Places to Eat in Downtown Tulsa: Best Restaurants in 2023
Tulsa is an underrated city when it comes to its culinary selection. There are plenty of amazing places to eat in downtown Tulsa. The downtown area is on the rise again, and these restaurants are making a name for themselves.
19 Best Restaurants in Downtown Tulsa
1. Lowood
Location: 817 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 960-7349
Many people believe that Lowood is the best restaurant in Tulsa. With its focus on sourcing local foods from northeast Oklahoma, Lowood serves some of the freshest dishes around. The vibe is cozy and upscale, but not overly stuffy.
There are some classy aspects to dining at Lowood, such as a sommelier who will recommend the perfect wine pairing with your dinner. The restaurant has also been known to host celebrities when they’re in town. It might require a reservation, but try sitting at the chef’s counter to watch the wood-fired action for yourself.
You won’t be disappointed by anything on this menu. Start things off with the pork belly appetizer. For a delicious main course, try the gnocchi or go for the lamb chops.
2. Juniper
Location: 324 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: Phone: (918) 794-1090
This farm-to-table restaurant is perfect for date night. The intimate atmosphere is super trendy with its exposed brick and warm lighting. It’s also a great way to sample food grown on farms in and around Tulsa.
With so many delicious options, it’s difficult to try everything at Juniper. Fortunately for you, there’s a tasting menu that allows you to sample an exquisite lineup of dishes. The tasting menu includes five courses from starters to dessert, and can even include a wine pairing.
3. Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant
Location: 107 N Boulder Ave C, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 576-6800
If you’d like to feel like you’re on an island while in the landlocked state of Oklahoma, look no further than Sisserou’s. The bold flavors of this restaurant will take you on a Caribbean vacation.
From jerk chicken and oxtail of Jamaica to sandwiches of Cuba, these dishes are authentic Caribbean. Sisserou’s also specializes in a variety of seafood plates, just as a true island restaurant would. If you really want to escape from your day-to-day, try one of their signature cocktails such as rum punch, mojito, or frozen colada.
4. Amelia’s Wood-Fired Cuisine
Location: 122 N Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 728-2435
The wood-fired oven at Amelia’s adds a special flavor to every meal. You can watch the cooks prepare everything behind the busy chef’s counter, or sit outside to mingle with the Arts District crowd. The space is not overly large, so make a reservation if you plan on going for dinner.
Try the grilled octopus or veggies and enjoy the perfectly singed grill lines. You can’t go wrong with a chicken breast or salmon as a main course, since everything is fired to perfection. If you want the best experience Amelia’s has to offer, go for the prime tomahawk ribeye for two.
5. Bramble Breakfast & Bar – Downtown
Address: 1302 E 6th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (539) 664-5635
Is this the best brunch in Tulsa? The fun atmosphere and amazing food of Bramble make a compelling case. This joint does not take reservations, so come early to get your seat.
With their international twist on traditional breakfast favorites, you can tell these chefs have been around the block. Bramble now has multiple restaurants around Tulsa, but the “Hole Mole” menu is exclusive to the downtown Pearl District location. Check out this menu for Latin-inspired dishes like birria chilaquiles and churro pancakes.
6. The Vault
Address: 620 S Cincinnati Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119
Phone: (918) 948-6761
This downtown staple is located in a building full of rich history. The Vault resides in the former First National Auto Bank, which was once the world’s largest autobank with six drive-through lanes. The unique floor-to-ceiling windows on the upper floor make this a unique dining experience.
The Vault is still a popular spot for large events and business gatherings. It remains true to its roots with vintage decor and retro vibes. Come in for a brunch, lunch, or dinner of classic American flavor.
7. Fassler Hall
Address: 304 S Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 576-7898
Every day is Oktoberfest at Fassler Hall. This German-inspired beer hall offers more seating on the outside patio than it does outside. With its long picnic tables, this place is perfect for groups.
You can enjoy a wide variety of homemade sausages that can be topped with sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and just about every other topping you can think of. Some unique favorite dogs include smoked venison, lamb sausage, and habanero chicken. There’s even a falafel dog and beyond brat for our vegetarian friends.
Other German snacks include soft pretzels and duck fat fries. Fassler Hall tends to get pretty rowdy late at night, so don’t expect a quiet dinner if you show up late.
8. Elote Cafe & Catering
Address: 304 S Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 576-7898
This long-standing Mexican outfit serves cuisine that goes along with Tulsa’s progressive vibe. At Elote, you can enjoy organic meats and cheeses without substituting authentic Mexican flavor. They’re also known for having over 100 different tequilas on deck.
Start things off with some house-made guacamole that doesn’t lack when it comes to flavor. You can also dip into Tex-Mex-style food with puffy tacos. For flavors from even further south, try an empanada.
9. PRHYME: Downtown Steakhouse
Address: 111 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 794-7700
Every city needs a fancy steakhouse downtown, right? PRHYME is an upscale restaurant in a modern setting that serves all types of USDA Prime beef. The menu also boasts a variety of seasonal favorites and fresh seafood.
For those who enjoy the finer things, PRHYME offers a classic caviar service. You can also choose from a selection of over 250 wines, carefully selected by their team of certified sommeliers. Steak enthusiasts will love the filets, which can be customized to your liking with add-ons such as foie gras butter, lobster tail, and seared sea scallops.
10. SMOKE. Woodfire Grill
Address: 1542 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 949-4440
You may be noticing a trend of woodfired style in Tulsa, but it does make for some delicious meats. The name of this restaurant comes not only from the fact that each protein is prepared over a woodfired grill or slow smoked, but there’s also a sealed cigar lounge. Patrons are welcome to purchase a premium cigar from a humidor or bring their own to enjoy.
Found on Cherry Street just outside the main downtown corridor, this restaurant is known for its meats. It’s one of the only places in town that serves Wagyu beef, which can be ordered in the form of a burger or meatloaf. In the spirit of the owner’s dedication to giving back to the community, you will find numerous local beers on tap and local art decorating the walls.
11. Elgin Park
Address: 325 E Mathew Brady St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 986-9910
Don’t be fooled by the somewhat typical sports bar appearance, Elgin Park makes some serious food. This happening spot is a great place to watch a game on one of the many large TVs. It’s also the perfect pregame and postgame stop for a live Tulsa Drillers game, since the minor league team’s ballpark is just next door.
The go-to order for anyone visiting Elgin Park should be pizza, as these are some of the most delicious pies in town. All the other “bar food” samplings are excellent, especially the chicken wings. Don’t let anyone tell you that small wings are bad – this just means the chickens weren’t pumped with steroids and other foreign substances that lower the quality of the meat.
12. The French Hen Bistro & Wine
Address: 319 E Archer St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 492-2596
The French are known around the world for their emphasis on care in the kitchen, and the French Hen is no different. This fine dining establishment brings the exquisite flavors of France to Tulsa’s Greenwood District. Everything is prepared by hand each day in a scratch kitchen, so you won’t be eating frozen food here.
The duck and chicken dishes come highly recommended by regular patrons of the restaurant. Other favorites include the scallops and French onion soup. The service and ambiance here are known for being exceptional, just as they would in France.
13. Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
Address: 1334 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 779-7766
Anyone who’s a fan of Cajun or Creole food should not miss out on Nola’s. The food is incredible, and the atmosphere is as warm and welcoming as New Orleans. Stop in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or simply for a drink at the bar.
You really can’t go wrong with this menu. The Beaucoup fried platter is a great way to sample the alligator, butterfly shrimp, crawfish, catfish, and other goodies. All the regional favorites of Louisiana can also be ordered, including gumbo, etouffee, and jambalaya.
14. Empire Slice House
Address: 417 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 551-6669
Located right next to the legendary Cain’s Ballroom, this is the perfect place to enjoy a slice of pizza and beer before or after a show. You can cozy up at a table inside, on the spacious patio, or at the bar. This is a full-service restaurant that specializes in New York-style pizza.
The best way to enjoy this menu is by ordering by the slice and trying all the unique creations, which rotate every day of the week. Come in on Monday for a “Pineapple Express” or Tuesday for a “Notorious P.I.G.” Empire Slice House also makes delicious salads and loaded garlic knots, which are covered in garlic butter, parmesan, parsley, mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled jalapeños, and marinara.
15. Restaurant Basque
Address: 114 N Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 442-2996
Restaurant Basque does a great job of bringing European culinary tradition to the heart of Tulsa. These dishes are meant to be enjoyed at a comfortable pace over multiple shared courses. The large patio typically hosts live music performers on weekends when the weather allows.
Just like in the Basque region of Spain, tapas and small plates are the way to go here. The fried calamari with squid ink is a fan favorite. You can also branch out and try the Basque-style snails or the boquerones (marinated white anchovies).
16. Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano Downtown
Address: 219 S Cheyenne Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: (918) 592-5151
Sticking with the European theme, Ti Amo is the top choice for Italian food in the downtown loop. The vibe is a perfect balance of classy and old-timey that gives you the feeling of authenticity. The menu is full of the usual suspects, plus several house specialties as well.
You can order a variety of cuts of beef, pork, and chicken on the “from the land” section of the menu, or check out the “from the sea” section for items like crab cakes and wild caught grilled salmon. If you can’t choose between the many pasta options, the classic fettuccine alfredo in house-made sauce is a good place to start. The menu also features a surprising amount of vegetarian and vegan options.
17. JINYA Ramen Bar – Tulsa
Address: 416 E 2nd St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 861-4100
If you’re looking for tasty comfort food in Tulsa’s Blue Dome district, look no further than JINYA Ramen Bar. These guys are known for their slow-cooked approach to ramen, made from broths simmered for 20 hours in-house. They have made a name for themselves in OKC as well, but the Tulsa location is cherished by locals.
Whether you like it spicy or mild, the tonkotsu ramen is a great way to go. You can also find some amazing small plates on the menu. The crispy chicken and the JINYA bun are worth saving room in your stomach.
18. Roosevelt’s
Address: 1551 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 591-2888
This Cherry Street staple is the place to go if you want a bit of fun with your meal. The huge, lively patio is the ideal environment for Sunday brunch. The food is no joke, either.
The menu contains a long list of gastropub favorites such as sandwiches and burgers. Some of the most creative dishes are found on the brunch menu, which is only served on Saturdays and Sundays. Try the salmon lox smorrbrod or the widow maker for a deliciously protein-packed start to the day.
19. in the raw vu
Address: 110 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: (918) 779-7600
When thinking of cuisine in Tulsa, sushi may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But when the sushi craving hits, this is an excellent place to scratch the itch.
This restaurant is more about the views than the food, although the food is pretty darn good too. Located on the 6th floor of the Vast Bank building, the floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor patio offer sweeping views of the Tulsa skyline and surrounding areas.
Conclusion: Best Downtown Tulsa Places to Eat
There you have it, a delicious list of restaurants in downtown Tulsa. All of these spots are within walking distance or a short car ride from one another, so feel free to stop by a few.
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