Houston is a great place to unwind. In this new series, we’ll hop from neighborhood to neighborhood, diving into the fun and tasty ways to join in on the time-honored tradition of Sunday Funday, from brunch to live music and more.
This walkable mixed-use district brought an added dose of glitz and glam to Houston back in 2015, offering 650,000 square feet of tree-lined streets and walkways, boutiques and luxury shopping, and sidewalk cafes and restaurants.
It’s an easy place to spend Sunday Funday, teeming with brunch, boozing, entertainment, public events, and more.
Where to Celebrate Sunday Funday in River Oaks District
Brunch on tapas, huevos and gin & tonics at MAD
From the mad geniuses behind BCN Taste + Tradition, this River Oaks District spot meshes Madrid’s famous night life with Spanish gastronomy, and while it’s spectacular for dinner and drinks any day of the week, weekend brunch is worth a mention, too. Start with a cucumber and juniper berry–infused BCN G+T, Spanish Sangria or Raspberry 75; share tapas from jamon Iberico croquetas to watermelon burrata; and dine on mains like Tortilla Espanola, Huevo al Nido, and the rotating Arroz del Dia. Brunch runs 11am to 3pm on Fridays through Sundays. Get directions to MAD; and check out other popular brunch options including the see-and-be-seen Bisou and chic French bistro and patio Toulouse Cafe & Bar.
Slurp down oysters and whiskeys at Loch Bar
This handsome seafood tavern and patio is a choice place to unwind, rocking one of the area’s largest raw bars, a stellar selection of oysters, whiskey flights, and a damn good burger, plus live local music from 9pm to 1am and Social Hour on Sundays from 3pm to 7pm and 10pm to 1am. Get directions to Loch Bar; and try other standout drinking dining options including sibling establishment and Mediterranean eatery Ouzo Bay, modern Vietnamese spot Le Colonial, luxe steakhouse Steak 48, and the aforementioned brunch suggestions.
Shop for high-end goods
If luxury shopping is your definition of a fun Sunday, then the River Oak District is exactly where you want to be. There’s jewelry stores from Cartier to Harry Winston; fashion boutiques including Alice + Olivia, Bonobos, Dior, Hermes, Intermix, Kiton, Saint Bernard, and Vince; home and gift stores like Assouline and Diptyque; and a whole lot more.
Go boozy at the movies at iPic Houston
Houston is seemingly hot about 99% of the year, so cooling off with a Sunday Funday movie is never a bad idea, especially when it’s at a fun dine-in theater experience like iPic. Choose your film, reserve some seats (go for the pods for ultra comfort), and sit back to enjoy your movie alongside cocktails, craft beers and wines, and next-level concessions like gochujang wings, mahi mahi tacos, loaded pizzas, and chocolate s’mores cake. Get directions to iPic Houston.
Treat yourself to something sweet at Amorino Gelato al Naturale
Hit this gelato shop for soft and silky, rose-shaped Italian gelatos in flavors from Mascarpone and Fig to Raspberry and Salted Butter Caramel, plus treats including waffles and crepes, gelato macarons, and shakes and sorbets. Open 11am to 11pm. Get directions to Amorino Gelato al Naturale.
Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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