OU graduation will hold 10 commencement ceremonies in Norman for May graduates. Here are some options for hotels, dining spots and things to do while friends or family are in town.
Preparation for graduation
Hotels
NCED Conference Center and Hotel | 2801 East State Highway 9: Just 3.2 miles from Lloyd Noble Center, where all Norman ceremonies will take place, amenities include an outdoor pool, hot tub, volleyball courts, billiards, tennis courts, fitness center and complementary Wi-Fi. The hotel also has multiple restaurants and a Starbucks coffee bar.
Quality Inn - Norman near University | 309 Norman Center Court: Around 5 miles from Lloyd Noble Center, this hotel’s amenities include an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.
Montford Inn | 322 W. Tonhawa St.: Around 2.7 miles from Lloyd Noble Center, the bed and breakfast features special themed rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi and free homemade breakfast.
Beauty and apparel options
Look your best for commencement with options for stylists, barbershops and nail salons and check out local flower shops to pick up a bouquet. For more options, read our Best of Norman 2025 reader’s choice results for shopping and experience.
Cayman’s | 2001 W. Main St. | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday: Cayman’s has been serving the Norman community as a boutique since 1980. Here, they offer curated clothing selections for men, women and children, along with home decor and beauty products. They offer an abundance of name-brand, designer apparel and jewelry.
Uptown Cheapskate | 1544 24th Ave. NW | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday: Uptown Cheapskate buys and sells name brand clothes from activewear to dresses. The store pays cash or in-store credit for clothing trade-ins.
Rock Paper Scissor Hair Bar | 1200 12th Ave. SE | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday: This hair salon offers a variety of services including hair cuts, up-dos, make-up application, kids cuts, beard trims, color, waxing, texture services, sew-ins, bridal services and special occasion styling.
The Mane Man | 1215 W. Lindsey St. | 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday: Serving the Norman community for over 40 years, The Mane Man is a hybrid salon and barbershop for men, women and children. Haircut pricing is budget-friendly for college students looking to save money.
La Fleur Nails Norman | 1049 12th Ave. NE | 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: La Fleur Nails Norman offers hand and foot care as well as nail enhancement and waxing. Experience their signature pedicure, the La Fleur 24k Gold. Manicures start at $20 and pedicures start at $35.
The Flower Shop | 1440 N. Porter Ave. | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday: The Flower Shop offers more than just bouquets with wearable options including corsages, boutonnieres and flower crowns. View the shop’s portfolio online.
Places to eat
Graduation preparation can get busy. Here are options for coffee and breakfast in Norman to start an early day and get fueled before commencement begins.
Coffee
Gray Owl Coffee | 223 E. Gray St. | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily: A worker-owned local coffee shop, the Gray Owl serves teas, coffee and pastries. Catering options are also available and should be placed 48 hours in advance.
Main Street Trading Post | 424 E. Main St. | 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday: New to Main Street, Trading Post offers drink options such as espresso shots, lattes and lemonades. It is also a place to relax with dimmable lights and books for sale.
Yellow Dog Coffee Co. | 222 S. Porter Ave. | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Open in the afternoon for a coffee before graduation, Yellow Dog Coffee provides fresh, locally roasted brews.
Breakfast
Neighborhood JAM | 102 W. Main St. | 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day: Choose from a variety of breakfast staples including bennies, omelets, grits, fruit and more. They also have a gluten-free menu and plenty of drinks to choose from, including coffee, cocktails and wines.
Press & Plow | 800 W. Lindsey St. and 2596 W. Tecumseh Road | Hours vary by location: A local restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and drink options ranging from lattes, cocktails, mimosas, frappes, teas and beers, with a drive-thru available.
La Baguette Bakery | 2100 W. Main St. | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday: Serving breakfast and lunch, La Baguette’s menu features savory and sweet options along with a special drink of the day. The bakery also offers treats including cakes, pies, tarts and cookies. There are also catering and specialty cake options.
Levity Breakfast House | 309 S. Peters Ave. | 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Monday: Found in downtown Norman, this 1920s-style breakfast house has options including breakfast sandwiches, the “All American Breakfast” and kid-friendly options such as “Lil Champs Breakfast.” Levity also serves coffee, hot cocoa and matcha.
Lunch
Tarahumara’s Mexican Cafe & Cantina | 702 N. Porter Ave. | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday: Family-owned with decades of experience, this restaurant offers fresh salsa and chips, homemade corn tortillas and fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and more. They offer dine-in, takeout and delivery services.
Tamashii Ramen House | 126 W. Main St. |11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday: Tamashii Ramen House offers traditional tonkotsu ramen along with curry ramen, spicy ramen and curry ramen that can be customized with topping options. Other menu items include Japanese curry, mazeman and karaage.
Ray’s BBQ | 950 Ed Noble Drive | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: Ray’s BBQ has no shortage of meat options to choose from including brisket, ribs, turkey, pork and sausage that can be paired with sides including fried okra, potato salad and coleslaw. Ray’s also serves baked potatoes, corn dogs and barbecue sandwiches.
The Earth Cafe & Deli | 309 S. Flood Ave. | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday: Open since the mid-1980s, Earth Cafe & Deli is known for its organic quiche and vegan soup of the day. Sit in the garden and sip on a fruit smoothie while having a slice of vegan lemon-blueberry cake.
Dinner
Blu Fine Wine and Food | 201 S. Crawford Ave. | 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday: Established in 2007, Blu Fine Wine and Food offers cozy ambiance, American-style tapas, and an extensive wine list. Enjoy half-price pizzas with a drink order during happy hour and monthly wine tastings.
Othello’s Italian Restaurant | 434 Buchanan Ave. | 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday: Family-owned for over 35 years, this restaurant serves classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and seafood. Othello’s Italian Restaurant also has live piano and singing with jazz performances.
Ranch Steakhouse | 2120 24th Ave. NW | 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday: Serving Oklahoma since 1999, Ranch Steakhouse offers ribeyes and tenderloin filets with warm, mashed potatoes. Celebrate with dessert options from bananas foster, cheesecake, key lime pie and more.
The Mont | 1300 Classen Blvd. | 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day: The Mont has plenty of variety for a family with a variety of tastes. Known for its Sooner Swirl drink and loaded fries appetizer, they also offer nachos, soups and burgers.
Post-graduation celebration
Legally Brewed | 123 W. Main St. | 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday: Check out Legally Brewed’s website for events, including game nights and trivia. For a sweet treat, find cookies in the tap room from local partner Six30 Sweets.
Logie’s on the Corner | 749 Asp Ave. | 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. everyday: Logie’s on the Corner offers a sports bar and an upper deck patio, smoke room and multiple TVs, usually featuring ongoing sporting events.
For more breakfast, lunch and dinner options, check out our Best of Norman 2025 guide for readers’ choice results for food and drink. For Campus Corner options, check out our Campus Corner guide.
Graduation information
Registration for commencement is required for graduation. Caps and gowns are required with the exception of graduates receiving a military commission, who may wear their dress uniform instead. Additional regalia items are permitted that represent identities or affiliations, and tasteful caps decorations are allowed.
All graduates will go through a security screening before gaining entrance to the venue. Graduates should wear clothes underneath their regalia, as security will ask graduates to unzip their gown at metal detectors. OU’s clear bag policy is in effect for all commencement venues. No storage will be available for items. Only graduates are allowed in the floor seating area.
There is no limit to the amount of guests who are allowed to attend the ceremony, and tickets are not required for admission. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to get through security screening. Ceremonies will be livestreamed online and last approximately two hours. Concession stands will be open. Only service animals are allowed, and additional accommodations for guests and graduates are available here.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Lauren Brogdon, Ryan Little and Tori Pham copy edited this story.
