Top 10 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: September 2023

Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy our picks for the top food and drink events taking place around Houston in September 2023.

September is here and though we’ll begin to transition from summer to fall, Houston’s happening foodie scene remains as hot as ever.

Kick off Labor Day Weekend with an island-side wine and food festival, enjoy the last days of charitable dining series Houston Restaurant Weeks, and get a taste of Vietnamese and West African culture.

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

Top 10 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: September 2023

• Galveston Island Wine Festival at Moody Gardens | Friday, September 1 to Sunday, September 3 – Now in a new location at Moody Gardens, the weekend-long Galveston Island Wine Festival brings fun and flavor to the island. Kick it off on Friday with a Poolside Happy Hour and Seven on Seven Seafood Extravaganza, featuring acclaimed chefs Christine Ha and David Cordúa. Saturday’s big events include a Champagne Social, Penguins & Pinot, and Wine’D Down After Hours at Palm Beach. On Sunday, enjoy brunch at the Café in the Park, explore Moody Gardens for some more fun, and finish with the Freedom Stories and Bourbon Tasting, a salute to the military with special speakers and honorary veterans sharing their stories paired with a wonderful bourbon tasting. Pricing varies by package. Times vary.
• Houston Restaurant Weeks | Through Labor Day, Monday, September 4 – The Houston Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser is coming to a close, but you still have a few more days to enjoy charitable food and drink. Over 200 local restaurants are here to offer prix fixe meals for brunch, lunch and dinner (and even to-go), with a set dollar donation from each meal sold benefiting the Houston Food Bank and its mission to end hunger and provide food for better lives. $25 for lunch and brunch; $39 and $55 options for dinner.
• Trucktoberfest at Truck Yard | Saturday, September 9 & Sunday, September 10 – German food and drink are on display at Truck Yard’s annual Trucktoberfest celebration. Break out the lederhosen to enjoy Oktoberfest beers on tap, Pretzel Eating and Stein Hoisting contests for prizes, and more over two days of fun. There is no cover to attend and all ages are welcome (21+ after 9pm). Open at noon, contests start at 5pm.
• Viet Cultural Fest at NRG Center | Saturday, September 16 – Locals are invited to get a taste of Vietnam at Houston’s Viet Cultural Festival, featuring a day full of cultural entertainment, traditional games, and Vietnamese fare. Family-friendly programming includes a children’s national costume contest, teen pageant, pho eating contest, tournaments and games, and more. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. 10am to 7pm.
• Galveston Island Shrimp Festival in Downtown Galveston | Friday, September 22 & Saturday, September 23 – The annual shrimp fest starts with the Friday Kick Off Party ($65) featuring a fried shrimp dinner, open bar, and live entertainment from Brandon McDermott Band. Then, the Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off takes over the Historic Strand District beginning at 10am on Saturday. Other festivities include the Shrimp Scamper 5K Fun Run, Ron Hoover Boat Show, vendor exhibits, the Lil’ Shrimps Parade, and live music, plus the Gumbo Stroll from noon to 4pm. Sampling cups can be pre-purchased for $13. Friday 7:30pm to 10pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm.
• Table to Stage with Chris Shepherd at Stages | Monday, September 25 – Kicking off in September and held on select dates through June 2024, Chef Chris Shepherd hosts a one-on-one conversation with celebrated names in the food and beverage industry. Each evening is held within the intimate Stages theater and includes an audience Q&A afterward. The first guest for the series is Johnny Carrabba, the founder behind Houston restaurants Carrabba’s, Mia’s Table and Grace’s. Limited seats available for each session. $1,000 for the entire series; $150 per person, on sale September 11. 7:30pm.
• Chopd & Stewed Festival at Post Houston | Saturday, September 30 – ChòpnBlọk is putting on this inaugural fest to showcase West African food and culture. The exciting new event will feature appearances by top culinary talent, including Dawn Burrell and Eric Adjepong of Top Chef fame, local stars Ope Amosu and Greg Gatlin, and a whole lot more. Plus, get access to the Culinary Village on the Skylawn, Òrékê Artisan Market, and an evening Sounds of the Motherland Independence Celebration on the eve of Nigerian Independence Day. $45 and up. 9am to midnight.
• Chefs For Farmers at Autry Park | Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1 – Now with an extra day for Houstonians to enjoy, the all-inclusive tasting event in River Oaks has curated a lineup of top culinary talent to showcase family farms throughout Texas. Expect immersive activations and live entertainment, wines from the top vineyards and craft cocktails, and excellent farm-fresh eats. $135; VIP available for $185. 1pm to 5pm.
• Hunger Action Month with Houston Food Bank | All month long – September is Hunger Action Month in Houston, with this year’s theme being “Change for Better Lives.” Locals can help reduce food insecurity by participating in a series of special activities and events planned by the Houston Food Bank, kicking off with a call-to-action press conference and orange-themed volunteer shift on Friday, September 1. Other activities include the SNAP Challenge (throughout the month), Hunger Action Day (Friday, September 15), and All in Together Community Leadership Program (Saturday, September 23).
• Fresh Corn Tamales at Hugo’s | All month long – Starting Friday, September 1, chef Hugo Ortega is bringing back his fan-favorite fresh corn tamales to Hugo’s for the entire month. Get two per order for $12, made with fresh corn masa and served with tomatillo-serrano salsa, crema fresca and housemade queso fresco.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!