—by Sheila Cox, Five Star Realtor | Updated December 2025—
There are many Katy shopping stores throughout the city, but the primary shopping centers include:
- Katy Mills Outlet Mall
- La Centerra shopping and dining center
- Katy Boardwalk District (not open yet)
Plus, there is a Wholefoods Grocery Store available and HEB Grocery stores offer health food sections and organic produce as well.
There is a “downtown” or “old Katy” shopping area as well, featuring antique shops and other fun things to do.
Katy Mills Mall
If you’re a shopper, you’ll quickly become familiar with Katy Mills Mall. This massive, outlet-style mall is one of the largest in the region and draws visitors from across Houston. With more than 200 stores, it includes both designer outlets and family-friendly retailers. Popular shops include Nike, Coach, Michael Kors, and Disney. Families especially love the fact that Katy Mills combines shopping with entertainment—there’s a large AMC movie theater, indoor play areas, and even seasonal events.
Katy Mills is more than just a shopping center; it’s also a community hub. During back-to-school season, holiday shopping, or rainy weekends, the mall becomes a go-to destination. For families who love convenience, having such a large retail hub right in Katy is a major benefit.
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
For a different experience, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch offers a more upscale, open-air shopping and dining environment. Designed as a mixed-use “town center,” it’s the kind of place where you can spend hours browsing boutiques, sipping coffee, or enjoying a meal on a patio.
Popular restaurants here include Perry’s Steakhouse, Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen, and local favorites like Sweet Paris Crêperie. There are also fitness studios, spas, and specialty shops that make LaCenterra a lifestyle destination. Families love the green spaces where kids can run and play while parents relax nearby. During holidays and weekends, LaCenterra often hosts live music, art fairs, and community events, adding to its appeal.
Katy Boardwalk District
Katy Boardwalk District (not open yet) is planned to be Katy’s newest lakefront destination retreat with a full-service conference center hotel, two phases of luxury loft residences, retail, dining and entertainment space, as well as office opportunities. The plan is to have over 11 acres of mixed-use space consisting of retail, dining, entertainment, and Class A office space with multiple public green spaces both onsite and within walking distance. All anchored by a newly constructed 90-acre lake and nature preserve.
This development is located off of Kingsland Boulevard, just south of I-10 in Katy, Texas, the Katy boardwalk district will be approximately 80-acres of mixed-use development located within walking distance of the Typhoon Texas waterpark and Katy Mills Mall.
The Katy Boardwalk District hotel will feature a 304-key, full-service hotel, the first full-service hotel in the Katy area. This will include a 42,940sf conference center with over 9,000 sf of flexible meeting space, bordering a newly constructed 90-acre lake and park.
Local Restaurants and Dining Scene
Katy’s dining scene has grown dramatically as the population has diversified. While you’ll find the usual national chains, the real gems are the local and international restaurants that reflect Katy’s cultural mix.
- Tex-Mex and BBQ: Texas traditions are alive and well with local spots like Midway Barbecue and Los Cucos Mexican Café.
- Asian Cuisine: Katy is home to some of the best Asian restaurants in the Houston area, from Korean barbecue to Vietnamese pho and authentic sushi.
- International Flavors: The city’s diversity shines in its restaurant options—whether you crave Indian curries, Mediterranean dishes, or Latin American street food, you’ll find it here.
- Family Favorites: Pizza shops, burger joints, and casual diners are scattered throughout neighborhoods, making family dining easy.
Food trucks and pop-up eateries are also gaining popularity, especially at community festivals and farmers markets. Katy is quickly becoming known not just for convenience, but for quality and variety in its food scene.
More Info:
- Katy Neighborhoods
- Katy Homes for Sale
- Katy Southwest
- Katy Southeast
- Katy Northwest
- Katy Northeast
- Fulshear Homes for Sale
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