We’re ending 2024 with openings and closings hitting 2023 numbers, with more closings than openings, but not by much. It’s looking like 2025 is going to start fast, with four major openings in January. Some of the city’s largest hospitality groups are opening concepts throughout the year, so we’ve compiled a list of the ones that are close to certain. The four January openings are 84 Hospitality’s Italian concept Elisabetta, Provision Concepts’s Vecina, Lori Burson’s as yet unannounced spot in MIdtown in the former 1492 spot, and Chef Jeff Chanchaleune’s second spot, Bar Sen. 

Bar Sen. Chef Jeff Chanchaleune grabbed the spot next door to Ma Der for his second concept, Bar Sen. The noodle-centric spot will have his fried chicken on the menu, along with several noodle options. The bar will function as a waiting room for Bar Sen, Ma Der, and the patio between them as well. Looking like a Thursday, January 9 opening in Plaza District.

Vecina. Chef James Fox received a James Beard nomination for his Phoenix restaurant Vecina. The Latin American inspired food draws from multiple traditions to create rotating seasonal menus, and we’ve already seen what Chef Fox can do with Mediterranean, North African and Levantine food at Riserva, so we have every reason to be excited about Vecina. The W. Memorial spot will be part of Jeff Dixon’s stable of restaurants and bars at Provision Concepts. 

Elisabetta. Rachel Cope’s Italian concept will be on N. Western in the former Chae space, and it’s the first of its kind for 84 Hospitality, and it will most likely be a one-off concept. She won’t be replicating it like she has with Empire and Burger Punk. It’s a slowed-down, upscale casual dining experience with traditional Italian fare, a robust wine list, and full bar set in an elegant space. Target date is late January.

Stella owner Lori Burson is almost finished with construction on the former 1492 space in Midtown, and she’s added a bigger, better patio on the south side of the building for her new concept. Chef Cally Johnson has come back from California to helm the kitchen at the new spot. Burson said she’ll start announcing details in early December, and the opening is tentatively scheduled for January. 

The new Riviere is coming to Edmond possibly as early as January, rebranded as Riviere Modern Vietnamese. The Midtown location is well known for their phenomenal xiu mai, bulgogi, and small-batch pho, and they will continue to offer a selection of banh mi, but they will lean into the modern aspect for the both locations in 2025. James Nguyen said it’s the “evolution” of Riviere into a more entree-driven concept. “It will give us latitude to do more specials, bun bo hue, banh xeo, hopefully, things of that nature.” They’ll be open on Sundays, and Nguyen said they’re considering a small brunch menu.

Social Order Dining Collective founder Brian Bogert said to expect the S. May Fuzzy’s (2875 SW 104th St) in February. We don’t always cover locally owned franchises, but Bogert’s two brands – Dave’s Hot Chicken and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop – are deeply involved in the community, and he has had input in the development of both these popular franchises. 

Neighborhood Jam SOKC is scheduled for April/May ‘25. The popular breakfast and brunch restaurant from Hal Smith Restaurants features traditional, modern and Southwest fare for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The south OKC location is at SW 104th and May. This will be the seventh location.

The Whole Enchilada. Joe Jungmann and Lesley Rawlinson (Paseo Grill, Hopscotch, etc.) had a spot called The Whole Enchilada in the Santa Fe Parking Garage from 2010-2015. They’re bringing the Mexican concept back in ‘25, but the Mexico-meets-Oklahoma concept will be in the former Smoking Boar building at Britton and May. There will be a dozen or more frozen drink machines, a drive-up window for food and drinks to go, an extensive salsa bar, fresh tortilla station, and a mix of TexMex and Okie-centric specialties. ETA is summer ‘25. 

Tayta Latin Cuisine (25 N. Hudson) is coming soon to the City Center District. They’re already hiring, but aren’t responding to questions about open date, menu, etc.  Niel Zambrano registered the name with the Secretary of State. He’s been involved in Peruvian food concepts — La Brasa, Inca Trail  — since the late ’00s. 

There will be several other announcements in the next few weeks, including a new spot in a downtown hotel, a sports bar, new concepts from well-known operators, and definitely some new things in Edmond’s Railyard complex. Tabb Singleton of Phat Tabb’s BBQ has been inquiring about the available spaces – most inside spots closed in 2024 – as have a few other OKC operators. There is a large market project coming to downtown, as well as the new complex at NW 13th and Broadway. We’ll see at least two Tulsa operators open spots in the urban core in 2025, as well. Those announcements are coming soon, too.