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Nancy Hustle’s Nancy Cakes, served with a side of homemade butter, topped with honey, troe, and chives.
Nancy Hustle’s Nancy Cakes is an iconic dish you’ll want to order again and again.
Brittany Britto Garley

24 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

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Nancy Hustle’s Nancy Cakes is an iconic dish you’ll want to order again and again.
| Brittany Britto Garley

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 to 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

a fork digging into a bowl of Coltivare’s pasta.
Coltivare’s signature spaghetti dish seems simple until you get a taste.
Andrea Weir

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

Nancy's Hustle

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The Nancy Cakes are an undeniable part of the DNA at Nancy’s Hustle. These savory cakes are pillowy soft on the inside with just a hint of crispiness on the outside. Slather them with healthy heaps of the accompanying homemade cultured butter, which is topped with a salty smoked trout roe, chives, and a hint of honey for sweetness. You’ll want to lick the plate clean.

Nancy Hustle’s Nancy Cakes, served with a side of homemade butter, topped with honey, troe, and chives.
The Nancy Cakes at Nancy’s Hustle are a must-order item.
Brittany Britto Garley

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.

The Breakfast Klub’s chicken and waffles with strawberries.
It bears repeating — The Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles are iconic.
The Breakfast Klub

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Blood Bros. BBQ

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This Bellaire-born-and-bred barbecue joint has proven that great barbecue is more than just tender brisket and ribs. For many, it’s also about what comes with it — the sides, and Blood Bros. BBQ has that down pat. Try out the brisket fried rice, a combination of homemade fried rice with carrots and peas, and peppery, smoky bits of brisket in every bite.

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.

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.

Sao Lao Thai Café

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 to 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.

Tacos Doña Lena

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.

Rainbow Lodge

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.

Shipley Do-Nuts

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.

Coltivare Pizza & Garden

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.

a fork digging into a bowl of Coltivare’s pasta.
Coltivare’s signature spaghetti dish seems simple until you get a taste.
Andrea Weir

Better Luck Tomorrow

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.

Khoi Barbecue

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.

Bludorn

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.

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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. 

Ostia

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.

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

La Guadalupana

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.

Nancy's Hustle

The Nancy Cakes are an undeniable part of the DNA at Nancy’s Hustle. These savory cakes are pillowy soft on the inside with just a hint of crispiness on the outside. Slather them with healthy heaps of the accompanying homemade cultured butter, which is topped with a salty smoked trout roe, chives, and a hint of honey for sweetness. You’ll want to lick the plate clean.

Nancy Hustle’s Nancy Cakes, served with a side of homemade butter, topped with honey, troe, and chives.
The Nancy Cakes at Nancy’s Hustle are a must-order item.
Brittany Britto Garley

The Breakfast Klub

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.

The Breakfast Klub’s chicken and waffles with strawberries.
It bears repeating — The Breakfast Klub’s wings and waffles are iconic.
The Breakfast Klub

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

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.

Carrabba's - The Original on Kirby

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.

Related Maps

Nobie's

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.

Picos Restaurant

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.

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

Kata Robata

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.

Local Foods - Rice Village

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.

Himalaya Restaurant

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. 

Mala Sichuan Bistro

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. 

Blood Bros. BBQ

This Bellaire-born-and-bred barbecue joint has proven that great barbecue is more than just tender brisket and ribs. For many, it’s also about what comes with it — the sides, and Blood Bros. BBQ has that down pat. Try out the brisket fried rice, a combination of homemade fried rice with carrots and peas, and peppery, smoky bits of brisket in every bite.

Crawfish & Noodles

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.

Pho Binh By Night

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.

Related Maps