clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A snack perfect for any occasion
Ellie Sharp/EHOU

11 Essential Houston Kolache Shops

Savory and sweet pastries galore

View as Map
A snack perfect for any occasion
| Ellie Sharp/EHOU

In Texas, there is no pastry more revered than the kolache. Thanks to the Czech immigrants that settled throughout the state in the 1800s, Houston is home to a bounty of kolache shops that serve up pillowy, sweet and savory pastries that can cut right through a hangover and satisfy a serious dough craving.

Whether you’re into kolaches or klobasneks, traditional flavors or something more modern, these 11 Houston pastry purveyors have you covered.

Read More

Koala Kolache

Copy Link

Branch out at this bakery newcomer where flavor finds include fillings like cheeseburger, taco, mac & cheese, and cheese grits & egg. The minimally processed goods feature locally sourced ingredients and natural ingredients.

Charles' Donut Shop

Copy Link

Though the fillings at this Oak Forest neighborhood hangout aren’t anything extravagant, folks still clamor for the croissant-like breading that lends a tasty alternative to the traditional dough, which is thicker and more firm.

Lee's Fried Chicken & Donuts

Copy Link

Create your own dozen with selections like breakfast sausage & cheese, ham & cheese or spicy boudin from this Heights shop famous for its quality ingredients and killer flavor combinations.

Christy's Donuts & Kolaches

Copy Link

Finagle a spot in the “cozy” parking lot at this beloved old-timer for fan favorites like kolaches stuffed with boudin or jalapenos plus classics of meat, egg and cheese. Finish off with a donut, because you can and to balance out all that sodium with a sugar rush.

River Oaks Donut Shop

Copy Link

You could drive over an hour to sink your teeth into authentic kolaches from Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse in El Campo, or you can swing by this local spot that features a variety of selections for the aforementioned mainstay including sausage, sausage & cheese, sausage, cheese & jalapeno and bite-sized sausage & cheese “piglets.” Additional choices feature egg-based fillings with cheese, bacon, and potato or go outside the box with a whole-wheat variation stuffed with spinach and feta.

Olde Towne Kolaches

Copy Link

Pick from a robust menu of fruit, cream cheese, and fruit/cheese combinations of Czech kolaches in options like apricot, apple, poppyseed and strawberry or go for Tex-Czech varieties featuring Eckrich meats. Savory selections include the standard sausage, bacon and ham versions plus spinach, egg & cheese, ranchero and fajita.

Shipley Do-Nuts

Copy Link

Just like their sweet donut counterparts, the kolaches here enjoy a fierce following from locals and grace many an office kitchen across the city. Look for ham and cheese, sausage and cheese, plain sausage and jalapeno.

Shipley Donuts
Shipley Donuts

Kolache Shoppe

Copy Link

Thanks to a loyal clientele and top-notich product, this nearly 50-year-old bakery has stood the test of time and remained in the same location for decades. The goods here are prepped fresh daily and include more than 25 sweet, savory, meaty and vegetarian varieties featuring classic combos, Polish sausage, venison and brisket plus seasonal and holiday recipes.

The Original Kolache Shoppe

Copy Link

Find less common varieties like pastrami and roast beef with bacon, cheese and jalapenos, pastrami with bacon and cheese, and two kinds of fajita meat with cheese alongside expected sausage favorites at this Houston mainstay. In business since 1956, The Original Kolache Shoppe also serves sweet offerings with a variety of fruits, cheese and poppyseeds.

Pena's Donut Heaven & Grill

Copy Link

Heading on a day trip to Pearland, or just live nearby? Pick up provisions including chorizo and egg, boudain or brisket stuffed kolaches a this family run diner that also offers typical varieties of sausage and cheese, ham and cheese, and sausage, cheese and jalapeno — a drive through window makes snagging nibbles extra simple.

Donald's Donuts

Copy Link

Don’t miss this destination in Seabrook where the soft croissant-style breading hugs sausage sourced from Chappell Hill and signature mild & spicy boudain. Additional flavors include ham and cheese, plain sausage or sausage and cheese or sausage, cheese and jalapeno; the latter two are available in regular or large sizes.

Koala Kolache

Branch out at this bakery newcomer where flavor finds include fillings like cheeseburger, taco, mac & cheese, and cheese grits & egg. The minimally processed goods feature locally sourced ingredients and natural ingredients.

Charles' Donut Shop

Though the fillings at this Oak Forest neighborhood hangout aren’t anything extravagant, folks still clamor for the croissant-like breading that lends a tasty alternative to the traditional dough, which is thicker and more firm.

Lee's Fried Chicken & Donuts

Create your own dozen with selections like breakfast sausage & cheese, ham & cheese or spicy boudin from this Heights shop famous for its quality ingredients and killer flavor combinations.

Christy's Donuts & Kolaches

Finagle a spot in the “cozy” parking lot at this beloved old-timer for fan favorites like kolaches stuffed with boudin or jalapenos plus classics of meat, egg and cheese. Finish off with a donut, because you can and to balance out all that sodium with a sugar rush.

River Oaks Donut Shop

You could drive over an hour to sink your teeth into authentic kolaches from Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse in El Campo, or you can swing by this local spot that features a variety of selections for the aforementioned mainstay including sausage, sausage & cheese, sausage, cheese & jalapeno and bite-sized sausage & cheese “piglets.” Additional choices feature egg-based fillings with cheese, bacon, and potato or go outside the box with a whole-wheat variation stuffed with spinach and feta.

Olde Towne Kolaches

Pick from a robust menu of fruit, cream cheese, and fruit/cheese combinations of Czech kolaches in options like apricot, apple, poppyseed and strawberry or go for Tex-Czech varieties featuring Eckrich meats. Savory selections include the standard sausage, bacon and ham versions plus spinach, egg & cheese, ranchero and fajita.

Shipley Do-Nuts

Just like their sweet donut counterparts, the kolaches here enjoy a fierce following from locals and grace many an office kitchen across the city. Look for ham and cheese, sausage and cheese, plain sausage and jalapeno.

Shipley Donuts
Shipley Donuts

Kolache Shoppe

Thanks to a loyal clientele and top-notich product, this nearly 50-year-old bakery has stood the test of time and remained in the same location for decades. The goods here are prepped fresh daily and include more than 25 sweet, savory, meaty and vegetarian varieties featuring classic combos, Polish sausage, venison and brisket plus seasonal and holiday recipes.

The Original Kolache Shoppe

Find less common varieties like pastrami and roast beef with bacon, cheese and jalapenos, pastrami with bacon and cheese, and two kinds of fajita meat with cheese alongside expected sausage favorites at this Houston mainstay. In business since 1956, The Original Kolache Shoppe also serves sweet offerings with a variety of fruits, cheese and poppyseeds.

Pena's Donut Heaven & Grill

Heading on a day trip to Pearland, or just live nearby? Pick up provisions including chorizo and egg, boudain or brisket stuffed kolaches a this family run diner that also offers typical varieties of sausage and cheese, ham and cheese, and sausage, cheese and jalapeno — a drive through window makes snagging nibbles extra simple.

Donald's Donuts

Don’t miss this destination in Seabrook where the soft croissant-style breading hugs sausage sourced from Chappell Hill and signature mild & spicy boudain. Additional flavors include ham and cheese, plain sausage or sausage and cheese or sausage, cheese and jalapeno; the latter two are available in regular or large sizes.

Related Maps