Lower Wertheimer is considered the center of Houston’s hipster community. Street art plays a big role, and can be found throughout the area. In 2012, Forbes named Lower Westheimer as one of “America's Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods”.
Food scene Lower Westheimer is known for its diverse food scene ranging from Tex-Mex, Puerto Rican, Kolaches, Greek, burger joints, Sichuan, sushi, Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Thai. Food trucks also have a large presence in the area. El Real Tex Mex restaurants is considered a landmark, and is well-known both for its food and its architecture. One of the most popular restaurants, Underbelly, is known for bringing Houston's ethnic diversity together in its food. Among other popular restaurants in the area include Tex Chick, Gusto Gourmet, Mala Sichuan, UB Preserve, Rosie Cannonball, Niko Niko's, Les Noo'dle, Empire Cafe, Uchi, Hugo's, Ramen Tatsuya and more.
Art Visial arts Art businesses have been present in the area dating as far back as the 1970s. Lower Westheimer was also the location of the Westheimer Street Festival, which eventually absorbed into the
Free Press Summer Festival. Since the 70s, the community has grown, and currently, one can find art galleries across the neighborhood. Famed art collectors John de Menil and Dominique de Menil opened the Menil Collection is located within the area, and it now operates as a museum.
Music Throughout its history, Lower Westheimer has been a major area for live music. Many of the bars and restaurant feature live musical performances.
Beyoncé and
Destiny's Child performed in the area before their fame, where their usual stage was
Headliners which has since left the neighborhood. Popular
pop country singer
Lyle Lovett also had his first performance in the
Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant which is still in the area. Other popular venues for in the area include
Boondocks,
Numbers, ''Rudyard's
, and Brasil Cafe''. ==Education==