20 Awesome Places To Get Breakfast In Omaha According To Locals

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. Since this post was written, a few great ones have opened and so I’ve added to their initial list list.

UPDATE: This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated in August 2026 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. It looks like the quintessential “no-frills, just good food” diner.

• 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 will second the recommendation. I’ve never had a bad breakfast there.

It’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.

Early Bird Brunch

Early Bird Brunch has been a Blackstone District staple for quite a quite (and has expanded), so it’s no wonder that it has been recommended on several Facebook threads. Each of their recommendations usually ended with at minimum two exclamation points.

A lot of Early Bird’s 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; Regency, 10730 Pacific St.; Village Pointe at 17305 Davenport St.; and West Omaha at 17330 West Center Road.

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.

Good Evans

Good Evans started in another city in Nebraska, and in recent years, has opened three locations in the Omaha Metro. The food is pure comfort food and the coffee is great. I highly recommend trying the sweet potato pancakes.

• Good Evans, 1040 S. 74th Plaza; 2643 S. 144th St.; and 3930 N. 203rd St., Ste 102, Elkhorn, Neb.

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. It’s what you’d call a hidden gem.

• Joe’s Café, 6564 Maple St.

JoJo’s Diner

JoJo’s Diner started in the Benson neighborhood and has gained enough popularity to open a second location in West Omaha. The Benson location is the one I’m familiar with, and it’s a fun place to eat. There are brightly-painted murals and a fun staff. They have the usual breakfast items on the menu as well as some pretty unique options like Churro Attack pancakes and Breakfast Ramen.

• JoJo’s Diner, 6118 Military Ave.

Keystone Café

Don M. recommended Keystone Café. I’ve been there once and it’s a good 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. As it should be, because Lisa’s is 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.

Louie M.’s Burger Lust

It might not sound like a place for breakfast, but it is. Rebekah P. recommended Louie’s for breakfast. I can only vouch for Louie M’s as a great spot for lunch, but I have no doubt their breakfast is legit.

The interior design can only be described as chaotic nostalgia. You’ll find lots of old photos of Omaha’s yesteryears.

• 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. And go early for the best selection.

• Olsen Bake Shop, 1708 S. 10th St.

Pitch Pizzeria

Looking for brunch? Mishl P. said Pitch (specifically the West O. location) has a great brunch. “Fabulous bloody Mary’s and creme brûlée French toast and sausage ragout.” I’ve had brunch at the Dundee location, and will attest that the location is just as fabulous.

• Pitch Pizzeria, 17808 Burke St. and 5021 Underwood Ave.

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.

SCBC moved to a slightly larger location, but even with more seating, there still is typically a wait.

• Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, 8734 Pacific St.

Shirley’s Diner

I used to go to Shirley’s Diner back when it was a snug but delightful spot in Millard. It has long since moved into a larger building and has gotten a new look. They kept some of the nostalgic decor but it’s too polished now. It looks less like a locally-owned restaurant and more like it’s part of a chain.

The good news is that the food’s still tasty, and that’s what really matters. Whatever you choose to order, be sure you get some hash browns with it. Trust me.

• Shirley’s Diner, 13838 R Plaza

The Special Restaurant

Melissa N. and Jen S. both recommended The Special Restaurant in Bellevue, Neb. While I’ve heard of it, I’ve never been. It’s a bit of an under-the-radar restaurant in the Greater Omaha Metro. Melissa said try the chicken fried steak or french toast.

• The Special Restaurant, 303 Fort Crook Rd. N., Bellevue, Neb.

Summer Kitchen Café

Tim T. suggested Summer Kitchen, particularly the potato casseroles. I like the Ham Scram and Cinnamon Roll combo. The menu is ginormous, so whatever you’re craving, they’re probably serving it there.

• Summer Kitchen Café, 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. Their Banana Foster Waffle sounds particularly decadent.

• 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 brunch (just no buffet). 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 on the weekend. 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