Ready to discover Oklahoma’s most unique restaurants? We’re talking sizzling barbecue joints in Oklahoma City, quirky diners along Route 66, and exquisite farm-to-table experiences in Tulsa. Join me as we dive into the coolest restaurants in Oklahoma.
Ever scroll through endless restaurant options, searching for something that really stands out? Same. And let me tell you, this Midwest gem is packed with spots that are anything but ordinary.
Start with slow-smoked brisket at Leo’s BBQ in Oklahoma City or grab a burger at the retro Rock Cafe on Route 66. For something upscale, head to FarmBar in Tulsa for dishes crafted from local ingredients. You can even dine like royalty at The Castle of Muskogee for a true fairytale experience.
Oklahoma’s food scene is calling—let’s eat!
👉 Pro Tip: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show in Oklahoma City is a total blast! You’ll chow down on a great meal while trying to crack a hilarious case—just watch out, the actors are mixed in with the crowd. Pay attention to the clues, trust no one (seriously), and get ready to laugh your way through the mystery. It’s dinner, but way more fun!
Unusual places to eat in OK
Ready to check out what Oklahoma has on its menu? There’s a whole bunch of cool places waiting for you, from smokehouse BBQs to chic farm-to-table eateries. Come along as I show you the best places to eat in Oklahoma.
Craving an onion burger from a historic diner or perhaps a taste of authentic Ethiopian cuisine right here in the heartland? Whatever kind of fun meal you’re after, Oklahoma’s got it. Here’s your go-to list of the most unique restaurants in Oklahoma. Get ready to make your meals memorable!
1. Queen of Sheba Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Oklahoma City
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Ethiopian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Ethiopian stews (wots), communal dining with injera, and traditional coffee ceremony.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters and shared meals.
Get ready to ditch your forks at Queen of Sheba Restaurant! This Oklahoma City gem transports you to Ethiopia with authentic, richly spiced stews (wots) scooped up with soft, tangy injera bread. The air is intoxicating with berbere and roasting coffee.
Trying the doro wat, a spicy chicken stew that’s a national treasure, is a must. The vibrant vegetarian platter with various lentil and vegetable wots, or the savory beef tibs (sautéed beef), are also excellent choices. Sharing a meal here is wonderfully communal.
2. The Press
This is where diner comfort food gets a creative Oklahoma remix. The Press is tucked into an old printing shop in the hip Plaza District, creating instant cool with exposed brick, big sunny windows, and mural art all around. Must-try dishes include their crazy good chicken fried steak and the vegan chili served with cornbread that’s actually craveable. Cocktails with local spirits hit the spot after a stroll through the mural-filled neighborhood. I was seriously impressed by their friendly service and how they pull off vegan, vegetarian, and carnivore comfort foods all under one roof. Pro tip: stop by on weekend mornings to catch their brunch – then hit DNA Galleries or Pie Junkie just steps away.
3. Grey Sweater
- 📍 Location: Oklahoma City
- 💲 Price range: $150 – $250+ per person (Tasting Menu)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American / Fine Dining / Tasting Menu
- 🔥 Standout Features: Blind tasting menu, artistic presentations, chef-driven experience.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Food adventurers and milestone celebrations.
Prepare for a culinary experience shrouded in delicious mystery at Grey Sweater! It’s an intimate, chef-driven adventure where you embark on a blind tasting menu – you don’t know what’s coming next, but it’s guaranteed to be extraordinary. Chef Andrew Black crafts exquisite, artful dishes.
The menu is a secret and ever-changing, but expect luxurious ingredients. Past dishes have included perfectly cooked A5 Wagyu with unique accompaniments, delicate seafood preparations with caviar, or inventive vegetable courses that highlight seasonal produce. Trust the chef!
4. Burn Co Barbeque
If you love legit barbecue with big Tulsa energy, Burn Co is my go-to. The inside isn’t fancy, but the smoky smells and buzzing counter scene make up for any lack of frills. Their signature dish is the Fatty – a smoked sausage that’s filled with cheese and jalapeño, then wrapped in bacon. Don’t skip the ribs either. There’s usually a line during lunchtime, so I’d go early or be ready to wait (totally worth it). The casual picnic-table vibe fits perfectly, and you’ll probably end up talking barbecue with the locals. After you wipe the sauce off your hands, stroll to the nearby Gathering Place or take photos in colorful neighborhood alleys.
5. La Brasa
- 📍 Location: Oklahoma City (Asian District)
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Peruvian / South American / Rotisserie Chicken
- 🔥 Standout Features: Incredible Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, vibrant South American flavors, and a lively, colorful atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Chicken connoisseurs, lovers of bold Latin American spices, and a fun, flavorful group dinner.
Get ready for a chicken revelation at La Brasa! This vibrant spot in OKC’s Asian District is famous for its mind-blowingly delicious Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken – juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection. The aroma of roasting chicken fills the air.
Getting the whole rotisserie chicken to share, served with their amazing aji amarillo sauce and a side of crispy yucca fries, is essential. Their lomo saltado (Peruvian beef stir-fry) or fresh ceviche are also fantastic. It’s a flavor fiesta!
6. Stone Sisters Organics
Healthy foodies, you’re not dreaming – Stone Sisters Organics in OKC serves up pizza and salads that are genuinely delicious. The setting is a charming converted mid-century house, with cozy corners and a back patio that feels like a friend’s backyard. Build-your-own pizza is the way to go, and don’t miss their vegan cheese or gluten-free desserts. It’s super family-friendly too, with games and coloring for kids. I always leave feeling good, not guilty. Bonus: Uptown 23rd’s art deco shops and Lyric Theatre are a short walk if you want to make a day of it.
7. FarmBar
- 📍 Location: Tulsa
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $90 per person (Often set/tasting menu)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Farm-to-Table / Modern Oklahoman / Seasonal
- 🔥 Standout Features: Hyper-local sourcing (many ingredients from their own farm), seasonal tasting menus, farmhouse vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions and ingredient-driven meals
Experience the true taste of Oklahoma at FarmBar in Tulsa, where “farm-to-table” is a way of life! This intimate spot crafts beautiful, seasonal tasting menus featuring ingredients sourced hyper-locally, many from their own farm. The rustic-chic farmhouse ambiance is warm.
Each dish celebrates the region’s bounty. Expect creations like perfectly ripe summer squash prepared in inventive ways, tender pastured pork with seasonal fruit compote, or freshly baked bread with cultured butter. It’s a place that connects you deeply to the land.
8. Tikka Craze
This strip mall hideout is dishing up authentic Pakistani and North Indian flavors far beyond your standard curry joint. Tikka Craze nails dishes like Chicken 65 and their namesake tikka platters, charred fresh from the grill. I can’t say enough about their biryani either – fragrant, spicy, and studded with cloves and green chiles. The simple, friendly dining room keeps the focus on the food. If you’re around in the evening, it’s a great place for a casual, share-with-friends feast. There’s a huge Asian market across the parking lot, so grab sweet treats or snacks on your way out.
9. Wild Horse Mountain Bar-B-Que
- 📍 Location: Sallisaw
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Oklahoma Barbecue / American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Mountain views, melt-in-your-mouth brisket.
- 🎯 Perfect For: BBQ purists and scenic drives with a delicious payoff.
If you’re on a quest for legendary Oklahoma barbecue with a view, make the pilgrimage to Wild Horse Mountain Bar-B-Que near Sallisaw. This no-frills joint is a true hidden gem, perched with a stunning vista and serving some of the most tender, flavorful barbecue.
Getting the brisket, which melts in your mouth, is an absolute must. Their smoked ribs that fall off the bone, or a hearty pulled pork sandwich with their signature BBQ beans, are also highly recommended. That first bite of smoky perfection is pure Oklahoma heaven.
10. Masa Ramen & Sushi
Craving slurp-worthy ramen and inventive sushi rolls in a laid-back spot? Masa in Oklahoma City punches above its weight. The airy space rocks chalkboard art and bouncy K-pop playlists, making weekend nights especially lively. Go for the pork tonkotsu ramen (the eggs are marinated, and the broth is super rich), plus their tornado roll topped with spicy mayo. Tapas-sized appetizers like takoyaki keep the table buzzing. It’s perfect for groups or date nights.
11. Castle Falls
- 📍 Location: Oklahoma City
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: European / Fine Dining / Steak & Seafood
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic castle-like setting with beautiful gardens, upscale European cuisine.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, romantic proposals, and upscale dining.
Prepare for a fairytale evening at Castle Falls in Oklahoma City! This unique restaurant is housed in a stunning, historic castle-like building surrounded by beautiful gardens, creating an incredibly romantic and enchanting atmosphere. It’s the perfect setting for their upscale European-inspired cuisine.
Consider their perfectly prepared filet mignon with a rich demi-glace. Fresh seafood dishes, like pan-seared scallops or lobster tail, or classic Caesar salad prepared tableside, are also excellent choices. The service is impeccable.
12. Nonesuch
If you’re looking for a next-level culinary adventure, Nonesuch is Oklahoma City’s crown jewel for serious food lovers. This chef-driven tasting menu spot is intimate – just 22 seats and an open kitchen where you’re face-to-face with the culinary team. Every bite is hyper-seasonal and Oklahoma-sourced, like cattail pollen caramel or black walnut miso. You never know what you’ll get, and that’s half the fun. The modern wooden decor feels exclusive but not stuffy. Reserve far ahead (seriously), and make time to wander Midtown’s bars and cafes after your meal. This is hands-down the most memorable OKC experience I’ve had in years.
13. Eischen’s Bar
- 📍 Location: Okarche
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Fried Chicken
- 🔥 Standout Features: Oklahoma’s oldest bar, fried chicken.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Fried chicken fanatics and an Oklahoman culinary pilgrimage.
Forget fancy menus; at Eischen’s Bar in Okarche, it’s all about one thing: their legendary whole fried chicken. As Oklahoma’s oldest bar, this place is an absolute institution, a no-frills joint where the chicken is king. They serve it hot, crispy, and piled high on wax paper.
The only other things on the menu are pickles, onions, and white bread – and that’s it! The place is always packed with folks who’ve made the pilgrimage for this iconic bird. It’s simple, delicious, and a true taste of Oklahoma history.
14. Antoinette Baking Co.
Don’t even try to decide between the pie and the cookies here – just order both. Antoinette Baking Co in Tulsa’s hip Arts District serves showstopping desserts in a space that blends Parisian pastry shop with cozy hipster hangout. Their crack pie is gorgeous (with a gooey, addictive filling), and the “Pop-Tarts” stuffed with seasonal jams are wild. Pastel walls, cheery florals, and rotating art make this a fun brunch-or-tea stop before checking out nearby museums or Guthrie Green. I can never leave without grabbing a box for the road.
15. Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant & Catering
- 📍 Location: Tulsa (Arts District)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Caribbean / Trinidadian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Caribbean (especially Trinidadian) flavors, rum cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Island flavors, spice, and tropical vibes.
Get ready to lime in Tulsa at Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant! This vibrant spot in the Arts District brings the sunny flavors and lively spirit of the Caribbean, with a special nod to Trinidadian cuisine. The air is fragrant with spices like allspice and thyme.
Trying their incredible jerk chicken, smoky and fiery, is highly recommended. The rich and comforting curry goat with rice and peas, or their flavorful Trinidadian Doubles (fried flatbread with curried chickpeas), are also fantastic. Wash it all down with a potent rum punch.
16. The Loaded Bowl
This is Oklahoma City’s blueprint for plant-based comfort food done right. The Loaded Bowl transports you to a bright, relaxed cafe with leafy plants and upcycled furniture. Try the down-home mac ‘n cheese (100 percent vegan, but you’ll never know) or the BBQ “nachos” made with cashew queso and BBQ jackfruit. The patio is dog-friendly and gets sunshine most of the day. Their eco-friendly mission is real – everything, even the forks, is compostable. After lunch, wander to nearby Scissortail Park or the shops on 9th Street.
17. Robert’s Grill
- 📍 Location: El Reno
- 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Diner / Onion Burgers
- 🔥 Standout Features: Oklahoma fried onion burgers, old-school counter service.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Onion burger purists, classic diners, and budget-friendly meals.
Step back in time at Robert’s Grill in El Reno, a legendary diner that’s been slinging Oklahoma’s famous fried onion burgers since 1926! This place is an absolute classic, with its long counter, vintage vibes, and the irresistible aroma of onions caramelizing on a hot griddle.
Getting a double onion cheeseburger, where the beef is smashed into thinly sliced onions on the griddle, is essential. A side of their homemade chili or classic crinkle-cut fries completes this simple, greasy (in the best way!), and utterly delicious Oklahoma experience.
18. Tokyo Pot
Gather your fun-loving friends and make a reservation: Tokyo Pot in Stillwater turns dinner into an event with Japanese shabu shabu hot pots. You get to swish thin cuts of meat, vegetables, and noodles in a bubbling broth right at your table. It’s lively, interactive, and way more delicious than your usual night out. I recommend the spicy miso broth and a round of sake. The setup is modern but cozy, with private booths for groups and super attentive staff.
19. Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
- 📍 Location: Tulsa (Cherry Street)
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creole / Cajun / New Orleans Inspired
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic New Orleans flavors, beautiful courtyard, Creole dishes and cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cajun and Creole cuisine, a taste of the Big Easy in Tulsa, and upscale Southern meals.
Laissez les bons temps rouler at Nola’s Creole & Cocktails on Tulsa’s Cherry Street! This spot brings the vibrant spirit of New Orleans to Oklahoma, serving authentic Creole and Cajun classics in a beautiful setting, complete with a charming courtyard.
Ordering their classic gumbo ya-ya, rich and dark with chicken and andouille sausage, is a must. The perfectly executed shrimp and grits with a creamy Creole sauce, or their flavorful blackened redfish with dirty rice, are also highly recommended.
20. Off The Hook Eatery
This spot in north OKC is seafood soul food heaven. Off The Hook serves up over-the-top daily fish specials, but the standout is the crab-stuffed grilled cheese – basically Instagram fuel on a plate. Grab the Cajun fries too. The vibe feels buzzy but laid-back, with music playing and local art on the walls. Portions are generous and the service is genuinely friendly. Expect a crowd during lunch, and know you can order ahead for takeout. Make it a double feature and head to the OKC Science Museum nearby.
21. Prairiefire Grille
- 📍 Location: The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park, Hulbert
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Regional / Comfort Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Scenic views overlooking Sequoyah State Park and Fort Gibson Lake, hearty regional dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Park visitors, enjoying nature with comfort food, and a relaxing dining experience.
Dine with a stunning view at Prairiefire Grille, within The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park. Overlooking Fort Gibson Lake, this spot offers hearty American and regional comfort food in a rustic lodge setting. After a day exploring, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Enjoy dishes like a juicy catfish platter, fried golden brown. A classic chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, or their popular Lodge Burger, are also great choices while gazing out at the serene lake.
22. Cafe Kacao
- 📍 Location: Oklahoma City (Asian District)
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Guatemalan / Latin American / Breakfast & Brunch
- 🔥 Standout Features: Guatemalan breakfasts, flavorful Latin American dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch adventurers and unique Latin American flavors.
Get ready for a breakfast that will change your life at Cafe Kacao! This Oklahoma City institution is famous for its mind-blowingly delicious Guatemalan and Latin American breakfast and brunch dishes. The line out the door is a testament to its greatness.
Trying their signature Tikal, a massive platter of eggs, black beans, plantains, grilled steak, and chorizo, is essential. The decadent Motuleño (fried eggs on tortillas with black beans, ham, peas, and cheese) or their sweet Cuban toast are also incredible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Oklahoma
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Oklahoma? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Oklahoma’s most unique restaurants.
Is Oklahoma City a foodie city?
Yes, Oklahoma City is perfect for foodies. From hip cafes to gourmet restaurants, there’s a flavor for every palate, set against the backdrop of Oklahoma’s stunning landscapes. I’d say it’s a playground for anyone eager to explore new tastes. Don’t sleep on it – OKC’s food scene is seriously buzzing.
What food is Oklahoma famous for?
Oklahoma and barbecue go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Think smoky, tender, and utterly delicious meats that fall right off the bone. But it’s not all BBQ. You’ve got to try the chicken fried steak and fried onion burgers, too. Trust me, they’re game-changers.
What is unique to Oklahoma?
Where do I start? Oklahoma’s got everything from breathtaking landscapes to the iconic Route 66. But if we’re talking unique, it’s the mix of cultures and histories that truly stands out, all with a touch of Midwest charm. This diversity shines brightly in its festivals, museums, and especially in its eclectic food scene.
What is the state food of Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s state meal is a feast: fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, squash, black-eyed peas, and pecan pie. Definitely a must-try experience!
