2024 Best New Restaurants in OKC - 405 Magazine

2024 Best New Restaurants in OKC

From fine-dining to breakfast eats, our 2024 Best New Restaurants are totally brag-worthy.

It’s never been more clear that Oklahoma City is playing in the big leagues. That’s been true, quite literally, ever since the Thunder took our stadium by storm, inspired a best-selling book, and developed one of the most consistently exciting and promising teams in the NBA. Beyond the basketball court, though, OKC is punching above its weight in other ways, including a vote to approve a bigger and better downtown stadium for the Thunder, zoning approval for the tallest skyscraper in North America, a deal with Los Angeles to co-host events during the 2028 Olympics, and an evolution into an epicenter of film and arts (just this year, Twisters became the biggest blockbuster to ever film entirely in our state, while an Edith Head exhibit brought Hollywood to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art). All the while, tourism continues to boom, with 24 million travelers over the past year injecting $4.5 billion into the city economy. And all those tourists are coming hungry. 

Apace with other cultural facets making OKC a destination, our restaurant scene continues to grow, diversify, and redefine our fair city — once stereotyped by steakhouses and onion burgers — as a world-class metropolis. Year after year, national publications keep coming back for more, wowed by new openings and culinary innovations, while chefs like Jeff Chanchaleune, of Ma Der Lao Kitchen, keep racking up the nominations from the James Beard Foundation, and powerhouse restaurant groups, such as 84 Hospitality and The Social Order, keep expanding and enticing, with concepts new and old. The opportunities here, in a city defined by blank-slate innovators from near and far, have become so magnetic that they’ve lured out-of-town talent, like Colorado’s Kelly Whitaker, who won a James Beard Award this year fresh off acquiring Nonesuch. 

The momentum means that there’s never been a better time to dine in OKC. Across the metro, locals and transplants alike continue to imprint themselves on our culinary community, offering an ever-expanding array of dynamic restaurants and bars, and a near-endless list of hot spots to hit. For now, though, we’ve whittled down that list to nine standouts from the past year, all of which have well-earned the title of Best New Restaurants.

1. Perle Mesta

butternut squash salad, Perle Mesta
Photo by: Shea Alan

Easily the biggest, splashiest and most anticipated opening of the year belongs to Perle Mesta, a restaurant that began with an announcement during a celebration for chef Andrew Black’s 2023 victory at the James Beard Awards — when he became the first chef in Oklahoma to ever take home an award from the “Oscars of Food.” Naturally, anticipation ran high for Black’s follow-up, an exploration of what he calls “possibility cuisine,” in the very location where he first came to OKC in 2007. The decadent restaurant, in the historic Skirvin Hotel and named for Perle Skirvin Mesta herself, achieved the difficult task of living up to herculean heights, especially in the wake of Black’s coronation on a national stage. But the chef has proven yet again that he’s a creative force on par with the finest in the nation. The menu, in a marble-clad dining room ensconced in murals and chandeliers, exhibits stunning originality on dishes as beautiful as they are savory — like a surf and turf of Kobe beef and bay scallops with black truffle smoked trout aïoli, lavender duck with wild mushroom cream, or pan-seared hake with beetroot ink pasta cornbread hush puppies.

Find them here: One Park Ave., Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

2. Tiny Bubbles

 

What began as an eye-catching, cork-popping farmers’ market vendor during the height of the pandemic, when folks yearned for the kind of fun that Champagne can lend, has evolved into one of the most distinctive and transportive bars to emerge this year. Tiny Bubbles, a nod to the toe-tapping Don Ho ditty, got a little bigger this year, when husband-wife duo Jeremiah and Brandi Esterline introduced their Tiny Bubbles Wine Bar in The Shoppes at Northpark. Their version for the space was to create a neighborhood bar that was at once comfortable and familiar, as well as chic and singular. The space has the breezy look and feel of a Mediterranean nook, with soft hues of sea-blue and white juxtaposed by vibrant spritzes; on-tap Prosecco and esoteric orange wines; and bubbly from France, Italy, New Mexico and beyond. The food, too, raises the bar on bar food: think Prosecco-battered fritto misto, cacio e pepe fries and thin-crust pizzas laced with fig jam, balsamic glaze and prosciutto.

Find them here: 12100 N May Ave, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

3. The Chalkboard Kitchen + Bar

Photo by: Rachel Maucieri

For further proof that Midtown was the dominant dining neighborhood of 2024, pay a visit to the strikingly remodeled restaurant space on the ground floor of the Ambassador Hotel. Where once stood Café Cuvée, diners will now find The Chalkboard Kitchen + Bar, a new take on a Tulsa classic. Whereas the original outpost has been open since 1976, the OKC iteration feels decidedly fresh, and impressively original. Here, in a gorgeous dining room enrobed in royal blue, chef Gayland Toriello nods to the past, while using the “chalkboard” moniker as a blank canvas for creativity. It means beef Wellington bites with creamy peppercorn sauce, making a play for the most creative bar snack in the city. It means pan-seared scallops, perched alongside polenta cake and buttery bearnaise. It means Moroccan-spiced pork tenderloin, enriched with roasted fingerlings and date sauce. In a timeworn space, with timeworn roots, The Chalkboard feels like an instant classic.

Find them here: 1200 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

3. Raven

Photo by: Tony Thompson

Arguably one of the toughest closures of the past year, the final demise of the longstanding VZD’s left a glaring void in its absence. But the storied space, once home to a drug store, didn’t sit dormant for long, thanks to the recent emergence of a promising new wood-fired entry called Raven. The iconography of the building endures, albeit with a bit more sheen and polish nowadays, as well as an impressively expanded portfolio of fine spirits newly stocking those drug store shelves. At the heart of it all is the menu from Timothy Abell, who cooks up new menu items on a weekly basis, spotlighting both seasonal supremacy and technical dexterity. On any given evening, one might find wood-grilled sourdough with bone marrow butter and bonito flakes, smoked acorn squash with lime yogurt and pepita-miso salsa matcha or charcoal-roasted chicken thighs with coconut milk red curry and chocolate-mint oil. Even mac & cheese gets a glow up, enriched with braised oxtail and local Della Terra pasta. The address may be old, but the menu is anything but.

Find them here: 4200 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

 

4. Big Biang Theory

Photo by: Rachel Maucieri

If the perpetual lines down the block were any indication, the Big Biang Theory food truck was ready for the next step: its first brick-and-mortar. After rolling out the mobile operation in 2019, and quickly amassing a fan following, the Northwest Chinese concept put down roots on Film Row, offering more room for those gigantic bowls of gigantic noodles. And make no mistake: The noodles are the star, diligently and tirelessly hand-crafted, hand-stretched and bathed in spicy coconut curry, chili oil and vinegar-y soy sauce. Broader and chewier than other noodles around town, they hold up well to things like cumin-braised beef and spicy chicken curry, and pair nicely with other snacks, like sesame-speckled fried chicken, chipotle-garlic shrimp and crispy enoki mushrooms with lemony mayo.

Find them here: 704 W Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

 

5. Barseo

Photo by: Madi Rae Jones

A seemingly humble newcomer in the Paseo, it didn’t take long for the unassumingly named Barseo to debunk assumptions and establish a reputation as a local cornerstone. The corner bar has the look, feel and convivial volume of a quintessential neighborhood staple, but the menus are filled with enough original surprises to keep diners and drinkers coming back time and again. This is the kind of place where one can sip and snack on reliable classics, like chips and salsa, or an off-menu Old Fashioned. It’s also, quite notably, the kind of place where guacamole comes topped with corn elote, where poblano fritters are dredged in tequila batter and where Mexican pizza — made with two layers of corn tortillas in lieu of typical pizza dough — comes heaped with pulled pork, refried black beans and Mexican cheese. The drinks are equally irreverent, like a tequila-based espresso martini riff with Licor 43, and the mezcal-raspberry mashup Razzle Dazzle, spiced with pink peppercorn and absinthe.

Find them here: 3020 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

6. The Goose Deli

Photo by Ligia Masterson

Sandwiches and cocktails may not seem the most obvious combo, but at Midtown newcomer The Goose, they flock together in perfect harmony. An almost audaciously original concept in the space once home to Elk Valley Brewing Co., the deli-meets-bar defies hipster tropes by both talking the talk and walking the walk. Here, the dishes are legit and refreshingly novel, including a pitch-perfect muffaletta that would be right at home in the French Quarter, a meatball sub slathered in red pepper marinara and an instant contender for the best corned beef in town. Not to be outshone, the bar offers a bevy of cocktails on tap, including the mezcal- and Aperol-based Talk To Me, and a riff on a Tequila Sunrise comprising blanco tequila, creme de cassis, lime juice and club soda.

Find them here: 1210 N Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

7. Levity Breakfast House

 

In a crowded brunch scene, one Norman entry stands apart. Levity Breakfast House, in a literal house from the 1920s, feels like dining in someone’s home — though the food and coffee are likely leaps and bounds better than standard morning fare. Queue up in the inevitable line, peruse the pastries and mull over the specialty drinks du jour (like an iced Blueberry Matcha with Japanese matcha, vanilla and housemade blueberry syrup). The food menu draws inspiration from familiar classics and comforts, while elevating them with original flair, such as a sausage and egg sandwich on a house-baked three-cheese scone, with chevre and apricot jam. Or a twist on avocado toast, featuring cashew-pecan pesto, nutritional yeast and balsamic glaze. Even humble porridge gets its time to shine, with a bowlful of oats accompanied by coconut milk, blueberry compote, dried apricots, spiced toasted pecans, coconut chips and organic agave. It’s homey cooking, with diner-like comforts, like you’ve never tasted before.

Find them here: 309 S Peters Ave, Norman

Ready to check them out? Click here! 

8. Vignola’s

 

OKC certainly isn’t lacking in quality, authentic Italian restaurants, but one newcomer made a big impression when it landed in a small and rather unassuming location in the Edmond Railyard. Vignola’s Italian Kitchen is a passion project for husband-wife team Ashley and Giovanni Vignola, the latter of whom attended culinary school in Florence — and it shows. The founders of an Italian catering company in Maryland before moving to Ashley’s home state in 2020, the pair are diligent in their scratch-made sauces and pastas, which they dole out in a casual, homespun space. Everything, from the plump and pillowy gnocchi, to the golden-brown eggplant Parm, is made in-house, often from family recipes. The fast-casual format may seem modest, but this is Italian food as authentic as it gets.

Find them here: 23 W 1st St Ste 130, Edmond

Ready to check them out? Click here! 

Ramsay’s Kitchen

 

Oklahoma City’s food scene just keeps getting better, and Ramsay’s Kitchen is a welcome new addition. Nestled in the vibrant Chisholm Creek area, this sleek, modern spot brings the bold, signature flavors you’d expect from Chef Gordon Ramsay, while also nodding to local tastes. The menu is packed with a variety of dishes — from refined British classics to inventive global plates — all made with top-quality ingredients. Whether you’re digging into the famous Beef Wellington or savoring one of the crafted burgers, every bite showcases attention to detail. The atmosphere strikes the right balance between elegance and comfort, making it just as great for a celebratory dinner as it is for a casual catch-up with friends. With warm service and a memorable dining experience, Ramsay’s Kitchen is ready to make its mark on OKC’s already incredible food landscape. We highly recommend checking out their new Social Hour, the Ramsay’s Kitchen version of happy hour, to try some of the best samplings of its menu and drinks.

Find them here: 1336 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City

Ready to make a reservation? Click here! 

 

 

 

 

Want to find out who was on last year’s Best New Restaurant List? Check out the list here!