Oklahoma City’s food scene has gone from under‑the‑radar to genuinely exciting. Districts like Midtown, Plaza, and the Paseo are full of chef‑driven spots, craft cocktail bars, and creative takes on Southern and Southwestern comfort food.
These five relatively new or newly buzz‑worthy restaurants are a great snapshot of where OKC dining is right now.
1. Grey Sweater
Grey Sweater is chef Andrew Black’s tasting‑menu playground and one of the most ambitious restaurants in the state.
The room feels intimate and modern—dim lighting, a sleek open kitchen, and a calm, almost hushed energy that makes it feel like a true “night out” experience.
The menu is offered as multi‑course tastings, and it changes frequently. Expect globally influenced dishes built around pristine ingredients—luxurious seafood, carefully sourced meats, and seasonal produce presented in surprising ways.
Think things like scallops with delicate citrus accents, inventive vegetable courses, and deeply flavored sauces.
Cocktails and wine pairings are a big part of the draw, with staff who actually explain what you’re drinking without being pretentious. If you want to see just how far OKC dining has evolved, this is the place.
2. Frida Southwest
Located in the Paseo Arts District, Frida Southwest feels like a stylish, art‑driven ode to Frida Kahlo and the flavors of the American Southwest and Mexico. Colorful artwork, warm lighting, and a buzzing bar scene make it ideal for a date night or a fun group dinner.
The menu pulls from New Mexican, Tex‑Mex, and modern Mexican influences—green chile‑smothered enchiladas, wood‑grilled meats, creative tacos, and shareable appetizers like queso, elote, and ceviche.
Dishes are familiar but elevated with better ingredients and thoughtful plating.
Margaritas and agave‑based cocktails are a big part of the experience, with infused tequilas and mezcal options for people who want to explore beyond the basics.
3. Ma Der Lao Kitchen
Ma Der in the Plaza District has brought Lao food into the mainstream in OKC and done it with style.
The space is casual and lively—colorful, a bit funky, and usually busy—with a warmth that matches the bold flavors coming out of the kitchen.
The menu highlights classic Lao dishes: sticky rice with grilled meats, laab (herb‑packed minced meat salad), crispy rice salads, spicy papaya salad, and rich curries.
Expect lots of fresh herbs, chili heat, lime, and fish sauce funk in the best possible way.
It’s a great place to order family‑style and share—especially if not everyone at the table has had Lao food before. Cocktails lean tropical and bright, built to match the flavors on the plate.
4. Sedalia’s Oyster & Seafood
Sedalia’s has made a name for itself as one of the city’s top modern seafood spots. The interior is clean and coastal‑cool—light wood, tile, and a bar that feels like it could be in a bigger coastal city.
The menu focuses on oysters and seasonal seafood: raw oysters with inventive mignonettes, crudos, fish collars, chowders, and composed fish dishes that change with availability. You’ll often see Gulf and East Coast influences, done with a modern bistro touch.
A tight but smart wine list, good martinis, and a few low‑ABV cocktails round things out. If you’re craving a seafood night in OKC, this is a standout.
5. Palo Santo
Part cocktail bar, part restaurant, Palo Santo has become one of OKC’s most talked‑about spots for drinks and inventive small plates. The space is moody and industrial‑chic—dark tones, exposed brick, and a big central bar.
The kitchen leans modern Latin with global touches: think tacos with chef‑y fillings, charred veggies with bright salsas, ceviche, grilled skewers, and playful bar bites designed to go with cocktails.
The drinks program is the star—beautifully balanced cocktails with house‑made syrups, infused spirits, and seasonal ingredients. It works both as a place to grab drinks and snacks or settle in for a full dinner of shared plates.
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