We’ve created this list of some of the top restaurants and hospitality establishments hiring in Houston to help you find the hospitality job that works for you. Explore our list and find an employer that works for you.
1. Uchi Houston
Uchi is a famous Japanese restaurant chain founded by the James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole in Austin in 2003. Since then, they opened several locations across the U.S., including the one in Houston in 2012.
The restaurant is famous for its innovative Japanese cuisine and culinary presentations designed to enhance the eating experience. Cole, who is a master Sushi Chef who trained in Japan, designed the menu to reflect his philosophy of balance and creativity.
The restaurant has locations in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Miami and Houston.
2. The Original Ninfa
The Original Ninfa's was founded in 1973 by Mama Ninfa Laurenzo in Houston, Texas. Although there are close to 30 Ninfa restaurants across the U.S., most of them operate by licensing the trademark.
The original restaurant is famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine, the creation of tacos al carbon (the original fajitas).
The restaurant is committed to honoring Mama Ninfa’s legacy: incorporating culinary innovation with the traditional recipes that Mama Ninfa originally served in her restaurant almost 50 years ago.
Additionally, the Original Ninfa has been recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist.
You can browse current Chef openings in Houston, TX on OysterLink and apply quickly online to opportunities that fit your experience. If you want to look beyond Houston, visit our main job directory and search all hospitality positions by role, city, or state across the United States.
3. The Annie Café & Bar
The Annie Café & Bar situated in the Galleria area in Houston was founded in 1980 by Chef Robert Del Grande as Annie’s Café. In 2019, it was overhauled, rebranded and relaunched as Annie Café & Bar.
The restaurant is famous for serving classic American cuisine with a Texas twist. The menu offers an inventive spin on familiar American dishes, featuring fried chicken and fresh seafood that come and go with the seasons, as well as iconic dishes like wood-grilled rabbit and tortilla soup.
4. Blossom Hotel Houston
Blossom Hotel Houston, which was launched in 2022, provides a high-end hotel and dining experience in Houston.
The hotel currently operates in a single Houston location where guests can choose from one or more of the 267 available rooms.
The hotel’s restaurant focuses on fresh and healthy products and a stylized cooking practice.
5. The Breakfast Klub
The Breakfast Klub, founded in 2001 by Marcus Davis in Houston’s Midtown, is celebrated for its Southern-style breakfast favorites like chicken and waffles and catfish & grits.
Known as a beloved brunch spot, it’s cherished not only for its comforting dishes but also for its welcoming, community-centered atmosphere.
Chef Marcus Davis infuses the menu with Southern roots and influences from his travels, making The Breakfast Klub both a Houston landmark and a symbol of vibrant community spirit.
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Hospitality Jobs in Houston: Salary Expectations by Role
Pay in Houston’s hospitality industry varies based on experience, venue type, and whether tips are involved.
Front-of-house positions often earn significantly more than their base wage through gratuities, while management and culinary roles typically offer higher fixed salaries or competitive hourly bases.
| Position | Average Houston Market Baseline | Premium Venues (e.g., Uchi) | Compensation Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server | $15–$25 / hour | $30–$45+ / hour | Highly Variable: Low base pay ($2.13 base credit standard) heavily supplemented by tips. High guest checks at premium venues significantly elevate this average. |
| Bartender | $16–$28 / hour | $30–$45+ / hour | Highly Variable: Shift-dependent. Earnings are anchored by beverage sales volume and gratuities. |
| Host / Hostess | $13–$16 / hour (Base Only) | ~$22 / hour (All-In) | Hybrid: Casual venues pay a flat hourly rate. Premium groups like Hai Hospitality commonly include hosts in a tip-share pool. |
| Server Assistant / Runner | $11–$15 / hour (Base Only) | $600–$800+ / week (All-In) | Hybrid: Often shifts from a flat hourly rate in standard venues to a highly lucrative weekly tip-share percentage in fine dining. |
| Line Cook | $15–$22 / hour | $18–$23 / hour | Fixed Hourly: Guaranteed wage unimpacted by guest tipping habits. |
| Sushi Chef | $20–$25 / hour | $25–$30+ / hour | Fixed + Gratuity: Combines a higher specialized kitchen hourly base with direct sushi-bar tips. |
| Sous Chef | $50,000–$70,000 / year | $60,000–$75,000 / year | Fixed Salary: Stable annual salary exempt from tip pools, often featuring quarterly performance bonuses. |
| Restaurant Manager | $55,000–$85,000 / year | $65,000–$78,000 / year | Fixed Salary: Stable annual base salary paired with operational bonus incentives. |
Understanding the Gratuity Impact
When looking at these numbers, keep in mind that front-of-house earnings fluctuate based on shift timing, season, and service style. Fine-dining and upscale establishments such as Uchi provide vastly higher earning potential for Servers, Bartenders, and Assistants because larger average guest checks naturally yield higher tipping volumes. Meanwhile, fixed culinary and management positions trade tip volatility for guaranteed income stability and structured group benefits.
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Best Entry-Level Hospitality Jobs in Houston
Houston’s hospitality industry offers numerous opportunities for people who are new to the workforce or transitioning into a new career. Many employers prioritize reliability, customer service skills, and a positive attitude over previous industry experience.
Some of the most accessible entry-level hospitality jobs include:
Host/Hostess
Hosts are responsible for greeting guests, managing reservations, and coordinating seating arrangements. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy interacting with people, developing customer service skills, and learning the operational flow of high-volume dining rooms.
Food Runner & Server Assistant
Food Runners and Server Assistants help deliver dishes from the kitchen to guests, maintain the dining room, and support Servers during busy shifts. In upscale environments, these positions often share in the tip pool, offering an excellent stepping stone to high-earning Server roles.
Busser
Bussers assist with clearing and resetting tables, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting front-of-house staff. Many hospitality professionals begin their careers in this role to master the pacing of a restaurant floor before advancing.
Barback
For those interested in bartending, working as a Barback offers hands-on experience in beverage service, inventory management, prep work, and live bar operations.
Dishwasher and Prep Cook
Back-of-house positions such as Dishwasher and Prep Cook provide an excellent introduction to professional kitchen operations. They serve as foundational roles that frequently lead to opportunities as a Line Cook, specialized Sushi Chef, or kitchen management.
Many Houston employers offer robust on-the-job training, making these positions an excellent way to gain experience while building a long-term hospitality career.
How To Get Hired at Houston Restaurants
Competition for jobs at Houston’s most respected restaurants and hospitality venues can be strong, but a few simple strategies can help you stand out.
Tailor Your Resume
Highlight customer service experience, teamwork, communication skills, and any hospitality-related responsibilities you've held. Even experience in retail, sales or customer-facing roles translates well to the dining floor.
Apply to Multiple Positions
Many hospitality professionals begin in one role and move into another as opportunities arise. Applying for several suitable positions within a restaurant group can increase your chances of securing an interview.
Be Flexible With Scheduling
Employers often prioritize candidates who can work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Demonstrating flexibility during your onboarding process can make you a much more attractive applicant.
Prepare for the Interview
Expect questions about customer service, handling difficult situations, teamwork, and availability. Take the time to research the target restaurant beforehand—knowing their menu concept, style of service, and brand history makes a massive first impression.
Follow Up Professionally
After submitting an application or completing an interview, a polite follow-up message can demonstrate enthusiasm, dedication and professional intent.
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