Tulsa, in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma, is the second most populous city in the state. The Arkansas River passes right through the city.
There is plenty to do in the city, from the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium to The Gathering Place, a park filled with gardens, playgrounds, a skate park, a splash pad, and more. Tulsa is also home to some fabulous eateries.
I searched extensively, read reviews, visited websites, and read newspaper and magazine articles to find the best restaurants in the area. This article will detail the 12 best restaurants in Tulsa.
1. Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
$$ | 918-779-7766 | WEBSITE
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Transport from Tulsa to New Orleans when you step foot inside Nola’s Creole & Cocktails. The decor is reminiscent of the New Orleans Prohibition Era and the menu is full of traditional Creole and Cajun cuisine.
Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner at reasonable prices, Nola’s offers fried alligator, voodoo chicken, crab cakes, gumbo, and more.
They offer dine-in and takeout and take reservations. The full bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails to pair with the tasty food. Highchairs are also available for the little ones.
2. Kilkenny’s Irish Pub
$$ | 918-582-8282 | WEBSITE
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Voted as one of the most authentic Irish pubs in America, Kilkenny’s serves traditional Irish fare along with classic American dishes.
From a traditional Irish breakfast to corned beef and cabbage and bangers and mash, this pub will fuel your Irish cravings.
The pub also boasts the most extensive Irish scotch and whiskey selection in Oklahoma. This is a great late-night spot since it is open until 2 am most nights, except for Sundays when it closes at midnight.
3. Andolini’s Pizzeria
$$ | 918-728-6111 | WEBSITE
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Locally owned by two brothers, Adolini’s Pizzeria offers a variety of pizzas and other Italian cuisines. The kitchen makes everything possible in-house, including dough, sauce, dressings, mozzarella cheese, and sausage.
The kitchen doesn’t even have a freezer or a microwave, and they hand-toss the dough instead of using a roller. Andolini’s offers dine-in and takeout and is a family-friendly establishment.
4. Juniper
$$$ | 918-794-1090 | WEBSITE
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Juniper is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Tulsa. One of Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travelers’ Choice selections, Juniper serves brunch and dinner in addition to a tasting menu, which is a five-course meal curated by the chef.
The atmosphere is fun and inviting and the full bar serves wine, beer, and delicious craft cocktails. The service is fantastic and the staff is extremely knowledgeable.
5. The Chalkboard Kitchen & Bar
$$$ | 918-582-1964 | WEBSITE
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This place is an iconic place in Tulsa where all the locals go. The interior is a sleek, modern design that is still warm and welcoming.
Featuring indoor and outdoor seating, The Chalkboard has plenty of space for small and large groups. People can reserve the beautiful wine cellar for private events as well. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as brunch on the weekends.
The menu has a variety of offerings, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Feel free to dine in or take food to go. Reservations are recommended.
6. SMOKE. Woodfire Grill
$$ | 918-949-4440 | WEBSITE
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SMOKE. has won several awards, including Trip Advisor 2022 Traveler’s Choice, Best New Restaurant in 2011, and Best Overall Restaurant in 2012 and 2013.
The restaurant gets its name from the wood-fired grill used to prepare the meats as well as the sealed Cigar Lounge where patrons can retire to smoke. Nothing in the kitchen is ever frozen, except for the ice cream.
They offer dine-in and takeout and take reservations. Offering brunch, lunch, and dinner, the menu features locally sourced ingredients. High chairs are available for the kiddos and make sure you check the schedule for when they have live music.
7. India Palace
$$ | 918-492-8040 | WEBSITE
Open since 2003, India Palace is Tulsa’s oldest Indian restaurant. They are open on all major holidays for people looking to get their Indian food fix. While they have a menu full of authentic Indian cuisine, the lunch buffet is a must-try.
The offerings at the buffet change daily, so it is always a unique and tasty experience. The bar has a nice offering of wine to pair with your meal.
The owner and the staff are friendly and attentive, making the dining-in experience pleasant. They also offer takeout for those who want to get the food to go.
8. Dilly Diner
$$ | 918-938-6382 | WEBSITE
Dilly Diner serves breakfast all day, but hours of operation vary by day, so be sure to check the website before you visit. Winner of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice in 2022, this place is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Tulsa.
The menu offers savory and sweet options for breakfast, including The Jed, a giant, fresh-baked cinnamon roll. The lunch and dinner menu has more classic options, like burgers, french dips, and country-fried steak.
This is a great place to bring the whole family since they have high chairs and the menu offers a little something for everyone. It’s also perfect for a hearty meal after a long night out.
9. Stonehorse Cafe
$$ | 918-712-7470 | WEBSITE
Stonehorse Cafe offers a variety of menu items for lunch and dinner, in addition to pizza and afternoon tea. The pizzas are hand-tossed and wood-fired with several topping options.
The lunch and dinner menu features French-inspired dishes and, while the prices are a little on the higher side, the quality is good and the taste is even better.
The full bar offers an extensive selection of wines as well as beer and craft cocktails. This is a great place for date nights and celebratory meals.
10. Fish Daddy’s Grill House
$$ | 918-307-1388 | WEBSITE
Fish Daddy’s prides itself on doing things “the right way.” All soups are made from scratch daily. The North Atlantic salmon is cut by hand and the vegetables are all cooked fresh daily.
They offer dine-in and have a special curbside pickup menu along with an easy online ordering system. The full bar has cocktails, wine, and beer for those who enjoy an adult beverage or two with their meal. Prices are extremely reasonable for the quality.
11. Polo Grill
$$$ | 918-744-4280 | WEBSITE
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The 5 and Dime Happy Hour menu features $5 drinks and $10 shareable plates. The full bar offers a separate food menu, and if you choose to do table service, there is a more extensive menu available.
The staff is knowledgeable and attentive and knows just how to help you choose what to eat and drink. If you are looking for a place in Tulsa to snag a great steak, Polo Grill is the place for you. This place is busy, so reservations are recommended.
12. Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen
$$ | 918-948-6505 | WEBSITE
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Offering dine-in, home delivery, and curbside pick-up, Napa Flats has a dining option for everyone. They make fresh mozzarella in-house, toss all the pizza by hand, and cut all the fish and steaks by hand.
The menu boasts Californian cuisine with an Italian twist. The bar offers wines from California and Napa Valley at affordable prices. Napa Flats has indoor and outdoor seating and takes reservations.
In addition to pizza, the menu has meat from the grill, sandwiches, pasta, house-made gelato, and more. It is a great place for date nights, large gatherings, or family meals.
Summary
Tulsa, OK, has a lot to offer locals and tourists alike. The restaurant scene has everything from seafood and steaks to handmade, woodfired pizzas and pasta.
No matter what you are craving, there is a top-rated restaurant to choose from. Hopefully, this list of the 12 best restaurants in Tulsa, has you itching for a trip to the city.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
