When I first moved to Oklahoma City, I was most excited about one thing: the food. I had heard that the city was booming with restaurants, which were receiving awards, and it was becoming a popular places for foodies. Surprised? I was, too. Who knew this "flyover" (I really do hate that word) state would create such a vibrant food culture? Well, it did, and I can attest to it, as I now live here and am enjoying its delicious cuisine.
And, as a foodie, I'm excited to share what I think are the best Oklahoma City restaurants with you, whether you're a tourist, college student or resident. So, let's dive into the list, shall we? And, just in advance, yes. Yes, I do intend to make your mouth water with all the food porn.
*Disclaimer: I'll continue updating this post as I visit more restaurants in OKC. Just keep in mind that this is a list of the places that I think are the best. There are more out there to try!
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Price Breakdown
In my opinion, price breakdowns can be a struggle. A lot of times I find that a restaurant is more expensive than the dollar sign(s) it was given when Googled. That said, I am going to use the dollar sign price point in this post. Hopefully, though, it will be a bit clearer than usual. Simply remember that even a restaurant itself can have a wide range of pricing. One might have burgers for $15 but then also have a seafood menu in which each meal is more than $25.
Also keep in mind that everyone's appetites are different and this pricing is only based on the cost and not the size of the dish. So there will be some instances in which something is more expensive for its size. As an example, there's a shop in OKC that sells French macarons for a few dollars each (maybe a bit more individually), so I've given it one dollar sign. Overall, that might sound cheap, but macarons are small — you don't get much bang for your buck. Does that mean the macarons aren't worth it? Of course not! They're simply a more expensive, decadent treat.
All of this to say, you're still probably going to want to Google the restaurant before going to not only see the full menu but also to check that the cost fits within your budget. Pricing is always going to be a gray area, but I'll do the best I can!
$ - $10 or less per meal
These are going to include breakfast cafes and lunch eateries that are for everyday.
$$ - $10-$25 per meal
These are going to be made up of weekend brunch, nicer lunch and typical dinner spots.
$$$ - $25-$45 per meal
These are going to include the restaurants that you save for weekend date nights, etc.
$$$$ - $50 or more per meal
These are going to be your fancy steakhouses and very fine dining experiences. (They're great for those extra special nights!)
Breakfast/Brunch
Who doesn't love good breakfast food? Even if you don't typically eat in the early morning, you're probably still down for brunch when the opportunity arises. Brunch, in particular, has become a popular group activity. I've found that it's especially the thing to do in OKC on the weekends, which means it's really difficult to get seats at restaurants in the mornings and afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays. Although you won't be able to reserve seats at all of the breakfast places below, definitely call ahead or get on an online waitlist before going when possible.
Evoke
Open Daily (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Price: $
Located in downtown Edmond, Evoke is a great place to hang out with friends or study/work. Apparently, it has amazing coffee, too. I say “apparently” because I don’t really drink caffeine and I’m getting this insight from my coffee-obsessed husband.
Evoke might look like a coffee shop and, because it usually has a good playlist, sound like a coffee shop, but people also go there for the incredible food. You can order a breakfast burrito or all kinds of waffles, pastries, brunch toasts, soups and sandwiches. The unique flavors of these dishes are always fire, and I haven't had a single item here that I didn't like or love.
Keep in mind that Evoke does change its menu at different times throughout the year. Additionally, as in most coffee shops, it runs out of pastries and certain menu items later in the day — first come, first served.
My Favorite Menu Item: I enjoy trying a different brunch toast each time I visit and have had a Nutella/strawberry/mint slice, tomato/basil/cheese slice and an avocado/egg slice. The toppings are delicious and flavorful, but the sourdough bread alone is even incredible.
Cafe Kacao
Mon-Fri (7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.); Sat (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.); Sun (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Price: $$
Although this can be such a difficult place to get into because it's so busy and not a big space, Cafe Kacao is definitely worth the wait. As a Latin American fusion brunch spot, you'll find meals with impeccable flavor and combinations you're used to and may not be familiar with. I'm impressed by the quality of its ingredients because you can tell they're good simply by the exceptional taste of the food. Even simple items like eggs and potatoes taste fresher than most breakfast places I've eaten at that are in this price range (and even some that are in a higher one).
Be sure to check out the murals on the outside of the restaurant as well. They're rich in culture and artistic beauty.
My Favorite Menu Item: The French Toast, which includes crispy brioche bread, house cheese whipped cream, house caramel, berries and banana, is a great way to end a savory meal. Also consider asking for a side of bourbon sauce that's usually added to the pancakes because it pairs well with the french toast too.
Harvey Bakery & Kitchen
Monday-Saturday (6/7 a.m. - 6 p.m.); Sunday (Closed)
Price: $-$$
I can honestly say that Harvey Bakery & Kitchen, located in the heart of OKC, is my favorite breakfast spot in this city. The meals and baked goods are amazing, the aesthetic is pleasing, and it's the perfect restaurant to chat with a friend, work on your laptop or simply eat. The only negative comment I have about it is that it's very busy ... but that's because everyone loves it, so really, it's a good thing.
As I mentioned, you can stop in for breakfast, brunch or lunch here. The menu does switch at a certain time from breakfast to lunch, but no need to worry because the lunch sandwiches are just as good as the breakfast ones. Although many of them have normal ingredients, there seems to be a small fun addition to most to make them unique.
I've also tried many of the baked goods (croissants, cookies, biscotti, muffins, etc.), and they're all delicious. In fact, one of the coolest things about Harvey is that you can watch the staff make all of the baked goods through a long window on one side. As someone who used to work for a baking magazine, I get distracted every time I visit by this.
And did I mention Harvey is the perfect place for food photos? The colors are vibrant but calming, there are a variety of seats and tables to choose from and the Instaworthy food comes on dainty, decorated plates like you're at a tea shop.
My Favorite Menu Item: For breakfast, I recommend The Birch House. For lunch, I suggest The Giovanni. When it comes to drinks, I think everyone should try The Harvey Latte because it uses Harvey's housemade caramel milk. And as far as baked goods go, it's too hard of a decision, but some fun items to try are the Croissant of the Month, which always includes a yummy flavor combination, or the unique seasonal offerings.
Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co.
Open Daily (7 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Price: $
Calling all biscuit lovers! The menu at Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co. is based around the eatery's scratch-made biscuits. The savory options include all types of biscuit sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, bowls with biscuits, etc. The sweet options feature treats like biscuit French toast, cinnamon roll biscuits and strawberry shortcake biscuits. Of course, you can get a variety of sides that don't incorporate a biscuit in addition to your meals as well as brunch drinks.
Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co. has three locations: one in Edmond and two in OKC. When you arrive, simply order at the counter, find a spot to sit and wait on your food and then enjoy your meal!
My Favorite Menu Item: As a savory pick, the French Hen was different and good. And for sweet, I'd have to go with the Strawberry & Cream Biscuit.
Kitchen No. 324
Open Daily (7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Price: $$
If you're looking for a classier brunch spot for, say, a morning hang out with your girls or your significant other or for a business meeting, this is it. Located downtown in one of OKC's most historic buildings, Kitchen No. 324 has a fresh and more upscale aesthetic, which is a good representation of its food. Many of the meals are a bit of a twist on classic brunch dishes, and they are often on the healthier side with exciting flavors. Let me give you some examples. The Really Fancy Grilled Cheese, for instance, is smoked cheddar jack cheese, poblano peach preserves and fresh thyme on pressed sourdough. Or the Breakfast Bowl has brussels sprouts, sweet potato, house bacon, kale-pistachio pesto, avocado and sunny side up eggs.
Kitchen No. 324 is also known for its wide alcoholic beverage selection, from wines and beer to craft cocktails and coffee drinks. And, yes, you can make reservations in advance on the restaurant's website.
My Favorite Menu Item: I'm going to need to go a few more times to pick a true favorite, but I really enjoyed the taste of the Fried Green Tomato Benedict.
Neighborhood Jam
Open Daily (6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Price: $$
Neighborhood Jam is a chain, but it's only in Oklahoma. More specifically, it's mainly just in OKC (four locations), but there is one location in Tulsa. It's a well-loved brunch destination for many people, so if you can go on a weekday, that would be best. If you can't, be prepared to wait for a while or get on the waitlist remotely via the Yelp app.
So, what kind of food does this restaurant have? While you can get a typical breakfast meal (omelettes, sandwiches, bowls, etc.), it also offers some exciting twists on normal eats as well as beloved flavors. For example, the pancake options can range from plain to lemon poppyseed to pineapple bourbon.
The atmosphere is like an upscaled breakfast diner, so it looks nice inside, but you don't have to worry about dressing up, and it's still a great place to bring the whole family.
My Favorite Menu Item: I have to give a shout-out to the Mango Pineapple Smoothie (fresh and beautifully made) and the Shrimp and Cheddar Grits (it's a favorite breakfast food of mine and they did a great job with the flavors).
Waffle Champion
Open Daily (7 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
"Waffle Window" Friday & Saturday (5 p.m. - 12 a.m.)
Price: $
The name of this restaurant alone drives people to it. And it won’t disappoint. Every item there is a waffle or waffle-shaped, from the main meals to the desserts to the sides. All of the waffle sandwiches I’ve tried have been good: Migas (Mexican-flavored with chorizo and eggs), Bacon Egg & Cheese, Chicken and Waffles. It also has delicious sweet waffles like the Cinnamon Roll (with to-die-for cream cheese whipped cream).
The biggest thing to note when going to Waffle Champion is that there is only one location, and it can get crowded. Since you order at the counter and they bring you your food, consider having someone in your party grab a spot to sit while the others order if you have a bigger group.
My Favorite Menu Item: The Waffle Fries are cooked to perfection and include garlic flavoring and truffle mayo. YUM!
Lunch/Dinner
I know, just categorizing this as "lunch/dinner" makes this a really broad category. But as a whole, that's one takeaway I really do want you to understand: there is a restaurant for everyone in OKC. That said, the more places I add to this list, the more categories I'll add to this section to make it easier to find the food you're craving.
Empire Slice House
Open Daily (11 a.m. - 10/11 p.m. or 12 a.m.)
Price: $$
Empire Slice House has multiple locations in OKC (and even one in Tulsa). Like most pizza places, you can get appetizers, salads and drinks. And when it comes to the pizza, you can buy by the slice or get a whole pie. I really enjoyed the fluffy though on-the-thinner side crust, trying the various flavors and laughing at the fun names of all the pizzas like Fungus Among Us, Joezilla and Ghostface Killah. And if you're not a fan of the toppings on these flavors, you can always build your own pie.
My Favorite Menu Item: Doug E. Fresh (White Pie) is basically a margarita pizza but it has a white sauce and the tomatoes are on top. It’s so good! The tomatoes literally just melt in your mouth.
Greek House
Mon-Sat (10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.); Sunday (Closed)
Price: $
Don't be deceived by Greek House's modest appearance or its small menu because the food is delicious and the sauces — tzatziki and feisty feta — are superb! Start with some pita bread and/or falafel with hummus and/or feta dip, then move on to a gyros sandwich. You won't regret driving to Norman, OK for this Greek food! (Also, the owners are extremely nice, so say hello!)
My Favorite Menu Item: I'm obsessed with the feisty feta sauce. Just dip pita bread in it and enjoy!
Guyutes
Open Daily (11a.m. - 2a.m.)
Price: $$
With its pub-like appearance, you’d expect Guyutes just to have your average bar food. But its self-acclaimed “elevated street food” description is completely accurate. Most of these meals should be at some high-class restaurant, so it’s such a treat that you can eat them near a bar and for a much cheaper price. But you might be wondering, how is the food “elevated?” And I’ll explain.
First, the owners put a new spin on typical dishes like nachos, burritos, pizza, salads, burgers. For example, in one of the burritos, the chicken is Cheeto-crusted. There’s also a burger with Mac n cheese inside of it. Guy Fieri visited and was apparently blown away by the flavor combinations. Second, they plate each dish. If you don’t know what this means, the chefs present the food like a fancy restaurant might. It’s art and beautiful!
My Favorite Menu Item: The Disco Biscuit is a fried chicken breast covered in spicy honey butter on a cheddar biscuit, and it’s absolutely delish. Some other menu items I love are The Guyute and Tequila Sunfryz.
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
Mon-Thurs (11 a.m. - 10 p.m.); Friday (11 a.m. - 11 p.m.); Saturday (10 a.m. - 11 p.m.); Sunday (Closed)
Price: $$
This is not your average pizzeria! The restaurant spices things up by providing unique pizza topping combinations. For example, Hall's Pizza sells a flavor with chicken, sriracha and jalapenos on it. Or if you order the "Samwise" (this should make all fantasy nerds happy), you get to eat a pizza with potatoes and rosemary on it. So clever!
Yes, they still sell traditional pizzas, and they're good, but I encourage you to try a unique flavor, too! You can even get a pizza that’s split in half with two different toppings, so why not go for it? And by the way, the crust is *insert the Italian hand gesture for "delicious."
My Favorite Menu Item: The Triple Garlic Cheese Pizza was discontinued for a while due to it being so time-consuming to make, but hopefully it’s back for you because it’s a must! If it's not, be adventurous and go for the Samwise.
Mahogany Prime Steakhouse
Open Daily (4/5 p.m. - 9/10 p.m.)
Price: $$$$
Looking for a high-class atmosphere and delicious steak dinner? Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, a Hal Smith restaurant located in OKC as well as Tulsa and Omaha, is a great go-to. My husband and I have been to a lot of steakhouses over the years, and this one is definitely a top choice on our list. You can tell the beef is high quality, and the chefs cook it to perfection. The drinks we ordered were also first-rate.
My favorite Menu Item: I get a filet mignon every time I go to a nice steakhouse and my husband gets a ribeye, then we share. Both were to die for at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse!
Stock & Bond
Tues - Thurs (4 p.m. - 10 p.m.); Fri - Sat (4 p.m. - 11 p.m.); Sunday (4 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
Price: $$$$
Located inside the First National Center, Stock & Bond matches the rest of this elaborate building's aesthetic with its fancy, pristine design and service. This restaurant is most known for its large drink selection with whiskey, wine and cocktails and High Plains steaks, which taste rich with minimum added flavors, but overall, it features local and Southern curations.
Every meal begins with fluffy sea salt rolls, and then you can choose an appetizer, steak, salad, seafood, sides and the list goes on. I will have to go back to try some of the salads and seafood, but I do suggest the other categories. I didn't eat a single I think I didn't enjoy immensely!
My favorite Menu Item: The Burrata appetizer is a must-try! This combination of burrata cheese, delicata squash, pumpkin seeds crumble, nuts, radicchio and balsamic might seem random, but I promise the ingredients somehow work perfectly with one another.
Sushi Neko
Mon-Thurs (11 a.m. - 9 p.m.); Fri-Sat (11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.); Closed Sundays
Price: $$/$$$
Sushi is one of my favorite meals, so finding a good Japanese restaurant close to where I live was necessary. Sushi Neko has good sushi, ramen and other entrees. It's also known for its drinks and bar area. You can even try a few dishes you've likely never had before. For instance, I tasted an Uni Shooter, or sea urchin, yuzu sauce, quail egg and green onion served in a shot glass topped with a lemon.
My Favorite Menu Item: I'm still deciding what my favorite sushi roll is here...
TAmashii
Sun-Thurs (11 a.m. - 10 p.m.); Fri-Sat (11 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.)
Price: $$
This is hands down the best ramen spot I've found in Oklahoma City so far! Located in Midtown, Tamashii makes the typical types of ramen found in the U.S. but also offers some unique flavors. You can also customize your bowl by eliminating ingredients or adding them from a fairly extensive list. The ramen is full of flavor, and the portion is big yet perfect in size.
I appreciate the vibe here too as the restaurant is not only clean and nice in appearance, but it also plays songs by Asian artists in the background and was even showing Avatar: The Last Airbender on its screens. If it's a nice day, you also have the option of sitting outside on the covered patio to enjoy your meal.
My Favorite Menu Item: I can't choose between the Ninniku (Garlic) Tonkotsu Ramen and the Spicy Miso Ramen because they're very different from each other and rich in flavor, so I'll pick them both!
Desserts
Oklahoma City has your typical sweets (custard, donuts, cupcakes, etc.), but the best thing about the area's dessert scene is its variance. There are some unique treats, including pies and macarons. So, by all means, stick to your guns and get your typical desserts if that's what you want, but I would also encourage you to try the unique sweets.
Boomtown Creamery
Mon-Thurs (12 p.m. - 11 p.m.): Fri-Sat (12 p.m. - 12 a.m.); Sunday (Closed)
Price: $
Boomtown Creamery is the new shop on the block. It opened in June 2022 near Tower Theatre and is my favorite ice cream place right now in the city. Everything (ice cream and waffle cone) is homemade, and many of the topping ingredients are local.
Boomtown Creamery offers 24 different ice cream flavors, from Blackberry Lavender Sorbet to Espresso Crunch to Breakfast Milk-a-licious. Most of the flavors have different types of toppings within them similar to custard. For example, Piña Colada has pineapple swirl and toasted coconut in it.
You can get a single, double or triple scoop, but if you have a hard time deciding which flavors to get like me, go for a six scoop flight, either the regular or mini. (The mini still includes a lot of ice cream, so this is my recommendation, especially if you're buying for yourself.)
My Favorite Menu Item: So far, my favorite scoop is Carmelita Cookie Crumble, which is salted caramel ice cream, oat cookie streusel, Sam Old Moses bourbon caramel swirl and chocolate flecks.
Cafe Disco
Wed-Sat (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Price: $
Did you know you can find a macaron shop in OKC? Amazing, right! The slogan at Cafe Disco is "French, Fancy & Fabulous," and that truly does describe this experience. The store sells specialty coffee and macarons in all types of colors and all types of flavors. These include vanilla bean (white), almond (blue), pistachio (green), strawberries and cream (red), crème brûlée (white and brown), chocolate-salted caramel (brown), honey lavender (purple), lemon (yellow), cherry blossom (pink) and earl grey (gray). It switches out two of its flavors monthly for two new limited flavors. Just keep in mind that all of the macarons contain nuts, but they are gluten-friendly.
Not only are the macarons colorful and presented beautifully in white boxes, but the shop itself is cute, too. There's a pink couch area or café-style tables where guests can hang out and eat their macarons and drink coffee. Cafe Disco's window is also always decorated with its colorful macarons for each time of the year or holiday.
My Favorite Menu Item: Try the Pistachio. I know, it sounds weird, but in other countries they use pistachios all the time in baked goods, and I really enjoyed it as a macaron flavor.
Pie Junkie
Tues-Thurs (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.); Fri-Sat (10 a.m. - 9 p.m.); Sun-Mon (Closed)
Price: $
Founded by two moms, this little slice of pie is located in the Plaza district. Pie Junkie sells fruity, cream and savory pies, such as apple, coconut cream, Kentucky Bourbon, cherry, key lime, pecan, quiche, whoopie pies, etc. Not only can you buy by the slice, but you also have the option to purchase a 6-inch or a normal size fresh or frozen one. Check out Pie Junkie's fun selection of gift shop-type items if you're interested, too.
My Favorite Menu Item: So far, my favorite slice is the Butterfinger Cheesecake Pie.