Omaha has become an underrated foodie destination in recent years, with talented chefs putting modern twists on classic comfort foods. You’ll find everything from juicy steaks to elevated vegetarian cuisine that bursts with global flavors. Of course, you can still get that hearty Midwestern fare Omaha is known for if you want a tried-and-true taste of the region.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Dario’s Brasserie | French with Cuban influences | Elevated French cuisine with a nod to Cuban roots |
| The Boiler Room | Italian-inspired | Wood-fired pizzas and artisan pies |
| Grey Plume | Fine dining | Tasting menus focused on Midwestern ingredients |
| M’s Pub | American | Famous for burgers and onion rings |
| Blue Sushi Sake Grill | Asian fusion | Innovative sushi rolls and small plates |
| 11 Worth Cafe | Brunch spot | Known for French toast and brunch items |
| Pitch Pizzeria Napoletana | Italian | Wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas |
| Yoshitomo Sushi | Japanese | Omakase menu and sushi |
| Spencer’s For Steaks and Chops | Steakhouse | Prime cuts and steaks |
| Mula | Latin | Mexican, Cuban, and other Latin cuisines |
| Stokes Grill & Bar | American | Contemporary American cuisine in a luxury setting |
| Noli’s Pizzeria | Italian | Sicilian-style pizzas and Italian dishes |
We’ve compiled Omaha’s 12 best restaurants representing diverse cuisines and settings. Splurge on a fancy fine dining experience or grab amazing food at holes-in-the-wall off the beaten path. From Mediterranean small plates to Asian fusion, you’ll sample this city’s culinary diversity across meals ranging from brunch to late-night bites. Don’t leave Omaha without crossing these top restaurant picks off your must-try list!
Dario’s Brasserie
Name and Location: Dario’s Brasserie is located in Dundee neighborhood at 4920 Underwood Ave in Omaha, NE.
History and Significance: Opened in 1999 by chef and owner Dario Schicke, Dario’s modern French-Italian bistro cuisine concept pioneered Omaha’s nationally-acclaimed dining scene with seasonal menus spotlighting high technique. Zagat has named it Omaha’s top restaurant.
What to Expect: Creative takes on beef carpaccio, foie gras torchon and diver scallops showcase quality ingredients and skilled preparation in an intimately-lit urban bistro marked by attentive service and serious food and wine enjoyed by local devotees.
Visitor Information: Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5-10 pm; closed Sunday-Monday. Reservations strongly recommended. Full bar available. Street parking only.
With flawless service and sophisticated ambiance, Dario’s Brasserie provides a premium fine dining experience celebrating elevated French cuisine. Yet the dishes also incorporate Lopez family recipes, nodding to their Cuban roots. This fusion results in memorable marriages like the roasted pork shoulder with plantain rice and chimichurri. Meanwhile, theirSHELLFISH plateau overflows with oysters, king crab legs and jumbo shrimp.
Inside the smart black-and-white striped dining room, guests feel transported to 1920s Havana, then 1940s Paris as live jazz plays. If the weather allows, snag a streetside table to watch the pedestrians strolling by. This people-watching perch makes Dario’s Brasserie a top power lunch spot. Yet its vibrant energy sustains through dinner, when locals linger laughing loudly over flutes of champagne.
The Boiler Room
Name and Location: The Boiler Room is a speakeasy-inspired basement restaurant and cocktail bar located below 11 Worth Cafe at 1110 Howard St in downtown Omaha’s Old Market neighborhood.
History and Significance: Led by general manager and “cocktail guy” Matty Matheson, The Boiler Room has provided an intimate cocktail den experience spotlighting refined mixology since opening in 2009 amid Omaha’s dining renaissance.
What to Expect: Creative, seasonal cocktails utilizing fresh ingredients and housemade bitters, syrups and infusions bring patrons down the alley staircase to this dimly-lit brick-walled sanctuary for handcrafted libations and elevated bar bites. No large groups permitted.
Visitor Information: Wednesday–Saturday 5pm–12:30am. Closed Sunday–Tuesday. Cocktails from $8-15. Small plates $3-18. Limited street parking available otherwise parking garage nearby.
Omaha’s 1920s warehouse district got an infusion of new life with The Boiler Room, a cavernous restaurant featuring both rustic and industrial-chic design details. Dining here feels like an insider industry party where you may spot famous musicians, artists and authors rubbing elbows at the crowded bar. Everyone mingles awaiting mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas emerging from the massive oven anchoring the open kitchen. Artisan pies heaped with cured meats, wild mushrooms and other gourmet toppings satisfy seriously.
While The Boiler Room exudes casual coolness, their craft cocktail program elevates the overall experience. Nurse an Old Fashioned or seasonal drink special as you nibble through their Italian-inspired small plate menu. Share salumi boards and blistered shishito peppers meant for savoring family-style. Late nights often lead to dancing between the bare tables once the plates clear.
Grey Plume
Name and Location: Grey Plume restaurant resides an upscale Midtown Omaha location at 220 S 31st Ave on the ground floor of the chic new SoMa apartment tower.
History and Significance: Lauded chef Clayton Chapman opened Grey Plume in 2013 as Omaha’s first full-service fine dining experience, quickly earning acclaim for sophisticated farm-to-table tasting menus utilizing regional ingredients and technique.Grey Plume holds multiple James Beard Award nominations.
What to Expect: Nightly-changing tasting menus may present dishes like squab with foie gras emulsion or dry aged duck alongside premium wine pairings within the swanky contemporary dining room or patio lounge marked by polished service.
Visitor Information: Dinner Wednesday–Saturday only 5–10 pm. Reservations essential. Valet parking available otherwise public garage behind building. Smart casual dress code enforced.
regarded as Omaha’s most elegant fine dining locale, Grey Plume delivers dazzling tasting menus focused on Midwestern ingredients transformed by global techniques. Their fierce devotion to sourcing hyperlocal provisions sometimes limits certain dishes’ availability. However this seasonality and scarcity adds excitement, making lavish meals feel like singular special events. With dishes like squab breast paired with foraged morels in springtime, Grey Plume provides once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences.
The converted historic home allows intimate parties to withdraw into vaulted-ceiling private dining rooms with enormous floral centerpieces. However solo diners or couples can also comfortably dine at the chef’s counter overlooking the bustling open kitchen. Watching the meticulous plating process unfold heightens the anticipation of that first mouthwatering bite. Expect enjoying Grey Plume to consume your entire evening delightfully.
M’s Pub
Name and Location: M’s Pub is located downtown at 422 S 11th St in Omaha, Nebraska within walking distance from hotels and attractions.
History and Significance: Open since 1973, family-owned M’s Pub serves as a legendary Omaha steakhouse and restaurant institution thanks to their signature cuts, cocktails and clubby atmosphere filled with photos of visiting dignitaries on the walls that attract locals and visitors nightly.
What to Expect: A classic steakhouse experience awaits with sizzling, aged steaks emerging from their Inferno broiler plus menu staples like lobster bisque, wedge salads and indulgent bananas foster while taking in Old Market views from patio seating facing the Tip Top Building.
Visitor Information: Hours 5-10 pm daily; closed Sundays. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available though street parking ample. Separate pub room offers full bar.
When locals refer to “M’s,” they mean this beloved Old Market haunt where the gregarious regulars sit elbow-to-elbow at the bar. While it may get loud inside with all the laughter and shouting between friends, the party atmosphere signifies M’s Pub has earned its place in patrons’ hearts after 40 years. While you can order elevated entrees, everyone really comes for M’s Famous burgers, made from a secret blend of five exotic cattle breeds and cooked beautifully medium rare. Pair your mammoth burger with M’s Amazing Onion Rings, equally legendary for their crispy beer batter coating and savory sweet onion flavor.
Stick around late night when eccentric owner Ms. Sally comes downstairs after dinner service ends upstairs at The Upstairs. She may hop behind the bar herself to pour drinks or join random groups of new friends for another round of laughter. M’s Pub offers that quintessential “place where everybody knows your name” vibe.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Name and Location: Blue Sushi Sake Grill spans two metro Omaha locations including the SoMa outpost at 1004 Howard Street downtown.
History and Significance: Since 2003, Kansas City-based Blue Sushi Sake Grill has expanded as an award-winning sushi chain bringing high quality fish and a hip vibe to the Heartland. Their downtown Omaha locale occupies a trendy converted warehouse alongside local boutiques and lofts.
What to Expect: Creative sushi rolls range from tempura lobster and mango tuna compositions to Midwestern nods like the Courtland blue crab roll alongside specialty cocktails and expansive sake choices ideal for adventurous groups in a modern industrial ambiance.
Visitor Information: Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm. Metro area delivery available. Street parking and public garage located behind restaurant off Farnam Street.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill feats an explosion of colors and flavors through artistically plated dishes combining Japanese, Vietnamese and Hawaiian culinary influences. Their innovative sushi rolls cut vibrantly fresh raw fish with tropical fruits, creamy sauces and crunchy fried components. Small plates like miso glazed diver scallops served atop fried Brussels sprout slaw awaken your palate with brightness. For heartier appetites, try rice bowls heaped with ginger chicken or sticky braised beef short ribs.
The sleek, modern atmosphere includes graffiti murals and an indoor zen garden, contrasting beautifully with the traditional tatami rooms. Groups can reserve these private spaces separated by sliding shoji doors for fully immersive dining occasions mimicking East Asian culture. Or snag seats surrounding the central bar to watch Blue’s contemporary cocktail infusion process, melding specially housemade syrups and unique garnishes. The dynamic setting keeps energy levels high, encouraging diners to order jus tone more round of edamame to prolong the evening.
11 Worth Cafe
Name and Location: 11 Worth Cafe occupies a landmark building at 1110 Howard Street in Omaha’s Old Market district downtown.
History and Significance: Owners and veterans Pat and Jana McKee began serving New American cuisine at this Union Pacific headquarters-turned-restaurant location in 2005. 11 Worth Cafe has since become an anchor destination in Omaha’s beloved Old Market scene.
What to Expect: Locally-sourced plates range from bison burgers and salmon to prosciutto flatbreads and crab cakes best enjoyed on their scenic sidewalk patio. The swanky second-floor lounge pours premium wines and cocktails in a historic setting.
Visitor Information: Lunch Monday–Friday 11am-2pm; Dinner Monday–Sunday 5-9:30pm, with a late-night lounge menu until 11pm on Friday & Saturday. Street parking available otherwise nearby public garage.
Tucked inside a nondescript brick building, 11 Worth Cafe’s humble exterior hides Omaha’s hottest brunch spot, boasting crowds wrapped around the block every weekend. Their signature French toast stuffed with vanilla mascarpone and topped with berry compote certainly deserves its legendary status for its pillowy sweetness. Yet everything from shrimp po’ boy benedicts to Korean bulgogi hash tempt taste buds daily.
Arrive early on Sundays to avoid annoying wait times, then nibble biscuits the size of your head while sipping spiked bloody marys. Things get especially wild during drag brunch when the entertainers snake through the narrow spaces lip syncing between tables. Just bring cash only, good vibes and appetite to fuel your entire day. You’ll leave discussing when your group wants to return next.
Pitch Pizzeria Napoletana
Name and Location: Pitch Pizzeria serves authentic Neapolitan pizza and cuisine across two metro Omaha locations, including 5021 Underwood Avenue in the Dundee neighborhood west of downtown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2010 by Bronx native pizzaiolo Tony Palombino, Pitch has earned acclaim for Detroit, Chicago and New York-style pizzas baked in an imported Italian wood-fired oven using quality ingredients like housemade mozzarella over their signature chewy yet crisp crust.
What to Expect: Perfectly-blistered and -charred 10-12 inch pizzas like classic margheritas or Bucceto with spicy sausage share space on Pitch’s menu alongside antipasti, salads and Italian desserts like Nutella calzones enjoyed with wine or local craft beer.
Visitor Information: Sunday–Thursday 11am–9pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm. Dundee location offers street parking while Midtown locale has private lot. Call-ahead takeout available. Cashless payments preferred.
Husband-wife duo Noah and Cara rolled out Omaha’s first wood-fired Neapolitan pizza oven imported from Napoli, churning out delicate crispy-chewy crusts by the minute. That exceptional foundation uplifts quintessential Margherita and marinara pizzas, plus more ambitious combinations like the duck egg and pesto or ‘shroom with taleggio and truffle honey. Start your meal with zesty fried arancini rice balls or tender fried artichokes. Then debate red or white pie pairings from Pitch’s exclusively all-Italian wine list.
Inside this cozy pizzeria set in Blackstone’s historic district, exposed brick walls covered in concert posters give Pitch a grungy underground ambiance. Dim lighting sets a date night mood, while sidewalk patio seating accommodates groups. But limited reservations mean you may wait awhile for an open table. Consider putting your name down for their upstairs speakeasy-vibe bar in the meantime, or just belly up there instead.
Yoshitomo Sushi
Name and Location: Yoshitomo Sushi is located at 3018 Farnam St in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska within the Passageway gallery and retail complex.
History and Significance: Opened in 2017 by Japanese-born chef David Utterback who trained with legendary Tokyo sushi masters, the tiny 12-seat Yoshitomo has quickly earned praise as one of Omaha’s finest omakase-only sushi experiences spotlighting Edomae techniques.
What to Expect: Behind a tranquil gravel and bamboo garden, Yoshitomo’s minimalist sushi counter unfolds 10-plus seasonal nigiri courses plus appetizers like wagyu beef sashimi and miso black cod delivered directly from Tokyo’s famed fish markets in an intimate chef’s counter experience.
Visitor Information: Intimate omakase seatings offered Wednesday-Saturday from 5-10 pm. Reservations essential due to very limited seating. Valet parking available at Passageway garage.
Only eight coveted counter seats surround Yoshitomo’s pristine sushi bar displaying impeccable cuts of seafood flown in daily from Japan’s famed fish markets. Behind it, Chef David Utterback gracefully guides his squad through the nightly omakase menu, using what that day’s delivery inspired. Watching Yoshitomo’s team uniformly swap out dishes with Zen-like synchronized movements feels like witnessing performance art. Each precise bite delights, from lightly torched scallops to fatty tuna belly nigiri.
While ImageDrawings realist sketches decorate Yoshitomo’s soothing gray walls, the stars are undoubtedly the edible works of art. Settle in for 20 courses and four hours, or opt for an abbreviated experience allowing time to linger over sake pairings. Be sure to admire the mastery in every element, down to the carved radish garnish. Perfection through simplicity remains Yoshitomo’s ethos.
Spencer’s For Steaks and Chops
Name and Location: Spencer’s For Steaks and Chops is situated at 102 S 10th St in downtown Omaha, inside the historic Paxton Hotel building.
History and Significance: Opened in 1983, Spencer’s occupies the former Paxton Hotel’s ornate lobby, serving premium Omaha and Wagyu steaks alongside classic sides in an indulgent, old world-inspired atmosphere marked by polished service. Zagat calls them one of America’s top steak destinations.
What to Expect: Expertly-aged prime beef and indulgent sides like lobster mac headline at this upscale downtown steakhouse institution capping meals with tableside desserts like bananas foster, enjoyed fireside or within the stately main dining room anchored by a stained glass ceiling.
Visitor Information: Dinner Monday-Saturday 5-10 pm. Reservations recommended. Business casual dress code. Validated parking available in Paxton’s garage otherwise street parking nearby. Full bar and weekend piano lounge on-site.
As the Omaha venue that popularized the city’s allegiance to all things beef, Spencer’s upholds its legacy servicing carnivores craving thick, tender steaks since 1954. They exclusively source superlative Black Angus cuts from small Nebraska farms practicing ethical animal husbandry. USDA Prime filets and strips hit the classic standards, while rib caps and bone-in tomahawks go big for special occasions. Beyond expected sides, pan-fried squash blossoms stuffed with corn and jalapeño cream cheese astound.
Understated swanky vibes fill Spencer’s handsome lounge and white-tablecloth dining room, centered by a glamorous granite bar. However, snagging counter seats overlooking the exhibition kitchen provides dinner entertainment watching flames flare off glowing broilers. Charred aromas and sizzling sounds excitedly signal your perfect medium rare tenderloin’s imminent arrival. While Spencer’s accepts casual attire, their exceptional hospitality and cuisine feels like a night out. So you may be inspired to spiff up a bit.
Mula
Name and Location: Mula Restaurant & Lounge is located on the Aksarben Village main street at 1908 Mike Fahey St in Omaha.
History and Significance: Since 2018, Mula has spotlighted Mexican cuisine traditions, Nebraska produce and Omaha’s Latino culture via vibrant shareable plates and drinks as the flagship eatery within Aksarben Village’s bustling mixed-use urban development filled with trendy shops, offices and residences.
What to Expect: Mula’s festive indoor-outdoor atmosphere filled with cactus garden decor and colorful skull art sees baja fish tacos, tequila-based cocktails and other Mexican staples emerge from the exhibition kitchen and bar to enjoy on lively patios.
Visitor Information: Lunch and dinner daily 11am-9pm plus weekend brunch 10am-3pm. Walk-ins welcome but reservations recommended for large groups. Public parking garages and limited street parking nearby.
Mula encompasses Omaha’s blossoming contemporary Latin restaurant renaissance in one vibrant hot spot celebrating Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Columbian cuisine equally. Their ceviches spotlight sustainable seafood like sweet shrimp and buttery hamachi paired with zingy citrus and crispy plantain chips. Empanadas deliver a flavor trip through fillings like oxtail stewed in red wine, or fried chicken with gooey cheese. Mula also shows some Asian influence in dishes like Korean fried chicken wings with gochujang glaze, riffing freely cross-culturally.
Lively music creates an instant party atmosphere enhanced by personable bartenders pouring stiff classics like El Presidente cocktails. Hand-painted details and hanging greenery infuse tropical energy into Mula’s stylish exposed brick interiors and heated patio. Come hungry, order tapas for sampling and settle in for a feast. Mula keeps the food and festivities flowing way past midnight so the fun needn’t end.
Stokes Grill & Bar
Name and Location: Stokes Grill & Bar is situated on the southwest corner of 36th and Farnam Streets at 5002 Underwood Ave in Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood.
History and Significance: Since 2013, James Beard Award semifinalist chef Nick Strawhecker has led the kitchen at Stokes spotlighting Midwestern ingredients through rustic wood-fired cooking techniques within the cozy 1927 brick structure. Stokes occupies a central corner in bustling Dundee filled with boutiques and eateries.
What to Expect: House smoked meats, brick oven Neapolitan pizzas, seafood and pasta all shimmer under flame-kissed edges thanks to their stone hearth oven and grills housed behind the bar. Craft beers, classic cocktails and modestly-priced wines accompany diverse plates ideal for sharing across counter and table seating.
Visitor Information: Lunch and dinner daily 11am-10pm. Casual counter seating available walk-in though reservations advised for dining room. Street parking or nearby public garage off Farnam Street.
Inside the chic Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel resides Stokes Grill & Bar, its swanky urban atmosphere contrasting beautifully with the surrounding Blackstone district’s historic architecture. White marble tables, velvet accented chairs, mirrored mosaic walls — every detail drips luxury. Similarly, Stokes’ contemporary American menu blends familiar flavors in wonderfully unexpected ways. Sink your fork into perfect pan seared scallops hugged by sweet corn veloute and popped sorghum. Or try short rib agnolotti drenched in bone marrow béchamel and truffle that indulgently coats your mouth.
While impeccably attired servers and sommeliers provide polished five-star hospitality, Stokes maintains a welcoming lack of pretension. Groups laugh loudly over Parisian cocktails and shareable plates of burrata. Couples clink glasses of Barolo at intimate high top tables. Solo diners buried in laptops slide onto padded barstools for quick sustainably sourced bites. Whoever you are, Stokes celebrates you in its embrace.
Noli’s Pizzeria
Name and Location: Noli’s Pizzeria occupies a standalone brick building at 687 S 72nd St in the Florence neighborhood of South Omaha.
History and Significance: Opened in 2020 by Omaha-born pizzaiolo Tony Noli, Noli’s Pizzeria pays homage to his family’s Calabrian-Italian roots by slinging acclaimed Naples-style pizza baked at inferno temperatures within their authentic wood-fired brick oven to create textbook leopard spotted Neapolitan pies with an airy crust you can fold.
What to Expect: Beyond margherita and marinara standards, creative signatures like the Truffle Shuffle or Polpetta pair bold flavors with quality char while staples like housemade meatballs, soups, antipasti salads and tiramisu satiate alongside Italian wines or local tap beers in their modern-rustic pizzeria filled with blues music and brick archways.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Sunday 4pm-9pm. Carryout or delivery within limited radius available. Byob permitted. Parking lot and street parking available though fills fast so arrive early. Cash preferred.
Despite Noli’s barebones strip mall location, one bite of their crisped crust Sicilian-style pies immediately impresses why they rank among Omaha’s pizza elite. Heaping vegetable portions prevent their weighty slabs from crossing into gut bomb territory. However carnivores craving pure decadent meat sweats should attack the Chicken Bacon Ranch or Mediterranean Lamb versions. Noli’s also offers overstuffed pasta dishes from lasagna to pesto gnocchi for well-rounded Italian cravings beyond pizza.
Inside feels like an intimate family dining experience, as owner Brian designs ever-changing daily specials based on whatever seasonal ingredients inspire him at the market. His mother Linda and aunt Mary sit laughing with regulars at the small bar upfront drinking their homemade grape wine. If you want to ensure getting a table without waiting on weekends, call ahead then stop to buy a bottle of vino or bag of Noli’s frozen raviolis next door from their accompanying market stocked with Italian sundries.
Conclusion
Omaha’s dining scene captivates through diverse flavors, talented culinary artisans and welcoming hospitality. Fine dining restaurants deliver world-class cuisine and service fit for the glossiest magazines. Yet the city takes equal pride in beloved old institutions serving treasured dishes generations have enjoyed. Homegrown eateries feel familiar even visiting for the first time.
Global influences now permeate Omaha’s menus from end to end, reflecting how cultures blend within America’s heartland. These rich traditions meld through fusion while still celebrating regional fare. Where else can you devour delicate sushi, hearty steak, or tender tacos on the same street? Omaha offers diners an entire world of flavor within its grasp. Just bring hunger and an open mind as you taste the best this undersung culinary destination offers.