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Dakao Restaurant And Bar

3.7 (463 reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Dakao Restaurant And Bar Photos

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DAKAO RESTAURANT AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Dakao Restaurant And Bar

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Chicken pho
Brandon D.

I was feeling not too well and decided to get some pho for dinner in Houston. I decided to try out dakao in Houston because they are known for their chicken pho. I got a small bowl of their plain chicken pho with dark and white meat. The soup comes with onion, cilantro, green onion. If you get the dry version, it's served with a garlic brown sauce, lettuce, bean sprouts, and fried onions. They brought out a plate of veggies, bean sprouts, and a ginger fish sauce for the chicken. I like how they blanch the bean sprouts here, I like it that way. They brought out my pho fast, but maybe too fast because the noodles were all packed together and a bit undercooked. I liked the flavor of the broth tho. They give you plenty of chicken and it's a good amount for what you're paying

Danielle L.

Dakao is one of the Vietnamese restaurants you must try if you have the chance to be around this area. The restaurant so nice and clean and so beautiful. The foods are so amazing . The staff are so friendly and service so quick. Just love everything in here and highly recommended to everyone to try.

Mi ga - egg noodle soup with white meat chicken
Hannah N.

Not sure why we've never tried this spot when we come into town, but I'm pretty sure it's now being added to the must stop places. Came in for a quick light lunch before heading back on the road home and ended up ordering too much food. The menu is extensive and we wanted to try everything! The place was busy at lunch on a Saturday so clearly, a local favorite. Lots of seating inside and I liked the decor. Service was typical but efficient, and the food came out quick. We started off with fish sauce fried chicken wings. It came out fresh and hot. The sauce was perfectly balanced with sweet and savory. We also tried the chicken salad. I love this dish and theirs was delicious. For my main, I went with the mien ga dac biet (chicken clear noodle soup). It was flavorful and packed with meat. Comfort in a bowl. The family liked their dishes as well. I got to sample the mien ga kho and mi ga as well. All good. Definitely coming back!

Pho ga
Christine C.

I was surprisingly not as impressed with their pho ga. I think I preferred the pho ga I had in Virginia. But overall, chicken was good, soup was fine, noodles also fine. Banh knot was fine too. Crispy and fresh. def felt that they freshly made it. Wings are good too, friends cleaned up the dish really fast

Christopher S.

Their chicken pho did not disappoint! The soup broth was delicious and full of deep flavors. The customer service was good. All of the dishes were made with fresh ingredients and executed well. It was very busy on a Monday evening, so they must be serving up some amazing cuisine. We will definitely be back to try other dishes we saw locals were ordering.

Alan S.

I finally got the opportunity to try this place after it's been on my list for probably a few years now. I had always heard about the chicken pho as the dish to try, but the person I went with also recommended some other things. So we actually ended up with three dishes and I got to try a lot of great stuff. Of course I tried the chicken pho, which lived up to the expectation of being the Vietnamese comfort soup. Another dish was like a catfish in a sauce in a clay pot. I quite enjoyed the fish in the sauce, but beware it does have bones! The third dish was a mix of different proteins and mushrooms and rice. You can see a picture of it but I can't remember what it's called. I enjoyed the variety of what was in this dish and the rice had kind of a toasted vibe as it got stuck to the metal bowl by design. Despite all of these being small bowls, it was too much food for just two people. We kind of knew it would be but I wanted to try some new dishes, and I'm glad that I did! My only complaint is that after getting our food we never had a server come by again, so I never got more water.

Nui Xao
Jando S.

The Dakao experience hasn't always been smooth sailing, but there is no denying its status as one of the most beloved spots in Bellaire's Asiatown. Known especially for their signature chicken dishes, Dakao has built a loyal following and remains a standout in the local Viet dining scene. Most restaurants are easy to miss along Bellaire Blvd, but their massive signage ensures that most don't. The dining area is spacious enough to accommodate large groups, but it's also consistently busy, especially during peak hours and weekends. Waiting is almost certainly a given, but a little patience and strategy (later on weeknights) are key. The decor is a bit all over the place, but frankly, that's part of the charm. Their menu has to be one of the most extensive I've seen. While it might be tempting to stick with familiar Vietnamese dishes, I'd strongly recommend focusing on what they do best: all things chicken. Their pho ga (chicken pho) is one of the best in the city. The broth is rich and flavorful and the meat portions are generous -- offering a hearty mix of dark and white cuts. The dry version (pho ga kho) comes with a bowl of the broth, which is utterly divine. The fish sauce wings are also a hit, which often come perfectly fried and are full of flavor. Equally impressive is the chao ga (chicken congee), a simple dish that is executed exceptionally well. It arrives with a thin, fragrant layer of chicken fat glistening on the surface of the porridge, adding depth and texture. It's topped off with fried garlic, onion, and fresh cilantro and remains to be one of my favorite items on the menu. Their beef offerings are decent but don't quite measure up to any fo the chicken dishes. The bo luc lac (shaking beef), bo ne (beef sizzle platter), bo xao (stir fried beef) are serviceable, but better versions can be found at other places. Speaking of service, this is where they tend to get in trouble with others. The large staff is everywhere, but the miscues can vary on the individual. I've had excellent service and equally poor service, and it's sometimes a gamble especially during their busiest service. In the end, Dakao isn't perfect, but it excels at what it's known for. With fair prices, an eclectic vibe, and seemingly some of the city's best chicken dishes, it's a spot that fans of Vietnamese comfort food (especially chicken lovers) should prioritize for a visit ASAP.

Alex N.

Came here a 2nd time. The meat quality and portion was small but again the prices are unbeatable for an overall portion size for their com dac biet. The food came out warm and not hot was my concern.

Pho Ga Kho (dried chicken pho) + add side of trung non (young egg)
Leilani M.

One of my go to favorites for Viet food. They've got a super wide selection and definitely something for everyone! I love their pho ga kho (dried chicken pho), that's my most ordered dish for sure. Everything from pho to family style dining dishes like canh chua and stir fries, Dakao has it all. I HIGHLY recommend this place and honestly everyone who I've taken here has enjoyed the food as well!

Bo Ne

I love this place! Usually there is quite a long wait to get a seat reserved but it's usually packed all the time. The inside is pretty spacious. I ordered Pho Tai Bo Vien and Bo ne. Pho Tai Bo Vien: I usually order this bowl when I visit Dakao. I ordered a large, it was delicious. Just a classic pho dish. Meat is juicy and overall yummy! As a pho lover I would rate this a 10/10. Bo Ne: It was my first time ordering this dish, it was alright. The meat was very saucy and tender. All though the sauce was a bit overwhelming for me so I got full really quick. Dipped the bread in the sauce was tasty! I'd rate this a 7/10.

Kathy M.

I love this place, my stable restaurant. They have a wide variety of dishes. My favorites are com tam and com ga hai nam.

Cecile H.

Visiting here from California and I was craving some Vietnamese food. My uncle suggested this place down the street for some family style dinner. The restaurant was cutely decorated and very spacious. Plenty of seating and kind customer service. Ordered: the ca canh chua, rai muong, ca kho tau, and goi ga I've had better but it was still good and great pricing.

Bo Ne
Tom L.

Came in around 11:30 on a Saturday, and the place was already packed. We waited by the door for a bit before a server came over to add us to the waitlist--about a 10-15 minute wait. The space is huge with lots of seating, and the interior is nicely done. The menu is massive--18 pages with lots of photos--so it took a while to go through everything. Unfortunately, the waitstaff were pretty pushy--three different people came by within the span of a few minutes asking if we were ready to order. We ordered a lot, but really only the chicken soup was a home run. We got the chicken noodle soup with dark meat, gizzards, and livers. The broth was flavorful, the noodles had a great texture, and the whole bowl came together really well. The Bo Ne had great pics on Yelp, and the food was good, but in the end, it felt like a dressed-up DIY steak and spam banh mi. Not bad, just not sure it was worth the $17. We also got a jellyfish and shrimp salad, which was light and refreshing, but there were only a few thin slices of shrimp, and I couldn't find any jellyfish. This place is known for having amazing chicken dishes, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. They'd be 5 stars if the rest of their food matched the quality of their chicken soup.

Chicken Pho

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Reviews are mixed. Many praise the authentic Vietnamese food, wide menu variety, and spacious, clean space. Service is generally fast.

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2 months ago

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good authentic vietnamese food. we had Pho Ga, Mien Ga. Canh chua ca abd ca kho to. all was good.

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3 years ago

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Local Foods - Crunchy chicken

Local Foods

4.5(461 reviews)
12.5 mi•The Heights
•$$

Came here for brunch on a Sunday. I am a huge fan of Farm…read more44 beef got the steak and eggs! Potatoes and fried hard eggs plus sautéed spinach was delicious. Spoke with Bobby about the char being a little much he accommodated me with a steak cooked on flat top rather then open flame. Absolutely fantastic!!! I will be back service was amazing line moved fast. This place is busy on the weekends! Strawberry lemonade was delicious!! Amazing ambiance and super customer service. Once again Bobby was such a kind soul and made sure everything came out perfectly!!! Thank you local foods

This is a top favorite of mine,I've been a regular for over a year and they never disappoint I…read morebring my friends and family and they've all loved it, I love that they use local and fresh ingredients and you can tell in the quality of the flavor and the richness. The drinks are also good coffee and the bar section is solid. I used to finish my running (walking trail right in front) and stop by for a coffee or full breakfast. The patio area is my favorite if Houston's weather is blessing us I'm always sitting outside I usually get the CRUNCHY" CHICKEN sandwich with either side of Pozole or the chips so crispy and made in the moment. I've had other items the burger the salad the salmon they've always been fees and flavorful, I cannot recommend one thing because everything tastes great! Best place for a cute date or get together with friends family this place has it all! Check out their seasonal items they're always changing and they absolutely worth trying ****** GREEN POZOLE!!' I was surprised on how good it was sorry for doubting it's now my too favorite pozole in Houston ****** (approved by a Mexican ajuaaa )

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Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

4.2(2k reviews)
8.2 mi•Galleria/Uptown
•$$

The restaurant was busy, but it was not full…read more When we arrived, the host looked around as they led us inside, appearing unsure where to seat us. We were ultimately shown to a table directly in front of the kitchen. As we sat there, I gradually began to notice some troubling things. Another Asian group was seated at a table next to one of the kitchen entrances. Later, when they finished their meal and left, another Asian family was seated at the same table. In addition, a Black family was seated next to another kitchen exit. A woman in that group asked to be moved to a different table. The food itself was very good, and the server who took care of us was pleasant and kind. My concern was specifically with the way the host assigned tables. Seeing this seating pattern repeated even though other tables were available made me strongly feel that race was influencing the seating decisions. I found the experience very upsetting. Of course, it is up to the restaurant to decide how it will assign tables in the future. I would be glad if this experience prompted the restaurant to recognize the issue and make changes. On the other hand, if nothing changes, I will consider this to be part of the restaurant's character. I am leaving this review to share what I personally saw and experienced.

The very best. Our spot in town. Ziggy's the man!!!…read more All good. Our usual is chopped liver, belly lox & bagels, kreplach, split pea soup, pastrami/corned beef Dagwood, and a black & white. Gotta have the pickles. We thank K&Z's team for hitting the mark EVERYTIME.

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Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen - Outdoor seating by the entrance

Outdoor seating by the entrance

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Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen - Inside seating with all the movie/broadway posters

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Xiaolong Dumpling - B1. Mongolian Beef B1.

Xiaolong Dumpling

4.6(311 reviews)
12.5 mi•Fourth Ward, Midtown, Montrose
•$$

This little spot is my literal favorite place for fried rice. Everything is good but the fried rice…read moreis the best I've ever had! Pork Bao's are normally my daughter fave but the soup dumplings here are her favorite. She could finish an order on her own. The service is always great. As soon as you get in they give everyone a water and a carafe of more water. There is a QR code to order and you place your order on the phone. The order goes straight to the kitchen and you can add as you go if wanted. I always thought that was pretty cool. The owner came out to say hello and ask how everything is. She even brought out a small bowl of soup for my baby to enjoy. The waitress was also very sweet and attentive. I don't live close by but will make the trip when the craving hits. Today was one of those days. The last time I was here there was no ac and not enough seating. This time it was nice and cool in and well as having new seating! This little spot needs to be on your need to stop places!

Came here solo on a Saturday evening with goals to get some biang biang noodles. I was hoping to be…read moreable to dine there. I asked the main waitress how long it'd take to get seated as a solo diner, but she never gave me a clear answer as she was so busy as the only wait staff. I decided take out was the move. Take out took about 15 minutes to come out, so not too long. The biang biang noodles had a nice bounce, but I'm not sure if it was because it was a take out meal that the noodles were sticking together. However, they were very flavorful. I also got the pork wontons in the peanut sauce and they were also very juicy and flavorful. Overall, the food here is good and I'd try it again but hopefully for dine in. If you can get a reservation, I'd suggest doing that or else the wait will be long.

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Xiaolong Dumpling - Excellent customer service!!!

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Xiaolong Dumpling - P3. Black Pepper Beef P3.

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Local Foods - Egg Salad. Sandwich

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4.5(1.9k reviews)
10.2 mi•West University
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Healthy, fresh, and delicious. This place really did impress me! There were so many things on the…read moremenu I wanted to try but alas, I only have one belly. I took my order to-go, so I can't speak too much on the service or environment here. But there's a bunch of seating (inside and out!). I opted for the chicken shawarma bowl since it seemed like one of the more delicious, leafy green options that wasn't just a straight-up salad. OH MY GOSH IT WAS MIND BLOWING. The little pieces of grilled halloumi cheese, sweet potatoes, and sauce really took this bowl to the next level. I usually don't eat all my food but I clapped the entirety of this bowl immediately. I would be a regular here if I lived nearby. 11/10 recommend if you're looking for something fresh and nutritious.

I had lunch here yesterday and I'm still thinking about it. This place is truly a gem for…read moreplant-based lovers. Big spacious restaurant with lots of whimsical decor. The menu is what really stood out to me. I love that they are so plant-based forward and how the dishes are made with a lot of fresh and local ingredients. I ordered: - Cashew Queso - it was so delicious and surprisingly very creamy with a lovely savory taste to it. A true 5/5. - Garden Sammie - I like that the sandwiches come with two mini sides of your choice. I chose the kale salad and the potato salad. The sandwich was very good and tasted fresh and healthy. 5/5. - Whipped Feta + bread - it was good but the heavy honey drizzle all over the bread made it a little too sweet for me. It would have been perfect if there was just a light drizzle. I would order again and ask for a light drizzle or just for the honey to be on the side. Still 5/5. Service was warm and helpful. Our food runner was super friendly and made the experience even more wonderful. I highly recommend visiting here if you haven't already. So happy this place exists!

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Local Foods - Inside

Inside

Local Foods - Garden Sammie Sandwich ($12) - brussel sprouts, smashed avocado, hummus, pickled onion, lettuce, tomatoes, curried cauliflower, ciabatta

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Dakao Restaurant And Bar - vietnamese - Updated October 2026

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