Top 12 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: February 2023

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

February’s culinary happenings are all kinds of tasty, from sweet riffs on traditional King Cake and puckery Margarita Day drinks to the return of a hot, smoky barbecue competition.

Plus, there are Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day specials, a one pot cook-off, and the biggest picnic in Texas.

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

Top 12 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: February 2023

• King Cake Kolaches at Kolache Shoppe | Weekends in February – During the month of February, all three Kolache Shoppe locations will feature the Mardi Gras–inspired King Cake Kolache. Made with the bakery’s fluffy yeast dough, the kolache is filled with sweetened cinnamon cream cheese and pecans, finished with almond vanilla glaze and a dusting of colored sugar. It’ll be available at the Greenway location Thursdays to Saturdays, and at the Heights and Kingwood locations from Friday to Sunday. $2.75 each, while supplies last.
• One Pot Showdown at Saint Arnold Brewery | Sunday, February 5 – The annual One Pot Showdown returns—“one part chili cookoff, one part stew stampede, one part gumbo gauntlet, and ten parts Saint Arnold goodness.” Cookoff teams will compete using their best one pot recipes using Saint Arnold beer, and ticket holders get to taste and help crown a champ. Tickets (known to sell out) are $45, with proceeds proudly benefitting Kids’ Meals. 1pm to 4pm.
• Pizza Day & Super Bowl Weekend Specials at Monkey’s Tail | Thursday, February 9 to Sunday, February 12 – The Mexican American kitchen and dive bar in Northside will offer half-off all its pizzas starting on National Pizza Day on Thursday and through Sunday that weekend. The extra large pie is 18 inches and starts at $9.50, with favorite selections including the pastor and barbacoa pizzas. Plus, you’ll also find crawfish specials on Super Bowl Sunday. Times vary. 
• Mardi Gras! Galveston | Friday, February 10 to Fat Tuesday, February 21 – More than 3 million beads will be thrown at Mardi Gras! Galveston—the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. Running through Fat Tuesday, the multi-day festival features 20+ elaborate parades, headliner performances, family events, and plenty of island style feasting opportunities. $14.50 and up; free for ages 12 and under. Times vary.
• The Biggest Picnic in Texas at Memorial Park | Saturday, February 11 | FREE – To celebrate the highly anticipated opening of Memorial Park’s new 100-acre Land Bridge and Prairie, the park will host a free, family-friendly extravaganza featuring food and drinks for purchase, a picnic basket giveaway, live music, face painting, self-guided tours, educational opportunities and more. 10am to 5pm.
• Galentine’s Brunch & Floral Workshtop at Ouisie’s Table | Sunday, February 12 – The River Oaks stalwart, Ouisie’s Table Restaurant & Gardens, hosts its 3-hour Happy Galentine’s event on the enclosed porch, boasting brunch, sparkling cocktails, sweets, games, and a hands-on class offering tips and tricks for making grand, floral centerpieces. $175; reservations required by Monday, February 6, 2023. 11am. 
• Valentine’s Day Omakase at Uchi & Uchiko | Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14 – Outside-the-box Japanese restaurants Uchi in Montrose and Uchiko in Uptown will be offering a 10+ course omakase tasting menu, in-person and to-go this Valentine’s Day. Both restaurants will showcase incredible dishes and optional beverage pairings, with highlights including Softshell Crab Maki and Wagyu Strip Steak at Uchi, and Sawara Crudo and Black Truffle Squab at Uchiko. Ten courses at Uchi are $300 for dine-in; $200 to-go. Dine-in at Uchiko is $350 for 12 courses; to-go is $225 for 8 courses. 4pm to 11pm.  
• Ziggy’s Roumanian Steak House at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen | Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14 through Sunday, February 18 – Kenny & Ziggy’s is bringing back its Borsch Belt Pop-up for four nights over Valentine’s weekend. Ziggy’s Roumanian Steak House will host Dani Luv (beloved New York comedian from the now-shuttered Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse) for dinner shows beginning at 6pm. Guests can expect music, dancing, drinks and laughs alongside a Roumanian-style menu with highlights from stuffed kishka and chicken schnitzel to Romanian tenderloin steak and make-your-own egg creams. $35, plus a minimum $50 per person purchase of food and beverages, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Times vary.
• Eat Drink HTX at Multiple Locations | Wednesday, February 15 to Tuesday, February 28 – Sister event to Houston Restaurant Weeks, the food fundraiser Eat Drink HTX returns for its second year. The two-week dining event focuses on the casual restaurant category, with lower price point sets for prix fixe brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, allowing more casual and fast-casual eateries the opportunity to participate. Benefitting the Houston Food Bank and Children at Risk, this year’s roster of participants includes favorites like Craft Burger, Craft Pita, Da Gama Canteen, Daily Gather, Dak and Bop, La Calle Tacos, and more. Brunches and lunches are $15; dinners range from $20 to $25. Prices and times vary.
• Houston Rodeo Roundup & Best Bites Competition at NRG Center | Sunday, February 19 – Before the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo takes over town, the Roundup & Best Bites Competition brings foodies and wine enthusiasts together for one of the largest gourmet food events in the world. Over 450 award-winning wines and more than 100 signature dishes will be on display, plus guests can chat with chefs and winery representatives while helping decide who takes home the People’s Choice Award. Tickets start at $165 for individuals, with tables available. 6:30pm.
• National Margarita Day with H-Town Restaurant Group | Wednesday, February 22 – H-Town Restaurant Group bartenders are getting the limes, tequila and shakers ready to celebrate National Margarita Day. Head to Caracol, Hugo’s, URBE, and Xochi to sip the Greatest Margarita Ever Sold for a discounted price of $18, and look out for other specials including happy hour pricing on margs all day at URBE and $10 house margs from sibling establishments Caracol, Hugo’s, and Xochi. Times vary.  
• World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at NRG Park | Thursday, February 23 to Saturday, February 25 – Kicking off the rodeo every year is an epic bbq weekend—the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. More than 250 teams of barbecue enthusiasts will compete for the title, and while most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can join in on the fun at several public venues, including the carnival, the Garden, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. $20; $10 for ages 3 to 12, includes a complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans. Times vary.