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A plate of roasted chicken topped with salsa verde with a charred lemon on a green table.
Ostia’s famous chicken with salsa verde should be on your Houston food bucket list.
Jenn Duncan

22 Iconic Houston Dishes to Try Before You Die

Find epic roasted chicken, tacos birria, spicy barbecue curries, and more essentials on this Space City bucket list

by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated
View as Map
Ostia’s famous chicken with salsa verde should be on your Houston food bucket list.
| Jenn Duncan
by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated

For over 180 years, Houston has been the meeting place of so many global cuisines leading ultimately to the creation of some incredible, iconic dishes.

But what are Houston’s most iconic dishes? With so many excellent cuisines and restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to narrow down a list of the city’s definitive dishes. That said, some dishes, like Triple J’s Smokehouse’s Big J baked potato, Cantina Barba’s burger, and Wild Oats’ brunch buffet, were rotated out to make way for the never-ending list of must-haves like La Guadalupana’s enchiladas verdes, Ostia’s famed roasted chicken, and Kata Robata’s under-the-radar ramen.

Whether in need of an excellent place to start exploring Houston’s culinary culture or just need a refresher on some old favorites, these iconic dishes are worth a try.

Don’t see your favorite dish on the list? Shout it in the comments.

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Sao Lao Thai Café

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Sao Lao has been open for just over a year, but the restaurant known for cuisine that fuses Thai and Lao, has garnered a cult following for its traditional boat noodle soup. The concoction is made by simmering beef broth with pig’s blood for 8-10 hours and adding in more than 40 different ingredients, including rice noodles, ribeye steak, and pork balls. The highly sought after bowl sells out often, so stop by early to ensure you’ll get a taste.

5013 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018
(832) 203-5920
(832) 203-5920

Also featured in:

Tacos Doña Lena

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There isn’t a taco — or torta, for that matter — not worth trying at Tacos Dona Lena, but if you had to settle on one that is iconic of Houston, it would be the tacos birria. Corn tortillas are generously stuffed with beef birria, dressed with cilantro and onion, and presented with a house-made consommé.

8788 Hammerly Blvd G, Houston, TX 77080
(713) 993-6486
(713) 993-6486

Also featured in:

Rainbow Lodge

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In addition to its namesake ingredient, Rainbow Lodge's rich and hearty bowl of smoked duck gumbo features Andouille sausage and is topped with wild rice pilaf for a multi-textured off-the-charts savory indulgence.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666

Also featured in:

Shipley Do-Nuts

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Since 1936, Shipley’s has been a Bayou City classic, and its kolaches are nothing short of iconic. Fluffy bread surrounds either sausage or ham with the option for cheese and jalapeno. Regardless of your flavor choice, bringing a dozen of these delights to an office break room or a tailgate will make you a very popular person.

3932 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 862-4655
(713) 862-4655

Also featured in:

Better Luck Tomorrow

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When visiting BLT, you’ll find great cocktails and even better bar food. Justin Yu’s party melt has been a staple food offering at the bar since its opening and for good reason. The elevated take on the classic patty melt is served with two kinds of onions, caramelized and thinly sliced raw red onions, burger sauce, crispy cheese, and two slices of buttery, crustless bread. You’ll be sad when the last bite comes.

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 802-0845
(713) 802-0845

Also featured in:

Coltivare Pizza & Garden

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This deceptively simple bowl of steaming noodles dressed with freshly cracked tellicherry peppercorns, parmesan, and olive oil has received national acclaim and a devoted following of locals who are happy to wait for a table just to get their hands on this cacio e pepe.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 637-4095
(713) 637-4095
a fork digging into a bowl of Coltivare’s pasta.
Coltivare’s signature spaghetti dish seems simple until you get a taste.
Andrea Weir

Also featured in:

Bludorn

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At the corner of comfort and luxury, you’re sure to find Bludorn’s lobster pot pie. The pie will have you mesmerized as your server removes the top crust tableside to reveal a steamy interior. Featuring charred corn, roasted poblano crawfish, and lime crème fraiche, it tastes as good as it looks.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Also featured in:

Khoi Barbecue

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Drawing inspiration from Vietnamese roots, the team behind Khoi Barbecue created a true culinary marvel in their smoked beef rib Panang curry. Perfectly tender beef is drowned in an aromatic and perfectly spicy curry with fluffy rice. It’s a marriage of flavors you don’t want to miss. Follow them on Instagram to catch them at their next pop-up.

Houston, TX

Also featured in:

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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Houston is eternally indebted to Mama Ninfa for giving us the gift of beef fajitas. Perfectly marinated skirt steak accompanied by rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and house-made flour tortillas are essential to Houston’s Tex-Mex scene. 

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
(713) 228-1175

Also featured in:

Ostia

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Baked chicken in itself doesn’t always sound quite iconic, but the reputation of the half-lemon roasted chicken at this Montrose restaurant certainly proceeds itself, thanks to its silky herb-loaded juices, tenderness no matter the piece, and a baked lemon waiting to be squeezed all over. Pair it with the crispy potatoes, served with a side of velvety homemade aioli, and you’ve got yourself a meal you’ll want to order again.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

Also featured in:

La Guadalupana

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A beloved Montrose staple for everything, including breakfast tacos, tres leches, and cinnamon coffee, La Guadalupana’s hero dish is their enchiladas verdes. A favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, a bright tomatillo sauce covers corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and comes with a side of creamy refried beans.

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-2301
(713) 522-2301

Also featured in:

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

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Christie’s has been serving Gulf favorites to locals since 1917 and the fried shrimp paired with remoulade sauce is a must-try. The traditional dipping sauce is prepared using homemade mayonnaise and garlic until it’s smooth and decadent. For a truly iconic meal, try the famous fish sandwich which was the dish that put Christie’s on the map.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Also featured in:

Carrabba's - The Original on Kirby

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Named after the town of Bryan, Texas, where the Carrabba family settled when they arrived from Sicily in the 1890s, Chicken Bryan Texas is one of the restaurant’s most beloved offerings. A juicy grilled chicken breast, topped with a puck of goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and covered in lemon-butter-wine sauce, is served with a side of creamy fettuccine alfredo.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131

Kata Robata

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Helmed by Japanese-born chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi, Kata Robata is lauded for its fresh seafood offerings flown in daily from around the globe and inventive dishes. Naturally, most venture in for the sushi, but the spicy soy ramen is a hidden gem within the menu and is not to be missed. A thick and spicy soy milk-based broth is loaded with braised ground pork, chili oil, soft boiled egg, and green onions revealing layers of intense flavor.

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Also featured in:

Picos Restaurant

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For this classic take on pollo en mole negro Oaxaqueño, a chicken quarter is drenched in Oaxacan-style thick, dark, rich black mole – the result of an 8-10 hour cooking process involving an extensive list of ingredients – and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. It’s presented with rice, refried black beans, and lots of tortillas.

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 831-9940
(832) 831-9940
Pico’s chicken quarter covered in mole and paired with a side of rice.
Mole negro is the way to go when dining at Picos.
Ellie Sharp

More in Maps

Nobie's

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At first glance, Nobie’s Nonno’s pasta is a seemingly simple dish of tagliatelle with bolognese and parmesan cheese. At first bite, however, hearts will melt, eyes will open in amazement, and bellies will grumble for more. Deeply flavorful and hearty, this dish will make you want to use the heart eyes emoji.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Also featured in:

The Breakfast Klub

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Very few things are worth standing in line for, especially in Houston’s mercurial weather, but the Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles make the cut. Crunchy and expertly seasoned wings paired with a fluffy waffle make the perfect breakfast combination at this Midtown institution. Whether that’s more iconic than the “katfish” and grits is up to you to decide.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 528-8561
(713) 528-8561
The Breakfast Klub’s chicken and waffles with strawberries.
It bears repeating — The Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles are iconic.
The Breakfast Klub

Also featured in:

Pho Binh By Night

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The noodles at this Bellaire pho spot are a Houston late-night essential. Open until midnight, there’s no better way to curb a hangover than with a giant bowl of hot, aromatic broth and savory meats.

12148 Bellaire Blvd #101, Houston, TX 77072
(832) 351-2464
(832) 351-2464

Also featured in:

Crawfish & Noodles

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Viet-Cajun crawfish is as Houston as it gets. Bringing together the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine and the Cajun tradition of Louisiana boiled crawfish, the result of this unique pairing is nothing short of magical.

11360 Bellaire Blvd Ste 990, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 988-8098
(281) 988-8098

Also featured in:

Mala Sichuan Bistro

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It’s a close tie, considering the epic, top-selling spicy dan dan noodles, but the mouth-tingling mapo tofu at Mala is always worth a trip to one of its five locations. Perfectly spicy, silky, and savory, this dish will create cravings you never thought possible. Pair the tofu with an order of red oil dumplings and stir-fried green beans for the full Mala experience. 

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 995-1889
(713) 995-1889

Also featured in:

Himalaya Restaurant

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Known as HFC (Himalaya Fried Chicken), the masala-spiced, crispy fried chicken at Himalaya is a Houston original and a must for anyone that’s new to the city or a native. Remember, the “magic mustard” sauce is a mandatory accompaniment. 

6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
(713) 532-2837
(713) 532-2837

Also featured in:

Local Foods - Rice Village

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Satisfying, fresh, flavorful, and addictive are all the words needed to accurately describe the Local Foods’ crunchy chicken sandwich. It’s so deeply ingrained in the Houston food scene that the restaurant’s April Fool’s joke announcing the retirement of the sandwich on Instagram caused a wave of worry and angst.

2424 Dunstan Rd # 100, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
(713) 521-7800

Also featured in:

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Sao Lao Thai Café

5013 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018

Sao Lao has been open for just over a year, but the restaurant known for cuisine that fuses Thai and Lao, has garnered a cult following for its traditional boat noodle soup. The concoction is made by simmering beef broth with pig’s blood for 8-10 hours and adding in more than 40 different ingredients, including rice noodles, ribeye steak, and pork balls. The highly sought after bowl sells out often, so stop by early to ensure you’ll get a taste.

5013 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018
(832) 203-5920
(832) 203-5920

Tacos Doña Lena

8788 Hammerly Blvd G, Houston, TX 77080

There isn’t a taco — or torta, for that matter — not worth trying at Tacos Dona Lena, but if you had to settle on one that is iconic of Houston, it would be the tacos birria. Corn tortillas are generously stuffed with beef birria, dressed with cilantro and onion, and presented with a house-made consommé.

8788 Hammerly Blvd G, Houston, TX 77080
(713) 993-6486
(713) 993-6486

Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

In addition to its namesake ingredient, Rainbow Lodge's rich and hearty bowl of smoked duck gumbo features Andouille sausage and is topped with wild rice pilaf for a multi-textured off-the-charts savory indulgence.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666

Shipley Do-Nuts

3932 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

Since 1936, Shipley’s has been a Bayou City classic, and its kolaches are nothing short of iconic. Fluffy bread surrounds either sausage or ham with the option for cheese and jalapeno. Regardless of your flavor choice, bringing a dozen of these delights to an office break room or a tailgate will make you a very popular person.

3932 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 862-4655
(713) 862-4655

Better Luck Tomorrow

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007

When visiting BLT, you’ll find great cocktails and even better bar food. Justin Yu’s party melt has been a staple food offering at the bar since its opening and for good reason. The elevated take on the classic patty melt is served with two kinds of onions, caramelized and thinly sliced raw red onions, burger sauce, crispy cheese, and two slices of buttery, crustless bread. You’ll be sad when the last bite comes.

544 Yale St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 802-0845
(713) 802-0845

Coltivare Pizza & Garden

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

This deceptively simple bowl of steaming noodles dressed with freshly cracked tellicherry peppercorns, parmesan, and olive oil has received national acclaim and a devoted following of locals who are happy to wait for a table just to get their hands on this cacio e pepe.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 637-4095
(713) 637-4095
a fork digging into a bowl of Coltivare’s pasta.
Coltivare’s signature spaghetti dish seems simple until you get a taste.
Andrea Weir

Bludorn

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

At the corner of comfort and luxury, you’re sure to find Bludorn’s lobster pot pie. The pie will have you mesmerized as your server removes the top crust tableside to reveal a steamy interior. Featuring charred corn, roasted poblano crawfish, and lime crème fraiche, it tastes as good as it looks.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Khoi Barbecue

Houston, TX

Drawing inspiration from Vietnamese roots, the team behind Khoi Barbecue created a true culinary marvel in their smoked beef rib Panang curry. Perfectly tender beef is drowned in an aromatic and perfectly spicy curry with fluffy rice. It’s a marriage of flavors you don’t want to miss. Follow them on Instagram to catch them at their next pop-up.

Houston, TX

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003

Houston is eternally indebted to Mama Ninfa for giving us the gift of beef fajitas. Perfectly marinated skirt steak accompanied by rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and house-made flour tortillas are essential to Houston’s Tex-Mex scene. 

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
(713) 228-1175

Ostia

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Baked chicken in itself doesn’t always sound quite iconic, but the reputation of the half-lemon roasted chicken at this Montrose restaurant certainly proceeds itself, thanks to its silky herb-loaded juices, tenderness no matter the piece, and a baked lemon waiting to be squeezed all over. Pair it with the crispy potatoes, served with a side of velvety homemade aioli, and you’ve got yourself a meal you’ll want to order again.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

La Guadalupana

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

A beloved Montrose staple for everything, including breakfast tacos, tres leches, and cinnamon coffee, La Guadalupana’s hero dish is their enchiladas verdes. A favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, a bright tomatillo sauce covers corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and comes with a side of creamy refried beans.

2109 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-2301
(713) 522-2301

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Christie’s has been serving Gulf favorites to locals since 1917 and the fried shrimp paired with remoulade sauce is a must-try. The traditional dipping sauce is prepared using homemade mayonnaise and garlic until it’s smooth and decadent. For a truly iconic meal, try the famous fish sandwich which was the dish that put Christie’s on the map.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Carrabba's - The Original on Kirby

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Named after the town of Bryan, Texas, where the Carrabba family settled when they arrived from Sicily in the 1890s, Chicken Bryan Texas is one of the restaurant’s most beloved offerings. A juicy grilled chicken breast, topped with a puck of goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and covered in lemon-butter-wine sauce, is served with a side of creamy fettuccine alfredo.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098

Helmed by Japanese-born chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi, Kata Robata is lauded for its fresh seafood offerings flown in daily from around the globe and inventive dishes. Naturally, most venture in for the sushi, but the spicy soy ramen is a hidden gem within the menu and is not to be missed. A thick and spicy soy milk-based broth is loaded with braised ground pork, chili oil, soft boiled egg, and green onions revealing layers of intense flavor.

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Picos Restaurant

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

For this classic take on pollo en mole negro Oaxaqueño, a chicken quarter is drenched in Oaxacan-style thick, dark, rich black mole – the result of an 8-10 hour cooking process involving an extensive list of ingredients – and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. It’s presented with rice, refried black beans, and lots of tortillas.

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 831-9940
(832) 831-9940
Pico’s chicken quarter covered in mole and paired with a side of rice.
Mole negro is the way to go when dining at Picos.
Ellie Sharp

Related Maps

Nobie's

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

At first glance, Nobie’s Nonno’s pasta is a seemingly simple dish of tagliatelle with bolognese and parmesan cheese. At first bite, however, hearts will melt, eyes will open in amazement, and bellies will grumble for more. Deeply flavorful and hearty, this dish will make you want to use the heart eyes emoji.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

The Breakfast Klub

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002

Very few things are worth standing in line for, especially in Houston’s mercurial weather, but the Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles make the cut. Crunchy and expertly seasoned wings paired with a fluffy waffle make the perfect breakfast combination at this Midtown institution. Whether that’s more iconic than the “katfish” and grits is up to you to decide.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 528-8561
(713) 528-8561
The Breakfast Klub’s chicken and waffles with strawberries.
It bears repeating — The Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles are iconic.
The Breakfast Klub

Pho Binh By Night

12148 Bellaire Blvd #101, Houston, TX 77072

The noodles at this Bellaire pho spot are a Houston late-night essential. Open until midnight, there’s no better way to curb a hangover than with a giant bowl of hot, aromatic broth and savory meats.

12148 Bellaire Blvd #101, Houston, TX 77072
(832) 351-2464
(832) 351-2464

Crawfish & Noodles

11360 Bellaire Blvd Ste 990, Houston, TX 77072

Viet-Cajun crawfish is as Houston as it gets. Bringing together the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine and the Cajun tradition of Louisiana boiled crawfish, the result of this unique pairing is nothing short of magical.

11360 Bellaire Blvd Ste 990, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 988-8098
(281) 988-8098

Mala Sichuan Bistro

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036

It’s a close tie, considering the epic, top-selling spicy dan dan noodles, but the mouth-tingling mapo tofu at Mala is always worth a trip to one of its five locations. Perfectly spicy, silky, and savory, this dish will create cravings you never thought possible. Pair the tofu with an order of red oil dumplings and stir-fried green beans for the full Mala experience. 

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 995-1889
(713) 995-1889

Himalaya Restaurant

6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074

Known as HFC (Himalaya Fried Chicken), the masala-spiced, crispy fried chicken at Himalaya is a Houston original and a must for anyone that’s new to the city or a native. Remember, the “magic mustard” sauce is a mandatory accompaniment. 

6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
(713) 532-2837
(713) 532-2837

Local Foods - Rice Village

2424 Dunstan Rd # 100, Houston, TX 77005

Satisfying, fresh, flavorful, and addictive are all the words needed to accurately describe the Local Foods’ crunchy chicken sandwich. It’s so deeply ingrained in the Houston food scene that the restaurant’s April Fool’s joke announcing the retirement of the sandwich on Instagram caused a wave of worry and angst.

2424 Dunstan Rd # 100, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
(713) 521-7800

Related Maps