With prom coming up on May 2, students are looking for restaurants to go out for dinner before or after the dance.
So if you don’t know where to go dining for a special occasion, here is an overview of amazing restaurants in Central Oklahoma City and Edmond that AP World and AP Art history teacher Drew McNeil recommends, varying on vibes and budget.
Budget-friendly restaurants
A family owned Laotian Restaurant in the artsy Plaza District, featuring flavorful Laotian cuisine that has been recognized nationally.
The restaurant’s decoration is casual but classy with floral tapestry on the walls, perfect for a prom date if your budget is limited.
Their menu ranges from 20-30 dollars per person and Mcneil recommends their crispy rice salad and fried chicken.
It opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. and accepts reservations on opentable.com.
A Vietnamese restaurant that mainly focuses on pho, a broth-based Vietnamese rice noodle soup, usually made with beef. They serve a variety of pho and other Vietnamese staples, including vegan options, with prices ranging from $10-20 per person.
Though they don’t accept reservations they are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A Chinese restaurant on NW 28th and Classen in Asian District with menu prices from $10-20 per person.
Their menu offers an authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine from which Mcneil recommends ordering their spicy crispy chicken.
It opens from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and accepts reservations on their website.
A Japanese noodle house located in the Paseo Arts District with a very nice indoor atmosphere and patio setting, perfect for group dining.
Their menu offers a variety of ramen and japanese snacks with vegan and gluten free options. The prices averaged from 10-20 dollars per person.
It opens at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and to check availability you have to contact them by calling their number on their website.
If you don’t want to go dining at a restaurant, Mcneil recommends getting a large takeout pizza from Dados and taking it to the park.
Their prices vary from 10-20 dollars and they are open till 10 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Upscale restaurants
A traditional french bistro located in Midtown Oklahoma city, featuring classic dishes from different regions in France. Their menu prices start at $16 and go up to $52, serving a selection of appetizers, soups, salads and open entrees.
The dishes that McNeil recommends from their menu are “Trout Maison,” “The French Onion soup” and “the scargot.”
It opens at 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, you can make a reservation on Resy or just walk-in.
An italian restaurant in Oklahoma City, featuring handmade pastas like their Squid Ink Bucatini, Spicy Cavatelli and Lobster Tortelloni and their menu prices range from $17 to $68.
This restaurant has a dim and luxurious vibe, with seating options of booths, bar area or a patio and you can reserve a table or walk in.
“Super stylish place with excellent Italian food,” was McNeil’s opinion on this restaurant.
It opens at 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and offers reservation options on their website.
A southwestern restaurant located in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District with an architecturally unique and beautifully designed setting, inspired by the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
Their menu features unique dishes with locally sourced ingredients inspired by the cuisine of Oklahoma, Santa Fe and Northern Mexico, with their most popular being their Burrata. Their menu includes prices from $16 to $55 being the most expensive.
It opens at 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday nights and their service options include outdoor setting, fireplace and private dining room. You can make a reservation on their website or at opentable.com.
An upscale Korean-American steakhouse in Oklahoma City, that serves a varied and unique menu with prices ranging from 60-100 dollars per person.
“Skip the focaccia, order the kimchi bearnaise with your steak,” recommends McNeil.
It opens from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday nights and reservations are required.
A modern Korean steak house located in Edmond and is owned by the same executive chef as MAHT, Kevin Lee.
Their menu prices vary from $14 to $125, small plates, large plates, steaks and desserts with gluten free options.
“Some Santa Fe kids work there, too. Order the hamachi crudo,” were McNeil’s comments on Birdies.
It opens from 5 p.m to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, accepting reservations on websites like opentable, Resy and triple seat. They have limited space for walk-ins, so I recommend making a reservation before going.
