Top 10 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: October 2022

Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy our picks for the top food and drink events taking place around Houston in October 2022.

Some of Houston’s most highly-anticipated festivals return this October, and one new favorite makes its debut.

This month, you can raise funds for an incredible cause and grab eats from some of the country’s finest chefs at the annual Southern Smoke Festival, say “Prost!” to Oktoberfest at the oldest brewery in Texas, eat tacos in front of the downtown skyline, and hit the first-ever La Nuit du Caviar, a night of luxury and caviar.

Here’s everything you need to eat, drink, and do in Houston this month:

Top 10 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: October 2022

• Oktoberfest at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2 – You’ll want to score your tickets in advance for Saint A’s annual sold-out Oktoberfest event, held in its expansive German-style Beer Hall on Sunday. Before that, there will be free-to-attend celebrations at the Beer Garden and Restaurant on Friday and Saturday, featuring high energy live music from Das Ist Lustig with Valina Polka, Oktoberfest 2022 glass boots, beer goggle races and more. Then, Sunday’s Oktoberfest Classic Party returns, rocking plenty of beer on tap, an Oktoberfest buffet feast, and the King and Queen of Oktoberfest Costume Contest. Tickets to Sunday’s event are $65 and include your beer and food for the afternoon, plus a commemorative glass boot. Times vary.
• H-Town on Tap Beer Fest at Water Works Park | Saturday, October 1 – The 2022 H-Town on Tap beer festival will showcase 100+ beers from breweries spanning the nation (including local brews, of course). Sip rare beers and enjoy live bands, games and giveaways, local eats, photobooths, contests and more. Early bird GA tickets start at $15. 2pm to 9pm.
• Chef For Farmers at Autry Park | Sunday, October 2 – Premier Texas food and wine festival Chef For Farmers, which started as a small farm-to-table dinner series in Dallas in 2010, is coming to Houston for the first time ever. The event brings together chefs and local farmers, including Aaron Bludorn, Chris Shepherd, Evelyn Garcia and many more, partnering with Houston Food Bank to support its local efforts in combating hunger. $115. 2pm to 5pm (1pm VIP).
• La Nuit du Caviar at the Astorian | Monday, October 3 – The team behind the high-end Truffle Masters event, DR Delicacy, is shining the light on caviar at its new La Nuit du Caviar experience. Local chef stars will compete to create delicacies featuring the finest caviar from around the world in the charitable evening. Tickets start at $450 for individuals and the event will benefit the Houston Symphony League. 7pm to 9:30pm.
• Wine Walk at Market Street | Thursday, October 6 – The 18th annual Wine Walk at Market Street rocks great wines, great food, and an all-inclusive celebration. The event encourages attendees to put on their favorite bling and light up attire, and enjoy a night of illumination (light sticks and glow necklaces will be randomly distributed) as three blocks of Market Street come packed with a cornucopia of culinary creations, live music, and more than 40 wine tasting tents, 40+ craft beer selections and dozens of culinary offerings from area restaurants. Tickets are $65. 6pm to 9pm.
• Tacolandia at the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou | Saturday, October 15 – Taco fans will find unlimited samples at the annual Tacolandia, held along the Buffalo Bayou with the city skyline as a backdrop. This year’s lineup of taco-slinging vendors includes Birria Tacos, Los Tios, Tatemó, Tony’s Mexican Restaurant, and more. Tickets start at $35 in advance; $75 VIP (with entry at 3pm, exclusive taco samples and more). 4pm to 7pm.
• Southern Smoke Festival 2022 at Multiple Locations | Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23 – Chris Shepherd and Southern Smoke Foundation’s popular Southern Smoke Festival 2022 is back, featuring more than 60 of the best chefs and culinary celebrities from across the country. The weekend long event raises funds for the nonprofit organization, which supports food and beverage workers nationwide in crisis and has distributed nearly $10 million directly to people to date. Events include the opening-night H-Town Welcome Wagon at Lott Hall at Hermann Park on Friday ($150 GA, $250 Early Entry); Southern Smoke on Ice a/k/a “the raw bar to end all raw bars” at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa on Saturday ($1000, very limited); and the East Downtown Throwdown with live fires, trailers, and pits across East Downtown to close things out on Sunday ($225 GA, $450 VIP).
• 2022 Fall Wine Dinner Series at Rainbow Lodge | Thursday, October 27 – Continuing its 2022 Fall Wine Dinner Series, the gorgeous lodge restaurant in the Heights will be hosting a Texas Wine Dinner featuring William-Chris Winery and special guest Chris Brundrett. Highlights include Rosé of Sangiovese 2021 with Gulf Coast Blue Crab Tartlette; Mourvèdre with Bison Shortribs and Jefferson Red Rice Grits and Jus; Malbec with Cocoa-Rubbed North American Elk Tostada, Tannat with Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart and Candied Autumn Squash, and more. Tickets (which will set out) are $149, plus tax and gratuity, per person. 6pm.
• Witchy Brunch at Brennan’s of Houston | Saturday, October 29 – The fine dining Creole institution is getting spooky for a pre-Halloween Witchy Brunch. Guests are invited to wear something witchy and enjoy a three-course menu with favorites including Turtle Soup, Gumbo, Eggs Brennan’s, and more. Cost is $45 per person plus tax and gratuity. 11am to 2pm. 
• Jollof Festival Houston at Amahle Bar & Lounge | Saturday, October 29 – The Midtown hot spot honors the traditional West African dish with a sampling competition where you can taste jollof from participating countries like Nigeria and Ghana, then cast your vote for your favorite. Advance tickets start at $20 for admission; $35 for tasting and voting. 2pm to 7pm.