Technically, Asian Other, so not Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese.

Ma Der Lao Kitchen. It’s difficult to give Chef Jeff Chanchaleune all the praise and credit he deserves for how he’s improved and broadened our food scene. To think this spot almost didn’t survive still makes me worry about OKC’s long-term ability to adapt to new food. Mercifully, Ma Der survived, and it’s always one of my answers to the question “What’s the best restaurant in OKC?” I don’t what to say that hasn’t been said: traditional Lao cuisine with excellent options for gf and vegan. Every dish is a stunner.

BAR SEN. Yes, Jeff again, and some people pick this one over Ma Der, and I’m tempted to when I have the glass noodle salad. Both have full bar programs, but the cocktail program gets more focus and direction from rockstar bar genius Daniel Johnson at Bar Sen — there’s a context clue there as to why. The pandan cinnamon roll will save you if you let it in.

Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee. Korean flavors meet steakhouse meet modern Asian-esque restaurant, and it’s a beautiful setting. The next household name Chef Jessie Gomez holds down the kitchen and Emma Prilaman has unleashed her artistic drive on the bar program with great results. This is, for me, the best date night option in the city.

JK by Chef King. The dumplings and xiu mai pork pull me in every time, but Chef King Dey’s fish preparations alone are worth the drive downtown. I’m not much of an “Instagram interior” guy, but it works for some people, and Chef has used it to his advantage, and he’s not afraid to lean into trends, which is why Girl Dinner crushes here.

Hawaiian BBQ. It’s located in the OK-KO Mart on the OKC/MWC line, and it’s the best bulgogi I’ve had anywhere ever. A lovely couple runs the small eatery in the back of the grocery store, and it’s very traditional Korean, including all the wonderful banchan.

L’Arc Pâtisserie. Chef Li Xiaoli makes entremets so beautiful that customers drive from surrounding states for them, and they’re right to do so.

Creme de la Crumb. Chef Gabrielle “Noel” Nugent has the viennoiserie category locked down. She’s about as far northeast as you can be and still be Edmond, but it’s very much worth the drive for her cardamom bun, pepperoni “pizza,” and pretty much everything else she does.

Harvey Bakery & Kitchen. Chef Alyssa Ulrich Brewster got married this year, but she still created some of the best pastries in the state while planning a wedding and honeymoon. It’s just how she operates. Her operation is a mash up of viennoiserie and boulangerie, and I still swear by the Midnight Cowboy croissant and just about every monthly pastry she’s every made.

Quincy Bake Shop. Chef Trisha O’Donoghue is in the process of leaving Bradford House and opening a production facility with a public-facing component. This is good news for those of us who would like to see her incredible pastries and cakes in more locations around the metro. She swears I should move past my obsession with the chocolate babka, but why.

Jack’s Bakehouse. This spot is two blocks from my apartment, and that’s both good and not good (the doctor said I had to include that last bit). These are my favorite savory pastries in town, but they excel at pretty much everything.

Feral Dough Co. Chef Kenny Hilburn is a bread nerd, and his boulangerie will have its own home when Medley Market opens downtown later in 2026. For now, you can order online, and he does regular deliveries to Flora Bodega. No one knows more about bread than this guy, and he loves to experiment with styles and grains, and OKC is better because of it. (On Instagram, he’s @feral.doughco)

This is about the booze, not the DJs, availability of drugs, “vibes,” or food.

Barkeep. As long as Julia McLish is involved, it’s going to be stellar, and add to that she has two of the best bartenders in the city in Hannah Barstow and Brett Herrin on her team, and you have the most amazing combination imaginable.

Later Bye. Pretty sure everyone was on board with this being the best new bar in the city, but it’s also one of the best bars period. Love the quirky wine list, and the themed cocktails are diverse enough that everyone from mezcal lovers to sane people have options. The food, lord. More tapas!

Palo Santo. This is, for me, the best agave bar in the city. (You also get Brian Butler’s wings and burger as options.) They love tequila and mezcal, and the menu can run toward edgy, experimental, but there is something for everyone, and I’ll never surrender my loyalty to the habanero-pisco punch.

The Study. Yes, it’s a wine bar, and yes, they have a few spirits options, but no cocktails. Owner-somm Ian Bennett wanted a wine pub, and he got it, and I love everything about it, from the hidden nooks to awesome list to the very very well-informed, professional service. And Ian and I are the founding members of the F-Word Fan Club, OKC Chapter.

Good For A Few. I seldom use this word, but this bar is its own vibe, and Charlie Alvarado Mendoza has pulled off a wonderful thing in Plaza District. Creative cocktails, great service, a bar for grown-ups, and a lovely spot for a cocktail and actual conversation.

Palo Santo. It’s almost cheating because you have a chef with amazing experience and talent who is one of the owners, but it’s an easy choice in this category. The Asian-influenced dishes are excellent, but so is everything else.

Later Bye. You’ll notice that the same chef is involved, and given that he’s working out of a kitchen the size of a shower stall, this is insanely good food. Black garlic hummus was referenced in an earlier list, and now it’s in two.

Good Times. No one walking into this bar thinks, “I bet they have good food,” but they do and always have. I go for the burger, but there is much more to love on the menu.

R&J Lounge & Supper Club. Lots to like on this day-drinking bar menu , especially the burgers. They do entrees and snacks, too, and the food is all designed to go well with their specialty, classic cocktails.

Clark Crew BBQ. To do what he does at the scale he does it, is extremely impressive. Travis Clark is already an institution and deservedly so. And those damn beans are life-changing.

Edge Craft Barbecue. I know he wants me to say brisket — and it’s exceptional — but it’s the damn sausages and pastrami that bring me back.

King’s Custom Smoked Meats. This west-side spot still manages to fly under the radar, and that’s a shame. Delicious food, great service, easy access.

Oklahoma Smoke BBQ. The first time I went I had the brisket, because if a pitmaster can’t do that well, they need a new job. The turkey and chicken also delicious, as are the ribs.

Smokehouse Social. I’ve rarely been happier for a chef/pitmaster than I was for Chef Brandon Edwards last year. He loves barbecue, and someone finally had the great good sense to give him a shot at it, and he delivered over-the-top delicious food. Best thing at Okana by a wide margin.

Stonecloud Brewing Company. The beers tend toward the balanced as opposed to experimental, and that’s my wheelhouse. I love their pilsner, fruited sours, and festbier, and the Fuzzy Rabbits are an excellent zero-proof option.

Lively Beerworks. Classic beer profiles alongside my favorite “fruity” beers in the city. Love their community engagement, and theirs is the rare IPA I actually like to drink

Skydance Brewing Co. To say the taproom is a step way up toward elegant is not an overstatement. It’s also a sports bar of sorts at times, and the pilsner and amber are why I’m here.

American Solera Edmond. The Tulsa brewery has always done well here, and the addition of a beautiful taproom helped their local profile. You’re here for whatever creative awesomeness is current, so follow your preferences. Pro tip: Flora Bodega gets a very very nice selection of their beers if Edmond is too far.

The Big Friendly. What I mostly hear is “I wish it wasn’t in Wheeler,” and while I’ve come to love the food and bev at Wheeler, I understand, but no brewery in Oklahoma has won more major awards in recent years, and for good reason. They make great beer, so check it out without fail, and eat at AKAI Sushi while you’re in the neighborhood.

Big Truck Tacos. Still the easiest choice because it’s always delicious, always affordable, and always comes with a choice of so many great salsas. Little Twins, Big Twins, burritos, chilaquiles, breakfast features…it doesn’t matter your preference, it’s all great.

Aurora. This place is not getting the attention it deserves, and that needs to change. Beginning with the excellent coffee service and the outstanding hospitality, when you factor in Chef Jerrod Driskill’s excellent food, oh, and toss in full bar, you get one of the best breakfast experiences in the city.

Stitch Cafe. Tarts and tacos, y’all. They serve their own Clark Coffee, which is a bonus, and then the tacos are some of the more creative gringo tacos in OKC. It’s hard not to get the strawberry-prickly pear tart and the Quick Draw taco, and you can also choose bowls and burritos.

Sunnyside Diner. The rare old-school diner experience actually worth experiencing. (They get bonus points for the kindness and care they offer our unhoused neighbors.) They offer a wide variety of traditional plates, like biscuit debris and stacks, but you’ll also find Okie Poutine, proper hash browns, excellent veg options, a counter — without which a diner is not a diner.

La Baguette Bistro. I’m always amazed to find people who still don’t know they do breakfast every day, and being as it’s Chef Alain Buthion’s kitchen, the food is predictably excellent. Yes, they have crepes — it’s a French bistro — and you should definitely try them, but the croque madame is the star.

Pupuseria Mi Chalateca. I typically go for the traditional breakfast, but the pupusas are among the best in the city, and they usually have loroco. The salsas are also standouts, as is the curtido.

Tacos y Baleadas Abigail. If it was two miles closer to me, I’d be at this Honduran spot every day. Best baleadas I’ve had, and the red sauce is magical, like salsa roja and chili crisp had a spicy, delicious heat baby. The carne asada is perfect every time, and the red beans and rice are undefeated. (4527 NW 10th)

Los Comales. This Stockyards spot has been quietly churning out the best breakfast tacos in the metro for a couple decades. The breakfast burrito is the size of a dinner plate, and don’t let anyone tell you that chile verde isn’t breakfast food.

Cafe Antigua. Whatever else you order, you need the mazapan latte. I recommend it without the whipped cream, but you’re an adult. Spicy motuleños is my go-to, and yes, I want the whole bottle of green sauce.

Tierra Mia Nicaraguan Latin Grill. This one flies under the radar outside the Nicarguan community, but the food and service are both stellar. The traditional breakfast with plantains and eggs is my go-to, but they have pupusas, chorizo, and omelets too.

Aurora. Again, the strength of the Winteroth hospitality emphasis with Chef Jerrod Driskill’s talent combined with great coffee service and a solid bar makes this an easy choice.

The Jones Assembly. Much like Clark Crew with bbq, this spot gets a ton of appreciation for the scale at which they operate. They’ll do hundreds of covers on a regular Saturday, a scale that would leave most kitchens in the weeds for days. Excellent bar, obviously, and the combined talents of Chefs Patrick Hart and Quinn Carroll combined with Chef Laken Stevens’s baking talents mean excellent food, and Jones means great service.

Lorena Southern Twist. Chef Cally Johnson is very much back, and she’s killing it at lunch, brunch and dinner at Lori Burson’s Southern spot in Midtown OKC. I’m always here for the black pepper clam chowder, but you’re free to start with her damn good biscuits.

Cafe Kacao. Great service, good coffee service, and delicious food are the keys here, and the combination of Guatemalan-inspired fare plus staples like French toast make it a “something for everyone” spot for brunch.

Picasso Cafe. Chef Ashley Gonzalez in a kitchen is pretty much a guarantee of excellence, and the food at this Paseo Arts District favorite is showing all the signs that she’s in charge. Operating partner Kim Dansereau is the premier bar-building professional in the metro, and the focus on veg, including brunch, has always been a draw here.

The Goose. This has consistently been the best smash burger in the city. I admitted to being shocked a sandwich shop has a burger this good, and so I kept going in to see if each time was just an accident. Nope. It’s phenomenal every time.

Paseo Grill. The classic cheeseburger category of this one, and it’s been my overall favorite the past couple years. Again, consistency matters, and this one is juicy, flavorful and delicious every time, and bonus for stellar fries.

Spark. Call this one a specialty cheeseburger, I guess, but the addition of pimento cheese and a cheese crisp to the BLC Spark makes this one hard to say no to whenever I’m in one of their locations. Bonus for crinkle cut fries!

Birrieria Utzil. I walked up to the Quixtan brothers’ truck last year and Juan said, “Try my burger.” It’s a taco truck, the best truck in the city, so I’m like, “Chef, I want fish tacos.” He just smiled, “Burger.” Ok. Don’t argue with chefs when it comes to their recommendations. Last week, I stopped by Barkeep OKC with yet another of Juan’s perfect burgers — cheese, tomato jam, pickles, simple, lovely — to have Brett Herrin try it. (Don’t tell him, but I trust his palate more than most industry folks I talk to regularly.) “Name five burgers in the city better than this one,” I said, after he tried it. Neither of us could get to five, so go get the damn burger.

Patty Wagon. Regional burger works for this one, I guess, but really they deserve to be on every burger list. The Big John, though, is localized with the addition of green chiles and jalapeños, so it gets a different category. Bonus, perfect tater tots every time.

Spark. Yes, the BLC Spark is the winner for me, but there are so many great options, including the best corndog in the history of corn, dogs, and state fairs. Crinkle-cut fries too!

Patty Wagon. Red Dirt Burger gets my vote most times I’m there, but so do The Big John and a classic cheeseburger. As stated in the previous list: perfect tater tots.

Burger Punk. I’m here for The Clash, but the classic — OG Punk — is great, as are the Thrash Nachos as a side. Yes, they still have the Turbo, one of the great frozen cocktails in the city.

New State Burgers & Spirits. The signature burger is the big draw, rightly so, but the menu has some other bangers, including a Theta and a good black bean option, and you have to try the cheeseburger fries.

Tucker’s Onion Burgers. They make onion burgers the way they should be made — with the ability to scrape most of the onions off and just enjoy the flavor. The simplicity of the menu gets high marks, because more restaurants should understand that less is more when it comes to the quality of options.

Hynson’s Classic Burgers. This was one of the pleasant surprises of 2024 for me, and they have even more locations to make it easier to get their excellent classic cheeseburger. It’s all I really need, but that Okie burger calls my name occasionally.

Just Burgers. If you find yourself out east, like Spencer east, this little spot just off the road has a delicious burger that is easily the best value in the city. Just go.

Nic’s Grill. It’s not the OG — they’re in El Reno — but this is about as old school as it gets, and it’s a solid onion burger.

Sun Cattle Co. It’s an onion burger joint, but get a “side” of steak nuggets, and they have a a Theta onion burger, and The Big Jack is the signature burger. Damn good onion rings!

El Gordo Burger. Here’s your curveball for 2026. Go get a Mexican burger! This is a great place to start, but you’ll find hamburguesas all over the south side, and you already know one of the best burgers in OKC is at a Guatemalan taco truck.

Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant. It’s hard to understand how the best Chinese food in the metro ended up in Del City, but here we are. It’s traditional Szechuan, but like most spots, they have options for your friend/aunt/coworker who thinks sugar is seasoning. Tea-smoked duck is fantastic, as are the dry pots, and they’ll make it as spicy as you prefer.

Chuanyu Fusion. This Szechuan spot is owned by the same family as Yu Xiang Yuan, but there are big menu differences here, and the Singapore mai fun is worth the trip to Hefner and Rockwell, a part of the city that badly needs food this good.

Formosa Street Food & Bar. This Uptown23rd restaurant owned by Ivan Wong serves traditional and modern Taiwanese cuisine, and he also runs a solid bar operation with patio seating available. It’s hard for me not to get the beef noodle bowl and wings, but he has enough variety to make everyone happy.

Szechuan Bistro. This almost-Edmond spot feels like it’s obtained OG status at this point. All they’ve done is serve consistently damn good Szechuan for 15 years (in 2026). I typically opt for the spicy chicken noodle soup or one of the sizzling platters. The online order form lists “popular” items so you know what not to order if you prefer traditional dishes.

Golden Phoenix. Another old school option, but this Asian District joint excels in some areas that too often go unnoticed, particularly the Peking duck and dim sum.

HQ Coffee. First off, it’s adorable. I love the semi-outside patio, and I know Andrea Schultz has plans for the space going forward. Excited to see what she’s done. The really, really important thing she’s already done is introduce Asian flavors to our coffee-scape, including my two favorite options in the metro: ube latte and black sesame latte. She also serves one of the three best matchas in the metro.

Clarity Coffee. Pick any of the three locations, and you get something very different. Owners Steven Willingham and Chelsea Willingham have always leaned toward a more stripped down aesthetic, which works for their overall approach. The Wheeler District location is warmer than the others, and makes for a great catch-up spot. Downtown is best for work, and the Midtown OKC location (where I mostly go) is a vibey hub. And the drink options are where I spend most of my coffee money.

Stitch Cafe. As much coffee shop as eatery, this West Village OKC will also be a on a breakfast list, and the mini tarts have my heart. I love all the greenery, tons of seating, and drink options. And I’ll have more to say about the backbone of this spot that is Clark Coffee.

Evoke. This high-energy, downtown Edmond spot benefits from its co-ownership with Twisted Tree Baking Company, so the pastry options are outstanding, as are the more breakfasty, brunchy plates. Owned by two of our standout hospitality pros, Robert Black and Lori Dickinson Black, the hospitality part is prominent here, and the community hub ethos is clear and successful.

EÔTÉ Coffee. This is hands-down the coolest setting of the list. There’s something weirdly and wonderfully underground, pre-industrial about the setting, and the scattered study/work spaces are a very nice touch. Solid coffee options, and the main “dining” is bustly but still good for solo work/study.

Clarity Coffee. He’s been one of the best for a long time now, and his coffee shops are my favorites too.

Clark Coffee Club. Ian Flemming is roasting for Chad Grubbs and Stitch Cafe, and he brings the same sensibility and balance to the process that made Sincerely my favorite when he owned it.

KLLR Coffee. The main outpost (for me) of this stellar roaster is Classen Coffee Company, and while it’s their dirty chai that constantly brings me back, the coffee is the backbone of the whole operation, and it’s outstanding.

EÔTÉ Coffee. It seems like they’re everywhere these days, and I’m super good with that, because it’s balanced, approachable, and great for non-nerds.

Leap Coffee Roasters. A values-driven company in the true sense of the word, and yes, the coffee is very good too, and I do love their support of the arts and artists.

L’Arc Pâtisserie. Chef Li Xiaoli heads two lists, and if you’ve been, you know why. The entremets, specialty cakes, Madeleines, financiers, and cookies are all executed to beautiful, delicious perfection.

Pie Junkie. Don’t wait ’til Pi Day; go whenever the mood strikes. I like to pick something different every time, but the key lime makes that exceedingly difficult.

Boom Town Creamery. Owner Angela Muir and Chef Kayli Bartnicki have multiple locations, so it’s easier than ever to get the city’s best ice cream. I love how Angela embraces collaborations and helps showcase other businesses in the city. More of that, y’all! Also, hazelnut fudge milkshake forever!

Railyard Pie Company. Owner Lynn Muir is unrelated to Angela Muir — unless there’s a secret family conspiracy to dominate OKC desserts, and they’re just pretending not to be related — so you kind of have to admit that two women with an uncommon last name (in Oklahoma) both making some of the city’s best desserts is the most delicious coincidence ever! It’s the coconut cream and banana cream for me, but I’ve loved everything I’ve tried.

Ganache Patisserie. Chefs Matt and Laura Rugi are bakers, chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and awesomeness. Their chocolates are phenomenal, as are the custom cakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. Their macarons are my favorite in the city because they’re not cloyingly sweet like so many others. If you’re in the store, and they point out a featured sweet pastry, just get it.

Good Times. I don’t think this is even a close race. Claire Hampton has pulled off some Okie magic with this spot: frozen cocktails, hot cocktails, great food, excellent burger, best patio of all the bars, a yellow-eyed cat named Belvedere, a beer named for Belvedere, a hall of fame or drunks, criminals, industry pros, awesome people, and hopefully sex workers. You also have some of the best humans as bartenders you’ll find, and Claire herself is the glue that holds the whole miracle together.

The Flea. If you’re looking for downtown hospitality workers after their shift, there is a very high probability this is where you’ll find them. When I first moved downtown, this spot was a bizarre dive bar with a shelf of Bibles and almost no other decor. The Flea is one of the indicators that downtown has changed for the better, and the high energy, beer/shot/shuffleboard vibe is excellent.

Lunar Lounge. More divey than dive bar, but still, pretty neighborhood divey, Julia McLish and Zach Armfield created one of my favorite bars in the city, and the cocktails are way way better than dive bar expecations, largely on the strength of McLish’s team building skills and GM Gabbi Lee’s almost unmatched booze nerdiness. (Seriously, she’s a student of the booze in the best way.) Darts, scifi/ufo vibes, sloppy joes on Sunday that will change your life, and friendly, indulgent service, because dive bar bartenders should be allowed to tell drunk 24-year-olds to f right off at least daily.

Cock O’ the Walk Bar and Grill. Western Avenue’s favorite dive bar, and yes, a smoking destination. They’re working on making the food restaurant as opposed to dive bar quality, and early trials looked very promising. They can do more than beer/shot, but don’t go getting all weird and experimental. It’s a dive bar.

Cookies On Western. Maybe this is Western Avenue’s favorite. Who knows? Beer/shot bar with some frozen options and full bar service, but you’re here for the raucous karaoke. On a good night, Sausage Feast will be posted up in the parking, right next to the elegant patio. On a very good night, OCU students will be there too, and the karaoke will be MUCH higher quality.

Le Parisien. Not just a Best New Restaurant, but a best in so many categories. The new Dustin Lancaster and Alain Jeu spot in Midtown OKC is helmed by Chef Bryant Gallegos, and his Parisienne gnocchi easily makes a Top 10 Best Dishes in OKC list. The escargot is the best version I’ve had, and Jeu’s wine list is outstanding. Service has been extraordinary every time I’ve been.

La Baguette Bistro. They’ve been pioneering European cuisine in the metro for nearly 40 years, and they do it across all services. Rare to find a non-hotel restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner, but La Bag does it every day. So many things to love here, and I’m always happy to see frog legs on the menu. Chef Alain Buthion’s steak au poivre is a life-changing experience.

Joey’s Pizzeria. Yes, it’s a pizzeria, but Chef Irena Kendrick Kezic’s Bosnian/Balkan dishes make this Film Row anchor unique in the city. Her cabbage rolls and other specialties are available by special order, but her mezze and stuffed collard greens are available on the menu. The latter is another of our top 10 best dishes in the city.

Royal Bavaria. This Moore-Norman area restaurant and biergarten has been serving traditional German cuisine alongside house-brewed beer in a festive environment for more than three decades. Their 32nd anniversary is this month. Sausage sampler, roasted pork, and German potato salad are the go-tos.

Sean Cummings Irish Restaurant. One of my favorite winter dinners is Sean’s potato soup with bread and a pour of Irish whiskey. This is one of the few spots in the state that actually looks and feels like a pub.

nonesuch. No surprise here. This place just keeps getting better, and I wish OKC would get the memo. Chef Garrett Hare is simply delivering some of the very best food in the metro in a beautiful setting. Service is impeccable, wines are excellent, staff is awesome. Tasting menu, of course, but you can now pre or post game in the amazing Kiki Mackey’s domain, Bar None, next door.

The Crown Room. Chef Eric Smith’s private dinner spot inside The Crown OKC was the driving force behind his recent James Beard nomination, and rightly so. It’s a multi-sensory, wildly entertaining deep dive into Smith’s id, and the creative energy behind his food and his bar team’s talent. S/Os to Beau and Dylan! This is honestly one of the most fun nights you’ll have over a serious meal.

Le Parisien. The vibe is bistro-y and energetic, but the food and wine say fine dining, and the setting says date night. Beautiful build out, tremendous food from executive chef Bryant Gallegos, and a phenomenal wine list from somm/operating partner Alain Jeu. The service has been fantastic, which is impressive for a cuisine that is still relatively unknown in OKC. Must haves are the Parisienne gnocchi, burger (yes, burger), escargot (best I’ve had ever), and the roasted chicken.

Grey Sweater. Chef Andrew Lloyd Black still makes beautiful, delicious food in Deep Deuce District, and his team is excellent. Beautiful setting, an impressive bar program, and excellent wine list make this a perfect special occasion spot.

Vast. If I was a vegan looking for fine dining, this is where I’d be. We had the vegan tasting menu, and it’s outstanding! The view is amazing, as everyone knows, and the bar has always been underrated, and the presence of bar genius Jacob Arvin makes that even more true now. And, no, it’s not just great for vegans.

Symmetry OKC. Much much more than a steakhouse. It’s a casual fine dining restaurant with a good bar, excellent wine list, and great food. Yes, the steak is my favorite for steakiness, but the tartare is the best in the city, too, and you simply can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, especially the fish and the lobster cargot. Excellent service is the norm here.

Púchica Muchá Que Rico. No one in this city makes better Guatemalan food than Chef Suly, and her husband Andy De Leon is one of the most friendly, courteous and helpful FOH operators I’ve met. The pollo asado adobado is the best chicken in town, and then you have to decide among chuchitos, garnachas, fried chicken, pork adobo, etc. etc., because everything she makes is stellar! Did I mention the best horchata in the city? It’s not even close.

Tienda Guatemala. This mercado-kitchen was my first go-to for pepian de pollo, and the hotline always has something great to offer. The pupusas (I know they’re Salvardoran) are excellent, as is the estofado. Take cash, order first, and then pay at the register. They’ll have someone who speaks English if you don’t speak Spanish. They’ll spot the confused look on your face, if not the skin tone.

La Criolla. This feels like lunch in your mom’s kitchen, if your mom was a great Guatemalan cook. I hate to start with a Salvadoran option on this list, but these might be the best pupusas in the city. I love their estofado, tamale and traditional breakfast options. They also have jocom de pollo every day, and if you’ve never had it, here’s your encouragement.

Taquería Kairos. Yup, a Guatemalan taco truck..trailer really, but go find it on NW 10th just west of Portand. Bright orange. Hard to miss. Tacos chapines are why you’re here. Reminds me of pabellon in the best way. Do it.

Wilson’s Café. Finally made it to this one late last year, and I’m sorry I waited so long. The empanadas are ridiculously good, and it’s the rare place where you’ll find pollo ahumado. The menu is Guatemalan and Mexican, and honestly, both cuisines are done very well here.

Cafe Antigua. Other than number 1, I’m probably here most often because of proximity, and because of the motuleños, the salsas, and the mazapan latte.

Benvenutis Ristorante. I like to tell people that Chef Anthony Compagni is the real thing. This has been the best thing in Norman for some time, and it’s largely because Compagni understands who he is and what he’s doing. The Ravioli di Fiori is one of those dishes that is so simple and flavorful that the chef can’t hide behind complexity. Compagni doesn’t need to.

Elisabetta. Rachel Cope’s new Italian spot under the 84 Hospitality Group banner would be my choice for best Italian if you forced me to choose, and that’s because every component — design, lighting, service, food, booze, and dessert — is phenomenal. We did our company holiday dinner there, and it was one of the best experiences of the year, again. The chocolate budino tort made my dessert list, and now I’m publicly declaring my love of the lobster tortelloni.

Emma Elle’s Italian Kitchen. On the edge of Yukon/OKC, Cameron Wilson has created a lovely spot with an upscale casual vibe, great service, and a very good spicy bolognese.

Malfi Enoteca. This one was a nice step forward in terms of fresh and light, and (I think) that’s largely because of Sheamus Feeley’s involvement. You already know they have my favorite dessert in the city. They have my favorite appetizer too, and if I could make tomato toast this good at home, I’d still get mine at Malfi because I don’t want to work that hard. Everyone loves the bolognese, but I’m a pesto fan when it comes to the pasta course.

Osteria. Chef-owner Jonathon Stranger relocated to Plaza District after the rent in NHP soared to $60 a square foot, and it’s been a good move for him. The food is uncomplicated, flavorful, and plated beautifully, and you’ll want the cacio e pepe at some point in 2026, but get the gnocchi too.

Patrono. This one topped the list for the longest time, and it’s still a stalwart. The carbonara — you’re here for the carbonara, and the cacio e pepe risotto!

Piatto Italian Kitchen. Enis Mullaliu’ N. May spot comes pretty close to casual fine dining, and that’s by design; he’s a Coach House and Vast veteran who took a shot on a building, and he’s done great work. The go-to is the octopus and bone marrow casarecce. Dear lord!

Sparrow Italian. The Holloway family dove into Italian a few years ago with Chefs Joel Wingate and Jessie Gomez helping Chef-operator Jeffrey Lowden Holloway put together an excellent menu. We’ve said goodbye to my original favorite, the agnolotti, so now it’s onto the signature dish, the 100-Layer Lasagna.

Stella Modern Italian. Lori Burson’s Midtown anchor has been with us long enough now that we overlook how beautiful the spot is, especially at night. The service has always been excellent, and Burson has worked with several of the city’s best chefs over the past 15 years. The braised beef short rib with spicy pomodoro has always existed in some form, and I sleep better at night knowing it’s not going anywhere.

Vito’s Ristorante. No, it will never be the same after Cathy Cummings passed away, but it still feels like a warm hug, so her spirt lives on in this neighborhood spot, a fitting homage to the great neighborhood red sauce joints of Kansas City, and you’re here for the chicken spedini and whichever pasta you want served in Cathy’s sugo.

Central and South America without Guatemala and Mexico, which have their own categories.

Tayta Latin Cuisine. Niel Zambrano took a shot on a Peruvian restaurant in downtown late in 2024 — a big gamble given people’s food preferences who work, not live, in downtown — and they were deservedly one of the best new restaurants in ’24. The space is lovely, the bar is solid, and the food is exceptional. Beef dishes are a good place for newbies to start, and the fried yucca is a must, but the star is the pollo a la brasa with all the sauces.

Tacos y Baleadas Abigail. Also in the Breakfast category, this Honduran spot has exceptional fried chicken, carne asada, fresh tortillas, excellent service, and baleadas all day.

Naylamp Peruvian Restaurant. This is Niel’s sister, Samara Zambrano, so we’re still in the family, and this was the first Peruvian restaurant I ever tried years ago. They still have some of my favorite chicken salad in OKC, and the beef and potato dishes are stellar.

Zambrano’s Peruvian Cuisine. Samara again, and this one in north-ish Edmond. I go here for Parihuela, a delicious seafood soup, but newbies should go with bistec a lo pobre or arroz con pollo.

El Fogón de Edgar. Our one and only Colombian restaurant, rightly famous for their cornmeal empanadas, maduros, morcilla, and the baneja paisa, which gives you a platter-sized snapshot of Colombian cuisine. You’re gonna want extra aji verde.

Zarate’s Latin Grill. Another Edmond option, and this one is Caribbean, Mexican and Peruvian (mainly). Never tried the Mexican dishes; it’s not why I’m there, but they have a nice mix of Peru, Argentina and Caribbean islands.

AKAI Sushi. Viet Pham’s spot went from grand opening to slammed daily in about 30 minutes, and for good reason. The fish program is excellent, the non-sushi items are creative and delicious, and everything from the plating to the decor is stunning. The service is reliably friendly, helpful, and proffesional, and Aaron Fletcher has built one of the city’s best bar programs.

Kanji. Quickly after opening, they switched to omakase only. With the departure of Midian Pratama, chef-owner Sonny Choy stepped in with zero drop in quality. The fish program is unrivaled, and the small sushi bar guarantees a very up-close and intimate omakase experience.

Awaji Izakaya. In many ways, Chef Richard Ly’s NWOKC izakaya got the ball rolling with the upgrade in Japanese cuisine in the metro after COVID killed Gun. His menu is big enough for everyone to be happy, and you’re happier if you have the spicy wings. The sashimi is stellar, and his creativity is impressive. The food ranges from fine dining-esque to hearty comfort food (udon noodles with short rib!), and bar manager Thad Johnson is both great at his job and a joy to be around.

Kiru by Sushi Goose. Located in The Collective Food Hall, Chef Gustavo Chang Risi combines modern Japanese with his own Peruvian roots to create stunning, delicious food, and I’m obsessed with his olive and octopus dish and his ceviche.

The Hayashi. Formerly Sushi Hayashi, the Southside spot was purchased by a Las Vegas family who relocated to OKC, and the entire operation immediately took a 25-year jump forward. Fresh, high quality, beautifully presented fish program combined with excellent service means SOKC gets some of the best sushi in the city.

Azteca Mexican Grill. They have topped this list three years in a row, and rightly so. A lovely family serving delicious food and excellent margaritas in a high-energy environment. The ceviche is fantastic, but so is just about everything else, including mole and birria.

Don Tapatio Taqueria & Restaurant. Is this Edmond’s best Mexican food? Yes. By a wide margin, and while it’s a taqueria at heart, the menu is much more expansive, and finding traditional Mexican food this unbelievably delicious in Edmond remains the most pleasant surprise of 2025. Cabeza, lengua, and birria, all incredible, and they have carne molida for the less adventurous eaters.

Casa Freddy’s. The legacy social media account still has “truck” in the name. This was easily one of the best new restaurants of 2025, and it’s the cutest Mexican restaurant I’ve ever seen, just incredibly well thought out. The focus is Oaxacan food, and to that end, they even sell baked goods from La Lomita Oaxaca, a south-side bakery. The masa dishes are uniformly excellent, and he’s rightly proud of his breakfast options. Quecas, get the quecas.

Abel’s Mexican Restaurant. This is the rare spot that blends TexMex and traditional Mexican with notable skill, and I do love that I can still get “real” tacos while whichever knucklehead I’m dining with gets something with orange cheese. Tacos Calvillo and sopes are my go-to options.

San Marcos Restaurant (SW 59th). This is the only location I go to, and like Abel’s, you’ll find plenty of TexMex for your uncle or whomever. The rest of you, proceed directly to the section of the menu called La Feria de San Marcos, and enjoy.

Mexican Radio. The Jack. It’s the beef taco you expect, but the tortilla and the flavor put it way over the top.

Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes. Carne Molida taco. I have no idea why this taco is as good as it is, but no matter what else I get here, I get at least one carne molida.

Big Truck Tacos. Flaming Lips. Yes, a lengua taco at a gringo joint, and it’s still one of the three best lengua tacos in the city. The hickory smoke puts it in its own class though.

Stitch Cafe. Hot Honey Chicken taco. Yes, fried chicken is perfect on a tortilla, but make it spicy and add pickles, and I’m the crackeriest cracker you’ve met.

Hacienda Tacos. The Hacienda Taco. Saltines rejoice! You can get this one with a “soft” tortilla, and some of y’all LOVE that option. The beef is seasoned incredibly well, and it has shredded orange cheese, so I feel like I’m at my mom’s table on taco night in the best way.

Taco Empire. The quesabroso adobado is gonna top this list until someone has a much better idea than this perfect thing.

Trompudo’s Tacos. Lupe Garcia gets two on this list, al pastor and suadero. He’ll be on another list too.

Taqueria Rodriguez. The gold standard in quesabirria.

Taqueria El Rincon. Carne asada.

Tacos San Pedro. Cabeza, taco or burrito. Can’t go wrong.

La Duranguense. Barbacoa, taco or torta. Can’t go wrong.

Birriería Calvillo. Carnitas, and just get the whole order. You’ll want to take more home.

Birrieria Utzil. Fish tacos. Best for a long time now.

El Primo Loco. Chicken, but specifically pollo asado.

El Taco Express. Lengua, and good lengua is really hard to find.

Taqueria Juarez. Discada, the delicious refrigerator stew of tacos.

Los Comales. Chile verde. Hot, the way it should be. And they get two, because crispy fried tripas with salsa verde is incredibly satisfying.

Taqueria Rafita’s. Chile rojo. So much flavor!

La Tropicana. Tacos dorados de papa. With the salsa verde!

Sonora Querida. Taco Lorenza and Taco Haas. Two of my favorite beef tacos in the world!

The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge. The team at Killer Squid Hospitality — Jimmy Mays Chris Kana and Chef Stephanie Miller — opened this NWOKC spot as a destination for Okie-centric cuisine and good booze. They’ve succeeded beyond everyone’s expectations, and the addition of the lounge made a good thing great. Emily Savannah Brake has become one of the city’s best bartenders, and the bar program benefits from a team approach.

The Crain. Owner Ross Crain brings decades of HSR experience to this spot that’s tucked into the end of a sprawling shopping center in the NW quadrant of OKC, and the experience has paid off. He opened in late ’24, but most of us didn’t notice until ’25, and then regretted being slow on getting the message. The main selling points beyond the excellent service is the presence of prime rib on the menu twice — must-have sliders and as an entree.

The Jones Assembly. Someday someone will write a book on the complex, well-oiled machine that is Brian Bogert’s bar/restaurant/venue in West Village OKC. Just thinking about the challenge of running so many events and dinner services in the cavernous space would keep most people awake all night, but Bogert is surrounded by an amazing team — Scott Marsh, Graham Colton, Courtney Mankin, Chef Patrick Hart and founding partner Manny Leclercq — so from an outsider’s perspective, things seem to always flow smoothly. The addition of Chef Quinn Carroll this year added even more talent and creativity to an already great team. Long live the frozen espresso martini and butter chicken pizza!

Lorena Southern Twist. Lori Burson’s Southern spot marked the return of the omni-talented Chef Cally Johnson to Oklahoma City, and we’re better for it. Yes, it’s technically a Southern restaurant, but the very modern twist puts it in the category. If you do nothing else, go get the black pepper clam chowder. You will then want it every day. Bologna sandwich is insanely good, and it’s hard to believe, but the interior is — for me — even more beautiful than Burson’s other beautiful concept, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine.

Aurora. Yes, they’re famously a breakfast/brunch joint first, but the addition of Chef Jerrod Driskill made possible a whole new chapter for this Plaza District favorite by Jamie Winteroth and Jordan Winteroth. If you’re one of the unfortunate too many who haven’t had Aurora for dinner, then it’s time to make a New Year’s resolution that will be easy to keep. Get your ass to Aurora and have snapper tacos with salsa macha, the meatloaf sando, or anything else Driskill serves.

Odds and ends, and things that don’t always fit well in other categories, because a taxonomy is no reason to omit great food.

39 Restaurant. This Native American restaurant in First Americans Museum is genuinely one of the best spots in the city, thanks in large part to Chef Ben Hutton and culinary director Chef Loretta Barrett Oden. I dare you to find something that isn’t delicious. Not going to happen, but try, and start with the hominy stew.

Polk House. Because you need a soul food fix, and this is your spot. Neck bones, always get the neck bones. With mac ‘n’ cheese, obviously.

Carican Flavors. I need a place to get curried goat, and this Caribbean spot in NEOKC has a brilliant version, and the baked mac ‘n’ cheese is pure magic.

Dreamy Caribbean Flavor. When she has it, this Haitian truck makes the best oxtails you will ever try. Ever.

Jamil’s Steakhouse. One of the very few Lebaneses steakhouses that remain, and very much a local treasure. I go for the bologna and the catfish, but there is a whole menu of things to love, and Greg Gawey remains the consummate host.

Tamale King. I’ve said this before, and it remains true, the Mexican tamale category in this city has nothing that can touch Felix Cornejo’s Tamale King. Order online, find him posted up, pick up at Flora Bodega — whatever, just get his tamales.

Rezzys Lumpia Express. Located in the Parlor, this is where you want to go for Filipino food, especially the pancit and lumpia.

NaGemmas. Yet another Filipino spot, and this one is more “home-cooking” style, with a broader menu, and some awesome rustic dishes. I just asked a lot of questions, and learned more than I expected, and then had delicious food. Lovely people.

Pizzeria Gusto. I admit they get a bump because pizza isn’t the only thing they do well. The menu is genuinely a “something for everyone” experience, and chef-owners Kathryn Mathis and Marina Rabinovich don’t seem to have found anything they can’t make delicious. And the soppressata pizza is still my favorite in the metro.

Papa Angelo’s. This Bethany joint has been making traditional New York City pizza by the pie and slice for decades, but being in Bethany makes it hard to get the wider attention they very much deserve. This is what cheese pizza should be!

Dados Pizza. It’s the vodka sauce. Yes, they do creative, fun monthly pies, but if I’m in the building, it’s for the vodka sauce that co-owner Jimmy Mays created from scratch. And, yes, by the slice options, as it should be.

Sauced on Paseo. If I don’t fill up on those insanely good pizza rolls, I get a couple slices, and their pepperoni is one of the best in the city. With spicy ranch, it’s magical.

Empire Slice House. I’m still mad that Vampire Slayer didn’t make the full-time menu because of all the weird fig-eaters out there, but No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn (still spelling it the proper way in this house!) has my heart. I do love the slice options day to day in that it encourages me to try something that isn’t my go-to, and their cheese pizza is a flavor bomb, and that’s a weird thing to say about cheese pizza.

Woodward Pizza makes Detroit-style pizza, and if you love the style, you have to go, and if you’ve never had it, now is the time. Never had a bad bite or experience in this Edmond spot.

Akai Not just the city’s best sushi, but a fish program to rival the best in the state. Thoughtful, creative, and delicious, but always respectful of the product.

Awaji Don’t let the Izakaya moniker fool you. Chef Richard Ly brings in stellar fish, and along with Akai and Kanji, they’re doing the best seafood in the city.

Kanji The go-to for omakase, and he’s getting seafood no one else in the city has. This is an amazing experience, and it’s omakase only at a 7-seat bar.

The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro. They always have fish on the menu for lunch and dinner, and the preparation is always remarkable, much like everything else they do.

La Baguette Chef Alain Buthion has been applying French techniques and his brilliant palate to seafood for more than 40 years. The experience shows, and it’s impossible to order the wrong thing at our favorite French bistro.

Symmetry. Not exactly a steakhouse, and they’ll make at least one more list, but this spot has turned into one of the best destination restaurants in the city, and the steaks are the steakiest I’ve had in the metro.

Juliette Oyster Bar & Steakhouse. What this Main St. Norman spot and Symmetry have in common is that they don’t just think of themselves as a steakhouse; they’re both very decidedly restaurants in terms of look and feel, ambience, size, focus, and experience. You feel very tucked in here, and the warm lighting and beautiful setting enhance the overall experience. Stellar food, excellent cocktails, and friendly service are the norm, and the tartare and Basque cheesecake are worth the drive south.

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. Honestly, this is one of the spots that I feel free to send people to who insist they want a great steak and great service. Both locations are stellar, and the crab legs (they will shell them for you) are my favorite in OKC.

Boulevard Steakhouse. Service and hospitality are best in show, and the steaks are excellent. Excellent wine list, too, and again, the hospitality. Crazy good.

Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee. They’re not a huge part of the menu, but the steaks are exceptional, and the accoutrements take the experience way beyond steakhouse expectations.

Ranch Steakhouse. Probably the best wine list of the steakhouses, and the service is also impeccable. Solid bar program overall, and the steaks are as expected, which is to say, exceptional.

My Place Sip & Savor. This was also one of the three best new restaurants in the city, and the big bonus is that the owner is also a damn good bartender. This is Thai we seldom see in OKC: creative, traditional, spicy, flavorful, fresh, and beautifully plated. The tom yum is the best I’ve had, as is the pad see ew.

Mob Thai’d. This was the game-changer for me last year. Chef Benji Sukmanee and Amanda Sukmanee are serving the Thai food that changed my mind about Thai food in OKC from a truck that posts up regularly at Thai House OKC. They also post their hours and other events on their social media, so if you want unbelievably delicious wings and khao soi noodles, give them a follow.

The Sister Cuisine. Talk about a dark horse. This spot is tucked into a strip on NW 36th just east of May, and it’s very easy to miss, but don’t. The Bangkok chicken…dear lord. Just get it. And do not leave without their mango sticky rice. Bonus: some of the kindest, friendliest service anywhere. Lovely people.

Four Js. This one is the OG, and it’s also the first place I ever tried larb (laab). It’s a combo Thai-Lao spot, and they do both well — it’s liminal food, after all. But, yes, get the chicken laab!

Bistro 38. Went here on a recommendation, and was pleasantly surprised at the friendly service and good food. Had to try the gai jor and green curry, but they have plenty of veg options, including a vegan tom yum.

Picasso Cafe. They were one of the pioneers, and the tradition lives on. As noted in another list, putting Chef Ashley Gonzalez in a kitchen makes good into great, and they also benefit from Kim Dansereau’s presence in the building. The monthly vegetarian wine dinners are delicious and crazy affordable. Good luck getting a seat.

The Red Cup. Chef Patrick Clark II just makes great food. It happens to be veg, but I suspect he’d be good at pretty much anything he tried. I have a hard time not ordering the Johnny cakes, but Mt. Saint Chorizo makes my inner fat kid very happy.

Vast. Yes, Vast. They leaned into vegan several years ago when Chef Chef Kurt Fleischfresser was still in the building, and they’ve never looked back. As noted in a previous list, their vegan tasting menu was one of my favorite meals of the year.

30th Street Market. Another spot where veg and non-veg are done with equal skill. The beets toast and PBB&J are easy to love, but so are their vegan and vegetarian toasts and sandwiches. Always check the seasonal menu, and always get a peanut butter miso cookie (for science).

Betty’s. Vegan soul food? Yes. Absolutely. Burgers, spaghetti, chimichanga, and the list of hearty, soulful dishes continues. This is not where you’ll find the sprouts-forward dishes that leave you hungry in a half hour; this is where you find substantial food for people who love food.

Café Tí Bo. This was easily one of my best experiences this year, and I owe the credit to Tiffany-Ryan Dinh and James Nguyen. Traditional Vietnamese, including things I’d never heard of, like banh cuon, and then huge bonus points for banh xeo, one of the hardest things to find in OKC. I could eat here every day.

Rivière Modern Vietnamese. Yes, modern, but also traditional. The aforementioned James Nguyen decided to put a spin on Vietnamese food a few years ago, and Midtown OKC has been the beneficiary of the city’s best pho, as well as great wings, bulgogi (I know it’s not Vietnamese and I don’t care), and tacos — yes, tacos. A full bar is the big bonus here. And now you Edmondites need to start supporting your Edmond location!

Pho Cuong Restaurant. If they only had the Vietnamese curry, they’d still be on the list because that dish is so damn good I think about it at least once a week. But they also have outstanding bun bo hue and pho.

Pho VN. This is definitely a great pho option on the south side, but they also do traditional dishes like banh xeo and com tam bi suon trung (shattered rice with pork and eggs), and their bun bo hue is excellent.

Nón Lá Café. Another south-side option, and this one is just lovely. Very friendly service, and outstanding noodles bowls, steam buns and banh mi. The variety here isn’t overwhelming as it can be in some places, but there’s enough everyone should find something they like. Oxtail pho and udon for me typically.

ZamZam Mediterranean Grill. I haven’t had them at the Warr Acres location, but the harissa-honey grilled wings at the Automobile Alley location are my favorite in OKC. And they’re grilled, and we need more grilled options around town.

Woo’s Wings. This NEOKC spot went from truck to brick-and-mortar this year, and I couldn’t be happier for her success. The Da’Woo wings alone are worth you driving to EastPoint.

Ma Der Lao Kitchen. They are fantastic as they come, but every once in a while Chef Jeff Chanchaleune will do his jaew bong wings, and you don’t want to miss that day, unless you live on the Edmond Heat Scale.

Clark Crew BBQ. Smoked and fried, naked and delicious. You can get stuff to dip them in, but they require no help.

My Place Sip & Savor. Everything they make is extraordinary, so I wasn’t surprised to find wings this damn good there. Thai spicy but they’ll adjust it if you’re delicate.

Awaji Izakaya. The Saigon Heat wings don’t get as much love as they deserve. It’s easy to understand, given how many things Chef Richard Ly does well. Who thinks izakaya and wings? Chef did, and I’m happy about it.

The Jones Assembly. Cacio e pepe wings. I take them home because you’re gonna need a roll of paper towels, but it is so very worth it. If someone orders them in the restaurant, I do the knife and fork thing, and apologize for being soft.

Pizzeria Gusto. These fly way under the radar, and that’s a shame. They come with Chef Kathryn Mathis’s house hot sauce, and they are perfect every time.

DC Wings and Cakes. I still haven’t had the cake, but the honey-garlic wings are the best reason to go to the Adventure District. (I stand by this, and I love the zoo.)

Rivière Modern Bánh Mì. I admit it took me way too long to realize that they have nuoc mam wings, and to be fair, I only knew because owner James Nguyen messaged me and said, “We have fish sauce wings.” So I went. And then again and again. They’re fantastic.