Treat your taste buds, plus your other four senses, at our 15 favorite food and drink happenings in Houston in April 2016.
Also in April 2016
Spring, arguably Houston’s most beautiful (and way too short) season, is upon us. So there’s no better time to get out and taste all it has to offer, especially before the sun comes out to scorch the streets once more.
Thankfully, April’s culinary happenings give you the perfect reason to leave your air-conditioned house behind. From a plethora of funky pop ups – including one that’s in the dark – to beer, burger, and taco fests, check out the 15 ways to eat and drink your way through Houston this month.
Top 15 Food & Drink Events to Hit in Houston this Month
- Art of Flavor: Pop Up Dinner at Houston Museum of African American Culture | Monday, April 4 – Houston’s first ever Black Restaurant Week, celebrating black-owned restaurants and chef, continues with this flavorful pop up from Aces of Taste. Feast on a Moroccan-inspired menu from Hell’s Kitchen Winner Chef Ja’Nel Witt, including boldly-flavored plates ranging from harissa shrimp and chicken tangine to Moroccan beef kefta. $100. 7pm to 9pm.
- Menu of Menus at Silver Street Station | Tuesday, April 5 – Houston Press‘ 14th annual Menu of Menus Extravaganza is one of the hottest tickets in town. Don’t miss the Iron Fork Competition, where chefs Jean-Philippe Gaston of Izakaya and Lyle Bento of Southern Goods will face off in a head-to-head cooking competition, plus live music, food and drink sampling all night long. $55. 7pm to 10pm.
- Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair | Wednesday, April 6 through Sunday, April 10 – Get uncorked at this 13th annual wine and food festival, where you’ll find top chefs and sommeliers ready to wow the crowd and share their secrets. The On The Rocks Bartender Challenge, Grand Tasting, and sun-soaked Bistro Brunch are just a few of the awesome events. Tickets range from $40 to $225. Dates and times vary.
- Brenner’s Wine Fest at Brenner’s on the Bayou | Saturday, April 9 – Hit the stunning bayou-side lodge and lawn for a day of music, stellar food, and a whole lotta wine, of course! Guests will indulge in a fantastic selection of pinots, chardonnays, and savory bites like Brenner’s Grilled Scallop Casino, La Griglia’s Saffron Arancini and Duck Confit Beggar’s Purses, and a stunning Shellfish Display from The Oceanaire. $65 in advance; $75 at the door. 3pm to 6pm.
- Pop Up Test Kitchen at The Breakfast Klub | Saturday, April 9 – Get the first taste of a future restaurant concept from Chef Dawn Burrell, whose fierce and fearless approach to food has been featured on Food Network’s Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen. Burrell has planned a five-course feast focusing on all things local and fresh, and featuring dishes such as shrimp and sunchoke bisque, chicken fried quail, and braised beef cheeks with oxtail ragout. $100. 6pm.
- Galveston Food & Wine Festival on The Strand | Monday, April 11 through Sunday, April 17 – This island-style food and wine festival is ready to knock your socks off with events including The Blind Tasting, where guests can swirl, sniff, and sip their way through 100 red and white wines; and The Grand Tasting, the ultimate gastronomic extravaganza featuring a live demo from Chef Robert Irvine. Tickets starts at $30. Times vary.
- Brazoria County Crawfish Festival at MSR Houston | Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17 – The Pearland Crawfish Festival has moved to a new location in Brazoria County, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Get your mudbug on over 3 days of live zydeco, blues, country, and classic rock. Festival goers can also expect a variety of Cajun food, crawfish eating contests, carnival rides, vendors, arts and crafts and more. $8 to $21. Times vary.
- Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Dinner at Max’s Wine Dive | Monday, April 18 – Join Max’s Wine Dive for a good ol’ fashioned whodunit at this Cajun style feast and Murder Mystery night. Start with a spicy crawfish boil paired with frozen wine-based Hurricanes, then move on to 5 courses of awesomeness, including oysters three ways, blackened gater po’boys and coffee-flavored beignets. $95 per person, plus optional $25 wine-pairing upgrade. 7:30pm.
- “See No Evil” Black Out Dinner at Big Eyed Fish | Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 – If you’ve ever wanted to eat in complete darkness, here’s your chance! This Black Out Dinner stimulates your mind and tastebuds through 4 small portioned courses served in the pitch black. At the end of the meal, the Chef will blow your mind with the details of what you actually ate, versus what you thought you ate. Starts at $75. 6pm and 8pm.
- Throwdown Texas Burger & Beer Fest at Town Green Park in The Woodlands | Saturday, April 23 – Is there anything better than burgers and beer on a Saturday? Probably not. Head to the Woodlands, where dozens of local restaurants, eateries and burger joints will be filling the air with the scintillating scents of burgers on the grill, and competing to win the title of “Best Burger in Town.” Pair your burgers and sliders with refreshing beers, energetic live music and fun activities, including a dunk tank, rock wall, mechanical bull and kid zone. $20; discounts for kids. 11am to 10pm.
- Katy Wild West Brew Fest at Katy Mills Mall | Saturday, April 23 – Come see why this was voted the Best Festival of 2015 by BeerYeti.com as you choose samples from over 400 different brews. Watch who takes the crown at the Brewer’s Competition and get a taste of the winners in the Champion of Champions Tent. Tickets start at $30. 4pm to 9pm.
- Houstonia’s Sunday Bloody Sunday at GreenStreet | Sunday, April 24 – Enjoy eats from killer spots like Beavers’s, Danton’s, and Kitchen 713, plus a Bloody Mary showdown featuring Bovine & Barley, Guadalujara, and Harold’s (to name a few), this is one boozy brunch you won’t want to miss. $30. 11am to 2pm.
- Texas Taco & Music Fest on the Navigation Esplanade in the East End | Saturday, April 30 – Remember that thing we said about burgers and beers on a Saturday being the best? Tacos and beers may just have that beat (good thing the events are on two separate Saturdays). Hit the East End for a day full of live music, excellent Tex Mex fare and plenty of beer. $8; free for ages 12 and under. Noon to 9pm.
- 3rd Annual Houston Firkin Fest at Hennessy Park | Saturday, April 30 – This brewfest is a celebration of unique Texas craft suds served in traditional casks – AKA firkins. Get a taste of rare and hard to score beers from craft breweries in Houston and across Texas. $40 in advance; $50 at the gate. 1pm to 6pm.
- Houston Press BrewFest at Silver Street Station | Saturday, April 30 – This 5th annual beerfest from Houston Press & Lucky’s Pub features over 150 craft brews, local food trucks, live music and tons of fun in an indoor and outdoor sampling space. $35; $45 at the gate. 3pm to 7pm.
You can also search our interactive event calendar for events by date, location and category.
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