Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy our picks for the top food and drink events taking place around Houston in March 2025.
Houston’s food and drink scene is in full swing this March with a lineup of can’t-miss events.
From the smoky showdown at the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (everyone you know probably calls it “The Cookoff“) to indulgent bites at Katy Taste Fest, there’s a feast for every foodie.
Enjoy whiskey tastings, crawfish boils, and international flavors while taking in live music, local culture, and great company. Here’s a teaser for your palate this month.
Top 14 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: March 2025
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at NRG Park | Ends Saturday, March 1 – The epic barbecue weekend, better known as “the Cookoff” kicks off the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, with 250+ teams of barbecue enthusiasts competing for the title. Team tents are invitation-only, but visitors can also join in on the fun at several public venues, including the carnival, The Garden, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. $26; $10 for ages 2 to 12 and include a complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans.
Boots & Brunch at Hungry’s Upstairs | Saturday, March 1 – Dust off those cowboy boots for a Rodeo-ready bash at Hungry’s in Rice Village, featuring an afternoon of brunch classics, cocktail pop-ups, and live DJ tunes while raising funds for a great cause. $35, with $5 going to Sky High For Kids to help fight pediatric cancer. 11am to 2pm.
Katy Taste Fest at Typhoon Texas | Saturday, March 1 – Katy’s fan-favorite food festival returns, with unlimited tastes from 30+ restaurants showcasing a variety of cuisines from American, Indian, Mexican and Italian, Thai and more. Plus expect beer tasting, live music, entertainment, a Kid Zone with inflatables and face painting, and more. $60; $90 premier access with early entry at 11:30am. Free for ages 12 and under. Noon to 3pm.
Garden & Gun’s Rodeo Smoke Show at Truth BBQ | Saturday, March 1 – Garden & Gun Magazine kicks off the 2025 Houston Rodeo with the return of the Rodeo Smoke Show at the legendary Washington Avenue barbecue purveyor. Expect a lively evening filled with live music, craft cocktails, and a makers’ market showcasing top western artisans. Chef Leonard Botello and his team will serve up a Texas-sized feast, featuring a crawfish boil, smoked meats, creative sides, and indulgent desserts—all with a Lone Star State twist. $115. 6pm.
Mardi Gras! Galveston in Historic Downtown Galveston | Weekends to Fat Tuesday, March 4 – More than 3 million beads will be thrown at Mardi Gras! Galveston, Texas’s largest Mardi Gras celebration. Running through Fat Tuesday, the multi-day festival features elaborate parades, headliner performances, family events, and plenty of gluttonous, island-style feasting opportunities. Locations, prices, and times vary.
Mardi Gras at Brennan’s of Houston | Fat Tuesday, March 4 – Get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler at Brennan’s of Houston’s Mardi Gras Celebration, as the classic Creole house brings the spirit of New Orleans to Houston with a 3-course feast, festive cocktails, and a second line parade led by a brass band. Dine inside or on the patio, soaking in the vibrant energy and carnival atmosphere. Reservations are required at 713-522-9711.
2025 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo at NRG Park | Tuesday, March 4 to Sunday, March 23 – You’ll find a Texas-sized treasure trove of fried festival fare as the Rodeo takes over NRG Park for the season, with 3 weeks of the colossal festival filled with carnival rides and games, unique shopping experiences, and treats from classics like Texas barbecue, deep-fried Oreos, and caramel apples crusted with Flaming Hot Cheetos, plus local collabs like Bun B’s first-ever Trill Town—a new 9,000-square-foot interactive space featuring Trill Burgers along with the team’s second award-winning brand, Trill Tenders. $20 grounds entry; $10 for ages 3 to 12; free for ages 2 and under; includes access to the carnival and livestock show, rides and other attractions are an additional fee. $25 and up for rodeo and concert tickets include access to the grounds. Times vary.
The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse at NRG Park | Tuesday, March 4 to Sunday, March 23 – Berg Hospitality Group’s The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse returns, offering a 16,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination inside NRG’s grounds. Guests can enjoy 3 unique experiences—The Saloon for upscale casual dining, The Steakhouse for fine dining with premium Wagyu and seafood, and a carnival-style walk-up window featuring elevated rodeo fare, including bites from Buttermilk Baby. Back for its fourth year, The Ranch also brings The Ranch After Dark, a high-energy nightlife experience with DJ sets and bottle service, plus the exclusive Stakeholder Tables for premium reserved seating. Reservations are available via OpenTable. Times vary.
Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting at The Woodlands Country Club | Thursday, March 20 – Get ready to sip, savor, and celebrate at the Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting, an all-inclusive night of tequila tastings, specialty cocktails, tasty bites, and lively fun. Guests can explore 30+ craft tequilas, enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, indulge in incredible eats, and even score exciting door prizes. $45. 6pm to 9pm.
19th Annual Empty Bowls Houston at HCCC | Saturday, March 22 – The beloved grassroots fundraiser returns, bringing together local ceramists, woodturners, and artists to create 1,500+ handcrafted bowls for a great cause. Bowls are available for a $25 donation—each providing 75 meals for those in need from the Houston Food Bank; and every bowl purchase comes with a salad or wrap from Salata and hot or iced coffee from Katz’s Coffee. Browse the stunning selection of one-of-a-kind bowls, enjoy live artist demonstrations, and soak in live music in the garden. 10am to 3pm.
OMG Food Fest at Midtown Park | Saturday, March 22 – The fan favorite food festival takes over Midtown Park for a day of unbeatable flavors and rhythms. Savor dishes that will make you exclaim, “Oh My God!” while grooving to live hip-hop beats from top DJs and bands. $8. 2pm to 10pm.
Tomball German Heritage Festival in Old Downtown Tomball | Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30 | FREE – The annual fest transforms the streets with 200+ vendors offering antiques, arts, crafts, and more. Folks can enjoy cultural music, street performances, a Heritage Center, and indulge in delicious German cuisine, festival foods, and flowing beer and wine. The family-friendly event offers free admission, parking, and shuttle services on Saturday and Sunday. Times vary.
Houston Whiskey Riot at Post Houston | Saturday, March 29 – Immerse yourself in a tasting adventure at Post Houston, sampling 200+ varieties of whiskey from local and international brands. $90; $160 VIP with early entry and exclusive tastings and dinner. 4pm to 7pm.
Crawfish Season at Little Woodrow’s in Greater Houston | Weekends through Mid-April – Little Woodrow’s, is firin’ up a good time with its annual crawfish boil across Houston locations, held Thursdays through Sundays varying by location. Guests can crack into spicy, seasoned mudbugs, sip on ice-cold drinks, and kick back with yard games like cornhole, Giant Jenga, and Connect Four in a lively, laid-back setting. Prices vary weekly, so follow @littlewoodrowshtx on Instagram for the latest updates. Participating locations, offers and times vary.
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