Want to know the best restaurants in Tahlequah, OK, for a fun mealtime?
Tahlequah is a city in northeast Oklahoma known for its tourist attractions and festivals. The city had over 16,000 inhabitants in 2021.
It is the county seat of Cherokee County and capital of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and modern Cherokee Nation.
The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, long before the founding fathers arrived. As a result of it being home to several Native American tribes, it has got the attention of tourists who are fascinated by its uniqueness.
Today, you can visit some historical sites like Cherokee National History Museum or see a performance at Cherokee Dance Hall Museum & Cultural Center—but what about dinner?
There’s a range of excellent Tahlequah restaurants that offer various services, from appetizers to entrees.
Let’s explore the best places to eat in Tahlequah, Ok.
Best Restaurants in Tahlequah, OK
1. The Branch Restaurant
The Branch Restaurant is a family-friendly casual dining restaurant with an all-inclusive bar and grill. There’s also a bar service for you to order from if you’re not hungry but thirsty.
If you’re hungry, you can grab some food from their full-service kitchen any time. This place is perfect for any occasion, as one of the top restaurants in Tahlequah, OK.
Make sure your group has enough room before heading here because they pack their tables pretty tightly (but don’t worry, you’ll still be able to get some amazing food).
If you’re wondering what to order, the Branch Restaurant offers you a few different options. They have a full range of appetizers, salads, burgers, and sandwiches.
If you wish, you can have something lighter or snack on something while you enjoy your drinks at their bar.
If you’re looking for something more filling, try out their fish tacos or chicken wings (they come in different flavors).
The Branch offers outdoor seating, wheelchair accessibility, reservation, a full bar, gift cards, and so on.
The Branch closes on Sundays and Mondays. It opens for business 11:00 am – 10:00 pm every other day.
Address: 505 N Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464, United States. Phone: +1 918-456-1500
2. Napolis Italian Restaurant
Napolis Italian Restaurant is family-owned and operated in Tahlequah, OK.
The restaurant has been in business for several years and serves various Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, and sandwiches.
The menu at Napolis offers plenty of options to choose from, but you’ll want to try their signature dish – the Diciotti Salad, which includes romaine lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion rings, green pepper rings, black olives, and garlic croutons tossed with your choice of dressing (French or ranch).
They serve the salad with your choice of chicken or beef fajita strips, along with shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Napolis Italian Restaurant is also known for its pizza and calzones, served fresh from the oven.
Their pizzas include cheese, pepperoni, sausage, veggie (tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers), Hawaiian and Canadian bacon, pineapple, Italian sausage and onion, and pepperoni.
The calzones come in four flavors – cheese, spinach, mushroom chicken Alfredo, and buffalo chicken.
Napolis offers free Wi-Fi internet services. It is among the top Tahlequah restaurants.
Napolis is closed on Mondays but opens every other day, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Address: 901 Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-207-0870
3. El Zarape Mexican Restaurant
If you’re searching for a great Mexican restaurant in Tahlequah, look no further than El Zarape. This place has been serving people for over 20 years and is one of the top restaurants in Tahlequah. You can tell by their culinary and service experience.
The margaritas are fantastic, and the atmosphere makes you want to recline. The staff here are friendly, helpful, and attentive to your needs, as well as ensuring everyone gets what they ordered from the menu without mixing up.
El Zarape is an excellent place for family dining and has many options for kids. They have several meals to choose from that can be ordered for children, as well as some fun drinks like the “flip-flop,” a combination of orange juice and strawberry daiquiri.
There is also an overwhelming selection of Mexican dishes on the menu. Many different types of tacos are available, as well as enchiladas and other items that are sure to please everyone at your party.
The prices here are very reasonable, and you can walk out of this place satisfied, having spent only $10 or less per person (depending on the volume of orders you make).
They’re closed on Sundays but open 11:00 am – 9:00 pm every other day.
Address: 701 E Downing St, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-456-0708
4. Linney Breaux’s Cajun Eatery
Linney Breaux’s Cajun Eatery is a local favorite for BBQ and other Southern dishes. The restaurant has been serving comfort food since 2000, and it doesn’t look like they plan on stopping soon!
The menu features everything from burgers to crawfish boils and fried chicken dinners, you name it, and they’ve got it covered here.
If you’re looking to experience something out of the ordinary than what other restaurants have on their menus, then this place will be right up your alley with its extensive selection of traditional Cajun cuisine options. The shrimp etouffee is incredibly delicious.
The prices are reasonable too. Most entrees range between $8 – $12 per person, while appetizers tend to run around $5-$7, depending on the sizes/quantities you order them in (or if there’s any special arrangement).
That said, please remember that these prices don’t include tax or other similar charges. So, make sure those numbers line up before deciding whether one item looks better than another without considering costs.
The restaurant is spacious, with a separate dining room from its outdoor patio, which features a beautiful view of the Mississippi River.
If you’re feeling hungry and wish to eat in grand style, you might want to grab a table outside to enjoy your meal while taking in all the sights and sounds that go along with eating on such a gorgeous day. Appreciate and enjoy life after a long day’s work. You deserve it!
The servers are also amiable here, which is always nice when visiting a new place. They’re not just there to serve your meals but are also warm enough to inquire about your well-being and help with any order-related issues.
Some of their weekly specials are shrimp and cheesy grits, shrimp and crab boil, shrimp Victoria, and so on.
They’re open for business 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, except on Sundays when they’re closed.
Address: 1716 S Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah. Phone: +1 918-708-9461
5. Del Rancho Restaurant
Del Rancho Restaurant is a family owned business serving the best Mexican food in Tahlequah for decades. Del Rancho Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Tahlequah, OK.
They’re known for their authentic Mexican dishes and fresh ingredients, so if you’re looking for a good meal with excellent service at an affordable price, this is your go-to place!
Try their steak sandwich supreme, chicken sandwich supreme, and burger in the fast food category.
They also serve fried steak supreme, chicken fried chicken supreme, and chicken strip boneless dinners in the dinner category.
They’re open for business 6:00 am – 11:00 pm daily.
Address: 4800 S Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 7446. Phone: +1 918-456-0757
6. Jose’s Mexican Restaurant
Jose’s Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant that offers a variety of Mexican dishes. The restaurant has been in Tahlequah for decades and is open for lunch and dinner.
The owners of this restaurant are personally, and actively involved in the preparation, serving, and general catering process. That way, the customers are not left to the care of hirelings who may not do their utmost to satisfy them.
It’s refreshing to know that if you ever have a complaint, the proprietors themselves will be there to see that your issues are satisfactorily addressed
They’re closed on Sundays but are open for business 11:00 am – 8:00 pm daily.
Address: 112 Monroe St, Tahlequah, OK 74464-5606. Phone: +1 918-431-1923
7. RibCrib BBQ
If you’re looking for a place to eat a barbecue and enjoy the outdoors, this is the place. RibCrib BBQ has been open for years and specializes in preparing chicken and beef brisket.
There are also several other menu items, such as ribs, sandwiches, and salads, that you can order from their kitchen, and a full bar menu if you don’t want anything from the smoker pit.
Their patio seating offers seating for up to 40 people as the need may arise. RibCrib is one of the best places to eat in Tahlequah, OK.
They are open daily from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Address: 1909 S Muskogee Ave 800 STE 800, Tahlequah, OK 7446. Phone: +1 918-456-5800
8. Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant, Bar and Grill
Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant, Bar and Grill restaurant is a little bit of everything: it has good food, excellent service, and an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. The location is convenient for people who want to be close to downtown but still have easy access to the interstate.
Their carnitas margaritas beat the competition in Tahlequah. They’re leaders in preparing and serving classic Mexican cuisines.
They’re open from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm from Sundays to Thursdays and 11:00 am – 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 1175 E Downing St, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-456-0100
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9. Pasti Italian Grill
If you’re looking for a place to eat in Tahlequah that has a great menu and delicious food, Pasti Italian Grill is the perfect place. The restaurant is clean and has excellent service and reasonable prices!
The food is never stale and always hot and tasty. It has a nice interior with squeaky-clean bathrooms and nice personnel.
They serve various meals and snacks including, but not limited to, steak, pizza, gyro, veal, and calzone.
They also serve various vegan and gluten-free meals for the vegan community in Tahlequah to relish.
They’re open for business 11:00 am – 8:30 pm daily, except on Sundays.
Address: 4601 S Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-456-0444.
10. Katfish Kitchen
Katfish Kitchen is a small restaurant in Tahlequah, OK, known for its fried catfish. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and you can order your fish with or without bread, the latter being the more traditional method of eating it.
It’s been around and has been doing its thing since 2002. The folks at Katfish Kitchen, Tahlequah, love what they do.
Their menu offers other options, such as fried shrimp and chicken wings. In addition, they offer dine-in, in-store pickup, and outdoor seating services. It is one of the excellent Tahlequah restaurants.
They’re open for business 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily.
Address: 1095 E 4th St, Tahlequah, OK, United States, Oklahoma. Phone +1 918-453-2620
11. Emery’s Grill
Emery’s Grill, uniquely blends good food with a love of sports and entertainment. It promotes sporting events while serving appetizing and nourishing food to its ever-returning customers.
Emery’s Grill’s happy hour is a moment customers look forward to regularly, knowing that fun awaits them in more ways than one.
Emery’s Grill offers dine-in and curbside pickup services but doesn’t take delivery orders. Emery’s Grill opens from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Sundays to Thursdays, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 407-411 N Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464, United States. Phone: +1 918-456-4210
12. Newk’s Eatery
If you’re looking for a healthy, fresh meal that’s not too heavy on your wallet, Newk’s Eatery is the place to go. The restaurant has operated in Tahlequah, OK, for several years and has since broadened its coverage.
The menu consists of salads (including my favorite: the Cobb Salad), sandwiches (including a vegetarian option), and soups that will warm you up on those cold winter days!
Newk’s Eatery is one of the best restaurants in Tahlequah, OK. It makes and markets gourmet sandwiches designed from scratch. They also make and serve pizzas made in California-style, hot soups, fresh fruit juices and smoothies, desserts, coffee, custom drinks, beer, wine, and a variety of other related edibles and drinkables.
The portions of in-house, sliced, premium meat they serve are hearty. They also do in-house-chopped fresh veggies and fruits on the daily. So their food is always fresh (you can count on the freshness).
They hand-make sauces and dressings from scratch with premium, imported components. They hospitably serve their meals in generous doses (there’s nothing miserly about their services). They listen to their customers and are open to suggestions to improve their services.
They’re open to serving the public 10:30 am – 9:00 pm daily.
Address: 3361 Cherokee Springs Rd, Tahlequah, OK 74464, United States. Phone +1 918-871-4725
13. Presley’s Burgers
Presly’s Burgers operates in a clean environment. However, they need to acquire newer furniture and equipment. Even their restrooms need to be updated.
The downsides, notwithstanding, their cheeseburgers are out-of-this world delicious and fresh. You don’t get such great-tasting cheeseburgers all the time, not even in the big, well-known fast-food restaurants.
Their menu features burgers, hot dogs, and burritos. There are options for those with vegetarian or gluten-free diets and some specials like the chili burger with cheese, bacon, and fried onion rings.
Prices range from $4-$9 for a single burger or sandwich; most cost between $7-$10. They offer doordash services on doordash.com and take standard delivery orders.
They’re closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) but operate on weekdays in two sessions – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm daily (Mondays to Fridays).
Address: 200 E Downing St, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-456-7111
14. El Molcajete
El Molcajete is a great place to go when looking for Mexican food in Tahlequah, OK. The margaritas are strong and delicious, the service is friendly and fast, and the prices are reasonable, compared to other restaurants in town.
El Molcajete serves up some of my favorite dishes from Mexico – enchiladas with beef or chicken, tacos al pastor (meat cooked on an upright spit), and chalupas (fried tortillas stuffed with meat or cheese).
You can also order rice and beans as side dishes if you prefer them over chips or tortilla chips topped with salsa.
Or try some of their desserts such as flan (a sweet custard) or tres leches cake filled with fresh whipped cream layered between two sponge cakes soaked in milk, then served warm along with strawberries and pineapple slices drizzled with caramel sauce.
Plus, they’ll even serve it up, steaming hot and fresh!
You can order from doordash.com. They also offer dine-in, takeaway, and regular delivery services.
They’re open 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Sundays to Thursdays and 11:00 am – 10:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 104 E 4th St Tahlequah, OK 74464 . Phone: +1 918-458-0505
15. Fish’s Bar B Que
Fish’s Bar B Que is a local favorite in Tahlequah. They’ve been around for decades and have great food at great prices and outstanding services.
They serve a wide variety of menu items to choose from, including ribs and chicken dinners. The atmosphere is relaxed, with plenty of room for groups or families who want to go out together on the weekends.
If you’re looking for something new or different on your next trip to Tahlequah (or if it’s just time for some barbecue), look no further than Fish’s Bar B Que!
Their barbeque is excellent. Their hot sauce, too. When they serve you fries, the mouth-watering fries cover more than half your plate. Talk about good measures.
Their opening and closing hours vary from day to day. They’re closed on Sundays and Mondays but are open on other weekdays and Saturdays.
On Tuesdays, they’re open 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, on Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:30 am – 8:00 pm, on Fridays 10:30 am – 9:00 pm, and Saturdays 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Address: 105 E Ballentine Rd, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Phone: +1 918-453-9291
Map of the Best Restaurants in Tahlequah, OK
To get around during your trip to Tahlequah, here is a map of the best restaurants in Tahlequah with markers of the top places to eat in Tahlequah, OK.
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Plan a Visit to Tahlequah
We understand that deciding where to eat can be difficult, but having an excellent place to go with your friends or family is always a plus.
We hope this list of Tahlequah restaurants will be helpful to you during your visit to Tahlequah.
Have a fun trip!