54 Essential Restaurants In Omaha Nebraska To Try At Least Once

Block 16 is probably the most popular casual restaurant in Omaha. There’s a reason why there’s nearly always a line at Block 16. It’s that good.

I’m partial to the Croque Carcon burger, and not just because Alton Brown deemed it one of the best in the world (though, I do feel like his opinion means something). It's messy, so grab extra napkins.

1611 Farnam St., Omaha, Neb.

If it's Date Night in Benson, it probably involves Au Courant. The food is seasonal and packed with flavor in each bite. For a real splurge, order the chef's tasting menu.

6064 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.

As a casual gastro-pub, Blatt knocks it out of the park. It has the rare combination of excellent food, a great beer selection, AND being family-friendly.

When my daughter gets to pick a restaurant for a special ocassion, it's Blatt Bar + Table for their chicken fingers and a root beer. If you don't mind a messy sandwich, try their amazing Dirty Bird.

610 N. 12th St., Omaha, Neb. (the OG)

2835 S. 170th Plaza, Omaha, Neb.

10000 California St. (inside Flagship Commons), Omaha, Neb.

Ahmad is a legend in Omaha, and if you dine in-house at his Persian/Iranian restaraunt, you'll likely meet him. He's the friendly guy you'll ever meet. And his food is delicious.

He'll likely give you recommendations on what to order, and he won't steer you wrong. I highly recommend the Jujeh Khoresht (chicken kebab).

4646 Dodge St., Omaha, Neb.

Dante is my go-to recommendation for great Italian in West Omaha. Ingredients are as local as possible and seasonal, and poritons are just right. It's nice enough for a date nice but won't drain your checking account.

16901 Wright Plaza, Suite 173, Omaha, Neb.

For good soul food, head to Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering. Get the fried chicken, and save room for sweet potato pie cheesecake.

Inside the Highlander Accelerator, 2112 N. 30th St., Suite 201, Omaha, Neb.

The thing about Fincky Frank's is that they are so sincere about sourcing local ingredients that they can go as far as tell you who the farmer is that delivered the eggs and when he collected them. It's that local.

The burgers, incidentally, are pretty darn good though they are surprisingly left off a lot of best of lists.

9520 Calhoun Road, Omaha, Neb.

A surprise hit with my family, this restaurant tucked in a strip mall north of Blondo Street is a gem of a restaurant. Chaikhana specializes in eastern European cuisine, and as close as you’re going to get to Russian food in Omaha.

2329 N. 90th St., Omaha, Neb.

Bailey's has quietly been packing in breakfast crowds for years. They're known for the variations on eggs benedict, so if you're feeling crazy, try one of those.

1259 S. 120th St., Omaha, Neb.

Dolce is a West Omaha restaurant that would be right at home in the Old Market. Try the tasting menu and you're sure to be wowed by the creative dishes by the chef.

12317 W. Maple Road, Omaha, Neb.

Omaha has become known for its steaks, but we do venture away from meat from time to time. Modern Love is a swanky vegan restaurant at Midtown Crossing that is top notch, and will impress even the biggest meat eater in your group. It's chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz's first restaurant (her second is in Brooklyn).

It’s seasonally-based, so what you should order will depend on the time of year. I'm a comfort-food kind of eater, so I'll vouch for their version of mac and "cheese."

3157 Farnam St., Suite 7113, Omaha, Neb.

There was a time when we ate a lot of Mangia pizza when I had a nephew working there. I'm not complaining. It was voted the best pizza in Omaha, and it's pretty hard to get sick of pizza like that.

Come hungry, and maybe wear elastic, because the food is hearty and so good that you can't stop eating. The chicken alfredo pizza will be your undoing.

6516 Irvington Road, Omaha, Neb.

Think Pacific Coast seafood food and entrees when you think of Pacific Eating House. Ingredients are fresh and have a West Coast cool sensibility. The fish tacos are perfection.

If you can, dine on the patio and get yourself a tiki drink.

1130 Sterling Ridge Drive, Suite 101, Omaha, Neb.

I’m partial to this tiny Italian restaurant on the edge of the Old Market. The food is so fresh and so good. Reservations are a must, and if the weather is nice, sit out on the patio.

521 S. 13th St., Omaha, Neb.

If you love street tacos, get yourself to The Corner Kick. These are legit on locally-made corn tortillas. They also boast some delicious burritos.

13806 P St., Omaha, Neb. (OG)

16274 Evans Plaza, Omaha, Neb.

681 N. 132nd St., Omaha, Neb.

La Casa is not for everybody, because of thin crust, but they are a legend in Omaha. And I love them exactly for that crust. My top choice is. hands down, their Margherita. It doesn't hold up as well if you get it to-go, so I recommend dining in.

They serve other things but I honestly have never ordered anything else. it's Margherita all day, every day.

4432 Leavenworth St., Omaha, Neb. (OG)

8216 Grover St., Omaha, Neb.

610 S. 168th St., Omaha, Neb.

Dinker’s is a bit of a hole in the wall, but don’t be scared off by the exterior. It’s a popular burger place in Omaha and has been around for more than 50 years. Many will argue they serve the best burgers in the city.

2368 S. 29th St., Omaha, Neb.

If you want meal that will impress your guests, The Boiler Room is the place. I've been there once -- to celebrate publishing my first book -- just so you have an idea of the kind of occasion this place calls for.

To say dishes here are exquisitely crafted would be an understatement. And of course, the wine list is incredible.

1110 Jones St., Omaha, Neb.

I haven't found an Indian restaurant in Omaha I haven't liked, yet, but there's only one that we've gone back to more than once. And that one's Kinaara. The chef at Kinaara specializes in Biryani and South Indian dishes.

120 Regency Parkway, Omaha, Neb.

The most bang for your buck, so to speak, is at Sage Student Bistro. It's up-scale food at a super affordable price. The secret? Sage is a Metro Community College classroom where chefs-in-training prepare the dishes and work the front of house. The menu changes seasonally, and is only open when students are in session.

Having dined here for a regular dinner as well as pairing dinners, I've never been disappointed. In fact, I felt like the quality of the meal was a steal.

Reservations are a good idea.

5730 N. 30th., Omaha, Neb.

There's not much to the menu at Amsterdam, and that's totally OK. It's all delish. You get your choice protein (falafel or doner kebab), choice of sandwich or not, and choice of sauce. And add the curry fries. Always add the curry fries to your order.

620 N. 50th St., Omaha, Neb. (OG)

10000 California St. inside Flagship Commons Food Hall, Omaha, Neb.

I’d make the drive over and over again to get some barbecue from Porky Butts. They have a devoted fan base, and the reason? Award-winning barbecue.

They have a pretty reasonably-priced family meal that satisfies the hungriest brood.

15475 Ruggles St., Omaha, Neb.

Twisted Cork is one of those not-so-showy places that quietly blows you away with its entrees. The owners are from Seattle and they bring an appreciation for Pacific Northwest dining and wines to Omaha. It's a low-key bistro that's perfect for a low-key date night.

They own another favorite of mine, Pacific Eating House.

10730 Pacific St., Suite 110, Omaha, Neb.

M's Pub is an Old Market establishment that's been around for ages. It came close to closing for good following a devastating fire, but it returned and is as good as ever. It's fine casual dining for lunch and a charming date night spot witthout being too stuffy. Get the lovash if you can't decide on what to order.

422 S. 11th St., Omaha, Neb.

Brazen Head is often associated witth live Irish music and a rockin' St. Parick's Day celebration. But don't miss out on their menu - it's comfort food with an Irish flair. From boxties to bangers & mash, it's hearty fare, for sure.

319 N. 78th St., Omaha, Neb.

Dreamy homemade ice cream from a rotating menu of flavors, Ted & Wally's is my family's go-to for a treat. I can't resist their plain ol' chocolate, but I usually at least pair it with one of the odder flavors of the day. I think they've made nearly 3,000 cominaitons so far.

1120 Jackson St., Omaha, Neb.

6023 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.

One of the newer restaurants on the list, Good Lookin' is the breakfast spot the Dundee neighborhood needed. The menu is a creative one, with plenty of options for the foodie in all of us. And booze...they have booze.

4919 Underwood Ave., Omaha, Neb.

I love La Buvette almost as much for the charming atmosphere as the excellent wine list. It's about as close as we get to European cafes here. Order a charcutterie board and prepare to while away the hours.

Tip: The outdoor seating is a prime spot for Old Market people watching.

511 S. 11th St., Omaha, Neb.

If you’re in the mood for sushi, there’s a city-wide debate on who does it best. Yoshitomo in the Benson neighborhood is one of the best, though. The upscale Japanese restaurant gets creative with its dishes, so if you don't know what to order, go with the tasting menu.

6011 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.

UPDATE: The owner of Yoshitomo opened another sushi restaurant, Koji, in 2022.

For burritos (or bowls or tacos) like no other, take a look at Burrito Envy's menu. I usually sitck with a classic like slow-cooked carnitas, but if you want something bolder, there's a Koreon burrito I hear is amazing.

The burritos are massive, by the way.

6113 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.

Few places offer pizza-by-the-slice, but this tasty Benson eatery is one of them. But, you're going to want more than one slice (not because they're small...slices are NOT small).

i usually like to try whatever the slice of the day is. My kids, though, are die-hard pepperoni fans.

6056 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.

The metro's best Korean barbecue is at Korea Garden. If you're not sue what to try, you can't go wrong with any bulgogi entree. I ilked the beef bulgogi, which was accompanied with various pickled dishes.

5352 S. 72nd St,, Ralston, Neb.

Olsen does one thing, and they do it well: Donuts. It's no a full-fledged restaurant...it doesn't even have seating. It's just legit donuts, the old-school cake donut kind that are addictive.

1708 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.

Any place that focuses solely on my favorite meal of the day, is a good one in my book. Early Bird is a strictly breakfast and brunch spot, with belly-filling dishes like pancakes topped with cereal and the tastiest hash holes ever.

3824 Farnam St., Suite 120, Omaha, Neb. (OG)

7775 Olson Drive, Suite 101, Papillion, Neb.

10730 Pacific St., Suite 108, Omaha, Neb.

Now with four locations, it’s easier than ever to get the best Thai food in Omaha. My notoriously picky kids will not complain here. Try not to overstate your spice level tolerance because they do go big here.

1102 NW Radial Highway, Omaha, Neb. (OG)

7425 Pacific St., Omaha, Neb.

14450 Eagle Run Drive, Omaha, Neb.

6553 Ames Ave., Omaha, Neb.

9939 Redick Circle, Omaha, Neb.

So at my old job, once a year a vendor would send the marketing department a Lithuanian Napoleon torte and the whole office would rejoice. It was Torte Day. I'm not even exaggerating - we reallly were super excited for this torte. I can't overstate it enough: Lithuanian torte is divine.

If you head Lithuanian Bakery & Cafe, you can eat a suitable lunch, but take my word for it, save room for a slice of that torte. Specifically, you want to get the original torte with vanilla apricot filling.

5217 S. 33rd Ave., Omaha, Neb.

7427 Pacific St., Omaha, Neb.

A true non-descript gem of a restaurant, Vietnamese Asian Restaurant has never disappointed. It's tucked in a strip mall and really has a not-so-memorable name, but the food is fantastic.

They have both Vietnamese and Thai options, and I recommend the shrimp curry if you don't know what to order.

7212 Jones St., Omaha, Neb.

If you just want good bar food and good beer, Crescent Moon is the place. There's even a kid's menu.

Some would say Crescent Moon makes the best Reuben sandwich in Omaha. For one week a year, they get pretty creative with a menu of Reuben variations from egg rolls to pizza.

3578 Farnam St., Omaha, Neb.

It's funny that Pitch is known for its pizzas and homemade pastas, and for me, the most memorable dishes have been brunch and a superb brussel sprouts appetizers. Let's just say Pitch does a lot well.

5021 Underwood Ave., Omaha, Neb.

17808 Burke St., Omaha, Neb.

SCBC is the little hip diner that could. Right out of the gate, they had a legion of fans, and the wait for their scruptious food was long. But, there were some struggles, and it looked like SCBC would be no more.

Luckily, this little restaurant rebounded, and now is growing and adding a second location soon!

1540 N. Saddle Creek Road, Omaha, Neb. (OG)

Second location is slated to open at Countryside Village, 87th and Pacific streets, Omaha, Neb.

Louie M's is a bit off the beaten path but that's part of its charm. As the name suggests, burgers are the hot item on the menu, but here's a secret: Their breakfast is pretty darn good, too.

Look around while you're there. The walls have some intersting local memorabilia on them.

1718 Vinton St., Omaha, Neb.

Omaha has lost just about all of our greasy spoons. Lisa's is one of the closest spot to one (it's a step above, actually). The pancakes are fluffy, the decor is eclectic and the regulars are on a stool at the counter.

817 N. 40th St., Omaha, Neb.

Pasta Amore is old-school Italian with its heavy dishes of homemade pasta. You will be stuffed beyond belief after eating here, because you can't help yourself. It's the ultimate cheesy comfort food.

11027 Prairie Brook Road, Omaha, Neb.

This place is retro cool, as in they've got meatloaf and fried bologna sandwiches. If it was served in a TV dinner, it might be served at Fizzy's.

I love the place for their boozy drinks and milkshakes. It's a strictly 21 and older establishment, though, so no kiddos allowed.

1408 S. 13th St., Omaha, Neb.

We may be landlocked but we have ingenius people bringing fresh seafood to the masses here. For the freshest, it's always going to be Shucks. Fridays in Lent are packed.

1911 Leavenworth St., Omaha, Neb.

1218 S. 119th St., Omaha, Neb.

16901 Wright Plaza, Suite 198, Omaha, Neb.

In the battle of best burgers, I'd be remiss not to mention Stella's, a Bellevue favorite for many years. Stella's serves up a hamburger for every appetite, including their legendary Stellanator.

106 Galvin Road S, Bellevue, Neb.

Stirnella is one of those perfect eateries that doesn't make much of a fuss compared to some of its more well-known neighbors in the Blackstone District, so many people haven't heard about them. They are worth seeking out.

It's as much a sophisticated date spot as it is a fun place to dine at with friends. Somehow they balance romantic and fun.

Save room for dessert. Their gooey butter bar is the bomb.

3814 Farnam St., Omaha, Neb.

This West Omaha eatery specializes in Asian fusion dishes, so you can get pad thai or a delicately prepared salmon filet. You really can't go wrong. Wave Bistro has been a steady prescence in town for almost 30 years.

4002 N. 144th St., Omaha, Neb.

I know what you're thinking: This Omaha restaurant list only now gets to a steakhouse. What the what? We're known for steaks, but forgive me for not being super nostalgic about our old-school steakhouses. They're fine. Committee Chophouse, though, is the heavyweight champion though. My Delmonic steak was the most perfectly-cooked slice of heaven ever.

Like a lot of steakhouses, it's more of a wine and dine kind of place, a swanky dimly-lit restaurant that will impress your guests. Save it for a special occasion.

302 S. 36th St. inside Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, Omaha, Neb.

If you can't tell, I love me some wood-fired pizza. Timber has a list of pizzas with enticing topping combos that willl make you want to try one of each. (resist the temptation, no mortal can eat all that)

They also have a popular brunch, and word on the street is the mimosas are bottomless.

8702 Pacific St., Omaha, Neb.

The Omaha metro lucked out when Chef Keen Zheng relocated to Nebraska. He created Umami, an unpretentious sushi spot that serves incredibly special rolls.

1504 Galvin Road S, Bellevue, Neb.

Omaha has a lot of food trucks. A LOT. And most are pretty good. A few of the best are found regularly at Trucks & Taps, an outdoor bar and food truck stop. There are enough choices for everyone’s taste.

One of the newest regulars to join the lineup is the super popular Izzy's Pizza Bus.

5402 S. 108th St., Omaha, Neb.

It's hard to beat the romantic setting of V. Mertz, one of the Old Market's classic date spots. Located in The Passageway, you can't help but feel like you've been transported to a magical place.

You can order off the menu, but this is the kind of place to splurge on the tasting menu.

1022 Howard St., Omaha, Neb.

This is my favorite restaurant to go to if I’m attending a show at The Orpheum. It’s a gastropub with an impressive beer list. Vegetarians, I recommend the beet burger.

1407 Harney St., Omaha, Neb.

There’s something cozy about this very contemporary place. It must be Via Farina’s giant wood-fire oven. Whatever you order, it’s going to be the most satisfying meal in memory, without feeling like you overeat. They portion things well.

1108 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.