Zaranda — Restaurant in Houston

We had the pleasure of attending Zaranda’s grand opening last night and it did not disappoint. The usual hiccups that come with an opening night? Not at Zaranda. It is evident that the Htown Restaurant Group Crew knows what they are doing and have executed this concept marvelously.

Aesthetic/atmosphere/location The build out is gorgeous. Spacious and airy with beautiful organic lines evocative of the coastal landscapes of Baja and Alta California. The Ballena Bar is in an inviting u-shape and is sure to draw happy hour crowds. Location is great. We went at night but the floor to ceiling windows facing Discovery Green have ever changing scenery that will create visual interest looking in and out at all times of the day.

Service The excellent service you’ve come to expect from this group. Friendly and attentive wait staff who are knowledgeable about the food, ingredients, concept and history behind the dishes. Well paced meal and fresh plates/silverware after each “course” - my favorite!! 😍

Cocktails Our table tried quite a few of the drinks, all were excellent but the winner was Coco Rosado. Honorable mention to the Isla de Luz. We had: Zarandarita, Conejo Malo, The Best Margarita Ever Made, School of Fish (super refreshing and SO Visually interesting) and the Guayaba Azul.

Food We ordered family style to maximize the dishes we tried. DO NOT MISS: Ostiones Asados - idk what cheesy goodness the put on these but they are addicting. Aguachile Negro - perfect, fresh appetizer for any ceviche lover. Served with little blue corn chips for the perfect bite every time. Ensalada Ceasar - made table side. If you think you’ve had Cesar salad, you have not had Zaranda’s ode to the original Cesar salad (created in Tijuana, perfected at Zaranda). Pescado Zarandeado - order this, please. Catch of the day was a branzino, grilled. Tear your sobaquera, spread the aioli first, then either the red or green sauce then spoon the flaky fish on top. Fold and enjoy the perfect little baby fish taco bite. Taco De Pato - Zaranda’s take on Peking Duck, in taco form. Date mole, duck skin chicharron. A masterpiece and homage to the Chinese immigrant influence of Las Californias. If you’re not a duck person, this will convert you. Rib Eye - 3 words: bone marrow butter. Order medium rare.

Dessert It was so hard to pick one…so we got 3! All winners. The sand dollar, the chocolate sea urchin and the miloja. Miloja was my personal favorite. All 3 were beautiful AND delicious.

So excited to come back to Zaranda and looking forward to another excellent Houston staple by the Htown Restaurant Group. The intentionality, passion and creativity shines through at Zaranda. What a pleasure to eat at a restaurant where they obviously love food, value excellent ingredients and put the customer experience first. These folks continue to knock it out of the...

I got to visit Zaranda during the soft opening with friends and family, and it was the best dining experience I’ve had in years! The room is elegant without feeling stuffy, and the service is dialed in. Everyone greets you with a smile, and you can tell the bartenders and servers are genuinely happy to be there and share their knowledge of the culture and story behind the food.

The menu is unlike anything else in Houston. Chef Hugo, his family, and the team have built something truly their own and distinct from their other concepts. From the Pescado Zarandeado and the Aguachile Negro, to the prime porterhouse and their fantastic duck taco, everything tastes fresh and cared for. I’m not even a salad person, but the tableside Caesar won me over. I’ve never been the first to reach for seconds of a salad, until now. Their cocktails are balanced and bright, and you can taste the fresh juices without losing the fun!

As to their desserts, the Erizo del Mar (resembling a chocolate sea urchin) and the Dólar de Arena were both my favorite. Chef Ruben and Pastry Chef Roxanne have really let their creativity and love for pastries shine!

All in all, Zaranda feels special. It’s easy to forget it’s a family-owned and operated location. Put it on your list for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or your next family...

Absolutely Fantastic Experience at Zaranda! 5/5 Stars I had the pleasure of dining at Zaranda for the first time tonight, and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time! The meal itself was superb. I ordered the Borrego Tatemado (the braised lamb shank), and it was truly cooked and seasoned to perfection—tender and full of flavor. I also tried the Eden Martini, and I can honestly say it was the best apple martini I've ever had! Beyond the incredible food and drinks, the service was truly fantastic! The entire staff showed awesome customer service, making the whole evening a pleasure. I especially appreciated having a great conversation with the Director of Operations, Carlos Neri. Overall, Zaranda delivers a world-class dining experience. I will definitely be back again soon! Highly...