• Checking whether high chairs or booster seats are available at your chosen location
• Sharing larger dishes or asking your server for kid-friendlier options if a formal kids’ menu is limited

Groups and Special Occasions

Houston’s is often used in Atlanta for:

• Birthday dinners
• Graduation celebrations
• Business meetings and client dinners

If you’re planning for a group of 6 or more, call ahead and ask:

• Whether they can seat large parties together
• If they have any semi-private or quieter areas
• Whether separate checks are possible or if one bill is preferred

Parking, MARTA Access, and Getting There

Because Houston’s locations are on major corridors, access is usually straightforward, but details vary:

• Parking: Many Atlanta locations offer on-site parking lots. In busier areas (like Buckhead), there may be valet options or shared parking with nearby businesses.
• MARTA: Depending on the location, you may be:
  • Within walking distance of a MARTA rail station (common in Perimeter-area or Buckhead corridors)
  • Steps from a MARTA bus stop along Peachtree, Roswell Road, or other major streets

If you’re planning to rely on transit, it helps to:

• Check the nearest rail station (such as Buckhead, Lenox, or Dunwoody, depending on the location)
• Look up bus routes that run along the main road where the restaurant sits

This can be especially useful if you’re visiting Atlanta and staying in a hotel near MARTA.

How “International” Is Houston’s Compared With Other Atlanta Restaurants?

Compared with Atlanta’s dedicated global restaurants—like Buford Highway’s Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Indian, and Ethiopian spots—Houston’s is more of a refined American grill that borrows from international cuisines rather than a traditional ethnic restaurant.

For an Atlanta diner looking for familiar dishes with a global twist, Houston’s can be a good middle-ground choice:

• You get internationally influenced sauces, seasonings, and salads
• You stay within a comfortable steakhouse-style environment that appeals to a wide range of tastes

If you’re exploring Atlanta for strictly authentic international food, you might pair a visit to Houston’s with trips to:

• Buford Highway corridor (for a wide range of authentic international cuisines)
• Decatur, Chamblee, or Duluth (for specific ethnic communities and restaurants)

Practical Tips for Atlantans Visiting Houston’s

Here are a few quick, Atlanta-focused tips to make your visit smoother:

• Call ahead for peak times: Especially Thursday–Saturday evenings and Sunday after church hours.
• Plan around traffic: Houston’s locations often sit on major arterials like Peachtree or near major interchanges; factor in rush hour congestion when driving.
• Ask about daily specials: Many diners in Atlanta enjoy trying fish specials or seasonal items with more pronounced international flavors.
• Mention allergies or dietary needs early: Staff are generally experienced at adjusting side dishes, sauces, or dressings where possible.
• Consider earlier or later dining windows: If you prefer quieter dining, aim for early dinners or later weeknight slots.

By understanding how Houston’s fits into Atlanta’s dining scene—upscale casual, American with global touches, and conveniently located along major corridors—you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your next lunch, date night, or celebration in the city.