18 Awesome Places To Get Breakfast In Omaha

The Oh My! Omaha Facebook community knows good food. I recently asked where I could find the best breakfast in Omaha and they did not disappoint with recommendations. It started out as 19 restaurants, but since this post was written, a few great ones have opened and were added to the list.

UPDATE: This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated in January 2024 to include new restaurants to the list and reflect closures.

Here are some of the best Omaha breakfast recommendations:

AJ’s Café

Here’s a new diner (new to me, that is) that was suggested by Cee W.: AJ’s Café.

• AJ’s Cafe, 5146 N. 90th St.

Bailey’s Breakfast & Lunch

Mishl P. recommended one of my go-to local restaurants for breakfast: Bailey’s. If you like benedicts, you’ll love the variety offered there. I

t’s also home to one of the city’s most insane breakfast items: The Porkasaurus. This bad boy includes seven types of pork, red potatoes topped with jack and cheddar cheeses, three eggs, biscuits, and your choice of toast. Plus gravy. The hearty entree rightfully is placed on the list of Nebraska’s ultimate food challenges.

• Bailey’s Breakfast & Lunch, 1259 S. 120th St.

The Diner

UPDATE: The Diner’s original location has closed, but the restaurant has moved to be a part of Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar in the Old Market. Gaby H. recommended this Old Market greasy spoon. Gaby actually recommended a couple, but The Diner is her first choice. 

• The Diner/Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar, 1120 Howard St.

Early Bird Brunch

Early Bird Brunch is a Blackstone District restaurant that has been recommended on several Facebook threads, each usually ending with at minimum two exclamation points. A lot of their food is very Instagrammable, especially their cereal-topped pancakes (Fruity Pebbles or Coco Puffs on a pancake?!).

If you can’t decide, you can always get the pancake flight, where you choose any three from the menu, like blueberry, chocolate chip, and PB&J.

• Early Bird Brunch, 3824 Farnam St., suite 121. Update: Since this post published, Early Bird has locations in Papillion at 7775 Olsen Drive, suite 101, and in Regency, 10730 Pacific St.

Related post: Check out this post for even more great brunch spots in Omaha

FarmHouse Café & Bakery

The menu is extensive at FarmHouse Cafe and it may be difficult to narrow down what you want to order. Melissa F. suggests their cinnamon rolls and County Smoked Ham ‘n Eggs. I’ll one-up her suggestion and say you should go with the pecan rolls. Alternatively, try the Golden Griddle Cakes with blueberries added. If you feel like branching out, there are German potato pancakes that come with applesauce.

FarmHouse Cafe can handle a crowd, so even if there’s a wait, it won’t last long. It’s a popular choice for large groups.

• FarmHouse Café & Bakery, 3461 84th St.

Harold’s Koffee House

Harold’s, a Florence staple, has been around since 1958 and has that perfectly homey feel to it. They have fluffy buttermilk pancakes, but if you want to get crazy, try the berry and granola pancake.

And trust me on this: Add one of their homemade donuts to your order. Totally over-indulgent if you’re already eating a pancake, but trust me on this.

• Harold’s Koffee House, 8327 N. 30th St.

Joe’s Café

Just off the main strip of Maple Street in Benson, you’ll find a little restaurant called Joe’s Café. Valerie L. recommends trying it out. 

• Joe’s Café, 6564 Maple St.

Keystone Café

Don M. recommended Keystone Café. I’ve been there once and it’s a greasy spoon, and it has a loyal following.

• Keystone Café, 7805 Military Ave.

Lisa’s Radial Café

Here’s a place you should probably expect a wait. It’s really good. Jennifer G. recommended Lisa’s, and she shared the stuffed french toast and an omelet (“fastastic!”).

Their Killer Cakes come with add-ins like chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter, or seasonal fruit. My kids will tell you the chocolate chips are the best, I’m old-fashioned and go for plain ol’ pancakes, though. Violet M. suggested a pancake I haven’t tried yet, but she may have convinced me to order it next time: “The butterscotch pancakes are AMAZING!!!”

The decorations at Lisa’s are fun to look at, as well. It’s eclectic with a bit of “I Love Lucy” mixed in with other nostalgic items.

Tip: The last time I went, Lisa’s was still cash-only.

• Lisa’s Radial Café, 817 N. 40th St.

Ever heard of Nitehawkes Cafe? It’s the oldest restaurant in Omaha that serves breakfast. Read about it here!

Louie M.’s Burger Lust

It might not sound like a place for breakfast, but it is. Rebekah P. recommended Louie’s for breakfast.

• Louie M.’s Burger Lust, 1718 Vinton St.

Olsen Bake Shop

Olsen is a hole-in-the-wall kind of bakery, but don’t let that deter you. They have, quite arguably, the best best donuts in Omaha. There is no seating at Olsen Bake Shop, so you’ll be eating these on the go.

• Olsen Bake Shop, 1708 S. 10th St.

Related post: 17 Of The Best Donut Shops In Omaha

Pitch Pizzeria West Omaha

Looking for brunch? Mishl P. said Pitch (the West O. location) has a great brunch. “Fabulous bloody Mary’s and creme brûlée French toast and sausage ragout.”

• Pitch Pizzeria West Omaha, 17808 Burke St.

Saddle Creek Breakfast Club

Expect a wait at this popular, little restaurant! It’s worth the wait, though, to enjoy delicious food in a hip atmosphere. I had seasonal waffles on my first visit and I still think about them.

• Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, 1540 N. Saddle Creek

The Special Restaurant

Melissa N. and Jen S. both recommended a restaurant in Bellevue, Neb., that’s a new one to me. She said try the chicken fried steak or french toast at The Special Restaurant. The Special Restaurant, 303 Fort Crook Rd. N., Bellevue, Neb.

Summer Kitchen Café

Tim T. suggested Summer Kitchen, particularly the potato casseroles.

• Summer Kitchen Café has three locations: 1203 Cornhusker Road, Bellevue, Neb.; 12010 Giles Road, LaVista, Neb.; and 1130 Sterling Ridge Drive.

Taxi’s Grille & Bar

Reader Alisha L. recommended the brunch at Taxi’s. I haven’t dined there for any meal, so I think I’ll make their brunch my first meal there.

• Taxi’s Grille & Bar, 1822 N. 120th St.

Upstream Brewing Co.

Jen S. recommended Upstream Brewery for its brunch buffet, which sadly, in 2017, the location with the wonderful brunch buffet has closed. Still, the downtown location of Upstream Brewery serves a great breakfast, and if you time it right, you can sit outside and watch the Saturday morning farmers market shoppers while sipping your mimosa. 

• Upstream Brewing Co., 514 S. 11th St.

Vidlak’s Brookside Café

Several people recommended Vidlak’s. Emily and Julie S. both recommended Vidlak’s for breakfast, with Julie recommending the cinnamon rolls. If you’re feeling really indulgent, try the bacon stuffed pancakes or the German potato pancakes.

Expect a wait. Randy A. recommended bringing some patience with you: “If you decide on going to Vidlak’s go early or you’ll have a wait time to a table……trust me it’s worth the wait!”

• Vidlak’s Brookside Café, 15668 W. Center Road

Notable Chains

There are several chain restaurants in Omaha that have great service and food. Here are some that were recommended by readers: Le Peep, and one of my favorites, First Watch.

Family-Friendly Omaha Breakfast Spots

Have little ones? I’d have no problem taking my kids to most of the restaurants on this list. However, if you want a more thorough look at which Omaha restaurants are good for families, check out this list of kid-friendly restaurants with a great breakfast! And don’t worry, if you just need coffee in the morning, mama, I’ve got you covered.

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