Oklahoma City has morphed into an unlikely culinary hotspot in recent years with a growing roster of restaurants that rival offerings in more expected urban hubs like Dallas or Kansas City. From intimate boutique eateries to freshly minted food halls, OKC’s dining scene caters to myriad palates and preferences. Downtown , Midtown, Uptown, and the nearby suburbs now burst with tempting tables that lure locals and visitors alike.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cattlemen’s Steakhouse | Steakhouse | Historical venue, exceptional steaks |
| The Ranch Steakhouse | Steakhouse | High-quality cuts, fresh seafood |
| Red PrimeSteak | Steakhouse | Upscale ambiance, prime beef |
| Goro Ramen + Izakaya | Japanese | Housemade noodles and broths, yakitori skewers |
| The Mule | Southern | Creole cuisine with Latin influences |
| Nonesuch | Contemporary American | Seasonal ingredients, creative dishes |
| R&J Supper Club | New American | Small plates, live jazz, skyline views |
| The Coach House | New American | Seasonally inspired menu, intimate setting |
| Kitchen No. 324 | Brunch and Lunch | Homemade comforts, gluten-free options |
| Tamashii Ramen | Ramen | Handcrafted bowls, customizable spice level |
| The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen | Pizza | Neapolitan methods, wood-fired oven |
| Pinkitzel | Continental | Luxurious meat and seafood, European techniques |
| Cafe Kacao | Vegetarian, Breakfast | Tex-Mex influence, healthy options |
Whether you seek creative riffs on comfort cuisine, Mediterranean small plates, or experimental upscale tasting concepts that challenge perceptions about this once sleepy capital city, satisfying restaurant options abound. Consider your palate pampered with the finest flavors found at these 12 establishments leading Oklahoma City’s gastronomic charge.
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
Name and Location: Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is an Oklahoma City institution for expertly prepared steaks open since 1910 located in Stockyards City.
History and Significance: Known as Oklahoma’s oldest continually operating restaurant, Cattlemen’s has served up legendary tender steaks and hospitality from its western roots for over a century – securing its legacy as a Sooner State original still managed by the dynasty descendants of its founding owners.
What to Expect: Melt-in-your-mouth wet aged steaks seared over open flames. Homey ranch-style decor setting scenes of cattle country. Attentive red jacketed waiters slicing prime ribs tableside. Classic steakhouse fare perfected over generations.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5-10pm. Steaks $20 and up. Cash or check only. Located in OKC Stockyards City district. Reservations recommended as waits common. Valet parking offered.
When Cattlemen’s opened in 1910, owners staked their reputation on offering Dinosaurs and deliciousness with perfect service and hospitality. More than a century later under the same family’s operation, the Stockyards City icon carries on that tradition with exceptional steaks in an atmosphere befitting its cowboy heritage. Cattlemen’s ages their Midwestern beef to perfection with a commitment to excellence embodied in every cut. Don’t miss the lamb fries either if you dare to sample these regional delicacies.
The Ranch Steakhouse
Name and Location: The Ranch Steakhouse is an acclaimed destination for Certified Hereford Beef and gourmet wild game situated along Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City.
History and Significance: Family owned since opening in 1968, The Ranch supplies its own beef from their namesake Hereford cattle ranch while procuring elk, boar, bison and more from trusted wild game purveyors – aging everything in house under exacting standards which built their reputation as one of Oklahoma’s finest steak venues.
What to Expect: Extensive steak cuts from filets to NY strips exclusively from their Hereford herd minimally seasoned and oak fire grilled alongside rotating wild game specialties and premium wines in an elegant setting. Impeccable service.
Visitor Information: Open for dinner nightly 5pm-10pm, sotto bar until 11pm. Reservations recommended. Steaks $40-95. Extensive wine list. Valet parking. Smart casual dress.
Another long-standing Oklahoma City tradition for amazing steaks and hospitality, The Ranch Steakhouse boasts a half-century legacy of delighting diners. Their dedication earns accolades as the best steakhouse in Oklahoma year after year.Along with flawlessly executing high-quality cuts of beef, The Ranch intrigues taste buds with a contemporary take on surf and turf by pairing selections with fresh seafood flown in daily. Customers return time and again for the unbeatable combos of aged perfection.
Red PrimeSteak
Name and Location: Red PrimeSteak is an award winning upscale contemporary steakhouse located along the Oklahoma River waterfront at Bricktown in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.
History and Significance: Since debuting in 2009 inside Oklahoma City’s first LEED Gold hotel, the upscale Red PrimeSteak draws locavores and steak aficionados to indulge in their signature prime cuts and seafood paired with an extensive wine list against modern interiors or al fresco patio seating with river views.
What to Expect: House-aged prime cuts grilled over ironbark wood coals and succulent seafood dishes shined with global accents and market driven sides paired by 200+ labels visible within a striking glass-walled cellar framed by polished modern spaces and elevated hospitality.
Visitor Information: Serving dinner nightly from 5pm. Reservations strongly suggested. River view patio seating available. Valet parking only. Located in the Skirvin Hilton Hotel at downtown Bricktown.
The sleek upscale ambiance at Red PrimeSteak rivals any contemporary steakhouse along Restaurant Row or across the country while paying homage to Oklahoma City’s ranching roots. USDA Prime Midwestern beef stars on a menu focused on quality ingredients and technique.Whether you opt for a petite filet and lobster tail or a bone-in ribeye pan seared to smoky perfection, flawless execution and attentive service make every visit five-star. Don’t deny your dessert decadence either with their standout bread pudding.
Goro Ramen + Izakaya
Name and Location: Goro Ramen + Izakaya in northwest Oklahoma City’s Asian District spotlights gourmet Japanese ramen bowls and shared plates in a sleek, modern setting.
History and Significance: Opened in 2021 by chef owners Homaro Cantu and Benjamin Cantu, Goro Ramen + Izakaya aims to bring new depth and waves to OKC’s noodle scene – handmaking noodles while amplifying bowls with rarer proteins amid Izakaya small plates showcasing inventive Pacific Rim fusions.
What to Expect: Custom ramen broths take 12+ hours utilizing imported ingredients. Rotating proteins like wagyu or pork belly. Global Izakaya plates such as chargrilled cabbage with XO chili sauce. Modern lofted interior and welcoming hospitality.
Visitor Information: Lunch and dinner daily. Custom ramen bowls $15+. Small plates $5-19. Reservations suggested weekends. Free private lot behind restaurant off N. Blackwelder Ave in Asia District.
Among Oklahoma City’s most bustling restaurants, Goro Ramen + Izakaya stands out by combining high-energy ambiance with crave-inducing Japanese fare perfected by local chefs. Their from-scratch preparations with housemade noodles, broths, and sauces transform the humble bowl of ramen into sublime comfort. Beyond the namesake dish, creative small plates and yakitori skewers attract crowds nightly with inventive flavor profiles and visual appeal. Match these dynamic dishes with an ever-evolving array of craft cocktails for a transportive dining experience.
The Mule
Name and Location: The Mule specializes in gourmet wood-fired pizzas and craft brews across two metro locations, each with inviting covered patios, in Norman and Oklahoma City Midtown.
History and Significance: Founded in 2014 by the McNellie’s Group team who pioneered craft beer bars in Oklahoma, The Mule imported Italian pizza ovens to serve blistered sourdough Neapolitan-style pies baked at 750°F alongside curated Oklahoma microbrews in cozy eco-chic settings with pet and kid friendly outdoor spaces.
What to Expect: Inventive wood-fired specialty pizzas heaped with creative toppings like smoked bacon marmalade. 30 regional craft drafts. Extensive patio seating great for sharing piping hot pies and pitchers with your pup in a laid back welcoming atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Norman + Midtown OKC locations. Norman open daily for lunch through late night. OKC kitchen closes 10pm. Weekend waits common without reservations.
Chef Jeffery Lazala and his team celebrate the Old South while enlivening senses and palates at The Mule in Oklahoma City. Inspired evocations of Creole cuisine find renewed vigor through injections of Latin American and Caribbean influences across an ever-revolving menu. While southern staples hold prominence, expect pleasant surprises with dramatic presentations like whole fried Gulf red snapper and tableside Caesar salad. Save room for desserts like bourbon pecan pie with Mexican chocolate ice cream or banana pudding cheesecake to top off a meal in style.
Nonesuch
Name and Location: Honored as Oklahoma’s only AAA Four Diamond restaurant, Nonesuch excels at progressive American fine dining utilizing seasonal ingredients inside the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank in downtown Oklahoma City.
History and Significance: Executive chef Robert Black thrills Oklahoma palates by merging chef-driven preparation with the state’s heartland resources since opening Nonesuch downtown in 2009 – securing awards for elevated muted prairie posh interpretations spotlighting intricate technique and pristine ingredients playfully plated.
What to Expect: Exquisite emulsified squid ink agnolotti bursting Oregon rockfish flavors. Seared aged duck breast amid forbidden rice finished with cracked pepper caramel. Impressive wine cellar and cocktail menu warranting the price tag and Your Excellency service.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday evenings. Jacket preferred. Valet available. Tasting menus from $95+. Reservations essential, book well in advance via OpenTable or phone.
Oklahoma City diners reap extraordinary rewards from the talents of big city chefs at Nonesuch in the heart of Bricktown.The husband-and-wife ownership team turned to Culinary Institute of America alum Chef Robert Black to helm Nonesuch’s contemporary American kitchen focused on elevating familiar flavors through technique and creativity. Ingredients take center stage in dishes like seared scallops and pan-roasted chicken showcasing Black’s signature finesse in perfectly prepared proteins and sides. The bar also tantalizes with an emphasis on classic and original craft cocktails.
R&J Supper Club
Name and Location: R&J Supper Club prepares elevated loungy global small plates and craft cocktails inside a chic industrial space within Oklahoma City’s Midtown district.
History and Significance: Opened in 2017 by local hospitality veterans Kelly Nicholson and Hailey Verhaalen, R&J brought a swanky cosmopolitan dining option to OKC’s nightlife scene – channeling Vegas and NYC moods through globally inspired shareable bites, swirled cocktails and have-fun service balancing playful and professional.
What to Expect: Chinese BBQ octopus. Burrata bruschetta. Moroccan spiced hummus. Smash burgers. Veggie curries. Chicken tikka poutine. Inventive seasonal small plates and classic cocktails worth savoring amid chic warehouse vibes and upbeat soundtracks.
Visitor Information: Tuesday through Saturday 5pm-2am. Plates $9-$15. Reservations recommended after 7pm. Street parking around property located at 1832 NW 16th St.
Evoke the style and sophistication of Vegas supper clubs from Oklahoma City’s own glamorous take on the concept at R&J Supper Club. Sommelier and hospitality impresario Chip Fudge turned an abandoned warehouse into a swanky hot spot celebrating food and entertainment in equal measure with a nightly production. Enjoy New American small plates like truffle fries and tuna tartare while taking in jazz groups featuring local talent. Dinner becomes a true night out with complimentary valet service and stunning skyline views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Coach House
Name and Location: The Coach House is a beloved Oklahoma City restaurant preparing elevated American comfort food inside a restored Victorian home near the State Capitol since 1983.
History and Significance: One of Oklahoma City’s first fine dining destinations, The Coach House has delighted diners with its cozy fireplaced atmosphere and scratch preparation of comfort classics evolving with the seasons using revered family recipes for over 35 years under consistent ownership.
What to Expect: Crackling cornbread skillet appetizers. Hand shredded pot roast sandwiches. Brown sugar meatloaf. Chicken fried steaks doused in peppered gravy. Humongous crispy onion rings and overstuffed baked potatoes beside each hearty entree.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5-9pm. Entrees $15-34. Extensive beer and scotch menus. Cash or check only. Reservations advised as waits are common.
Renowned area Chef Kurt Fleischfresser brings impressive culinary chops back home to Oklahoma at The Coach House after making a name for himself in New York and DC. Located in a lovingly restored Victorian carriage house, the intimate restaurant provides the ultimate date night ambiance. A seasonally inspired New American menu treasures local ingredients explored through four to six nightly specials alongside mainstay favorites like beef short ribs or whole roasted chicken. Extensive wine offerings perfectly complement Fleischfresser’s standout cuisine.
Kitchen No. 324
Name and Location: Kitchen No. 324 is a cozy New American bistro focusing farm-to-table seasonal flavors across lunch, brunch and dinner service located in downtown Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley district.
History and Significance: Owner chefs Jeff and Layne Chavez opened Kitchen No. 324 in 2008, outpacing OKC’s local dining scene as downtown’s first ingredient-driven eatery styling scratch comfort foods around responsibly sourced meats, produce and products from area providers in a casual chic storefront.
What to Expect: Parmesan truffle tater tots. Green chile mac n cheese. Chicken fried ribeye with mash and green beans. Bananas foster pancakes or fried chicken Benedict for brunch. Well curated wine and cocktail menus mirroring their deliberate kitchen preparation.
Visitor Information: Weekday lunch, weekend brunch and dinner daily. Reservations recommended as seating is snug. Free 2 hour street parking or paid public garages nearby in Automobile Alley near other hot dining.
The creative vision for Kitchen No. 324 began when owner Heidi Van Horn-Mergenthal quit her job as a buyer to open a cozy brunch and lunch establishment serving feel-good comforts with a homemade touch. Nearly 15 years later, locals still flock for favorites like chicken salad on house-baked croissants and the pancake flight (with gluten-free options too). Van Horn-Mergenthal embraces dietary diversity across her entire menu focused on Oklahoma sourcing and quality ingredients cooked to order.
Tamashii Ramen
Name and Location: Tamashii Ramen House spotlights scratch made noodle bowls, dumplings and rice dishes celebrating Japanese comfort cuisine across two metro locations in Oklahoma City and Norman.
History and Significance: Opened in 2016 by chef Jimmy Le who trained in Tokyo shops, Tamashii Ramen introduced exceptional crafted tonkotsu and vegetarian broths bowls beyond college town expectations – elevating ingredients through long simmering and proprietary techniques making theirs a premier ramen destination for slurp fans.
What to Expect: Custom broths from pork or kombu seaweed bases. Spinach and corn dumplings. Miso cod or glazed pork belly rice bowls. Seasoned soft boiled eggs and roasted Nori sheets topping springy house made noodles in complex layered soups passionate about ramen traditions realized locally.
Visitor Information: Norman + Midtown OKC locations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cashless payments accepted. Ramen $12-15. Reservations advised for peak weekend dinner times.
Longstanding local favorite Tamashii Ramen remains among Oklahoma City’s top destinations for handcrafted bowls tapping into centuries of tradition while matching contemporary cravings for bold flavor.Their team meticulously creates four unique broth bases through lengthy simmering processes that coax maximum umami depth from poultry, beef, and vegetable stocks. These complex foundations then receive fresh customization from a variety of proteins, vegetables, and individual diner customization of spice level and richness. With such dedication to their namesake noodle soup, you know everything at Tamashii delivers on flavor.
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
Name and Location: The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen is a neighborhood pizzeria and bar preparing New York style pies alongside craft beers in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District.
History and Significance: Certified master pizzaiolo Anthony Hall opened his namesake 2004 pizza joint in Plaza Court spotlighting genuine NY pizza tradition learned under third generation Brooklyn pizzamakers – achieving acclaim for faithful renditions turned out by the slice or full pie with a local craft brew scene friendly tap list.
What to Expect: Authentic hand tossed New York pizza by the slice or pie with spot-on charred crusts and freshly grated mozzarella dolloped across familiar or created-daily red sauce topped templates. Six rotating microbrew taps. Swift counter service in a relaxed neighborhood pub environment.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-10pm for lunch and dinner. Slices $4+, full pies $25+ depending on toppings. Limited street parking, rideshares recommended. Walkable from east Village and Midtown districts.
As a mainstay along the bustling Plaza District’s restaurant row, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen fills a narrow storefront with incomparable aroma. Founders Armand and Mandy Hall fell so hard for authentic Neapolitan pizza methods during their Italian travels that they imported a true wood-fired brick oven back home to Oklahoma. That important centerpiece turns out bubbly, chewy crusts topped with bright San Marzano tomato sauce, house-pulled mozzarella, and premium meats and veggies. Their menu also travels beyond Italy with creative pies like the Oklahoma Standard featuring smoked pork, pickled onion, and BBQ drizzle over that same incredible base.
Pinkitzel
Name and Location: Pinkitzel is a beloved luncheonette preparing delicate sweet and savory German pastries in Oklahoma City’s historical Plaza District since 1967.
History and Significance: Opened by German immigrant baker Leo Pinkitzel, the cozy Pinkitzel has kept traditional recipes alive serving delicate continental cakes alongside fruity tarts, strudels and tea sandwiches fresh baked daily for over 50 years as a local favorite drawing loyal regulars.
What to Expect: Showcase displays of miniature pastel tea cakes and petite fruit tartelettes. Light and tender Black Forest cakes. Spinach or roasted pepper quiches for quick lunches. Strong coffee with thick sliced Gugelhupf pound cake treats across floral clothed tables.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 8am-4pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash or check only. Limited street parking — arrive early for closest spot. Call in cake orders a day ahead.
A longtime local fine dining institution, the Pinkitzel offers white tablecloth service and continental cuisine focused on luxurious preparations of regional meat and seafood. Upholding tradition established by German founding chefs while allowing room for contemporary refinement, the menu traverses from schnitzels to steaks prepared with expert European techniques. Daily early bird specials ease affordability without compromising quality. Extensive wine features further enhance the overall experience that keeps multi-generational families returning.
Cafe Kacao
Name and Location: Cafe Kacao serves globally inspired breakfast and lunch plates centered around artisan chocolate confections inside a historic downtown Oklahoma City bungalow.
History and Significance: Founded in 1995 by chocolate expert chef Robert Mish, longtime downtown favorite Cafe Kacao plates Oklahoma influences alongside Southwestern, Greek and Asian flavors – thoughtfully incorporating housemade bonbons and drinking chocolates within each menu conceived around cacao’s natural nuances.
What to Expect: Southwest benedict with brown sugar bacon. Lentil bowl with harissa yogurt. BLT and fried green tomato sandwiches. Dark chocolate chili or thick Mexican drinking chocolate alongside creative entrees celebrating culinary chocolate diversity for breakfast and lunch weekdays.
Visitor Information: Open Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, closed weekends. Breakfast served until 11am. Most plates under $15. Parking lot behind restaurant off Broadway Ave; enter from rear alleyway.
Tucked away in Midtown just beyond the frenzy of 23rd Street, Cafe Kacao makes tranquility the side dish for every meal in their plant-filled hideaway focused on vegetarian comfort cuisine and breakfast all day. Their menu bursts with Tex-Mex influence across options like huevos rancheros smothered in perfectly charred salsa verde or green chili stew ladled over a spud as big as your head. Health-conscious smoothies, fresh juices, and organic coffee drinks perfectly match the laid-back ambiance inviting lingering. If the mountain mural and backdrop of greenery inspire you to hang around, they also sell eclectic home goods sourced through international trips.