Editor's note: This story is featured in OU Daily's Best of Norman Guide, which will be available in print beginning Sept. 30. Racks can be found around Norman and campus. Check out the other featured stories at the bottom of this article.
Oklahoma City’s Plaza District is known for its restaurants, community events, boutiques and vibrant art scene.
Dining
The Press
The Press is an American restaurant with an extensive menu including chicken-fried ribeye, fry bread tacos, salmon Caesar salad and a Mashed Tater Bowl. It offers gluten-free and vegetarian options, along with catering services and private party rooms.
The Press is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 1610 N. Gatewood Ave.
The Mule
The Mule serves a variety of sandwiches and salads including the Macaroni Pony, the Angry Texan, chicken Caesar salad and spinach salad. Vegetarian options include the Herbivore sandwich, house salad and more. The restaurant also features specials and a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Mule is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 1800 NW 16th St.
Ma Der Lao Kitchen
Ma Der Lao Kitchen is a Laotian restaurant serving family-style dishes and cocktails including the original Lao papaya salad, minced shrimp salad, spicy mushroom stew and coconut soup. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, and the restaurant offers catering. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Ma Der Lao Kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 1634 N. Blackwelder Ave.
Empire Slice House
Empire Slice House serves New York-style pizza and salads. The extensive menu includes the RBG Supreme, the Rocksteady and the Notorious P.I.G. The restaurant offers gluten-free crust and vegetarian options.
Empire Slice House’s Plaza District location is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday at 1804 NW 16th St.
Osteria
Osteria is an Italian restaurant serving lunch, dinner and brunch. The menu includes cacio e pepe, tomato and burrata salad, salmon Siciliano and homemade lasagna. Desserts include tiramisu, New York cheesecake and gelato. The restaurant serves many beverages including Italian sodas.
Osteria is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 1704 NW 16th St.
Shopping
Dig It OKC
Dig It OKC is an eco-friendly boutique offering vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories. The shop celebrates all kinds of styles including punk, drag and goth. Customers can also play a free round of Pac-Man.
Dig It OKC is open from noon to 7 p.m. daily at 1739 NW 16th St.
Bad Granny’s Bazaar
Bad Granny’s Bazaar is a store with recycled and upcycled collectibles, vintage clothing, gifts, jewelry and pieces of art from local vendors. The store also has weekly prize giveaways of bags, goodies and more.
Bad Granny’s Bazaar is open noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 1759 NW 16th St.
Dog Daze Vintage
Dog Daze Vintage offers vintage clothing, accessories and home decor inspired by styles from the 1950s through the 1990s. The store is currently developing an online shopping option.
Dog Daze Vintage is open noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 1708 NW 16th St.
Holy Thrift
Holy Thrift is a women’s vintage boutique that supports local, independent designers. Shoppers can browse online and in-store. The store’s website includes a blog covering topics from fashion to politics.
Holy Thrift is open noon to 6 p.m. Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 1618 N Gatewood Ave.
Activities
Lyric at the Plaza sign.
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma stages musicals and plays year-round. Its current season includes “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “A Christmas Carol.” The lineup for 2026 includes “Beehive,” “Annie,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Sister Act” and “Come From Away.” The theater also offers summer camps, musical theater technique classes and youth productions through the Thelma Gaylord Academy.
Season or single show tickets can be purchased online. Class schedules are available online. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m Monday through Friday at 1727 NW 16th St.
OKC Improv
OKC Improv offers live, local comedy shows with regular performances at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as well as special shows and student showcases. The group also hosts a variety of classes and workshops in improv, sketch and stand-up comedy, open to all ages and skill levels.
Tickets for the regular shows cost $12 and can be found online along with class sign-ups. The venue is found at 1755 NW 16th St.
Plaza Yoga & Bodywork
Plaza Yoga & Bodywork offers weekend workshops, yoga teacher training and classes throughout the week. The studio also offers private yoga instruction, Thai yoga bodywork and training, and massage therapy school.
Class times vary and are posted on the studio’s Instagram and online. The studio is found at 1745 NW 16th St.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Kennedy Johnson, Kylie Caldwell, Andrew Paredes, Sophie Hemker and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
