Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Dakao Restaurant And Bar

    3.7 (460 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Dakao Restaurant And Bar Photos

    Business Info

    DAKAO RESTAURANT AND BAR ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like Dakao Restaurant And Bar

    Recommended Reviews - Dakao Restaurant And Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    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.

    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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was busy at lunch on a Saturday so clearly, a local favorite.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of seating inside and I liked the decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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!

    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.

    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
    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.

    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.

    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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Most restaurants are easy to miss along Bellaire Blvd, but their massive signage ensures that most don't.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The dining area is spacious enough to accommodate large groups, but it's also consistently busy, especially during peak hours and weekends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Waiting is almost certainly a given, but a little patience and strategy (later on weeknights) are key. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor is a bit all over the place, but frankly, that's part of the charm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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.

    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!

    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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was cutely decorated and very spacious.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Plenty of seating and kind customer service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Came in around 11:30 on a Saturday, and the place was already packed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is huge with lots of seating, and the interior is nicely done.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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
    Danny L.

    Despite the mixed reviews about the chicken pho, I wanted to give it a shot because it was mentioned in a few reviews. I thought it was good! The chicken, well, tasted like chicken! It wasn't dry and had a nice touch of ginger (I think). The broth was nice to drink by itself and tied it all together. Bonus points too that my youngest son enjoyed it. I did really enjoy the egg roll here. Great flavor and has a nice crispy bite without the burnt edges. The service was decent. No major complaints. Some of our orders were mixed up and they tried to bring something we didn't order, but no big deal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Interior seemed clean and has an attempt to be trendy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I just came for the food. Go pho it!

    Sara N.

    Visited with relatives and they recommended this place. I was told they are known for their pho ga and I did see pho ga kho (dry version) and gave that a try. I would say the sauce isn't similar to represent pho ga besides what goes into it. However, it was still delicious. Service was decent, fairly busy around 1/2 on Friday. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very spacious inside too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Inside decor

    See all

    Review Insights

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of chelsea
    1
    14
    19

    18 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 2
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex N.
    207
    2410
    5158

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Calvin T.
    15
    98
    418

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linh P.
    0
    25
    26

    12 days ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of julie l.
    55
    28
    66

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    The service is terrible. Both server and manager are unprofessional. I will not be back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hoa K.
    332
    531
    2361

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rhys T.
    0
    12
    21

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kayla L.
    139
    27
    12

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Dakao Restaurant And Bar

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Vietnamese 44,425 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Local Foods

    Local Foods

    4.5
    (461 reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    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 )

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
    Avocado and egg toast with a side of potato salad

    See all

    Avocado and egg toast with a side of potato salad
    Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

    Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

    4.2
    (2k reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$

    Had to take my boys here when came in from the 305. The old…read moreschool atmosphere with Sinatra playing and red booths gave you the feel of nostalgia. Servers dressed up and ready to serve ginormous portions of whatever you want for breakfast or lunch. Bring a large appetite. Large size sweet and sour pickles come 1st to table . Fresh squeezed juice as flavorful as ones we had on Amalfi coast. Signature Reuben served open or closed with thousand island dressing and extra sauerkraut was large enough to share for the boys. Their signature chicken soup with a bagel chip was served steamy hot as we like it. Even has the world largest chocolate Eclair filled with bavariancreme and topped with chocolate. This place would be popular in S. Florida and very happy is here for the locals. Looking forward to a return.

    I pass this restaurant many times.. finally try it. I see the picture of pie cake are so delicious,…read moreso I buy whole big apple pie Togo . It look very cool and different not same as other . Inside tone of apple which is good but the outside crust are not crispy and no test . I think is too much apple makes the pie soft and feel like eating apples only and the apple I can feel ice test inside the apple . Very DISAPPOINT . Service : terrible , bad, basic service polite don't even have . (remember we only walk to buy to go already feel that, I can) Ambiance : good huge very nice decoration.

    Photos
    Outdoor seating by the entrance
    Outdoor seating by the entrance
    Chips and hummus
    Chips and hummus
    Inside seating with all the movie/broadway posters

    See all

    Inside seating with all the movie/broadway posters
    Xiaolong Dumpling

    Xiaolong Dumpling

    4.6
    (300 reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    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!

    Was a little bit of a red flag when we were the only Asian customers in the restaurant - still…read moredecent but definitely catered towards Western taste buds. My favorite dish was surprising the fried rice, with generous portions and slight smokiness. The xiaolongbao weren't my favorite, as there wasn't a whole lot of juice; but hey if you're looking to be health conscious maybe that is a positive.

    Photos
    Excellent customer service!!!
    Excellent customer service!!!
    V9. Eggplant In Garlic Sauce V9.
    V9. Eggplant In Garlic Sauce V9.
    P3. Black Pepper Beef P3.

    See all

    P3. Black Pepper Beef P3.
    Ishin Udon

    Ishin Udon

    4.3
    (472 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I don't see many places that specialize on udon. Ishin does it well with a big variety of udon…read moredishes from Japanese to Italian inspired and soups to curries. It's a small and cozy place that can get packed around peak hours. I got the beef curry udon with a side of tonkatsu. The tonkatsu was tender and crunchy and made an excellent addition to the soft and creamy udon. The curry was one of my favorites I've tried so far, a generous, flavorful helping that wasn't overly salty or spicy. They also gave a good amount of tender sliced beef as well. If you're out looking for udon specifically, this place has all sorts of good options for you to choose from.

    This was my third time coming back here. Each time we like to try different dishes. This time I…read morebrought my nieces with me and that just means more dishes to try. Not many restaurants in Houston offer Takowasa, which is marinated raw octopus with wasabi; and when we find one that does, it's our must order for appetizers. We also ordered the chicken karaage and agedashi tofu. The karaage was juicy and slightly larger than the size of popcorn chicken. The tofu was soft and lightly battered, however the downside is that it gets soggy quickly since it's sitting in the sauce rather than on the side. For our entrees, we got the carbonara, curry tonkatsu rice, niku tama ankake, and kakuni udon. The carbonara was nice and creamy. The curry rice tastes exactly like the Japanese box curry. The niku tama is more of a thicker soup base similar to egg drop soup, however has a more slightly sweet umami flavor. The kakuni udon had a lighter broth with braised pork belly. The service was a bit slow here, but we didn't mind it too much. The interior had a cute traditional Japanese style decor. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and we'll be back to try other udons.

    Photos
    Booths layout
    Booths layout
    Curry udon
    Curry udon
    Chicken Karaage

    See all

    Chicken Karaage
    Local Foods

    Local Foods

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    10.2 mi
    $$

    Wow! Just... wow…read more Loved this place from the moment I walked in! Ambiance was super fun and welcoming. The tubs of ice filled with cold drinks all around as you approach the counter was casual and fun. And the staff was welcoming and friendly. The menu had so much variety, without being overwhelming. Anything from a good pazole, to a brisket Rueben, to an American Italian sandwich! I got the báhn mì sandwich, which was bursting with flavor! The pork was seasoned well and had good flavor from the marinade. The cilantro, pickled onions, jalapeno, all were so fresh and vibrant! And I was able to get homemade chips and fresh strawberries as my side - such a refreshing bite the strawberries after a rich, porky, spicy bite from the sandwich. Can't say enough good! Loved this place and would go back in a heartbeat!

    A big part of the decades long success at Local Foods has been their commitment to consistency…read more Their casual setting with excellent service is one thing, but quality executed food that is simple and seasonal will always go a long way. Before their recent expansions to Austin, it all began here in Rice Village exactly 15 years ago. The vibes are contemporary and casual, with the kind of space that fits for just about any scenario. Whether it's a solo meal, a lunch date, or a group led affair, the experience is almost always an excellent one. Start by ordering at the counter and find a seat where the food will brought directly to the table. So much of their variety caters to all sorts of dietary restrictions from vegan to gluten free to nut free. Their spicy crispy brussels sprouts ($10) are a nice starter, as is the squash "onion" rings ($12). The local power bowl ($16) is a classic and I've always enjoyed the brown rice and quinoa combo. Their chicken "posolé" is solid, and I love the large hominy bits along with the clear but green tint of a broth. The chicken shawarma bowl ($20) is an interesting mix that includes pickled beets and strawberries, along with their market cheddar burger ($17) and fabulous twice cooked fries. The carrot cupcake is strangely addicting, and I think their gluten free brownie is a bit of a sleeper. Some of their items didn't jive with me previously, such as an underwhelming cashew queso ($9), a semi-laughable Vietnamese steak bowl ($22), and their semi-gringo version of a banh mi ($15). It's not that these items are bad per se, but they definitely don't live up to the same standard that I feel their other dishes do best. Where they hit the biggest home run is their customer service. Everyone working behind the counter does their best to deliver and they almost always do by staying on top of refills, cleanups, and customer greets. I've always enjoyed my experiences here and look forward to every visit.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Garden Sammie Sandwich ($12) - brussel sprouts, smashed avocado, hummus, pickled onion, lettuce, tomatoes, curried cauliflower, ciabatta
    Garden Sammie Sandwich ($12) - brussel sprouts, smashed avocado, hummus, pickled onion, lettuce, tomatoes, curried cauliflower, ciabatta
    Banh Mi ($14) - charred red field ranch pork, aioli, pickled onion, jalapeno, cilantro, sambal, cucumber-carrot slaw, French baguette

    See all

    Banh Mi ($14) - charred red field ranch pork, aioli, pickled onion, jalapeno, cilantro, sambal, cucumber-carrot slaw, French baguette

    Dakao Restaurant And Bar - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...