Photo Credit: Mauricio Ramirez / Duc HoangFood & Drink
Acclaimed Texas Chefs Austin Simmons and Aaron Bludorn to open Restaurants in The Woodlands in 2026
The Woodlands®, a Howard Hughes community, is welcoming two new independent restaurants from acclaimed Texas chefs in 2026—one from chef Austin Simmons and another from Aaron Bludorn. Each restaurant represents a separate joint venture with Howard Hughes, reflecting a shared commitment to elevating The Woodlands’ culinary landscape through exceptional, chef-driven dining experiences. Both chefs chose The Woodlands for its reputation as a premier lifestyle destination, enhanced by recent luxury residential additions including The Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Woodlands and 1 Riva Row.
“Chef Simmons’ return to The Woodlands and Chef Bludorn’s entry to the community represent significant additions to our culinary landscape,” said Jim Carman, President of the Texas Region for Howard Hughes. “We have recently partnered with exceptional brands and talent to bring new experiences to the community, and we look forward to residents and visitors enjoying these elevated dining opportunities here in The Woodlands.”
Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons®
Chef Austin Simmons, former executive chef of TRIS in The Woodlands, is bringing his genetics-driven cattle program to a dedicated restaurant concept. Opening in early 2026 at Restaurant Row in Hughes Landing®, Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons® will specialize in high-quality beef sourced from a program focusing on genetics and sustainable animal husbandry, and full involvement in the process, from pasture to plate.
“I am thrilled to open Charolais in The Woodlands, and to partner with Howard Hughes,” said Simmons, founder and owner Charolais. “Charolais represents my lifelong passion, a restaurant focused on elevating American beef through hand-reared cattle.”
Bar Bludorn® The Woodlands
Chef Aaron Bludorn—renowned for his critically acclaimed Houston restaurants Bludorn, Navy Blue, Bar Bludorn, and Perseid—has selected 25 Waterway as the next location for his quintessential neighborhood tavern, Bar Bludorn. This significant expansion marks Chef Bludorn’s inaugural restaurant outside of Central Houston. Opening summer 2026, Bar Bludorn The Woodlands will offer a distinctive take on its flagship location in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, pairing a contemporary American bistro menu with Texas-inspired flavors.
“Opening our first restaurant outside of Central Houston is an exciting new venture, and we feel really confident partnering with Howard Hughes on this project,” said Aaron Bludorn, chef and partner of Bludorn Hospitality Group. “We see a lot of guests from The Woodlands visit Bar Bludorn in Memorial, so we are looking forward to bringing the same Houston-inspired hospitality to the community.”
More details on the concepts including restaurant designs, menus, and opening dates are coming soon.
Source: Howard Hughes
