New ramen spot, cocktail bar: 6 eateries now open, coming soon in the Greater Houston area

• Opened Jan. 5
• 9101 Sienna Crossing Drive, Ste. 200, Missouri City
• Instagram: @freshmonkee_missouricity

OI Juicy Dumpling & Ramen now open in Cypress

OI Juicy Dumpling & Ramen offers comfort food, including ramen, handmade dumplings and milk tea. The grand opening will be celebrated from Jan. 10-16 with several specials, including 15% off all orders and a $5 coupon.

• Opened in November
• 25282 Hwy. 290, Ste. 100, Houston
• Facebook: OI Juicy Dumpling & Ramen

Yark Green Thai Restaurant opens off Mercantile Parkway

Rooted in family recipes and a passion for authentic flavors, Yark Green serves Thai rice, curry and noodle dishes, as well as desserts such as mango sweet rice, coconut pandan roll cake and fried ice cream. Additionally, the interior of the restaurant is decorated with warm wood tones, earthy colors and greenery to reflect a peaceful oasis.

• Opened Dec. 12
• 23227 Mercantile Parkway, Ste. A4, Katy
• www.yarkgreenthairestaurant.com

New bar and saloon set to join Heights late-night scene in 2026

A brand new establishment called Hey Darlin' Saloon is preparing to be added to the Houston Heights late-night bar and cocktail scene. James Cone and Derek Dobbins will be the owners of the authentic Southern-style bar. Dobbins told Community Impact that between the two of them, they bring over 20 years of experience in the bar industry.

• Opening in March
• 4002 N. Main St., Houston
• www.heydarlinsaloon.com

Dining spotlight

Locally-owned Dukes Venezuelan Food serves national flavors, family history

With the goal of owning a national franchise, co-owner Fabian Duque said the opening of Dukes Venezuelan Food was not only a business decision but also a way to share aspects of his culture. According to the restaurant’s website, menu options include arepas, burgers, pepitos and cachapas.

• 1420 S. Mason Road, Ste. 110, Katy
• www.dukes-tx.com

Andaluz Vegan serves traditional Mexican, plant-based cuisine in Cy-Fair

What began as a small pop-up tucked inside the former Celaya Meat Market shopping center on Jones Road and FM 1960 has grown into Andaluz, a vegan Mexican restaurant where owner Alejandro Arregain transforms his family’s traditional recipes into plant-based dishes.

• 10540 Cypress Creek Parkway, Ste. B, Houston
• Facebook: Andaluz Vegan