There is something appealing about a restaurant that does not try to fit neatly into one category. Spice in Heights, located at Studewood Street in Houston Heights, takes that approach with a menu that moves between Levantine, Mediterranean and North African influences. The result is a dining experience that feels familiar in parts, but still leaves plenty of room for discovery.
The restaurant’s concept is built around traditional flavors interpreted through a contemporary kitchen. Tagines, house-marinated meats, mezze and grilled dishes form much of the menu, while the restaurant’s chef-driven approach adds a more modern touch. Executive Chef Kausik Roy brings experience with Mediterranean and North African cuisine, which is reflected in the combination of spices, sauces and cooking techniques used throughout the menu.
A Menu That Goes Beyond the Usual Mediterranean Favorites
A closer look at the Spice in Heights menu shows that the restaurant is not simply relying on the usual hummus-and-kebab formula. The Falafel, for example, comes with roasted beetroot hummus, sumac onion and pomegranate, adding color and acidity to a familiar dish.
For vegetarian and vegan diners, the Zahara , Arabic roasted cauliflower – is particularly interesting. Served with cashew coconut cream and garlic tahini, it demonstrates how vegetables are treated as a central part of the meal rather than just an accompaniment.
Meat lovers have plenty to explore. The Meatball Tagine combines meatballs with tomato sauce, olives and preserved lemon, topped with a fried egg and served alongside saffron couscous. The Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops, meanwhile, pair lamb with cauliflower-artichoke skordalia and a pomegranate lamb jus.
The menu also ventures beyond traditional boundaries. The Lamb Merguez Cavatappi brings North African sausage together with pasta, while the Harissa Grilled Jumbo Shrimp adds a spicy element to pearl couscous.
And for dessert, the Baklava Cheesecake takes a recognizable Middle Eastern sweet and gives it a distinctly modern restaurant treatment with phyllo, honey and pistachios.
What About the Reviews?
Because Spice in Heights is a relatively new restaurant, its online review history is still developing. Early coverage has drawn attention to its Levantine and North African-inspired concept, but there isn’t yet enough long-term customer feedback to make sweeping claims about its overall reputation.
That may actually make a visit more interesting. Rather than arriving at a restaurant with years of established expectations, diners are still discovering what Spice in Heights is becoming.
Is Spice in Heights Worth Trying?
For anyone exploring Houston Heights restaurants, Spice in Heights offers something a little different. The combination of traditional Levantine flavors, North African influences, contemporary presentation and a varied menu makes it particularly appealing for diners who enjoy sharing dishes and trying something beyond the standard Mediterranean repertoire.
Whether it becomes a neighborhood favorite will ultimately depend on how consistently the kitchen delivers as the restaurant grows. For now, though, Spice in Heights looks like an intriguing addition to Houston’s increasingly diverse dining scene – and one worth putting on the list for a relaxed dinner, date night or meal with friends.