The results are in!
We asked our readers to vote for their favorite businesses, parks, restaurants and more, and you answered. We have tallied 128,436 votes to give you. the Best of the 405. We’ve thrown in some of our favorite as well! Keep scrolling to see the winners!
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Art Gallery – Oklahoma City Museum of Art
While its focus is modern art, OKC’s main visual showcase has eclectic traveling installations.
Best District – Midtown
A combination of walkability, retail, dining and bars makes this OKC’s most beloved district.
Casino – Riverwind Casino
Tons of tables, as well as a huge theater on the edge on the metro.
Comedian – LaTasha
Mother Mabel Lean is the stage persona of real life comedian LaTasha Featherstone, who riffs on the tensions of life in church vs. streets.
Cultural Event – Festival of the Arts
A sprawling event that celebrates art, music and food.
Dance Studio – Elevate
This studio specializes in training young dancers.
Family Attraction – OKC Zoo
Not just for families; it’s also a great first date location.
Interior Designer – Jennifer Welch
Oklahoma City’s celebrity designer is versatile enough to handle any project from very elegant to very livable.
Local Celebrity – Emily Sutton
Her skill on social media has made her a star in more than meteorology.
Local Musician – Edgar Cruz
An immensely talented instrumentalist, Cruz is an OKC institution.
Museum – Science Museum Oklahoma
Hands-on fun and learning for all ages.
Music Venue – Jones Assembly
Country to hip-hop, The Jones has it all, plus booze.
Oklahoma Influencer – Jabee
He has parlayed a music career into influence in many areas of interest, including community advocacy.
Party DJ – 405 Productions
Wedding specialist with great equipment and energy.
Portrait Photographer – Adoralee Boudoir Studio
Tasteful boudoir photography for all women.
Radio DJ – Joey and Heather
celebrating 20 years of excellence on the morning show.
Tattoo Artist – Shawn Hamm
Exploding in popularity, Hamm handles everything from photorealism to custom designs.
Performing Arts Venue – Civic Center Music Hall
Still beautiful. Still the best acoustics. Still where you’ll find the ballet.
Videographer – Rachel Findley
Beautiful professional work from weddings to commercial projects.
Vocalist – Samantha Crain
Crain is a combination of hard work, musicianship, fierce songwriting and a memorable voice.
Staycation Location – Bradford House
Close enough to downtown to be convenient and far enough away to feel like an escape.
Wedding photographer – 405 Brides
Your go-to choice to make sure your wedding is handled.
EDITORS’ PICKS
Best Transformation
Prairie Surf Studios
To many in the 405, the former Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma
City felt like nothing more than a large, light grey building, often used as a
landmark to guide people to other places. As of Jan. 1, 2021, this building became
home to Prairie Surf Media. Hollywood veterans, actor Rachel Cannon and writer/filmmaker Matt Payne are the minds behind the downtown Oklahoma City production facilities, converting the mammoth building into the largest ClearSpan sound-stage facility in the Midwest.
-Brandon King
Best Mural
Abstract Passages by artist Kris Kanaly
Kris Kanaly’s use of bold colors and abstract shapes can be seen across OKC and in prints he sells on his website; however, his classic Abstract Passages, located under the railway bridge at E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and Main Street, is an amalgamation of stand-out colors, shapes and designs that provide the viewer with an immersive art experience. No focal points, just the construction of the bridge’s underbelly to provide structure to the varying landscape. By making perception the guide for what an individual sees, Kanaly manages to keep the viewer’s attention both restless and ambitious to see the next thing – a running motif of what defines the Oklahoma spirit.
-Brandon King
Health & Beauty
Barber Shop – Midtown Barbers
Boutique care for men, by men.
Cosmetic Surgeon – Tim Love
Oklahoma’s trusted surgeon for small enhancements and complex procedures.
Day Spa – Udander
Comfortable elegance in the heart of the city, inspired by Scandinavian simplicity.
Dentist – Farrow and Dewbre
Orthodontics with state-of-the-art technology, a commitment to hard work and genuine care for patients.
Esthetician- Brows by Rylea
An experienced esthetician specializing in brows & lashes.
Eye Lashes – Lash by Lash
Lashes on fleek.
Hair Salon – Hair + Co.
Large enough to be awesome, small enough to care about you.
Hair Stylist – Lacey San Nicolas
More an artist than a stylist. She can do it all.
Makeup Artist – Brooklyn Henry
A range of services from date night to competitive events.
Massage Therapist – Jodi Fritts
Licensed medical massage therapist in a soothing setting.
Med Spa – RefineU
Full service med spa by extremely well trained specialists.
Optometrist – Innovative Eyecare
Handling everything from exams to eyewear for a decade.
Pet Boarding/Grooming – The Paw Spa Elite
Pamper your pet with the best.
Unique Fitness – Cyclebar Classen Curve
Oklahoma’s premier cycle spot for all fitness levels.
Veterinarian – 405 Vet Animal Hospital
Worry-free vet care for furry family members.
Yoga/Pilates/Barre Studio – Barre3
A challenging and integrated workout for the body and mind.
Chiropractor – Young Life
Genuine care for the patient as well as the person of all ages.
Nail Salon – Polished
Creativity, simplicity and efficiency live here.
Personal Trainer – HIIT Fitness
Personalized training for athletes of all fitness levels.
Pharmacy – Flourish
More than just a pharmacy; they treat the whole person.
Sports/Orthopedic Rehab – PT Central
Pain management and reduction so you can live the life you want.
Urgent Care – Mercy
Fast, compassionate care when it really matters
EDITORS’ PICKS
Best Organic Beauty Products
Salt & Water
Chelsey Ann opened Salt & Water in 2019 after a successful run as a pop-up in Midtown. More a holistic wellness boutique than a make-up shop, the Film Row space caters to those who want “your outsides to match your insides” as Chelsey Ann puts it. She thinks of the beauty products she offers as aids to “gentle beauty,” and all are conscientiously sourced, and include nationally recognized brands like Goop, Agent Nateur, and Haoma.
-Emiley Sexton
Best Hangover Cure
Restore Hyper Wellness
The driving principle behind Restore at Classen Curve, is that customers should feel better right away. While many of the services are focused on everyone from serious athletes to aging adults who want a more active life, the hangover cure via IV is not to be minimized. We are a nation of chronically dehydrated adults, and overindulging doesn’t help. Restore combines hydration with micronutrients in IV form so you’re ready for whatever the hangover-free day has in store.
-Emiley Sexton
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Antique Shop – Dead People’s Stuff
Go for the name, stay for the stuff.
Auto Shop – Beck’s Garage
A classic garage with excellent customer service.
Body Shops – Collision Works
Nobody is better at getting your car back on the road.
Boutique – Lush Boutique
Trendy clothing for every budget.
Caterer – Abbey Road Catering
Choose Abbey Road so you have one less thing to worry about.
Dispensary – Stability Cannabis
The best combination of knowledge, experience, product and commitment to the community.
Designer Clothing – Balliets
Oklahoma’s spot for premier designer fashion, accessories and beauty.
Eyewear – Forma
When you believe that eyewear should be art.
Gift Shop – Plenty Mercantile
You’ll find things you didn’t know you needed.
Hotel – 21c Museum Hotel
More than a hotel, it’s food, art and comfort.
Jewelry Store – BC Clark
The Oklahoma standard for more than a century.
Landscaper – Total Environment
Family-owned with a focus on your family’s needs.
Heating & Air – Air Comfort Solutions
Reliable, trusted and local.
Law Firm – Seda Law Firm
Specialist in complex transactions, energy and family needs.
Men’s Shoes & Mens Clothing – Blue Seven
The popular choice from gifts to clothing.
Pool Company – Caviness Landscape
When you want your pool to be a part of the landscape and not a hole in the ground.
Home Decor Store – BC Clark Lifestyle
You already know you can trust the name.
Thrift Store – Bad Granny’s
An eclectic collection of stuff you haven’t fallen in love with yet, but will.
Women’s Clothing – Lush Boutique
Women’s Shoes – Betsy King
Shoes you can’t get anywhere else in a setting that you love.
Condo – West Village Apartments
Interior designed by Best of winner Jennifer Welch and in the heart of downtown’s energy.
Custom Closets – BeeNeat
Your Marie Kondo in Oklahoma City.
Electrician – Innovative Electric
Twenty-five years of expertise in commercial and residential electrical installations.
Furniture Store – Mister Robert
One of the most trusted names in the metro, combining taste, style and fine furnishings.
Roofing Company – Salazar Roofing
They do it fast and they do it well.
Real Estate – Gilchrest Platinum Producers
Trust your home sale to one of the top producing teams in Oklahoma.
Pest Control – Moxie Pest Control
Expert pest control company so you can relax at home.
Plumbing Service – Herman’s Plumbing
Expert work from plumbing to HVAC.
EDITORS’ PICKS
Best Place to Buy Gifts You Won’t Find on Amazon
Black Scintilla
Black Scintilla opened in 2015 at 1112 N. Walker Ave., in Midtown. Since that time, it has wowed OKC with its collection of clothing and gifts that range from quirky to laugh-out-loud funny to utterly novel. Owner Rachael Gruntmeir built her retail venture on the concept that “no matter the budget size or the body size, every person deserves to feel and look their best.” To that end, sizes run from small to 3X and are available at affordable prices.
-Melissa Mercer Howell
Best Place to Buy Sneakers
The Laboratory OKC
There’s a scene from the classic movie, The Big Chill, when actor William Hurt’s character puts on running shoes for the first time and declares he’s had a life-altering experience. Good sneakers, indeed, can be life-changing – a fact not lost on the staff of The Laboratory, a local purveyor of rubber-soled bundles of foot happiness. Located in Midtown Plaza Court, The Laboratory carries a variety of brands to satisfy personal style and comfort including Jordan,
Supreme, Nike, Adidas and Travis Scott. And the best part? It’s a consignment shop, so you can share the love when you’re ready to graduate to a new pair of sneakers.
-Melissa Mercer Howell
FOOD & DRINK
Bakery – La Baguette
The finest in french pastries and other sweets for nearly a half century.
Barbecue – Swadley’s World Famous Bar-B-Q
Family-owned and operated with a deep commitment to OKC.
Best al fresco (outdoor seating) – Redrock Canyon Grill
Delicious food and a beautiful view of the lake.
Brunch – Neighborhood Jam
The new kid on the block is also the best kid on the block.
Burger – The Garage
Delicious, affordable burgers with outstanding house-made chips.
Chinese – Grand House Asian Bistro
Too many options to list, but show up for the dim sum.
Cocktails – The Jones Assembly
From craft to classic, but try the Disco Nap for sure.
Coffee Shop – Stella Nova
Consistent quality with five locations throughout the metro.
Craft Brewery – Stonecloud
The gold standard in local craft beers.
Diner – Sunnyside Diner
A classic diner with a modern twist.
European – La Baguette
Chef Alain Buthion consistently delivers some of the metro’s best food.
Fine Dining – Ranch Steakhouse
Great steak and excellent service with an expansive wine list.
Happy Hour – The Jones Assembly
Already a hot spot for several reasons, so it makes sense to add happy hour.
Ice Cream/Frozen Treats – Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store
It’s about as Oklahoma as it gets.
Italian – Gabriella’s italian Grill & Pizzeria
Rustic family-style comfort food.
Latin American – Cafe Kacao
Guatemalan with a twist, great coffee and an energetic vibe.
Mediterranean – Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine
One of the oldest, most trusted names in the city for Mediterranean food.
Mexican – Ted’s Cafe Escondido
The metro’s choice for Tex-Mex for decades.
Bartender – Olivia Perez
Fast and friendly in a high-volume environment.
Pizza – Empire Slice House
The Serena Williams of pizza in the 405.
Sandwiches – The Mule
Creative, delicious comfort food with an excellent patio.
Seafood / Cajun – Pearl’s
An Oklahoma favorite for more than 30 years.
Soul Food – Off the Hook Seafood & More
Rightly famous for their Soul and Southern cooking.
Steakhouse – Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
If you get it, you get it. It’s an institution for a reason.
Sushi – Sushi Neko
Selections from very traditional to very modern.
Thai – Panang
A go-to spot for curry and other Thai specialties.
Vietnamese – Pho Lien Hoa
Truly the mothership of pho in OKC.
Wine list – Broadway 10
Country-club-style options with a slant toward California.
Bar – The Jones Assembly
A venue with two choices: fun and fast downstairs and slower craft upstairs.
Chef – Andrew Black
His Grey Sweater tasting menu is the pinnacle of elegant dining in OKC.
Takeout – Charleston’s
From salads to chicken tenders, they do everything right.
Tacos – Big Truck Tacos
Chef Kathryn Mathis is a master at creative flavors and exceptional service.
EDITORS’ PICKS
Best Onion Rings
Ned’s Starlite Lounge
Philly Homa
The first rule is the most important rule: the batter has to hold its form. If the batter crumbles, you’re eating onion strings, not onion rings. This was going to be a slam dunk for one of these two, but it just seems fair to categorize them as big onion rings and traditional onion rings. The big onion ring winner is Ned’s Starlite Lounge. They toss them in a dry rub, but they’re delicious without, and you get ranch and barbecue ranch for dipping. The traditional goes to Philly Homa because the form is perfect, the batter is delicious, and one order just isn’t enough.
-Greg Horton
Best Swirl
Revolucion!
It’s always frozen drink season, but they definitely do better in the summer. Next time you’re at Revolucion! for Taco Tuesday (or any other day), ask for the RC Party Punch – yes, the RC is for Rachel Cope. It’s not on the menu, but the ingredients are always there: frozen margarita and frozen sangria swirled together and kept just shy of slushie temperature.
-Greg Horton
