Omaha has long been an innovative restaurant town. And even with troubles and a pandemic in 2020, chefs and entrepreneurs stepped up and opened some incredibly original restaurants and bars. Here’s the list of Omaha’s newest restaurants.
New restaurants in Omaha to try first
I think I frequented more restaurants in 2020 than in years past, but most were through take-out only. There’s only one on this list I haven’t been to, but I’ve included it because of popular opinion and the fact that their social feed is full of dreamy photos.
The restaurant with food I can’t stop eating
Kinaara
Where: 13816 P St.
Type of cuisine: Indian (Biryani and South Indian)
Why: The moment my husband brought our take-out food from Kinaara into the house, I couldn’t open the boxes fast enough. The smell was divine.
This may be our new favorite for Indian food in Omaha, which is a bold statement since this city has a few gems. You can adjust spice levels to suit your tastes, too, which worked great since my kids were trying the food, too.
Best place to sit outside
Trucks & Taps
Where: 5402 S. 108th St.
Type of cuisine: Variety of food trucks, including barbecue, creative wontons, and English fish & chips
Why: OK, sure, Trucks & Taps more of a food truck hub than a restaurant. While the three staple food trucks there aren’t new in 2020, I’m still counting it. it’s a new concept for Omaha and I love it.
Read about the three main food trucks you’ll find there in this post. There’s a bar, spaced out outdoor seating, and food options for most tastes.
Best new date spot
Pacific Eating House
Where: 1130 Sterling Ridge Drive, Suite 101
Type of cuisine: Pacific northwest cuisine
Why: The owners of Twisted Cork Bistro & Tavern opened Pacific Eating House just down the road. It was the site of one of our rare 2020 date nights (they have a lovely outdoor patio).
It’s a nice date night choice, but not stuffy or uncomfortable. And oh yes, the food is amazing and fresh. I had fish tacos and the flavor combinations were spot on.
Most enchanting atmosphere
Edge of the Universe
Type of cuisine: Coffee house/bar with charcuterie trays and baked goods
Where: 6070 Maple St.
Why: This bar/coffee shop is new in Benson and it’s run by two of the most creative people I know. The unique draw to Edge of the Universe is that there will be rotating themes, so the look and menu will eventually change. Right now, it’s like a fairytale setting and it’s fabulous.
Don’t let the fact that they have some adult drinks deter you from bringing kids there. It’s very kid-friendly (the owners both used to work with me at Omaha Children’s Museum).
Best drinks and late-night food
Fizzy’s Fountain and Liquors
Type of cuisine: Cocktail bar with nostalgic appetizers and entrees like meatloaf and deviled eggs
Where: 1408 S. 13th St. in Little Bohemia
Why: Boozy milkshakes? Yes, please. This retro bar/restaurant is full of nostalgic references, even if you’re too young to know what any of them mean. If an alcoholic milkshake isn’t appetizing, Fizzy’s has other creative mixed drinks there, as well as a full menu.
If it wasn’t clear, this is a 21+ restaurant.
Most Instagrammable new place
Dripped & Draped
Type of cuisine: Coffee shop beverages
Where: 6015 Maple St.
Why: This coffee shop in the heart of the historic Benson neighborhood has its fair share of fans. Dripped & Draped’s creative caffeinated beverages paired with the most vibrant decor in Omaha make this a Instagrammer’s dream photo opp.
I look forward to visiting more restaurants on the list below, so that I can add new favorites to the recommendations!
New Omaha restaurants that opened in 2020
This list includes restaurants in the great Omaha metro, including surrounding cities like Council Bluffs, Elkhorn and Fremont.
- 72 Table & Tap, 5413 S. 72nd St., neighborhood bar and grill
- 402 Eat + Drink, 17305 Davenport St., suite 115, chef-driven eatery * Voted No. 2 New Restaurant in the Omaha Food Lovers Facebook Group! It was only a few votes shy of No. 1.
- Alto Kitchen & Bar, 317 N. Main St., Fremont, Neb., fine dining
- Backlot Pizza + Kitchen, 6200 S. 205th Plaza, Elkhorn, Neb., Detroit-style pizza
- Best Burger, 8319 N. 30th St., fast casual burger joint
- Big Kel’s Pizza & Wings, 40 Arena Way Suite 11, Council Bluffs, Iowa, American bar food
- Big Mama’s Kitchen, 2112 N. 30th St., Accelerator Suite 201, soul food (closed and reopened in a new location)
- Caniglia’s a Mano, 13178 Lincoln Road, Suite 101, authentic Sicilian
- Cheeseburgers – A Takeout Joint, 4007 Farnam St., hip burger joints
- Clean Juice, 1308 Jackson St., Suite 1, organic juice bar
- Coolgreens, 8990 W. Center Road, Suite 170, healthy eating franchise
- Copal, 3623 N. 129th St., modern Mexican
- Dirty Birds inside The Switch Beer & Food Hall, 3618 Farnam St., pickled-fried chicken
- Double Zero Pizzeria, 1405 S. 204th St., Elkhorn, Neb., pizzeria
- Dripped & Draped, 6015 Maple St., coffee shop
- Edge of the Universe, 6070 Maple St., themed coffee shop
- El Arepon Venezuelan Cuisine inside The Switch Beer & Food Hall, 3618 Farnam St., from-scratch Venezuelan
- Fizzy’s Fountain and Liquors, 1408 S. 13th St., cocktail bar and restaurant
- Geraldine’s inside The Switch Beer & Food Hall, 3618 Farnam St., pizzeria
- Greenbelly, 1917 S. 67th St., Suite #110, eco-friendly restaurant
- Highlander Bar & Grill, 2112 N. 30th St., Accelerator Suite 201
- Istanbul Food Court, 3428 S. 42nd St., Mediterranean, Turkish and Chinese cuisine
- Javi’s Tacos, 17676 Welch Plaza, suite 9, authentic Mexican * Voted No. 1 New Restaurant in the Omaha Food Lovers Facebook Group!
- Kinaara, 13816 P St., Biryani and South Indian cuisine
- Lucky Tiger Izakaya, 3852 Farnam St., suite 1, Pan-Asian fusion
- Mouth of the South, 16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Cajun (closed and reopened in new location)
- Naughty Buddha Burger Bar, 707 S. 24th St., vegan
- Nice Rollz, inside Archetype Coffee at 1419 S 13th St., Korean
- Okra African Grill, 1303 S. 72nd St., suite 101, Togolese cuisine
- Pacific Eating House, 1130 Sterling Ridge Drive, Suite 101, Pacific northwestern food
- Penn Station East Coast Subs, 2875 S. 168th St., sub franchise
- Pico, 2112 N. 30th St., Accelerator Suite 201, Mexican street food
- Shahen Afghan Restaurant, 1115 S. 119th St., Afghan cuisine
- Sugar Makery Bittersweet Dessert Bar, 19278 Conifer Lane, Council Bluffs, Iowa, sweet shop
- T180 Cafe, 203 N. 180th St., modern American
- Taps & Trucks, 5402 S. 108th St., outdoor food truck hub
- The Blind Pig, 167 Main St., Springfield, Neb., bar and grill
- The Collins, 1101 Jackson St., upscale American
- The Committee Chophouse, 302 S. 36th St., steakhouse
- The Galley, 4963 Center St., pizzeria
- WD Cravings, 7110 N. 102nd Circle, American patisserie * Voted No. 3 New Restaurant in the Omaha Food Lovers Facebook Group!
Looking for other restaurants in Omaha?
I’ll update this post as new restaurants announce their openings in Omaha. Until then, check out some other posts about Omaha’s food scene:
- 17 awesome places to go for breakfast in Omaha
- Guide to Omaha steakhouses
- Omaha’s oldest restaurants you need to try today
- 37 must-try Omaha restaurants
- 10 bakeries in Omaha to satisfy your sweet tooth
- 15+ quirky restaurants in Omaha
