norman, oklahoma food guide

Hello everyone and welcome to my first food guide! This series will feature different places where I’ve had some amazing meals! I’ll rate them and give you all my knowledge on each of the restaurants! :):

I’m starting off the guides with Norman, Oklahoma!! I know Norman is definitely not one of the most visited cities in the country but it is where I have attended university for the past 4 years!

I have loved getting to eat around Norman and seeing cute restaurants pop up around the town has been so nice! I have compiled all the restaurants that I have eaten at and believe can review well. I still have a semester left at OU so there may be a part 2 to the Norman guides!

Victoria’s Pasta Shop

If you know me, you most likely know that I am a biggg pasta person. When I initially toured OU, Victoria’s was the very first restaurant my mom and I ate at in the small town. (Fun fact: It actually played the most minute part in me deciding to attend OU!) Victoria’s has two locations in the OKC/Norman metropolitan area. The Norman location was on Campus Corner for years until moving this past year to the town’s Main Street!

Victoria’s is (obviously) famous for its pasta! If you love rich, homey, and decadent pasta this restaurant is for you!! In addition to their pasta, many also love Victoria’s bread rolls, lasagna rolls, and mushroom caps. This past year, the restaurant added pizza to their menu which I personally haven’t tried but have heard great things about.

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 5 — The new Main Street Location made this a 5!

• Price: $$

• Food: 3.5 — I would give this a higher rating but sometimes the pasta/butter ratio isn’t the most consistent!

• Drinks: 3 — I’m not the biggest drinker so always take this rating with a grain of salt BUT I came here on my 21st and the ratio of liquor/drink was extremely off! They have a good drink menu but the in-house specialties are definitely not the main attraction.

• COVID friendly: YES — You can order food to-go but be careful to check if the food has been properly made. I had an incident with my pasta being completely separated between butter and cream and it was not an enjoyable meal.

• Overall Rating: 4

MY GO-TO ORDER: Linguini with Pink Sauce & Cheesy Bread

RECOMMEND: dinner with friends and family, birthdays, dates — casual get-togethers

The Diner

First coming into college, I was NOT a big breakfast person. Luckily, my friends on my dorm hall were all into breakfast and the repetition of seeing them with breakfast led me to hop on the breakfast train lol.

The Diner may be my favorite restaurant in Norman.

Located on Main Street, this small restaurant serves some of the most hometown breakfast meals I’ve ever had.

I know I’m not the only one who approves bc Guy from Guy’s Drive-In and Dines visited this famous spot as well!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 4 — I love the diner bc it holds the perfect ‘diner’ setting. It’s the Norman equivalent of Gilmore Girls’ Luke’s. It’s not a modern place but I would not expect that from a local diner!!

• Price: $

• Food: 4.5 — I seriously love this! It’s not anything cutting edge but it tastes like true homemade breakfast!

• Drinks: N/A

• COVID friendly: YES

• Overall Rating: 4.5

MY GO-TO ORDER: 2x2x2

RECOMMENDED FOR: A meal with friends or family!

Tatsumaki Ramen Lounge

Tatsumaki is such a great place for ramen (thus the name!) Their food is delicious, well priced, and authentic. It’s located in a quieter part of Norman just off of Lindsey. I’ve been here three times: once with my roommate and her dad, once with two friends, and once with my brother, and all three times I’ve loved the experience!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 3.5 — It’s what I expect from a Ramen lounge! It’s not too picturesque but it’s perfect for a nice night with friends and fam

• Price: $$

• Food: 4 — Their food is delicious and their ramen is exquisite!

• Drinks: N/A

• COVID friendly: YES

• Overall Rating: 4

MY GO-TO ORDER: Tatsumaki Ramen

RECOMMENDED FOR: Casual dinner runs with friends or family

Volare

Volare is one of my FAV places I’ve been to in Norman! It’s located on campus corner and is one of the few restaurants with a nice rooftop dining area! The atmosphere is great and their food is also amazing.

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 4.5 — Their indoor dining is nice but their rooftop is why I rated this restaurant so high!

• Price: $$

• Food: 4 — Their food is SO good. I have loved every dish I’ve tried to this day!

• Drinks: N/A — I believe they have a good menu but I’m not 100%! I’ve never ordered anything other than soda

• COVID friendly: YES

• Overall Rating: 4.5

MY GO-TO ORDER: Mushroom Rigatoni (they may not sell this anymore!)

RECOMMENDED FOR: Dinners with family and friends, birthday get-togethers, nice first dates?

Benvenuti’s Ristorante

Benvenuti’s is also an amazing place to dine at! It’s owned by the same people as Volare so their menu has a few overlaps. This has nicer than Volare and is located on Main Street! It’s a nice Italian restaurant known for its delicious food. They have a wine room that they are able to section off in case of a group celebration!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 4 — Benvenuti’s has a formal dining atmosphere so if that’s what you’re looking for it’ll be perfect!

• Price: $$$

• Food: 4 — Their food is delicious and their ramen is exquisite!

• Drinks: 4 — They have a nice wine and drink menu!

• COVID friendly: YES

• Overall Rating: 4.5

MY GO-TO ORDER: Mushroom Rigatoni

RECOMMENDED FOR: Nice celebratory dinners, family dinners, nice birthday get-togethers

Midway Deli

I love Midway Deli. It’s tucked away in a neighborhood in Norman so it would be likely that if you saw it you wouldn’t look twice, but their sandwiches are SO GOOD!! I highly recommend it for a casual get together with a friend or a to-go meal to eat at home!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 3 — Midway is so cute bc everyone is able to sign the walls and it truly shows the restaurants history!

• Price: $$

• Food: 4 — This place is VERY good. I wasn’t too big of a sandwich person but I CRAVE my go-to order at Midway!

• Drinks: N/A

• COVID friendly: Yes

• Overall Rating: 4

MY GO-TO ORDER: The Vulcan

RECOMMENDED FOR: casual lunch runs/to-go meals

The Winston

The Winston is located on Main Street and is a lively spot! I’ve been here with my family and with my friends at night. I love the Winston bc it’s so versatile! It’s a great lunch place for friends and family and then a great dinner/night life place! Their $2 Tuesday are out of this world. Highly recommend.

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 5 — I love the Winston’s atmosphere. It’s so cute and great for any mood.

• Price: $$

• Food: 4 — Their food is very good. The menu doesn’t have a ton of options but every item is great!

• Drinks: 4 — Their drink menu is very good! I LOVE their Lavender Lemonade with a shot of Titos.

• COVID friendly: Yes

• Overall Rating: 4

MY GO-TO ORDER: Truffle Shuffle Burger

RECOMMENDED FOR: anything! Nice dinners, night life, family brunch, birthdays, etc.

Neighborhood Jam

Neighborhood Jam is also located on Main Street and is the perfect spot for brunch! It’s a newer restaurant and super popular in the mornings!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 4 — The atmosphere is super cute! A cute ‘lil brunch spot.

• Price: $$

• Food: 3 — Their food is very good! I’ll be honest, it’s not my go-to breakfast/brunch spot but I think it’s because I haven’t found my go-to order yet.

• Drinks: 3 — They have a good menu! The drink I got was good but super strong!

• COVID friendly: Yes

• Overall Rating: 3.5

MY GO-TO ORDER: I tend to switch it up but I did love the biscuits and gravy!

RECOMMENDED FOR: family/friend brunch, b-day brunches

TEA Cafe

TEA Cafe is a Norman STAPLE. Nestled on Campus Corner, this cafe has the most BOMB fried rice and boba! Their dining room is currently closed during COVID but they are still serving to-go.

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 2.5 — It’s def not the cutest place, but it’s the perfect location for a casual lunch with friends.

• Price: $$

• Food: 4 — I love unhealthy asian food and TEA Cafe delivers EVERY time. Again, I am obsessed with their fried rice.

• Drinks: 4 — I’m not talking alcoholic but their BOBA menu is amazing.

• COVID friendly: Yes

• Overall Rating: 4

MY GO-TO ORDER: CHICKEN FRIED RICE

RECOMMENDED FOR: to-go meals, CASUAL lunches, first dates

The Mont

The Mont is another Norman STAPLE. For some reason, I don’t have any pictures of the food but there is no Norman Food Guide w/out the Mont! The Mont is off of Boyd street and is the best bar environment. Overall, the attraction to the Mont is their Swirl drinks. It’s where all my friends and I rang our 21st birthdays at!

My ratings are as follows:

• Atmosphere: 3.5

• Price: $$

• COVID friendly: Y/N

• Food & Drinks: 3 – Their food mainly consists of bar food but their drink menu is extensive.

• Overall Rating: 3.5

MY GO-TO ORDER: Fried Green Beans and Fried Mozzarella

RECOMMENDED FOR: night life, bday celebrations

Overall…

I have loved the majority of restaurants I’ve tried in Norman. There are some that I recommend that I haven’t taken pictures of yet (Notorious PIE, Sauce it UP, etc) but I’m planning on posting another guide to Norman closer to the end of the semester! I hope you enjoyed this first guide. I’ll admit it was a LOT more work than I though but I love eating out so I thought I’d share it with you all!

Until next time,