It’s springtime in Houston folks, which means it is time to shake off your winter coat and head out to expand your eating and drinking horizons. Find out here about the newest patio dining and where to get your sweet treats in #clutchcity.

Moxie’s Grill and Bar

Moxie’s Grill and Bar, a Canadian favorite, has moved into Houston and put down roots in the former Canyon Café location. The two-story restaurant is spacious, with plenty of space both inside and out to enjoy a drink or have a meal with friends. (Pictured above, Moxie’s Fish Tacos. Photo Joy Zhang)

What is special about Moxie’s? The robust menu is full of international favorites including seafood, steaks and even some spicy menu items for their Texas outpost. Every guest should try the Poutine, not only because it is delicious, but also because it is a Canadian favorite. Many might balk at the menu description – hot beef gravy and Quebec cheese curds served over fresh-cut fries, but I assure you it is a tasty treat. Canadians know their fries!

Moxie’s bar menu can’t be beat, with a selection of cocktails, wines, tequilas and just about every other spirit you can think of. They make it easy to take advantage of the restaurant’s happy hour from 3-6 pm every day.

Shake Shack, Rice Village

Houston, we have another Shake Shack! Burger fans couldn’t be happier about the newest location of the famed burger joint in Rice Village – no more battling Galleria traffic to get your burger and ShakeSauce craving satisfied.

The restaurant is roomy, located on the corner of Kirby Drive and Amherst, and offers several local specialties, as well as patio seating (yay!). Try the Lockhart Link Burger which is an exclusive burger topped with a Kruez Market jalapeno sausage link and ShakeSauce. Houston’s favorite bakery, Fluff Bake Bar, also has some sweet treats on the menu including Pie Oh My, made with vanilla custard and a slice of seasonal pie, as well as West U-nicorn, made with vanilla custard and Unicorn Bait cookie.

Duck Donuts

Fresh custom-made donuts? Yes, it is a thing and it has finally arrived in Houston at Duck Donuts. They don’t make the donut until you order it and you can top it with just about anything you can think of. Open the doors to Duck Donuts and enjoy the smell of sugary goodness while you watch your donut actually being made. Guests can order from the Classic Menu with donuts like Maple Icing with Chopped Bacon or Strawberry Icing with Blackberry Drizzle. Or you can order from the Seasonal Menu with featured spring flavors including Key Lime Icing and Graham Cracker Crumbs, or Chocolate Icing with Spring Sprinkles.

Bubble Egg

Hong Kong’s favorite street food has arrived in Houston and, if you love waffles and ice cream, Bubble Egg has just made your life a whole lot easier by combining them together in one tasty treat. Made like a regular waffle, the cone is cooked on a griddle for about five minutes and then folded into a cone shape. What makes these cones different is their puffy consistency – they’re not hard and crunchy like other waffle cones. You can also add sweeter offerings like chocolate or savory toppings including bacon and cheese to your cone “base.” Ice cream flavors range from typical chocolate and vanilla to more exotic flavors like pistachio almond, green tea, Eskimo Kiss or Superman ice cream. This is the perfect sweet treat as the weather warms up in Houston.

Gabi De la Rosa lives in Houston with her husband and three children. You can usually find her at a great local restaurant or out exploring HTX with her family. Cover: Moxie’s Fish Tacos. Photo Joy Zhang