13 Must Try West Omaha Restaurants

West Omaha is starting to be the spot for great, locally-owned restaurants. There was a time when I struggled to name one perfect West Omaha restaurant. But now, I’ve got a list of favorite West Omaha restaurants.

Read on for my list of the best restaurants in West Omaha, including those that are great for brunch, a few family-friendly options, and the best restaurants for date night. I included my recommendations on what to order, too.

UPDATED: This post was published in 2019 and has been updated in July 2023.

I’m not done exploring West Omaha, so I have a to-visit list. Share your to-visit list in a comment!

What is considered West Omaha?

Even if you are from Omaha, where exactly is West Omaha is up for debate. Depending on who you ask, West Omaha could have very different boundaries. Is West Omaha anything east of 72nd Street?? Should West Omaha include Elkhorn or La Vista??

Fun fact: Omaha has expanded over the years and annexed cities like Elkhorn and Millard. I’ve grown up always thinking of Millard as part of West Omaha, but not Elkhorn.

Anyway, I had some tough decisions to make, as West Omaha IS different for each person you ask. For now, here’s the Oh My! Omaha definition of West Omaha: I’m considering restaurants in the area located between 120th and 192nd streets and between Giles Road and State Street. 

Casual dining in West Omaha

Casual here means you won’t need a reservation (though, there may be a wait), and you don’t need to dress up.

Blatt Beer + Burger

It wouldn’t be an Omaha restaurant list if I didn’t include Blatt, now would it? This is one of my top go-to restaurants when we’re out with the kids, because the food is fantastic and there’s a decent kid’s menu.

What to order: If you’re feeling indulgent, get the Dirty Bird. Do not attempt to eat it on a first date.

The Corner Kick Street Tacos & Sports Cantina

For creative Mexican dishes, head to The Corner Kick in Millard. This would be a good go-to spot to watch sports, if you’re looking to dine on something a little more inventive than the traditional sports bar fare.

What to order: They’re known for their street tacos, which aren’t too big, so you’ll want to order a few. I recommend barbacoa, carnitas and brisket.

Frank’s Pizzeria

Frank’s has some fans who will fight you if you say there is a better place to find New York-style pizza in Omaha. It’s been a while since I’ve had a slice, but I still trust it holds up given how die-hard some people are.

What to order: The last time I was there, I was vegetarian, so I can vouch for the margherita pizza. You can order by the slice, though, so get what you want.

Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill

Emperyean Brewery out of Lincoln opened a second location for its restaurant, Lazlo’s. This is a burger and beer joint, but it’s also family-friendly.

What to order: I’m a sucker for a good burger paired with one of their beers, like Third Stone Brown Ale.

Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar

If you want seafood in Omaha, you’ll find the freshest seafood at Shucks, the restaurant arm of Absolutely Fresh Seafood. You’ll usually find paper covering the tables, which makes coloring (with or without kids) a fun way to pass the time.

What to order: The New England lobster roll is pretty tasty, but if you like a little spicy kick to your meal, try the jambalaya.

Best West Omaha for fine dining

I use fine dining loosely here. You’d be just as comfortable in a cute pair of jeans and top as you would in a cute black dress at one of these restaurants.

Dante

Italian food has never had it so good. Dante serves seasonal food in creative Italian dishes. The wine list is extensive.

What to order: The pizza’s delish, but if we’re talking date nights, try one of the fresh pastas so you’re not splattering sauce all over yourself.

Related post: Try one of these Omaha restaurants for your next date night!

Dolce

Dolce is one of those under-the-radar date night places that I never knew about until I was given a gift card there. What a treat! It’s nice enough to impress but not overly fancy. The food is expertly prepared.

What to order: Splurge and get the five-course chef’s tasting menu.

Pitch

The West Omaha location of Pitch not the original, but it maintains the stylish look of the Dundee location…and one ups it with an excellent rooftop patio. I’m always tempted to order a stone-fire pizza there, because they are so good.

What to order: Get the garlic cauliflower appetizer. You’re welcome.

Hiro 88 Millard

I love sushi, but my kids, they don’t like the stuff. So, I save Hiro 88 for date nights. I’ve never had a bad roll. If you want to save money, go on a Sunday for their all-day reverse Happy Hour.

What to order: If you like rolls, get the Hiro Special.

Best breakfast in West Omaha

Breakfast is where West Omaha really excels. If you’re looking just for donut shops, there’s a whole other post for that. For heartier meals, visit:

Bailey’s

You kind of have to expect a bit of a wait for this wonderful restaurant (just over the border of 120th Street, so I count it). Fresh and indulgent, I have yet to find a dud on the Bailey’s menu.

What to order: Bailey’s is known for their egg benedicts, all served with a homemade hollandaise dressing. Go for the classic or get a little wild and order one of their specialties like the the Blackstone benedict, which has grilled tomatoes and maple smoked bacon with the poached eggs and sauce.

Green Beans

Passionate about coffee? Then get your caffeine fill at Green Beans, quite possibly the best coffee in all of Omaha. I make special trips just to stop there. Green Beans does serve food, however, I just order my delicious cup of coffee every single time I’ve been.

What to order: Coffee, of course. But if that’s too boring, go with the spiced chai latte.

Shirley’s Diner

I grew up going to Shirley’s Diner back when it was a small place decorated with retro kitch. I loved it.

The diner outgrew its old digs, and it’s now in a shiny new space. It still has retro decor, and the same home-style food, though.

What to order: Get a fluffy pancake.

Vidlak’s Brookside Café

Vidlak’s has been around for ages and is a no-frills diner offering the best kind of breakfast comfort food you can imagine.

What to order: If you’re extra hungry, add one of their ginormous cinnamon rolls to your order.

West Omaha restaurants on my to-try list

This list features restaurants that probably should be on the “best of” list of West Omaha restaurants, but I haven’t been to them yet, so I don’t want to include them. However, they have pretty solid reputations, so I feel pretty confident including them.

La Casa Pizzaria West – I’m a huge fan of the original La Casa in Midtown Omaha, so I’m eager to see how the second location compares. La Casa has a thin crust pizza to die for. My personal favorite is the margarita.

Le Voltaire – Mr. Wonderful swears we’ve had a meal at the French restaurant Le  Voltaire. If we have, it happened early on in our dating years, so like, more than a decade ago. It’s time to revisit, sil vous plais.

Your turn: What is your favorite West Omaha restaurant?  

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