Your Downtown Houston Day or Night
Whatever brings you downtown, here's where to eat and how to fit it in. Xochi and Zaranda, both by Chef Hugo Ortega, sit five minutes apart across from Discovery Green, a short walk from the arena, the ballpark and the convention center.
What brings you downtown?
- A Rockets game or a concert at Toyota Center. Zaranda is a three-minute walk, and on Rockets home-game nights happy hour runs until game time. Xochi is seven minutes away. Zaranda
- An Astros game at Daikin Park. Xochi is a six-minute walk, Zaranda nine. On Astros home-game nights, Zaranda's happy hour runs until game time.
- A convention at the George R. Brown. Xochi is two minutes away and connected through the Marriott Marquis' skybridge, with weekday lunch from 11:30 AM. Zaranda, five minutes away, offers a two-course Business Lunch for $29. Xochi
- A stay at the Marriott Marquis. Xochi is on the hotel's first floor.
- A day at Discovery Green. Both are about three minutes from the park, and both have patios overlooking it.
- Sunday. Xochi's brunch buffet runs 10:30 AM–3 PM with live music. Zaranda serves brunch until 3 PM, then dinner with Sunday Night Specials until 9 PM.
Xochi or Zaranda?
| Xochi | Zaranda | |
|---|---|---|
| The food | Oaxaca: housemade moles, handmade masa, close to 100 mezcals | Las Californias: the coastal flavors of Baja and Alta California, and a deep Mexican wine list |
| The setting | Inside the Marriott Marquis; covered patio overlooking Discovery Green | Floor-to-ceiling windows; spacious patio overlooking the park |
| Weekend brunch | Saturday à la carte 11:30 AM–3 PM; Sunday buffet 10:30 AM–3 PM with live music | À la carte Saturday and Sunday 11:30 AM–3 PM; Trio Media Luna on Sundays |
| Happy hour | Monday–Friday 4–6 PM, Saturday 3–6 PM | Daily 3–6 PM, until game time on Rockets and Astros home-game nights |
| Valet | Crawford Street, $11 | La Branch, $11; complimentary on Sunday |
| Groups | Up to 210 seated | Up to 250 seated |
Walk times
(Google Maps walking directions)
| From Xochi | From Zaranda | |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Center | 7 min | 3 min |
| Daikin Park | 6 min | 9 min |
| George R. Brown Convention Center | 2 min | 5 min |
| Discovery Green | 3 min | 3 min |
Neither restaurant is affiliated with Toyota Center, Daikin Park, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green or their teams and events.