Food and Drink

Best Burger The Burger Joint

This restaurant boasts a variety of burgers, each made with entirely fresh ingredients, as well as a couple of vegetarian options. They have a frequently present food truck on campus with a limited menu. For students that crave the full menu, the nearest location to campus is on Montrose Boulevard.

Best Chicken Wings Pluckers

This Austin-based restaurant has a vast menu with several wing flavors and cocktails. The nearest location to campus is on Shepherd Drive.

Best Local Brew St. Arnolds

This brewery offers a variety of craft beers as well as scheduled tours of the facility. Located on Lyons Avenue, they have several featured events for patron’s enjoyment.

Best Ramen Jinya

Any student that is a fan of ramen can visit this restaurant for a fantastic meal. The location closest to campus is on Louisiana Street.

Best Bar/Pub Under

the Radar

No need to travel far for this bar, located on Truxillo Street. A great place to enjoy a few cocktails and good company.

=location nearest to campus is on South Wilcrest Drive.

Best Pizza

Pinks Pizza

With the nearest location being right here on campus, it is hard not to love this premium pizza parlor. Grab a slice on Calhoun Road.

Best BBQ Gatlin’s BBQ

As Texans, we love our BBQ. If you’re in the mood for some finger-lickin good bbq, head out to Gatlin’s BBQ to demolish some brisket and ribs!

Best Crawfish Swamp Shack

If you’re in the mood for some smacking crawfish, head over to Swamp Shack! Enjoy some live music while satisfying your cravings for the best crawfish in the Houston area.

Best Halal M&M Grill

With countless halal options in the Houston area, M&M grill is the closest one to campus! Whether you want to grab a kebab plate or a nice juicy burger in between those killer biology classes, M&M has you covered. There’s something for everyone, it won’t disappoint.

Best Pho Pho Saigon

On those rainy days (and trust me there’s alot), Pho hits the spot differently. Head over to your favorite place to slurp and munch on a warm, delicious bowl of pho! They have vegetarian options too!

Best Taco

Velvet Taco

This newand popular Dallas-based chain with its nearest location to campus on Westheimer Road has a large menu of different tacos with a variety of meats and vegetarian options. It’s a favorite of The Cougar’s editors.

Best Off-Campus Lunch

Les Givral’s

Getting off campus after a bad grade (or to celebrate a good test grade) is always the move! Les Givral’s is the place to be! They offer authentic vietnamese cuisine that include sandwiches, pho, and much much more! It definitely won’t break the bank either.

Best Tex-Mex

Uncle Julio’s

Sometimes, a big meal of tex mex is all we need to fix our souls! Uncle Julio offers the best plate of anything from tacos all the way to fajitas! Don’t forget to order their chocolate pinata, it’ll wash away all your worries.

Best Cupcakes

Crave Cupcakes

We all need a quick “pick me up” sometimes. Crave cupcakes offer a variety of different cupcakes that are bound to catch your eye. They have seasonal cupcakes depending on the occasion. You can also create your own cupcake decor! It will definitely fulfil your sweet tooth.

Best Coffee Shop

The Nook

An always bustling coffee shop located on “The Strip,” has lots of cozy couches and seating for you to meet with friends while enjoying plenty of coffee options.

Best Margaritas

Lopez Mexican Restaurant

Margaritas are best served with Mexican food on the side. The location nearest to campus is on South Wilcrest Drive.

Besst Vegan

Lindiana’s Southern Vegan Kitchen

Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, Lindiana’s southern vegan kitchen has something for you! Besides the impeccable presentation, the cuisine is to die for! Great options for everyone to devour.

Best Record Music Store

Sigs Lagoon

This record store is located on Main Street. A great environment for students that are interested in the warm sound of analog music.

Best Smoke/Vape Shop

Vape

Lair

The perfect place to enhance the vape lifestyle. You can get recommendations and try samples of the latest and greatest products. The location on Westheimer Road is the most convenient in proximity to campus.

Third Planet Sci-Fi Superstore

If you’re in the market for vintage comics and/ or collectibles, Third Planet located right off of the highway is the place you need to be! It has a vast array of comic books, sci-fi, and fantasy books and it’s not too shabby for a college student’s budget!

Lifestyle

Best Bike Shop Planetary Cycling

This massive 9000 square-foot bike shop in southwest Houston has all you need to transition your commute from car to bicycle, or get gear for a trek through nature.

Best Resale Shop Buffalo Exchange

With its Houston location just off South Shepherd Drive, this hip resale shop has a wide selection of trendy clothing and accessories.

Best Tattoo Shop

Bold and Brave Tattoo

Tattoos are a popular means of selfexpression. This studio is located on El Camino Real, so you need not travel far from campus to express yourself.

Best Place to Watch UH Away Games

Moody Dining Hall

A level 1 certified green restaurant right here on campus that offers a diverse array of dishes to enjoy while watching an intense sporting event.

Best Place to Exercise Campus Recreation

This is the place to go for your student fitness needs. The center offers a variety of activities such as wall climbing and group fitness classes.

Best Place to Work On-Campus Campus Recreation

The home of UH student fitness hosts job fairs throughout the year for a plethora of positions.

Students can work anything from lifeguards to desk assistants.

Best Place to Study MD Anderson Library

This one might be too obvious, right? Located in the heart of campus UH’s main library has eight floors of study spaces, computers and leisure reading areas for any of your needs. Students can check out private rooms for those critical study sessions.

Best On-Campus Hangout The Nook

An always bustling coffee shop located on “The Strip,” has lots of cozy couches and seating for you to meet with friends while enjoying plenty of coffee options.

Best Student Athlete

Fabian White Jr.

The junior forward took it up a notch this season averaging 9.3 points per game on an overall young team men’s basketball team. While the team’s season was cut short, White had an impactful year.

Best Student Organization

Anime Club

Any student interested in Japanese culture and animation can join this active group that meets twice a week. The club has a schedule on its Facebook that shows it watches together every semester.