Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene in 2023 was a roller coaster. For all the highs, the accolades and the openings, the city experienced a spate of hard-to-swallow closures that saw community cornerstones, like Ludivine and Ned’s Starlight Lounge, go dark. The year ended with more question marks than exclamation points, with many wondering if these closures were coincidental blips or the tip of the iceberg, citing everything from perceived over-saturation and lingering pandemic aftermath to the uptick in business costs. It should be noted that all of these factors have plagued other American cities, most of which are vastly more expensive than ours, far worse. ’Tis the inevitable ebb and flow of the restaurant business, even for a city that’s become accustomed to more doors opening than closing. But OKC rolls on, as it always has, and the overall future looks bright.
Although 2023 ended on an ambiguous note, it goes without saying that — by and large — the year was another banner one for the metro, building off years of momentum and using it to catapult our restaurant scene even further into the national spotlight. The year saw plenty of smash-hit openings, and an ever-diversifying dining scene that brought exciting new concepts to Yukon, Norman, Edmond and multiple neighborhoods in between. It saw praise lauded upon the likes of Sedalia’s, which Bon Appétit named one of its best new restaurants in the country. It saw our own Andrew Black take home the first chef award for Oklahoma from the coveted James Beard Foundation Awards. It even saw the arrival of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, opening a namesake restaurant in ever-growing Chisholm Creek.
As 2024 ramps up, it looks to be another banner year for dining in OKC. With momentum on our side, and a national spotlight that’s increasingly putting our restaurants up among the best in the business, there’s never been a more exciting time to dine and drink in our fair city. From a glitzy new hotel restaurant from a hometown hero to izakayas, wine bars and expansions from out of state, these are some restaurants and bars to look forward to in 2024.
Spark
Tentative opening: spring
The Social Order’s smash-hit burger joint, Spark, is poised to ignite this year, with expansion into two new locations. Known for its retro-inspired burgers, frozen custards and Pink Fries, the brand is heading to Nichols Hills and Chisholm Creek. “Expanding our Spark concept across Oklahoma City has been a goal since we opened its doors in 2021,” said Brian Bogert, CEO and founding partner of The Social Order. “Spark is designed to serve as a gathering place for families and friends with delicious food — something we think aligns perfectly with the Chisholm Creek development and the 63rd & Western Ave community.”
Osteria Italian-American Diner
Tentative opening: 2024
A new era is underway for one of Nichols Hills’ marquee restaurants. A fixture since 2018, with a new outpost still rocking at Will Rogers World Airport, Osteria closed at the end of 2023 to relocate to the burgeoning Britton District and rebrand as Osteria Italian-American Diner. For chef/owner Jonathon Stranger, it’s a career culmination that marks the convergence of his affinity for Italian fare with his upbringing and experiences in Oklahoma City and New York City. Guests can expect more American-infused Italian dishes, in an atmosphere described as fun and lively. Per Stranger, “We will be taking with us a bit of what we built at the [Nichols Hills Plaza] location and adding my own twist. It’s a relatively simple concept, yet Oklahoma City doesn’t have anything like it.”
Perle Mesta
Tentative opening: spring
The most anticipated restaurant of the year belongs to Andrew Black. The star chef behind Grey Sweater is using 2024 as a homecoming of sorts, going back to the hotel where he got his start cooking in OKC, to open Perle Mesta at the legendary Skirvin. Today, 17 years after the chef moved to town to cook at the hotel, and one James Beard Award later, Black has plans for a European-style restaurant — complete with high tea and brunch — with a la carte menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And if any of his other local endeavors are an indication, it’s safe to expect something extraordinary at Perle Mesta.
AKAI Sushi-Ya & Izakaya
Tentative opening: early 2024
Things are just getting started in the Wheeler District. Only in phase two of 10 planned phases for the riverside community, the neighborhood already boasts The Big Friendly brewery, Taco Nation and Clarity Coffee. Its next project, however, is by far its most ambitious — and destination-worthy. AKAI Sushi-Ya & Izakaya, from native Minnesotan Viet Pham, is a real-deal Japanese concept unlike anything in OKC, from intricate sake cup wall decor to meticulous seafood sourcing and elegant nooks and crannies that reveal omakase service and more.
The Margarita Garden
Tentative opening: early 2024
An incoming addition to the Plaza District is turning the bygone Neon Coffee space into an agave oasis. At the Margarita Garden, owned by father-son team Jeremy Cifuentes and Fausto Cifuentes, the plan is for a seven-day bar with margaritas aplenty and Guatemalan and Latin food. The funky space has a particularly untapped patio, which should provide a nice al fresco option in the district.
The Truck Yard
Tentative opening: spring
The Bricktown Canal is prepped to welcome a sprawling, booze-filled patio and music venue this year, courtesy of a popular food truck park out of Dallas. The local location of the Truck Yard, a self-described “adult playground” with a beer garden and trucks as decor, is taking shape next to the Land Run Monument, with plans for rotating food trucks, live music most nights and — if the Dallas original is any indication — a slew of craft beer and seasonal drinks like frozen cocktails and house-infused spirits.
Tiny Bubbles Wine Bar
Tentative opening: spring
While OKC’s brewery scene has boomed, its wine scene has lagged behind. Save for a few curated lists around town, and esoteric bottle shops, dedicated wine bars are still a rarity. Tiny Bubbles, the mobile Champagne cart that’s made a name for itself at events and farmers markets, aims to change that in 2024. The bubbly operation, courtesy of Brandi and Jeremiah Esterline, is setting up a brick and mortar bar at the Shoppes at North Park this spring, complete with gorgeous decor, 60+ wine options, cocktails, food (think crispy pizzas, salads, fritto misto) and beer.
The Social Pickle
Tentative opening: TBD
Lending a bit more adventure to the Adventure District this year is a multi-tiered gaming, dining, drinking and lodging endeavor that centers around pickleball. The Social Pickle, located just north of Remington Park, will include a 20-court indoor/outdoor facility, along with a full bar, beer garden and rooftop patio overlooking the gaming. There will also be volleyball courts, including sand courts on Boomtown Beach, and a hotel just to the west.
The Elm Hotel
Tentative opening: TBD
As more developments take shape farther from the urban core, like The Social Pickle and the OAK OKC mega-development, The Elm Hotel is a boutique property looking to build off the growth of The Half. So named for its position on Broadway Extension, halfway between downtown and Edmond, the developing district already contains Flix Brewhouse and Chicken N Pickle, and when the 140-room hotel arrives this year, it’ll come with a rooftop bar providing views of all the action — and the downtown OKC skyline in the distance.
