OKC By the Districts: Midtown

Striped Sweater | Similar White Jeans | Black Slip-On Sneakers, size down a 1/2 size

Hi, friends! In 2018 I did a monthly "Best of OKC" series and those posts were by far the most popular posts of the year. I wanted to switch it up a bit in 2019 but I really struggled to find the right angle (reasons why this is just now going up at the end of February). I asked my local followers on Instagram stories for ideas and "OKC by the Districts" was the clear winner......so here we are!

As Oklahoma City has grown, each district has really taken on a character of its own. They all have their own vibe, their own culture, and their own local establishments, but they are all equally as fun (and delicious). Midtown, Downtown, Automobile Alley, Uptown 23rd, Paseo, The Plaza, Film Row.....I love certain things about each and every one! Throughout 2019, I'll take you through my favorite local hot spots and hole in the walls alike as we go district by district through the city I call home. I'll give you the information and tools necessary to put a full day of fun into action.

Let's kick this series off in Midtown! Midtown is probably my favorite district of them all (and it is one of the closest to my house) so I spend a lot of time there. If you followed my Best of OKC series, you will probably recognize a lot of the businesses below because I frequent them! I love that you can spend the whole day in Midtown going from coffee to lunch to patio drinking to dinner and everything is within walking distance (or lime-ing / bird-ing distance).

Breakfast, Brunch & Coffee Spots:
Elemental: not only do they have delicious coffee, but their pastries, breakfast and lunch is on point! Their chocolate chip cookies are said to be some of the best in the city. They offer lots of vegan and gluten free options, as well! I'm a huge fan of their baked goods and grab and go breakfast section - the tacos and overnight oats are delish! Also, just an FYI, the coffee shop is very well lit, bright and white making it ideal for photos :)

Hank's Coffee & Wine: I love this cute little coffee shop because they allow dogs inside! Coffee + dogs are the way to my heart. They turn into a wine bar in the afternoons (coffee until wine is my motto) and they serve simple cheese, fruit and nut trays that I love. They are never over the top, but always good. I'm a sucker for their chai lattes!

Waffle Champion: My stomach is growling just thinking of Waffle Champion! The lines are often long but the food is goooooood.

Packard's New American Kitchen: If we're being honest here, Packard's could and should be listed in every food category! Brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks...they have it all! Their brunch is probably my favorite, though, so that's why they are listed here. This is weird but they have the BEST sweet butter that they serve with muffins at brunch. It is some of the best butter I've ever had haha. I'm also a huge fan of their Crunch-Berry French Toast. I grew up making french toast at home with crushed cereal as the coating and that's exactly what they do! It's covered in Cap'n Crunch dust and is SO GOOD.

Brown's Bakery: Because I can't not include donuts!

Lunch or Dinner Spots:
Barrio's Mexican: If you've been following me for long, you know that Barrio's is a favorite! I'm not a huge Mexican food person but Barrio's does it right. Their food is very craft - it's unique and full of interesting flavors! They have the CUTEST patio, absolutely delicious cocktails, and the best green salsa around. I always order the Roasted Chicken Enchiladas, the Mexican Street Corn and Frozen Avocado Margarita. YUM.

Hall's Pizza Kitchen: 100% without a doubt my favorite pizza place in town! They also have an amazing baked goods section and a giant dish of hot tamales. Yes, please! My favorite pizzas are Beat the Heat, Sunday Lunch and Sweetness. You MUST ask for their special sauce (it is like an herby ranch and is FANTASTIC). They have a wonderful rooftop with a great view of downtown and they serve brunch (with breakfast pizza) on Saturdays, too!

Tamashii Ramen: We are huge Asian food people in our house (Cole, especially) so we love ramen! Tamashii's is great, however, my favorite thing on their menu is the garlic fried rice. OH MY TASTEBUDS. I can't even explain how wonderful it is, you just need to try it for yourself. Be warned, though, it's rich and will definitely keep the vampires away!

Stella Modern Italian: Stella is a great date night place! It is just upscale enough to feel fancy without breaking your budget. They put their own twist on classic Italian dishes. They also have a great brunch!

The Garage: A great local burger chain that is quick, affordable and delicious! They have something for everyone, all kinds of patty options and tons of toppings.

Dessert Spots: 
Insomnia Cookies: It's not a local spot, but I know cookies. And let me tell you, Insomnia is GOOD. I'm especially fond of the Chocolate Mint cookie!

Capital's Ice Cream: This place is so dang CUTE! They have a ton of unique flavors, some even named after local places.

Kaiser's: I've never been, but this is the cutest old school diner so I'm sure their ice cream and floats taste of homemade goodness. It makes me think of Riverdale!

Where to Grab a Drink: 
Fassler Hall: A German Beer Hall with a wonderful covered patio, a great view, and giant glass garage doors that are open on nice days. It is the perfect spot to hang out on a nice afternoon (or a rainy one, since it's covered)! They have tons of beers on tap, a tasty menu for brunch, lunch, dinner or snacks, and there are always dogs! :)

Bleu Garten: OKC's best food truck park! They have tons of seating, events, games, TVs, a fire pit.....you name it. It's a wonderful place to meet up with a group of friends and enjoy some sunshine. The lot next to Bleu Garten is where the pumpkin patch, Christmas tree lot and Pop-Up shops are located, too, so it's a great area to hang out in.

R&J Supper Club: Step back in time at R&J's - they have a great 50s vibe and some serious classic cocktails to match.

McNellie's: I love McNellie's! We took our engagement photos here and it will always hold a special place in my heart! It makes me think of Guinness and Fried Pickles......which is a fantastic combination if I do say so myself.

Ludivine: This tiny little bar and restaurant has some seriously good craft cocktails! Their menu is really good, too; it's filled with unique dishes made from quality ingredients. It feels upscale but hip at the same time. We love to go and sit at the bar on Mondays when they have a "Blue Plate Special" (a burger and truffle fries for $12) and always drool over their bone marrow dish!

Packard's Rooftop: A great place for day drinking! The rooftop at Packard's does not offer food, but it has a huge lounge area with an amazing view of downtown. It is perfect for spring days (you'll get a little tan up there, too) and is my favorite place to "Rosé All Day" if you know what I mean!

Where to Shop: 
The Black Scintilla: I love shopping here for gifts and clothes! They have a fantastic collection of Oklahoma City trinkets as well as stylish clothes in all price ranges (and in all shapes and sizes). They have really unique pieces, not things you'd find in every other boutique, which I love! Also, their store front window is always decked out....it's worth looksey for sure!

Commonplace Books: This is the cutest book store I've ever been to! They have a shop dog, too, which warms my heart and soul. They have beautiful cookbooks and coffee table books (like, the quality ones you'd find at Anthro) as well as good reading material. Their store is so cute and colorful - it makes me want to sit and read for hours with their pup at my feet! They recently added a cafe but I haven't had the chance to check it out yet.

Mode: One of my favorite boutiques in all of OKC! Their style is super hip, trendy and boho - I never leave without a bag full of goodies! The quality is really good and the prices, are too. Plus, their shoe selection is ON POINT. Definitely check them out (but prepare your wallet in advance).

Activities:
Bowl at Dustbowl: A great spot for a family or friend outing! It is located underneath Fassler Hall.

Workout at 405 Yoga: I've only been here once but it was such a fun experience! Their Rocket Yoga is unlike any yoga class I've ever taken. Highly recommend! I actually have a few guest passes so if you have any interest in attending, let me know and I can drop one in the mail to you.

Where to Stay
If you're coming in from out of town, check out the Ambassador Hotel! It is an old art deco building that has been renovated and turned into a gorgeous, historic hotel with classic, luxury rooms. They have a bar that overlooks downtown and a French bistro-style cafe on the ground floor. It is the perfect location to explore midtown (and all of OKC, really).

If you frequent Midtown, are there any spots I missed that you think are worth mentioning? There are plenty of others but these are just my personal favs. I'd love to hear your input!

Thanks so much for reading - cheers!

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