A Food Enthusiast's Guide to Tulsa, Oklahoma

When I began posting about my trip to Tulsa on social media last week, the question that dominated my comments sections was: “why are you here, queen?!” I anticipated this, as Oklahoma is not typically somewhere that people visit just for the fun of it. It has a reputation as a “flyover state,” or in my case, a state that I have driven through many times but never stopped in for too long. To be honest, I would never have thought to book my own week long trip to Oklahoma (no offense, Okies). When my husband’s job brought him to Tulsa for 6 days, I decided to tag along and attempt to eat the best food in the city. My expectations were far exceeded. I not only ate memorable meals and pastries, but experienced a variety of genuine hospitality that you will not find anywhere else in the country. Additionally, I had the privilege of learning more about Oklahoma’s rich Native American history and Black Wall Street.

I conducted extensive research prior to my visit and collected recommendations from my Tulsa based followers, all of which I am happy to share with you here. Regardless of the reasons you may find yourself in Oklahoma, I hope this guide serves as a valuable reference point for finding a fantastic meal (or sweet treat)!

Coracle Coffee

Indigenous owned cafe and roaster that is a celebrated highlight of Tulsa’s coffee scene. Owner Tyler Duncan is a citizen of Cherokee Nation, and has an extensive background in coffee. Once exclusively an instant coffee manufacturer, they now focus on roasting single origin beans on site. The cafe is cozy and modern, with a small selection of house made baked goods. Be sure to try their “CTC Cookie,” which is studded with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, dried apples, and gooey marshmallows, drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

She Brews Coffee Roasters

The ultimate feminist coffee shop (and an impactful nonprofit organization!), She Brews sources their beans entirely from woman owned farms and roasts on site. Founded by Rhonda Bear, a formerly incarcerated woman who successfully overcame addiction, they assist women transitioning out of prison with work experience, safe housing, and legal case management. I only had an excellent oat milk cappuccino here, though the pastry offerings (entirely house made) looked very good.

Sona Coffee

Woman owned local speciality coffee brand, catering to students and young professionals in search of a cutesy place to work. I was dazzled by their menu of fun specialty lattes, but found the Wedding Cake Latte in particular to be extremely sweet. The espresso itself was perfectly pulled though, so stick to the classics here.

Topeca Coffee Roasters

As a Californian, I assumed this was a coffee brand from Kansas, but it was actually founded right here in Tulsa by Tulsa native John Gaberino and his wife Margarita, whose family has been cultivating coffee in El Salvador since 1850. This cappuccino was the single best espresso drink I had in Tulsa.

Jones Co Coffee

Located on historic Route 66, this independently owned cafe operates out of a 1920’s former filling station. Over the decades, it served as the Lockhart Oil Company Station, the Robinson Service Station in 1937, and an auto repair shop. They are proudly “Sysco free” and make everything in house.

Country Bird Bakery

I actually bookmarked this bakery in June 2025 when head baker Cat Cox won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker, not anticipating I would be in Tulsa any time soon. When I began research for this trip, Country Bird was at the top of my hit list, and they did not disappoint. Cox describes them as a “Euro-country bakery: European inspiration, with Dolly Parton vibes.” They are only open to the public on Thursday and Saturdays, so get there early, and be prepared to wait in line.

Must try items that I personally ranked 9/10+ were their Lemon Bar with Lavender on Cornmeal Shortbread, Bourbon Caramel Apple Jam Kouign Amann, and Twice Baked Pistachio Croissant, which was the best croissant I have had so far in 2026.

You can watch my full review of Country Bird Bakery here.

Pancho Anaya Bakery

This authentic Mexican panadería has been owned and operated by the same family for 5 generations. Founded in 1912 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, they were the first bakery to introduce traditional Mexican sweet breads (pan dulce) to Tulsa in 1998. This is an old school self service bakery, where you grab a tray and tongs, pile it high with inexpensive treats, and pay at the cashier.

I enjoyed every one of my selections, but my favorite was the Panquesito Chabacano, a moist, buttery sponge cake that ate like a cross between a muffin and a chiffon cake, filled with a thick dried apricot jelly. Be sure to enjoy their Polvoron Tricolor, Carita Feliz, and a Concha with a coffee (or hot chocolate) for dipping.

You can watch my full review of Pancho Anaya Bakery here.

Sweet Dream Desserts

I found this Tulsa baked cake artist on Instagram @sweetdream_desserts. She is known locally for creating custom cakes that are not only beautiful, but moist and delicious. As someone with a strong aversion to fondant and oil based icings, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she exclusively uses buttercream, Swiss meringue, and cream cheese frostings/fillings. She is also extremely skilled in my personal favorite cake aesthetic: 1950s Lambeth style piping.

I decided on a two tier heart shaped cake with pink and purple frostings, glitter, and flowers, featuring her most popular flavor combination: Strawberry with Cream Cheese Filling. The cake flavor was soft, like strawberry milk, with a delicate crumb whose sweetness was beautifully balanced by the tangy cream cheese. She delivered right to my hotel for a very reasonable fee. Simply DM her to place an order.

You can see my cake in full glittering effect and a taste test here.

Brown Sugar Sweets Factory

A phenomenal Black woman owned bakery specializing in classic Southern style desserts. Their Lemon Pound Cake is by far the best I have ever tasted, with an impossibly moist crumb, and intense sweetness that is cut by vibrant acidity from plenty of fresh lemon juice. I was also dazzled by their Sherbet Cake, which features vibrant, buttery layers of raspberry, lime, and orange sponges and buttercream.

You can watch my full review of Brown Sugar Sweets Factory here.

Saint Amon Baking

Run by a husband and wife team who are both classically trained pastry chefs-from France and the US, respectively-this French style bakery makes everything from scratch without preservatives or artificial flavors. I unfortunately did not make it to Saint Amon on this trip, but can confidently recommend them based on the numerous glowing reviews I have seen for their fruit-shaped trompe l’œil patisseries.

Nelson’s Buffeteria

My favorite meal that I had in Tulsa. Nelson’s is a 4th generation family owned traditional cafeteria style restaurant, serving Midwestern/Southeastern comfort foods since 1929. A “Buffeteria” combines the quick service assembly line of a cafeteria with the selection of a buffet. This was fast food before fast food existed, but today, this style of restaurant is almost extinct in the United States. Grab a tray, choose your entree (options vary depending on the day of the week), and then your sides.

I was there on a Friday, so Fried Catfish was on the menu. It was the best rendition of catfish I have ever tasted, with a delicately crisp cornmeal crust and flesh so tender, it ate like black cod. The mashed potatoes were more cream and butter than potato, the spinach was brimming with deeply savory spices, and the Mac N’ Cheese was generously seasoned with mustard and garlic salt. Their rolls were slightly sweet like Hawaiian Rolls, but with shiny, butter-brushed outer layers. I also loved their Coconut Cream Pie, which was piled high with weightless meringue.

My total for lunch, including coffee and a slice of pie, was just over $20. You can watch my video about Nelson’s Buffeteria here.

Dilly Diner

Modern diner conveniently located in the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa. I am generally skeptical of “elevated” diners, but my expectations were exceeded here. Prices are reasonable, portions are massive, and the ambience is airy and filled with natural light. The Breakfast Sandwich was mediocre, but we loved their Griddle Cakes with Bourbon Caramel Sauce, Walnuts, and Banana ($10 for a tall stack). They also have a full menu of espresso drinks, not just drip coffee.

Ava June

Though they are open for dinner as well, my local fans rave about the brunch at Ava June. I planned on eating here immediately after arriving on a 10 hour overnight journey from LA, but chose a nap instead. Ava June is a classy French inspired brasserie with a good wine list, and classics like Steak Frites, Beef Bourguignon, Escargots, and a raw seafood. Apparently their Funeral Rolls (baked brioche with ham, gruyère, and brown sugar Dijon butter) are extraordinary.

Queenie’s Plus

Another highly recommended local favorite that I did not have time to make it to. Queenie’s Plus is a 1980’s diner serving every classic breakfast and lunch classic you could hope to find, from Pastrami Reubens to Eggs Benedict. They also have an extensive bakery. I can not personally confirm this, but apparently they make the best pancakes and chocolate cake in town.

Oakheart Barbecue

Counter service craft barbecue joint opened in 2021 by pit competition veterans Chris Emmons and Brian Hodges. While this is not my era of expertise (I do not eat meat), my husband loves Central Texas style barbecue, and was impressed by the quality of meat at Oakheart. I brought him a combo plate at work, which featured Bologna (his favorite), sausage, and brisket. Their sides (potato salad, pickles, coleslaw) were disappointing, but their Banana Pudding was randomly one of the best I have ever had.

Andolini’s Pizzeria

There was a tornado/storm warning on one of the days I was in town, with winds so high that my husband got the day off work. Fortunately, Andolini’s was just a short walk from our hotel. We ended up eating pizzas from here three times during our week long stay. They describe themselves as “Tulsa style pizza”, but they were reminiscent of my favorite pies in NYC. All pies feature imported DOP San Marzano tomatoes, fresh Wisconsin curd mozzarella that is stretched by hand in-house daily, and extra virgin olive oil from Puglia. They happily make split flavor pies, which we appreciated as my husband is a pepperoni/pineapple guy, and I prefer simpler Margherita or ricotta/basil toppings.

Rise Soufflé

Perhaps my favorite dish to emerge from France is Soufflé (seriously, even more than patisseries), so I was sad that I did not have time to make it here. Rise Soufflé is a French inspired salon de soufflé and wine bar, offering an impressive range of sweet and savory souffles. My choices would have been their Cauliflower & Brie and Chocolate Soufflé, along with their famous Marshmallow Soup, which is a carrot and tomato bisque topped with warm goat cheese souffles that float on top like marshmallows.

Chicken and the Wolf

Nashville Hot Chicken restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options! Like most hot chicken restaurants, Chicken and the Wolf offers tenders and sandwiches, prepared at your preferred spice level. Their spice scale begins at “No Spice” and goes all the way up to “Extra Hot” which features a ghost pepper spice blend. As an extreme spice lover who is typically not able to partake at hot chicken restaurants, I was eager to eat here, but again ran out of time.

Waffle House

I generally avoid chain restaurants, but Waffle House is truly in their own category. Anthony Bourdain famously joked that his meal here was “better than the French Laundry”, which he often referenced as his favorite meal of all time. Waffle House operates over 2000 locations across 25 states, which unfortunately do not include my home state of California. The chain is located primarily in the South, but also in Midwestern/Southeastern states like Oklahoma. If I am in a state with a Waffle House, I must visit at least once.

Do not expect high quality butter or espresso here, but do expect an affordable, delicious meal and service with a smile. Waffle House is a proud "second-chance" employer that hires formerly incarcerated individuals with criminal records. I recommend ordering eggs your way, hash browns your way (they have their own vocabulary for this), and of course, a waffle. I recommend ordering one Chocolate Chip Waffle and one Original, spreading them with butter, and sandwiching them together to create a melted chocolate filling. Top the whole thing with corn syrup based maple syrup, of course.

Waffle House Vocabulary:

• Scattered: spread out across the flat top grill so they get extra crispy

• Smothered: sautéed with chopped onions

• Covered: slice of American cheese on top

• Chunked: mixed with chunks of hickory smoked ham

• Diced: diced tomatoes

• Peppered: jalapeño peppers

• Capped: grilled button mushrooms

• Topped: chili

• Country: sausage gravy

• All the Way: all of the toppings at once

  You can watch my Waffle House Tulsa video here.

Rendang & Co

The only Indonesian restaurant in the entire state of Oklahoma! I regrettably did not make it to Rendang & Co, but they are a husband and wife team who recently earned a James Beard nomination. They most popular dish is Beef Rendang, which features halal meat that is slow simmered in coconut milk and spices for hours until the liquid caramelizes. They also offer a vegetarian jackfruit based Rendang.

White River Fish Market

Located near the airport, this Tulsa staple has been the finest source of fresh seafood in town since 1932. Oklahoma is land locked, so they fly in an impressive variety of options from the coastal US states. Guests may choose their dinner straight from the display case, and have it cooked to their liking: fried, grilled, boiled, or smoked. They are also well known for their seafood gumbo and hush puppies.

Whataburger

Just like In-N-Out is a novelty to out of state visitors, us Californians are fascinated by Whataburger. Truthfully, it is not very good, but it is also not bad. I personally enjoy their Whatacatch fish sandwich, which features a panko breaded Alaskan pollack filet on a buttery white bun with tangy pickles and tartar sauce. Their fries and onion rings are mediocre, and make sure to get a malt, not a regular milkshake.

Farm Bar

The most ambitious restaurant in Tulsa, serving 5 and 10 course tasting menus highlighting local ingredients from Oklahoma and surrounding states. They do not important anything, so do not expect truffle and caviar here. Priced at a very reasonable $125, the 10 course tasting is a must try. While the cooking was certainly not Michelin Star level, most dishes were delicious, thoughtful, and creative. The chefs are clearly passionate about what they were doing, and were genuinely interested in honest feedback. The wine pairing was very good too, especially for $60.

You can watch my video review of Farm Bar here.

Bull In The Alley

When I asked my following of over 2 million for a “special occasion dinner recommendation in Tulsa” 9/10 people said Bull In The Alley. I can understand why. The restaurant is beautifully lit, with sleek golden age cinema inspired decor. The menu is traditional steakhouse, featuring XXL portions of well executed classics. While their wine list leaves a lot to be desired, they make a perfect classic cocktail. I recommend ordering a Dirty Martini (or a Gibson), a Wedge Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Cakes, a Petit Filet, and for us non-steak eaters, the Lobster Mac as an entree.

Their desserts are supersize (the Crème brûlée was quite literally an entire 9 inch pie plate that could serve 4-6 people), so get one to share.

You can watch my video review of Bull In The Alley here.

Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine

Another popular date night spot in Tulsa. Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine an open concept kitchen built around a custom Argentine style wood fired grill. The menu can best be described as New American fusion, with a focus on smoky flavor profiles. We sadly had to cancel our reservation last minute due to a work emergency.

Copper Dome

Copper Dome came highly recommended as another chef-driven fine(r) dining option centered around local, seasonal Oklahoma ingredients. They offer three tasting menu options: a 10 course experience priced at $100, as well as 3 course ($65) and 4 course ($75) options.

Baron’s on 1st

Upscale all-American bisto that is a nod to oil barons. Basically the Oklahoma version of The Polo Lounge lol. The menu goes beyond a traditional steakhouse. Think Oysters Rockefeller, locally sourced antelope and lamb, and craft cocktails. I did not eat here, but my order would be Dover Sole, perserved tomato Tarte Tatin, and Mushroom Tortellini, with Chocolate Ganache Cake for dessert.

Boston Title & Abstract

French restaurant in downtown Tulsa’s Deco District, inspired by hidden prohibition style speakeasies. They have a 280 bottle wine collection and an in-house sommelier. Their menu is seasonal and changes often, but heavily leans French, with classic dishes like Steak Frites, Escargots, Poisson Blanc, and a “Dessert Menagerie” featuring a variety of bite sized treats.

*I sadly did not make it to any of these, but will certainly prioritize them next time!

Big Dipper Creamery

Locally owned small batch ice creamery, known for imaginative flavors like Honeycomb Lavender, “Walk At The Fair” (cotton candy meets birthday cake), and Banana Pudding (made with real bananas!). Those are just a few of their “Forever Flavors”; the others are highly seasonal. They utilize local Oklahoma ingredients like fresh regional mint and native pecans.

Cricket & Fig Chocolate

European-style café and chocolatier that recently went viral for creating hand painted Dubai Chocolate hearts. Do not let that fool you though; the owner is a Culinary Institute of America graduate who has spent decades making high quality confections, particularly truffles.

*I was drinking lightly on this trip and did not visit any bars, but these three fine establishments would be in my rotation if I was!

Saturn Room

Retro-futuristic tiki bar, featuring bamboo lined walls, thatch covered booths, South Seas inspired decor, and glowing float lights. The cocktail menu consists of classic drinks popularized by tiki pioneers like Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic Bergeron, including a Mai Tai, Dr. Funk, Chi Chi, and of course, a Saturn. My husband’s coworker, a fellow tiki expert, claimed that the drinks here are quite good.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie is sleek and elegant, but less about the ambience, and more about the drinks. In fact, their motto is “Playfully Serving Serious Drinks”. The ambience can best be described as “industrial chic” and the cocktail list constantly changes with the seasons, emphasizing fresh local ingredients.

Tina’s

I heard that the best Smashburger in town is at Tina’s (and yes, they have a vegetarian rendition!). Opened in 2023 by a veteran bartender who spent eight years at Valkyrie, they are a beloved local favorite. The ambience is nostalgic 1960s basement den, and the cocktail program is top notch, offering a blend of expertly pre-batched and shaken to order drinks.

Philbrook Museum of Art

A stunning museum housed within a 72 room mansion completed in 1927 by architect Edward Buehler Delk. Their permanent collection includes over 8,000 works, including European antiquities, American art, and an exceptional collection of Native American pottery, basketry, and paintings. Behind the building are meticulously landscaped gardens inspired by the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Italy. I spend many hours here on a Saturday, and the place felt incredibly peaceful (and not crowded).

Greenwood Rising

A history center and interactive gallery honoring the legacy of Black Wall Street, an affluent Black community that was destroyed by white supremacists in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Visitors learn of the horrors of the event, the courageous rebirth of the community that followed, and modern racial reconciliation. This should be a mandatory stop for every visitor to Tulsa, but especially the people in my comments who legitimately ask “why is it important to support black owned businesses?”

Gilcrease Museum

Founded in 1949 by Muscogee-American oil tycoon Thomas Gilcrease, this museum holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts from the American West! Most interesting (to me), it houses the only surviving certified copy of the Declaration of Independence, as well as 250,000+ Native American and Mesoamerican artifacts. The museum was closed for renovations on our trip, but will be back open soon.

Next Generation Antique Mall

Tulsa has some of the best flea markets and thrift stores in the country (and they’re still extremely inexpensive!). My husband purchased over 50 vinyl records, and I found a 1950’s dress made of natural fibers that fits me like a glove for THREE DOLLARS (yes, $3). Next Generations Antique Mall located at 5100 E 11th St on historic Route 66 is a great place to start, but there are dozens of other gems along this stretch of Route 66. We spent half a day hopping from one thrift store to the other.