It started out as a simple enough thought of mine: I wonder what the best new restaurant I’ve tried was. And so I started looking at what new restaurants opened in Omaha in 2021 and I realized just how much there was to choose from. Dozens of restaurants and breweries opened in Omaha in 2021, not to mention all the franchises and chains opening new locations.
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Updated: This post was updated in July 2022 to reflect closures.
I know this is not a complete list, so if you know of any I missed, leave me a comment and let me know!
Looking for other restaurants that recently opened in Omaha? Here’s a list of recommended Omaha restaurants that opened in 2020.
New restaurants in Downtown Omaha (Old Market, Little Italy)
Here’s a list of locally-owned restaurants or small regional chains that opened in downtown Omaha.
1. Café Postale
Where: 950 S. 10th St.
Opened: April 2021
The food: A quick-serve coffee shop with snacks, sandwiches and baked goods.
Tip: This cafe is near both The Durham Museum and Bluebarn Theatre.
2. Catalyst Urban Lounge and Terrace
Where: Inside the Farnam Hotel, 1299 Farnam St.
Opened: May 2021
The food: Cocktail bar with small plates
Tip: They say they have the city’s largest outdoor cocktail bar.
3. The Cumbia Diner
Where: 329 S. 16th St.
Opened: November 2021
The food: South American street food and tapas
Tip: This restaurant is near the Orpheum Theater.
4. Dynamite Woodfire Grill
Where: Inside the Farnam Hotel, 1299 Farnam St.
Opened: May 2021
The food: Wood-fired seafood, steaks and more
Tip: This restaurant is near the Holland Performing Arts Center.
5. Gather
Where: 1108 Howard St.
Opened: September 2021
The food: A western flair to American cuisine
Tip: This is the Omaha location of the popular Jackson Hole restaurant and opened Omaha’s first vertical farm.
6. Lula B’s Breakfast, Brunch and Bar
Where: 902 Dodge St.
Opened: May 2021
The food: Breakfast and brunch foods with a Mexican flair
Tip: This restaurant is near CHI Health Center.
7. Naughty Buddha Chocolate Bar
Where: 703 S. 24th St.
Opened: July 2021
The food: Vegan ice cream and chocolate
Tip: You may already be familiar with their counterpart, Naughty Buddha Burger Bar.
New restaurants in Midtown Omaha (Blackstone, Benson, Dundee)
Here’s an extensive list of locally-owned restaurants that opened in Midtown Omaha. “Midtown” is pretty objective of an area, but for this list, I’m including most places from about 30th Street west to about 90th Street.
8. Dirty Birds
Where: Switch Beer & Food Hall, 3618 Farnam St.
Opened: January 2021
The food: Spicy chicken
Tip: Dirty Birds is doing so well, there are plans to open a second location in the Flatiron Building in downtown Omaha in 2022.
9. Dundee Dell
Where: 5007 Underwood Ave.
Opened: July 2021 (this is a re-opening with renovations and new ownership)
The food: Classic pub food
Tip: The new owners kept the fish & chips from the original Dell on the menu (but changed up the chips).
10. Everett’s
Where: 8807 Maple St.
Opened: September 2021
The food: Sandwiches and hand-cut fries
Tip: They have a service window for late-night munchies while you’re at the Brokedown Palace, a bar next door.
11. Good Lookin’
Where: 4919 Underwood Ave.
Opened: February 2021
The food: Breakfast and brunch specialties that are “elevated Midwestern”
Tip: You can get some pretty healthy (and tasty) breakfast entrees here.
14. Nepali Restaurant + Bar
Where: 5478 N. 90th St.
Opened: August 2021
The food: Nepalese cuisine
Tip: Not sure where to start? Try the steamed dumpling called momo. They’re traditional delicacies from Nepal.
15. Rougamo & Boba
Where: Inner Rail Food Hall, 1911 S. 67th St.
Opened: May 2021
The food: Boba tea and Chinese puff pastries
16. Saffron Urban Indian Kitchen
Where: 6706 Frances St.
Opened: December 2021
The food: Upscale Indian cuisine with the Bombay Bar next door
17. Smash Omaha
Where: Inner Rail Food Hall, 1911 S. 67th St.
Opened: October 2021
The food: Smash burgers and chicken sandwiches
18. Sunnyside on Center
Where: 3528 Center St.
Opened: April 2021
The food: Breakfast food
Tip: Occasionally Sunnyside will have pop-up dinners featuring other restaurants.
19. T05 Bollywood Grill
Where: 7515 Pacific St.
Opened: July 2021
The food: Classic Indian cuisine
New restaurants in Northwest & West Omaha (La Vista, Elkhorn)
Here’s an extensive list of locally-owned restaurants that opened in West Omaha.
20. All Good Food
Where: 2521 S. 132nd St.
Opened: June 2021
The food: Eclectic food from protein bowls to “saucy nugs,” or deep-fried corn nuggets
21. Barrel & Vine
Where: 1311 S. 203rd St.
Opened: September 2021
The food: A restaurant known for its whiskies and wines.
Tip: Barrel & Vine just might be the only restaurant or bar in Nebraska with a rooftop pool.
22. Chicago Dog 42
Where: Oak View Mall food court
Opened: July 2021
The food: Quick-serve hot dog joint
Tip: Chicago Dog works with local bakers and farmers to have more flavorful ingredients.
23. Chippy’s British Market & Bakery
Where: 2718 S. 123rd Court
Opened: April 2021
The food: British food
Tip: Being the only British market in the state, it’s been success. The owner plans opening a restaurant next door this year.
24. The Deviled Egg Co.
Where: 18111 Q St., suite 102
Opened: November 2021 (though they were a catering business since 2017)
The food: Gourmet deviled eggs
Tip: Two different relatives brought a variety of these eggs to Thanksgiving and Christmas! I recommend the Cali Roll and the Sriracha Bacon.
25. KoKo’s Korean Fried Chickin (sic)
Where: 2571 S. 177th Plaza
Opened: The food: Korean fried chicken
Tip: Korean fried chicken is double-fried to create a thin but crispy exterior.
26. Lettuce Express
Where: 14505 W. Maple Road
Opened: July 2021
The food: Signature salads (but they also have wraps and soups).
Tip: This is one of the few restaurants on the list that has a drive-through.
27. QS Grill Steak
Where: 16808 Audrey St.
Opened: June 2021
The food: Nicaraguan and Salvadorean cuisine
28. Rebel Monkey Pizza
Where: 16919 Audrey St., suite 110
Opened: November 2021
The food: Pizzas and pasta
Tip: Download the Rebel Monkey app and your first pizza is free.
29. Sebastian’s Southern Crab
Where: 843 N. 98th St.
Opened: November 2021
The food: Southern and seafood
New restaurants in Bellevue
31. Shug’s Comfort Food
Where: 105 W. Mission Ave., Bellevue
Opened: September 2021
The food: Soul food
Tip: Be on the lookout for social media announcements for Soul Food Sundays.
New breweries and bars in Omaha in 2021
1. Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales
Where: 18039 R Plaza, suite 108
Opened: May 2021
2. Public House
Where: Rockbrook Village, 11008 Prairie Brook Road
Opened: September 2021
3. Kinkaider Brewing Co.
Where: Aksarben Village, 2279 S. 67th St.
Opened: October 2021 (this is Broken Bow brewery’s fourth location in Nebraska)
4. Kros Strain Draft Works
Where: 1229 Millwork Ave.
Opened: August 2021
Local restaurants that added locations in 2021
Quite a few of Omaha’s favorite restaurants — some pretty new! — have opened additional locations. Here are a few that opened a new location in 2022.
- Addy’s Sports Bar & Grilt at 5620 South 144th Street
- Archetype Coffee in Millworks Common at 1229 Millwork Ave., suite 101
- Burrito Envy at 12321 W. Maple Road
- Cheeseburgers – A Takeout Joint at 6610 S. 168th St.
- Corner Kick Sports Bar Tacos & Tequila at 681 N. 132nd St.
- Culprit Café inside Inner Rail Food Hall at
- CupCake Omaha at 1026 Capitol Ave.
- Frank’s Pizzeria at 5413 S. 72nd St., Ralston
- Ika San Ramen in Shadow Lake Towne Center at 7902 Towne Center Parkway, Papillion
- Jaipur at 5018 Underwood Ave.
- Javi’s Tacos at 2559 S. 171st Court
- Mas Chingon in Shadow Lake Towne Center at 7902 Towne Center Parkway, Papillion
- Omaha Bakery at 10503 S. 15th St., Bellevue
- Primo’s Mexican Restaurant at 60th and Center streets
- Ref’s Sports Bar & Grill at 189th and Harrison streets
- VooDooTaco at 2615 S. 180th St.
- Zen Coffee Co. at 132nd and Center streets
Notable franchises and regional chains that have opened in the area in 2021
- Crisp & Green opened at 225 N. 80th St. in December 2021
- Goodly Cookie opened at Village Pointe in June 2021
- Mary’s Mountain Cookies opened their second Omaha location in June 2021 at 180th and Q streets
- PappaRotti opened at 723 N. 114th St. in April 2021
- Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fire Pizza and Pa Mas Taqueria and Grill opened at Midtown Crossing in May 2021
- Tropical Smoothie Café opened at 10215 S. 168th St. in December 2021
- Wahlburgers opened at the Hy-Vee at Shadow Lake Town Center in September, as well as locations at Hy-Vees at 96th & Q streets and Stony Brook
Newest restaurants: 2022 openings
I’ll start previewing these new restaurants below. Stay tuned for a round-up of my favorites later in the year:
- Good Evans, a Kearney-based breakfast and lunch restaurant, open at 74th and Pacific streets in January 2022
- Main Street Cellar opened at 2714 N. Main St., Elkhorn, Neb., in February 2022.
- Godega Market & Coffee Bar opened at 423 S. 11th St. in February 2022.
- The Bull Moose bar opened at 3548 Center St. in February 2022.
- Lumen Beer Co. opened at 1433 S. 13th St. in March 2022.
- Get Real Sandwiches opened at 3901 Farnam St. in March 2022.
- Star Indian Cuisine opened at 2429 S. 132nd St. in March 2022.
- Hurry Bird opened at 3824 Farnam St. in March 2022.
- Capri opened at 17330 West Center Road in March 2022.
- Coneflower Creamery opened a second location at Millworks Commons in March 2022
- Canteen Alley – a miniature food hall inside the mall food court – opened at Oak View Mall, 3001 S. 144th St. in April 2022.
- Jojo’s Diner opened a second location at 13110 Birch Drive in April 2022.
- Crumbl Cookies opened at 168th Street and West Center Road in April 2022 and 156th Street and West Maple Road in June 2022.
- Phyl’s Deli opened at 1006 Howard St. in April 2022
- Good Life Sports Bar & Grill opened a new location at 10520 S. 204th St., Gretna, Neb.
- The Asian Market opened an own in-house food court at 321 N. 76th St. in May 2022
- Sauced by Alfaro opened at 115 N. Washington in Papillion, Neb., in May 2022
- El Muchacho Alegre opened at 6222 N. 72nd St. in May 2022
- Koji opened at 8718 Pacific St. in Countryside Village in May 2022
- Mouth of the South opened its second location at 1111 Harney St. in May 2022
- CTRL Coffee & Cereal Bar opened near 10th and Pacific streets in May 2022
- Poppin’ Smoke Southern Grill opened at 230 South Lincoln St., Papillion, Neb. in June 2022
- Tous Les Jours opened at 75th & Dodge Street
- Julio’s Tex Mex opened at 19102 Q St. in June 2022
- Three Kids Lobster food truck started serving the Omaha area in June 2022
- Bawarchi Indian Cuisine opened at 179043 Pierce Plaza in June 2022
- Reagan’s Lobster Roll Shop opened in the Inner Rail Food Hall at Aksarben Village in June 2022
- Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop opened a second location at Millworks Commons in June 2022
- El Arepon Venezuelan Food has reopened at 1021 West 23rd Ave., Bellevue, Neb. in June 2022 (original location was at The Switch)
- Izzy’s Pizza Bus started serving in Omaha in July 2022
- Noli’s Pizzeria opened a second location at 11832 Standing Stone Drive, Gretna, Neb.
- Red Anchor Seafood opened at Metro Crossing in Council Bluffs in July 2022
- Countryside Cones opened at Countryside Village in July 2022
- Lucy Ethiopian Coffee opened at 421 North Saddle Creek Road in July 2022
- Blend Virtual Food Hall opened at 10710 Q St. in July 2022
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Want to stay at one of my favorite hotels in Omaha? Check out the following:
- Embassy Suites Omaha (Downtown/Old Market) – Within walking distance to Old Market, Capital District, and the RiverFront, and the best hotel near the zoo
- Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel – In the hip Blackstone District, great outdoor pool and brunch
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Lisa Hobday
Monday 10th of January 2022
Crisp & Green near 80th & dodge in pepper wood plz.
Yassmine Kablaoui
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
Papparoti ❤️
Kim
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
Oh my gosh. Yes! I just went there this past weekend. I'll add that. Thanks!