There’s something special about outdoor dining or sipping a drinking with the warm sun on your face. It’s the magic of a patio. I’m sharing some of my favorite patios in Omaha in this post. I’d love to hear your recommendations, too! I added a few rooftop recommendations too because they’re fun in their own right.
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Downtown Omaha Patios
Restaurants and bars in Downtown Omaha that have great patios, including places in NoDo and the Old Market.
La Buvette Wine & Grocery
511 S. 11th St. (Old Market)
Why: This is quite possibly the most charming Old Market restaurant ever. The look and feel is French bistro, with wine bottles lining the wall and small wooden tables crowding the room and patio.
Definitely make an effort to snag a patio table, then just order a bottle of wine, a meat and cheese tray and watch the world pass by. This patio offers prime people watching views!
Plank Seafood Provisions
1205 Howard St. (Old Market)
Why: Howard Street is prime people watching, and no where is better to sit than at Plank. Order a mixed drink and some fresh seafood and enjoy lingering for an hour or two.
Tip: Happy Hour at Plank is a sweet deal too.
Nicola's Italian Fare
521 S. 13th St. (Old Market)
Why: This small Italian restaurant has a beautiful outdoor seating area that I highly recommend. Imagine fresh food served while seated under strung lights that twinkle. A fence helps make the busy street feel a world away.
Blatt Beer + Table
610 N. 12th St. (NoDo)
Why: The food and drinks on tap are great reasons to go, but if the rooftop seating area is open, you're in for a real treat. From one side of the rooftop, you see Downtown Omaha; on the otherside, you overlook Charles Schwab Stadium. It's hard not to imagine you have epic seats for a College World Series game.
Mr. Toad
1002 Howard St, (Old Market)
Why: Strictly drinks here with primo people watching (I told you, Howard Street is great).
Drink prices are steep but I love the location and the strung-up lights, so every once in a while, I splurge.
* No food service
Tiny House Bar
1411 S. 13th St. (Little Bohemia)
Why: Since the bar is in a tiny house, it's only fitting that the outdoor patio is tiny, too. But it's so worth snagging a table if you can. The cocktails are kicking at Tiny House Bar (plus, they always have fun names).
The drink prices are high, but the quality is also high.
* No food service
Midtown Omaha Patios
Patios to visit in Benson, Blackstone, Aksarben Village and other Midtown Omaha neighborhoods.
Barchen Beer Garden
6209 Maple St. (Benson)
Why; Barchen serves up pub grub with good German beers plus, as the name implies, they have a beer garden. Not just any beer garden, though. It's quite possibly the best beer garden in Omaha.
Nite Owl
3902 Farnam St. (Blackstone District)
Why: I'm a sucker for twinkle lights, so of course I like a place such as Nite Owl. Their small patio has a great view of the hustle of Farnam Street.
For me, Nite Owl is a good place for a beer with friends, but if you're hungry, they do serve up a mean plate of tots.
Sonny's
1905 S. 67th St. (Aksarben Village)
Why: If you want atmosphere, Sonny's has atmosphere. Twinkle lights, Insta-worthy ambiance, and if you time your visit well, there's live music.
Sonn'y is primarily an outdoor bar (actually, it's a vintage Airstream), though there are some finger foods available for purchase.
Inner Rail Food Hall
1911 S. 67th St., Omaha (Aksarben Village)
Why: Literally just steps away from Sonny's is another great patio! Inner Rail Food Hall has a great patio with excellent and large space for groups. There are a few fire pits to sit around, as well as yard games to add to the fun.
Patios In Northeast Omaha
Finicky Frank's
9520 Calhoun Road (Northeast Omaha)
Why: Go here for the food! It's scratch-made and as locally-sourced as you can get (the waitress told us about the guy they get their eggs from).
The patio is tiny, so expect to wait if you want a table outdoors.
Surfside Club
14445 N. River Drive (Northeast Omaha)
Why: I like going to Surfside Club but not for its food (it’s all fried…but the fritters are great). I love dining outdoors and this is one of the few places where you can sit with a view of the Missouri River. And it’s a festive kind of place with fake palm trees and live music.
However, the draw of this place is what’s going on the river. People who go to the Surfside know that it’s pretty common to have boaters attempt to one-up each other entertaining the restaurant crowd. Usually that involves mooning the diners.
West Omaha Patios
Restaurants with outdoor dining and rooftop patios to visit in West Omaha.
Pacific Eating House
1130 Sterling Ridge Drive
Why: Scrumptious food is the big draw to this West Omaha eatery. The fish tacos are amazing.
When the weather's nice, expect a packed patio. Order a mixed drink and don't worry about it.
Corkscrew Wine & Cheese
10924 Prairie Brook Road
Why: Good wine under twinkle lights. What's not to love? The staff is super friendly here and the wine is priced right.
There is a limited food menu, but the food they do have pairs well with the wines.
Trucks & Taps
5402 S. 108th St.
Why; Trucks & Taps more of a food truck hub than a restaurant, and that's what makes it special. This fascinating concept has a bar in the middle of the patio and food trucks parked around the outdoor dining area.
There are three main food trucks set up at this repurposed Sonic, and then there is often a guest food truck serving up new stuff. I've had barbecue, wontons, fish & chips at various time.
Blatt Beer + Table West
2835 S. 170th Plaza
Why: The West Omaha location serves up the same great food as my favorite downtown spot. This one has a patio you can almost bet will be open (well, seasonally).
Pitch Pizzeria West
17808 Burke St.
Why: The West Omaha location of Pitch not the original, but it maintains the stylish look of the Dundee location…and one ups it with an excellent rooftop patio.
I’m always tempted to order a stone-fire pizza there, because they are so good.
Patios near Omaha to keep on your radar
I’m a fan of day trips, and I’ve discovered a few great patios near Omaha that I bet a few of you will love. If you’re looking for a little change of scenery, here are a few suggestions:
- Heron Bay, 21215 NE-50, Springfield, Neb. This bar and grill sits along the Platte River and attracts a wide variety of patrons. It’s a little rough around the edges, but it’s part of the charm. The burgers are extremely satisfying, the beer is domestic, and the live music is always entertaining.
- Cellar 426 Winery, 1402 S. Ninth St., Ashland, Neb. The setting of this Nebraska winery has a lodge feel to it, with an expansive patio overlooking the yard and vineyard. It’s a chill place to hang out with friends and try a flight of wines together.
- Glacial Till Cider House & Tasting Room, 1419 Silver St., Ashland, Neb. I absolutely love the ciders created by Glacial Till, and it’s just extra icing on the cake that they have great food on the menu to go with them. Try a flight on their rooftop patio!
