Fantastic Animals Houston: Where to Eat Near Discovery Green
Fantastic Animals Houston: Where to Eat Near Discovery Green
Visiting Fantastic Animals at Discovery Green? Two H Town Restaurant Group restaurants sit right at the edge of the park: Xochi, directly across from Discovery Green inside the Marriott Marquis Houston, and Zaranda, on Lamar Street on the park's south side. Both are serving a cocktail created for the exhibition through October 18.
About Fantastic Animals at Discovery Green
Fantastic Animals: Alebrijes and Nahuales from México runs September 15 through October 18, 2026, at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street in downtown Houston. The exhibition features eight 20-foot sculptures of fantastic creatures from Mexican folklore, designed and created by Mexican artists and artisans. Each one is an enlarged reproduction of an original work by celebrated Oaxacan artists. Learn more on the official Discovery Green page.
The exhibition is presented by Discovery Green. Xochi and Zaranda are nearby restaurants serving a cocktail created for it.
The Happy Alien Cocktail
Among the eight sculptures is Happy Alien by the late Constantino Blas. Xochi bartender April Zelaya created a cocktail named for it: blood orange liqueur, Amarás mezcal, pomegranate juice, simple syrup, fresh lime juice and Scrappy's Fire Tincture bitters, served at Xochi and Zaranda through October 18 to guests 21 and older. For every Happy Alien sold at Xochi or Zaranda, $1 goes to Discovery Green Conservancy, the nonprofit that maintains the park. See the Fantastic Animals cocktail listing.
Restaurants Near Discovery Green
Xochi: Oaxacan Cuisine Across from the Park
Xochi celebrates the cuisine of Oaxaca, the same region as the artists behind the original works. It's at 1777 Walker Street, Suite A, inside the Marriott Marquis Houston. Reserve at Xochi · Plan your visit to Xochi
Zaranda: Las Californias on the Park's South Side
Zaranda brings the culinary heritage of Las Californias to downtown Houston, with Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. It's at 1550 Lamar Street, Suite 101. Reserve at Zaranda · Plan your visit to Zaranda
Planning Your Visit
Where is Fantastic Animals in Houston?
Fantastic Animals is at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street in downtown Houston.
How long is Fantastic Animals at Discovery Green?
The exhibition runs September 15 through October 18, 2026.
What restaurants are near Discovery Green?
Xochi, inside the Marriott Marquis Houston directly across from the park, and Zaranda, on Lamar Street on the park's south side, are both H Town Restaurant Group restaurants a short walk from the sculptures.