Things to Do: Upcoming Food & Drink Events in Houston this Fall 2025

Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings:

On Monday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Third Place, 420 East 20th, will host Diane and Willet Feng of Burger Chan for a one-day pop-up of their Borrowed Goods concept, this time, featuring coconut curry beef rendang lasagna and and fresh spinach lasagna.

Lombardi Family Concepts will host its second annual Chef Battle Royale with head-to-head competitions at two of its Houston restaurants, with two nights each offering a five-course menu, side-by-side tastings paired with Noble Wine and voting to crown the evening’s winner. On Wednesday, October 1, diners can experience the culinary showdown at Lombardi Cucina Italiana, 1745 Post Oak, and on October 22 at Toulouse Café and Bar, 2180 West Gray, where executive chefs Mauro Gianinazzi and Emmanuel Hodencq will swap cuisines to tackle each other’s specialties. Tickets are $250++ per person.

Mayahuel, 811 Buffalo Park Dr. Suite 130, will debut weekday lunch service beginning Wednesday, October 1, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef Luis Robledo Richards brings a modern Mexican approach to midday dining with dishes like tortilla soup in a tomato-ancho broth, cochinita torta, and chicken milanese, plus a rotating prix-fixe menu featuring a starter, dessert, and a taco trilogy based on fresh market finds.

Spooky season means that Nickel City, 2910 McKinney, will once again transform into cclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon, rocking a darkly immersive atmosphere and brand-new cocktail menu from October 1–31.

Folks are invited to PAWZtober Fest at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown, 1700 Post Oak, on Saturday, October 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The free Tex-Mex fundraiser benefs Lone Star Pawz, a local animal rescue for cats and dogs; and guests can enjoy live music from The Guzzlers, raffle prizes including Houston Texans and Astros tickets, and 20 percent off their meal with a raffle ticket purchase.

The 21st annual H-E-B Wine Walk hits The Woodlands Resort, 2301 North Millbend, on Saturday, October 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring more than 50 wine tasting tents, 40 craft beers and dozens of culinary offerings from top local restaurants and chefs. Tickets start at $79 for general admission.

On Wednesday, October 8, James Beard Foundation will host its Taste America walk-around tasting at The Post Oak Hotel, 1600 West Loop South, featuring more than 20 Houston chefs, including TasteTwenty honoree Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk. Beginning at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. VIP), guests can enjoy bites like African Palm Butter Chicken, Tuna Tiradito, Coconut-Vanilla Bean Flan, and Pad Thai–Oatmeal Fluffernutter while enjoying beverages and activations from national and local sponsors. Tickets start at $175 and benefit the James Beard Foundation’s mission to support independent restaurants and the broader food system.