Brian Nagele
Located on the banks of the Arkansas River, Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second-largest city with a vibrant urban scene and historical significance as a significant player in the oil industry.
The flowing Arkansas River irrigates the surrounding town and landscapes with plenty of green spaces like the Oxley Nature Center and the Gathering Place.
If you’re an architecture fan, Tulsa’s Deco District is a beautiful place to witness the fruits of the 20th century Art Deco movement.
Architecture and art buffs will also love the Philbrook Museum of Art, located inside a monstrous Italian villa with immaculate grounds.
Tulsa has something for everyone, and that includes its diverse food scene. Restaurants in Tulsa span the culinary gamut, representing a wealth of world cuisines and American regional cuisines.
Whether you’re looking for fine dining steakhouses or fun, family-friendly New Orleans-style delis, restaurants in Tulsa have something for every dining preference.
During my most recent trip to Tulsa, I spent my time looking for all the best places to eat and have compiled a list of my favorite options.
Read on to find out where you can enjoy a delicious meal and wonderful ambiance at any of the following restaurants in Tulsa.
Mahogany Prime Steakhouse
4840 E 61st St, Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: 918-494-4043
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Mahogany Prime Steakhouse is a fine-dining steakhouse from famed restauranteur Hal Smith.
Its newly refurbished location in the Shadow Mountain neighborhood is a luxurious, contemporary dining atmosphere with a wooden bar and a glass wine cellar displaying an award-winning wine list to accompany a classic, high-quality steak dinner.
Mahogany has certified sommeliers on staff to help you pair the perfect bottle of wine with your order.
They offer a variety of seafood dishes along with USDA Prime beef for their succulent steak offerings.
My favorite was the Chef’s favorite, Seared Filet Tips with crimini mushrooms and cabernet reduction.
Bodean Restaurant Market
3323 E 51st St, Tulsa, OK 74135
Phone: 918-749-1407
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Named by combining owners Bob and Dean’s names, Bodean started as a fresh fish market in 1968 and added a fine-dining seafood restaurant to offer award-winning dishes featuring their market’s fresh fish.
Located in the Patrick Henry neighborhood, Bodean continues to be Tulsa’s best fish market, flying fresh fish from around the globe twice daily.
The stunning dining room is a modern and refined space with vibrant marine life paintings.
Not only is the fish exceptionally fresh and perfectly executed, but Bodean also makes all dough, bread, and sauce from scratch and cures all their smoked fish.
I recommend the seared jumbo sea scallops with roasted mushroom ragout, sweet potato and goat cheese grits, and fried fennel.
Palace Cafe
1301 East 15th Street 15th &, S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-582-4321
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Located in Tracy Park, Palace Café is a contemporary New American cocktail and wine bar and restaurant.
The cool, modern interior, friendly staff, and low-key ambiance make Palace Café an excellent restaurant for a date night.
Their widely variable menu features authentic cuisine from around the globe, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it.
You can get brunch, lunch, and dinner at Palace Café. For the quality and presentation of the dishes, Palace Café is surprisingly affordable. T
hey have a separate menu for vegetarians, as well. I loved the Bolognese ravioli with steak Bolognese, house-made pasta stuffed with mascarpone, and pesto. Vegetarians will love the Cauliflower Cassoulet with heirloom beans and celeriac.
Polo Grill
2038 Utica Square, Tulsa, OK 74114
Phone: 918-744-4280
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Established in 1983 by restauranteur and award-winning chef Robert Merrifield, Polo Grill is a cozy, romantic, and refined New American bistro that’s been a favorite Midtown haunt for almost 40 years.
Polo Grill’s stunning dining space and creative plating have won AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Award. Chef Merrifield has won the James Beard Award of Excellence for his incredible menu.
You can also find a Wine Spectator Award-worthy wine list to pair with your multi-course meal at Polo.
The menu has a variety of fresh fish and steak dishes, not to mention a wealth of inventive appetizers.
I started with the bacon-wrapped shrimp with atomic horseradish and white wine Dijon sauce.
I loved the rack of lamb with pistachio jalapeno apple mint relish for the main dish.
The Chalkboard
1324 S Main St, Tulsa, OK 74119
Phone: 918-582-1964
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The Chalkboard is a family-owned downtown Tulsa bar and grill that brother and sister Joshua Ozaras and Shannon Ozaras bought from their father Ayhan after spending their childhood working for him and honing their management and restauranteur skills.
The large, bustling atmosphere doubles as a significant event space with live music.
They do a wonderful boozy brunch at the Chalkboard and have a hopping happy hour with a vast wine and cocktail selection.
The diverse menu features favorites from around the globe executed beautifully by head Chef Daniel Gibb.
I loved their decadent Mushroom Wellington with a crisp, buttery crust stuffed with marinated portobello, beetroot, sage, walnut, and goat cheese with a rich Romesco sauce.
Villa Ravenna Fine Dining
6526 E 51st St Between 51 and Sheridan at the Farm Shopping Center, Tulsa, OK 74145
Phone: 918-270-2666
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Located in Stevenson, a short drive from the beautiful LaFortune Park, Villa Ravenna Fine Dining is an authentic Italian cafe.
The Italian Orioli family, with over five decades of experience owning and running restaurants in the U.S., Italy, and Latin America, opened Villa Ravenna to wide acclaim in Tulsa.
The menu is a classic Italian multi-course meal of antipasti, salads, soups, and numerous hand-made pasta dishes using age-old recipes passed down through the generations.
I loved the house-made potato gnocchi with a traditional meat sauce and fresh parmesan cheese.
Juniper Restaurant
324 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-794-1090
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Juniper Restaurant is a hip farm-to-table restaurant, cocktail, and wine bar, using the seasonal bounty of Oklahoma to create rotating menus that transform locally sourced meats, cheeses, and produce into stunning, artistically plated culinary masterpieces.
The rustic-chic setting features designs and art pieces from local artists, keeping with the idea to support locals.
Chef Justin Thompson creates seasonally changing menus and weekly special menus with an impressive repertoire of nearly 2000 dishes.
For the ultimate experience, I recommend the Chef’s tasting menu, a five-course meal that displays Chef Thompson’s talent. I loved the fig-glazed duck breast with bleu cheese and hazelnuts.
Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant & Catering
107 N Boulder Ave C, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-576-6800
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Located in the colorful Arts District, Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant is a vibrant and festive ambiance to enjoy a craft cocktail and Caribbean cuisine inspired by the owner’s home, Island of Dominica.
Owned by brother and sister Dominican natives Eben and Ilana, Sisserou’s is a unique and authentic experience of tropical fare in a fun and carefree atmosphere.
As per Caribbean food, you can expect a wealth of fresh fish and seafood with tropical flavors.
They feature Caribbean food from various islands, with dishes from Jerk Chicken to Cuban sandwiches.
My favorite appetizer was the jumbo coconut shrimp with marmalade dipping sauce.
Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine
122 N Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-728-2435
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Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine is a refined yet inviting cocktail bar and restaurant specializing in South American cuisine that revolves around a wood-fired grill and hearth.
Located in Downton Tulsa’s Arts District, Amelia’s great industrial and rustic chic atmosphere with exposed brick walls and comfortable green leather booths makes for an exciting and lively setting to enjoy a meat-centric wood-fired meal.
Head Chef Andrew Donovan has been awarded the Best Chefs of America Award of Excellence, and his over 25 years of experience shines through this spectacular wood-fired menu.
I recommend starting with the wood-fired empanadas stuffed with beef olive, potato, and provolone served with poblano aioli. My favorite main dish was the wild boar ragu over fettuccini.
Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
1334 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-779-7766
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Located in Cherry Street, a prime business district in Tulsa, Nola’s Creole and Cocktails is the ultimate ode to New Orleans cuisine and creole culture with a Prohibition-era vibe.
The location of the restaurant and lounge in the basement of an old elementary school building adds to the “underground” speakeasy feel that will transport you to the Big Easy without the cost of a plane ticket.
Creole is a mix of West African, Spanish, and French cuisines that has put New Orleans on the culinary map.
Nola’s even has New Orleans-famous cocktails like the infamous Hurricane, a New Orleans rum drink served in a giant fishbowl.
I loved their Big Easy surf and turf blackened ribeye with crawfish etouffee on a bed of dirty rice.
Woodfire Grill
1542 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-949-4440
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As its name suggests, Smoke. Woodfire Grill is a fine-dining steak and seafood restaurant run by Executive Chef Eric Reynolds who either grills or slow smokes locally sourced proteins to perfection.
Located in the Cherry Street district, SMOKE Woodfire Grill uses fresh, organic, non -GMO, and locally sourced ingredients to elaborate their high-end dishes.
The lively atmosphere and outstanding food have won Smoke. Woodfire Grill reader’s choice awards from A-List, The Tulsa Voice, Open Table, and TripAdvisor.
I recommend starting with the smoked pork belly with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and red pepper-habanero jelly.
Charleston’s Restaurant
Multiple locations
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With locations in Shadow Mountain and Brookside, Charleston’s is a family-friendly, casual all-American comfort food restaurant in a homey, wooden-cabin-like dining space.
As a nationally beloved chain, Charleston’s has America’s favorite comfort food dishes, from hearty chili to key lime pie.
They also have a full cocktail bar with a great happy hour from 3 – 6 pm on weekdays.
The menu has a wealth of burgers and sandwiches along with heartier platters of fish, ribs, and steaks. I enjoyed the barbecue baby back ribs with baked beans and french fries.
You can start with the southwestern Dynamite shrimp appetizer with sweet and spicy cream sauce and cilantro.
PRHYME Downtown Steakhouse
111 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-794-7700
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From local culinary legend and owner of Juniper- the farm-to-table restaurant that also makes an appearance on this list- Chef Justin Thomson, PRHYME is an elegant, high-end steakhouse in downtown Tulsa.
Chef Thompson uses the finest cuts of USDA Prime beef to elaborate his modern take on American steak dishes.
The sommelier-curated wine list PRHYME features over 250 bottles from around the world to pair with your steak dinner and wins the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence annually.
I recommend the USDA Prime filet mignon with a lobster tail add-on, garlic mashed potatoes, haricots verts, and herbed butter.
fROOT Bowls
6 W 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-576-6117
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fROOT Bowls is a juice and smoothie bar in Downtown Tulsa, a favorite spot for fresh smoothie bowls and healthy lunch and breakfast packages to-go with quick and friendly counter service.
They have a vast menu of freshly pressed juices and delightful smoothie bowl combos to give you a healthy and hearty start to your day.
Whether you want breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or a healthy lunch, fROOT Bowls has you covered. They have numerous infusion shots and yerba mate drinks to optimize your energy levels.
My favorite bowl is the Pitaya Bowl featuring dragon fruit blended with almond milk, berries, lemon, and a banana, then topped with pineapple, kiwi, and shaved coconut.
Lassalle’s New Orleans Deli
15 W 5th St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-582-6652
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Owners Chris and Amanda Lassalle, two New Orleans natives uprooted by Hurricane Katrina, opened Lassalle’s New Orleans Deli in Downtown Tulsa as an ode to their beloved hometown, using the most authentic recipes.
They feature every creole and Cajun favorite, from jambalaya to gumbo to classic fried shrimp Po’boys.
Its fast-paced fast-casual counter service makes it an excellent place for dine-in business lunches or takeout.
Everything at Lassalle’s is excellent and just as good as in New Orleans. They have a variety of po’boys and muffuletta sandwiches that you can order in full, half, and quarter sandwich sizes.
Plus, you can get a pick-two standard combo of half of any po’boy or ¼ of a muffuletta paired with a hearty Cajun Creole side like red beans and rice or chicken and sausage gumbo.
Kilkenny’s Irish Pub
1413 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-582-8282
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Located in the Cherry Street District, Kilkenny’s is a popular, family-friendly Irish Pub, offering a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy a cocktail or hearty pint of Guinness and elevated pub fare with friends.
The vast selection of ales and ciders from the UK and beyond is not nearly as impressive as the list of hundreds of Irish, American, and Japanese whiskeys.
They also have a full cocktail bar and a menu of beer combination drinks that use Guinness as a base.
For example, the Blue Velvet is apple cider and ruby port mixed with Guinness. If ever there was a place to get Fish and Chips, Kilkenny’s is it.
Oren Restaurant
3509 S Peoria Ave Suite #161, Tulsa, OK 74105
Phone: 918-764-9699
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Oren Restaurant is an upscale Brookside favorite that self describes as “progressive American cuisine,” characterized by a fusion of European cooking techniques with a French culinary foundation.
Sourcing all produce from local farmers, Oren’s creative chefs strive to make fruits and vegetables the star of the show, even though most dishes contain meat and fish.
I recommend going on Sundays for Sunday Supper, a family-style prix fixe meal of the Chef’s favorite seasonal dishes.
When I went, the theme of Sunday dinner was Mediterranean and Israeli with dishes like orange tahini cake and house-made bagels and hummus.
Redrock Canyon Grill – Tulsa
9916 Riverside Pkwy, Tulsa, OK 74137
Phone: 918-394-7625
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Redrock Canyon Grill is a festive, picturesque American grill located in King’s Landing overlooking the lovely Arkansas River.
Whether you sit on their giant outdoor patio or in the cozy, bustling interior with an open kitchen, you’ll encounter beautiful views of the sunset along with tantalizing smells of rotisserie chickens and home-cooked American classics.
Since their kitchen has a giant wood-fired rotisserie, I recommend the house specialty rotisserie roasted chicken with crushed herbs, mashed potatoes, and sweet glazed carrots.
Whatever you order as a main dish, you must get a giant order of iron skillet cornbread for the table.
Andolini’s Pizzeria Cherry Street
1552 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-728-6111
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Rooted in generations of pizza makers that immigrated from Naples to New York then made their way to Tulsa’s Cherry Street by way of San Francisco, Andolini’s Pizzeria is an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria from owners Jim and Mike Bausch.
The Bausch brothers use their Neapolitan roots and family cooking along with locally sourced ingredients from the Tulsa area to bring customers an award-winning pie.
The thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas have crispy, bubbly, and perfectly charred crusts along with authentic specialty combinations using imported Neapolitan ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes. My favorite pie is the SPQR with ricotta, garlic, Italian sausage, and prosciutto.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
1976 Utica Square, Tulsa, OK 74114
Phone: 918-712-7500
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Located in Utica Square in the heart of Midtown Tulsa, Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar is a nationally beloved chain of fine dining steakhouses and seafood restaurants from California-based founders Paul Fleming and Bill Allen.
Flemings has set a high standard for refined dining atmosphere and the highest quality USDA Prime beef in traditional steakhouse dishes that have reigned supreme for 25 years.
Every cut of beef is excellent, but my favorite at Fleming’s is the prime New York Strip served Oscar style with jumbo lump crab meat and bearnaise sauce. Add a side of panko-crusted onion rings with smoked jalapeno aioli for a taste of California.
Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen
9912 Riverside Pkwy, Tulsa, OK 74137
Phone: 918-948-6505
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Founded in Texas by Tom Kenney, Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen now has a location right along the Arkansas River overlooking the Oklahoma Aquarium.
As the name implies, Napa Flats fuses California cuisine and classic Italian cooking techniques for a fresh and delicious food menu accompanied by a Napa Valley-inspired wine list.
The menu revolves around a wood-fired hearth, with dishes like wood-fired avocado, steaks, and pizzas, not to mention California-style salads and sandwiches.
I loved their California Cobb Salad with mixed greens, avocado, bacon, hard-boiled egg, tomato, bleu cheese, and wood-fired chicken.
The Vault Restaurant
620 S Cincinnati Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-948-6761
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The Vault Restaurant is a stylish New American bar and restaurant inside a historic mid-century modern building that once housed a bank, inspiring the restaurant’s name.
The Vault strives to create high-end scratch-made food and craft cocktails, drawing inspiration from global flavors.
Along with high-quality beef, pork, and seafood, The Vault has plenty of vegan and vegetarian specialties like loaded mac and cashew cheese, Korean BBQ tofu, and a red lentil burger.
I enjoyed their Korean BBQ meatballs served with creamy coleslaw. A unique dish is the pulled pork sopes that combine Korean and Mexican flavors in one complex dish.
Stonehorse Cafe
1748 Utica Square, Tulsa, OK 74114
Phone: 918-712-7470
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In Midtown-s Utica Square, Stonehorse Café is a quaint country-chic New American restaurant cocktail bar and market owned and run by the Inman family.
The Stonehorse makes cheese, chocolate, pastries, and cookies from scratch, incorporating their creations into the high-end dinner, brunch, and lunch menu at the eatery next door.
While they have a full menu of artisanal cheese plates, hand-made pasta, and hearty meat-centric entrees, their selection of wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas is the most popular with locals.
I took the locals’ advice and got the fantastic Roman pizza with roasted garlic, basil pesto, goat cheese, anchovy, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts.
The Tavern
201 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-949-9801
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The Tavern is a contemporary neighborhood pub in the heart of Tulsa Arts District in a stunning modern- meets-old school dining space and bar replete with a copper bar, leather booths and chairs, painted wood walls, and Persian rugs atop glossy dark marbled floors.
Their wine list, craft cocktails, and elevated bar fare parallel the same mixture of elegance and creativity you see in the design aesthetic.
The drink menu has a robust list of globally sourced spirits, craft cocktails, and every local microbrewery’s best beers on tap. I recommend trying a bunch of their small plates to accompany your drink.
I loved their trifecta of deviled eggs with sriracha, classic, and bacon variations. I also enjoyed the decadent Tater Tot Poutine with tenderloin, cheese curds, brown gravy, and salsa verde.
Laffa – Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar
111 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-728-3147
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Owned and operated by a Tulsa native Phil and his British wife Miranda, who met in Israel, Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant and Bar is the couple’s third successful endeavor in bringing an authentic taste of their beloved Israel to the Tulsa community.
Located in a beautiful downtown dining space with limestone walls and candle-lit tables, Laffa is an upscale Middle Eastern bistro and bar featuring authentic dishes you’d find at any restaurant in Tel Aviv.
Head Chef and Israeli Uri Scheft create a stunning mezze menu, salads, shwarma and falafel, vegan entrees, and meat entrees.
The falafel balls are the lightest, crispiest, and most flavorful I have ever tasted, served with curried tahini, mint labneh, and lemony avocado.
For an Israeli take on a class American dish, try Ya Ya’s chili with beef and lamb, buttered rice, feta, and garlic labneh.
Tulsa’s restaurant scene has an eclectic mix of cuisines served in traditional and innovative dishes in an equally diverse array of dining experiences.
Whether you’re looking for a fashionable neighborhood tavern, a fine-dining steakhouse, or a family-friendly pizzeria, you’ll find the best restaurants in Tulsa on this list.
If you’re looking for even more suggestions for food in Tulsa, check out my favorite places to get a steak.
Did we leave something off of this list? Comment below, and we’ll check it out.
