Oklahoma City hides many elements of itself from outsiders, and its restaurants are no different. Many of the best eats in the city aren’t the high-end, luxury steakhouses of downtown, or the sky-scraping dining of Vast, but are tucked away in strip malls, or roaming the streets in trucks. The following is a list of a few of my personal favorite eateries in my years of traipsing the city’s less-than-fine dining.

Dado’s

10942 N May Ave

To locals in the know, this restaurant is an obvious first choice for good grub. Hidden off of N May, in the Quail Plaza Shopping Center, Dado’s is home to OKC most authentically New York style pizza. Sitting at a solid $26 a pie, it’s not the cheapest slice, but every dollar gets you quality food. Its highlights are its original cheese, pepperoni, or vodka sauce pizza but there is more to explore from there, boasting 20 different pizza options on its menu.

Basil

211 NW 23rd St

Sitting on the populous 23rd St in the heart of the city, Basil provides an eating experience like no other. The interior is fully decorated with honey booths, stained glass lanterns, and expansive windows, the comfort is enough of a selling point on its own. But rest assured, the menu is not lacking: it consists of beautifully sliced gyros, hearty meat and rice dishes, and some of the best tea this side of the Atlantic. Don’t forget to grab some baklava on the way out.

Pho Lien Hoa

13120 N Pennsylvania Ave or 9101 S Western Ave

With locations on both S Western Ave and N Penn, Pho Lien Hoa has some of the freshest, most homemade Vietnamese food available. While it provides phenomenal pho (rice noodle soup), as is its namesake, it also provides excellent banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) as well as more exciting dishes like their duck porridge or fermented fish soup. Additionally, it has an extensive drink menu, with the popular blends of smoothies, or more traditional cafe su da (French espresso with condensed milk).

Taco Empire

7008 NW 122nd St

Originally a locally loved food truck, the brick and mortar location on Nw 122nd emerged in 2023 to high praise. With a menu full of well-spiced Mexican-American classics like tacos, nachos,bowls, and tortas (the sandwiches, not the cake), they’ve become beloved to traditionalists and fusionists alike. Their agua frescas (traditional mexican drinks) are no joke; my personal favorite being the horchata.

Awaji Izakaya

12305 N Rockwell Ave

What gives Awaji such a strong impression is firstly the atmosphere– dimly-lit, cozy-boothed, and lantern-filled Japanese gastropub (a pub that serves gourmet food)– the second is the out of this world sushi. It currently holds the Diner’s Choice awards from Open Table for the past two years, and is looking to complete the streak. The menu includes a gorgeous array of soba, udon, nigiri, sashimi, and, naturally, a nearly two-page long list of sushi.

Couscous Cafe

6165 N May Ave

Hidden in the depths of a shopping mall off of N May, Cous Cous Cafe serves, unequivocally, the best Moroccan food in the state. While the highlights of the menu are their massive kabob platters and their tangines served in large clay pots, they serve some surprising items as well: Mediterranean burritos and sandwiches. Additionally, all meats in the restaurants are completely halal. But despite all this, my favorite is their Moroccan mint tea, served on a silver platter, kettle included.

Taj

1500 NW 23rd St

Despite tight competition with other Indian restaurants in the city, this staple of 23rd St takes the cake in terms of quality, tastes, and atmosphere. With a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, and neither, Taj services everyone’s all-you-can-eat needs with their dinner buffets. Highlights of both the buffet and menu include biriyani, curry, korma, masala, saag, vindaloo, and naan. And by special order, you can get some of the freshest mango lassi or the coldest chai around.

Mo Bettahs

300 NW 23rd St

Situated, yet again, on 23rd St, Mo Bettahs is right across the street from the earlier entry, Basil. Since 2008 Mo Bettahs has been serving fantastic Hawaiian food across Oklahoma, with locations in Norman, Shawnee, Edmond and OKC. Some of the favorites are the Kālua pig(slow roasted pork), teriyaki steak, or Pūlehu chicken (black pepper and garlic), all served with a hefty scoop of sticky rice and macaroni salad.