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New Omaha Restaurants To Try In 2022

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. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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.

A dining room at Cafe Postale 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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Interior of the renovated Dundee Dell in 2021.

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.

Website 

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

Exterior of the Inner Rail Food Hall in Omaha

15. Rougamo & Boba

Where: Inner Rail Food Hall, 1911 S. 67th St.

Opened: May 2021 

The food: Boba tea and Chinese puff pastries

Website

16. Saffron Urban Indian Kitchen

Where: 6706 Frances St.

Opened: December 2021

The food: Upscale Indian cuisine with the Bombay Bar next door

Website

17. Smash Omaha

Where: Inner Rail Food Hall, 1911 S. 67th St.

Opened: October 2021

The food: Smash burgers and chicken sandwiches

Website

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.

Website

19. T05 Bollywood Grill

Where: 7515 Pacific St.

Opened: July 2021

The food: Classic Indian cuisine

Website

New restaurants in Northwest & West Omaha (La Vista, Elkhorn)

Here’s an extensive list of locally-owned restaurants that opened in West Omaha.

Take-out from All Good Foods
Photo courtesy Danell Taylor

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

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

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.

Website

27. QS Grill Steak

Where: 16808 Audrey St.

Opened: June 2021

The food: Nicaraguan and Salvadorean cuisine

Website

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.

Website

interior of Sebastian's Southern Crab
Photo courtesy Danell Taylor

29. Sebastian’s Southern Crab

Where: 843 N. 98th St.

Opened: November 2021

The food: Southern and seafood

Website

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.

Website

New breweries and bars in Omaha in 2021

1. Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales

Where: 18039 R Plaza, suite 108

Opened: May 2021

Website

2. Public House

Where: Rockbrook Village, 11008 Prairie Brook Road

Opened: September 2021

Website

3. Kinkaider Brewing Co.

Where: Aksarben Village, 2279 S. 67th St.

Opened: October 2021 (this is Broken Bow brewery’s fourth location in Nebraska)

Website

4. Kros Strain Draft Works

Where: 1229 Millwork Ave.

Opened: August 2021

Website

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

Making dough at Smokin' Oak Wood-Fire Pizza in Omaha
  • 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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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!

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