Best 12 Best Restaurants in Omaha

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.

Serving carnivores seeking tender, thick steaks since 1954, Spencer’s continues its legacy as the Omaha restaurant that made the city’s devotion to all things beef more widely known. Superlative Black Angus chops are sourced solely from small farms in Nebraska that practice ethical animal husbandry. Rib caps and bone-in tomahawks are great for special events, while USDA Prime filets and strips meet the traditional criteria. Pan-fried squash blossoms filled with corn and jalapeño cream cheese are a surprise.

Spencer’s elegant lounge and white-tablecloth dining area, which is set around a glitzy granite bar, exude a subtle upscale air. But if you can get counter seats with a view of the exhibition kitchen, you can watch flames flare off blazing broilers while you eat dinner. The arrival of your ideal medium-rare tenderloin is joyfully signaled by sizzling sounds and charred odors. Even though Spencer’s welcomes casual clothing, their superb service and food make it feel like a night out. Thus, you might be motivated to dress up a little

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 embodies Omaha’s burgeoning modern Latin restaurant revival in a single, lively destination that equally celebrates Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Columbian fare. Their ceviches feature sustainable seafood, such as buttery hamachi and sweet shrimp, and are served with crispy plantain chips and zesty citrus. With ingredients like fried chicken with gooey cheese or oxtail cooked in red wine, empanadas offer a taste adventure. Mula liberally riffs on many cultures, displaying some Asian influence with meals like Korean fried chicken wings with gochujang glaze.

In addition to friendly bartenders serving robust classics like El Presidente cocktails, lively music instantly creates a party vibe. Mula’s chic exposed brick interiors and heated patio are infused with tropical vibrancy through hand-painted embellishments and hanging vegetation. Arrive hungry, order some tapas to try, and then have a feast. The pleasure doesn’t have to finish because Mula continues to serve meals and host celebrations until after midnight.

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.

The upscale urban setting of Stokes Grill & Bar, located inside the stylish Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, contrasts exquisitely with the old architecture of the Blackstone neighborhood. Every element exudes luxury, including mirrored mosaic walls, white marble tables, and chairs with velvet accents. In a similar vein, Stokes’ modern American cuisine combines well-known flavors in incredibly surprising ways. Savor the succulent pan-seared scallops surrounded by popped sorghum and sweet corn veloute. Or try short rib agnolotti that is richly coated in truffle and bone marrow béchamel.

Stokes offers elegant five-star hospitality with immaculately dressed servers and sommeliers, but with a warm, unpretentious vibe. Over sharing platters of burrata and Parisian cocktails, groups burst out laughing. At small, high-top tables, couples clink glasses of Barolo together. For quick, responsibly sourced eats, lone customers engrossed in laptops slide onto comfortable barstools. Stokes embraces and celebrates you for who you are.

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.

Even though Noli is located in a strip mall, their crisped crust Sicilian-style pies make it clear why they are considered one of Omaha’s best pizza restaurants after just one bite. Their heavy slabs don’t go into stomach bomb territory because of the heaping veggie portions. Carnivores who are in the want for some pure, luscious meat sweats, however, should try the Mediterranean Lamb or Chicken Bacon Ranch varieties. In addition to pizza, Noli’s serves loaded pasta meals like lasagna and pesto gnocchi to satisfy your Italian appetites.

Owner Brian creates constantly shifting daily specials depending on whatever seasonal foods inspire him at the market, making the inside feel like a cozy family dining experience. At the small bar in front, his mother Linda and aunt Mary are sitting with regulars, laughing while sipping their handmade grape wine. On weekends, if you want to guarantee a table without having to wait, call in advance and then swing by the next market, which is filled with Italian sundries, to get a bottle of wine or a bag of Noli’s frozen raviolis.

 

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.

Dario’s Brasserie offers a superb dining experience that celebrates excellent French food with impeccable service and a classy atmosphere. However, in keeping with their Cuban heritage, the dishes also use recipes from the Lopez family. Memorable pairings like the grilled pork shoulder with chimichurri and plantain rice are the product of this confluence. At the same time, their SHELLFISH plateau is piled high with jumbo shrimp, king crab legs, and oysters.

As live jazz is played in the elegant dining area with black and white stripes, guests are taken to Havana in the 1920s and Paris in the 1940s. Get a table by the street to see the people walking past, if the weather permits. Dario’s Brasserie is a great place to have lunch because of its prime location for people watching. However, its lively spirit lasts until dinner, when residents stay and laugh heartily while sipping champagne flutes.

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.

The Boiler Room, a cavernous restaurant with both rustic and industrial-chic design elements, breathed new life into Omaha’s 1920s warehouse neighborhood. You might see well-known singers, artists, and writers mingling at the packed bar, making dining here feel like an insider industry party. Everyone gathers in anticipation of the delicious wood-fired pizzas that will emerge from the enormous oven that serves as the focal point of the open kitchen. Pies made by artisans and topped with wild mushrooms, cured meats, and other gourmet ingredients are incredibly satisfying.

The Boiler Room’s craft cocktail program enhances the overall experience, even yet it radiates casual coolness. While you eat from their Italian-inspired small plate menu, sip on an Old Fashioned or seasonal drink special. Serve blistered shishito peppers and salumi boards for family-style enjoyment. After the plates are cleared, dancing frequently breaks out between the bare tables on late evenings.

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.

Considered Omaha’s most sophisticated fine dining establishment, Grey Plume offers mouthwatering tasting menus that highlight Midwestern foods prepared using international methods. The availability of particular dishes is occasionally restricted by their intense commitment to procuring hyperlocal ingredients. However, the thrill created by the seasonality and scarcity makes sumptuous meals seem like one-of-a-kind unique occasions. Grey Plume offers once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences, such as squab breast served with foraged morels in the spring.

Intimate gatherings can retreat into private dining rooms with soaring ceilings and massive floral centerpieces in the renovated old house. Nonetheless, couples or lone diners can also have a comfortable meal at the chef’s counter with a view of the busy open kitchen. The suspense of that first delicious taste is increased as you see the painstaking plating process take place. You may anticipate spending the entire evening indulging in Grey Plume.

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.

Locals call this popular Old Market hangout, where the boisterous regulars sit elbow to elbow at the bar, “M’s.” The party environment shows that M’s Pub has earned its place in the hearts of its patrons after 40 years, even though it may get noisy inside with all the shouting and laughter between friends. M’s Famous burgers, which are created from a secret blend of five unique cow breeds and grilled flawlessly medium rare, are the main attraction, even though you can order sophisticated dishes. M’s Amazing Onion Rings, which are equally renowned for their crunchy beer batter coating and delicious sweet onion flavor, go well with your enormous burger.

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After dinner service concludes upstairs at The Upstairs, stay until late at night when eccentric owner Ms. Sally arrives downstairs. She might jump behind the bar herself to pour drinks or join haphazard gatherings of new acquaintances for more laughs. The classic “place where everybody knows your name” atmosphere is present at M’s Pub.

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’s creatively prepared meals, which combine Japanese, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian culinary inspirations, create a riot of colors and flavors. Their creative sushi rolls combine tropical fruits, creamy sauces, crunchy fried ingredients, and vibrantly fresh raw fish. Your taste is awakened with vibrancy by small plates such as miso-glazed diver scallops served over fried Brussels sprout slaw. Try rice bowls loaded with sticky braised beef short ribs or ginger chicken for larger appetites.

In contrast to the traditional tatami rooms, the sleek, contemporary ambiance features an indoor zen garden and graffiti murals. For completely immersive eating experiences that evoke East Asian culture, groups can reserve these private areas, which are divided by sliding shoji doors. Or choose a seat at the main bar to observe Blue’s modern cocktail infusion technique, which combines house-made syrups and distinctive garnishes. In order to extend the evening, customers are encouraged to order more rounds of edamame because the lively setting keeps spirits high.

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.

Omaha’s most popular brunch destination, 11 Worth Cafe, is housed in a modest brick building that draws people around the block every weekend. With its pillowy softness, their famous French toast with vanilla mascarpone and berry compote on top is well deserving of its legendary position. However, every day, anything from Korean bulgogi hash to shrimp po’ boy Benedicts entices the palate.

On Sundays, get there early to avoid long lines, then eat head-sized biscuits and drink bloody marys with spiked alcohol. When the performers lip-synch between tables while squeezing through the cramped areas during drag brunch, things get very crazy. Simply bring money, positive energy, and an appetite to last the entire day. You’ll depart with a discussion on when your group wishes to reconvene.

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.

The first wood-fired Neapolitan pizza oven in Omaha was brought in from Napoli by husband and wife team Noah and Cara, who were producing delicate, crispy-chewy crusts every minute. Classic Margherita and marinara pizzas, as well as more daring pairings like duck egg and pesto or “shroom with taleggio and truffle honey,” are elevated by that outstanding base. Serve soft fried artichokes or zesty fried arancini rice balls to start your dinner. After that, discuss red or white pie matches from Pitch’s wine list, which is entirely Italian.

Pitch has a gritty underground vibe inside this quaint pizzeria in Blackstone’s historic neighborhood because to its exposed brick walls covered in concert posters. Groups can sit on the sidewalk patio, and dim lighting creates a romantic atmosphere. However, there may be a long wait for an open table due to restricted reservations. In the interim, think about signing up for their speakeasy-style bar upstairs, or simply go up there.

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.

Yoshitomo’s immaculate sushi bar, which features flawless cuts of seafood brought in daily from Japan’s renowned fish markets, is surrounded by just eight prized counter seats. Behind it, Chef David Utterback uses the inspiration from that day’s delivery to expertly lead his team through the nightly omakase meal. It’s like seeing performance art when Yoshitomo’s team alternates dishes in unison with coordinated motions reminiscent of Zen. From fatty tuna belly nigiri to delicately toasted scallops, every bite is a treat.

The headliners are definitely the edible artworks, even though Yoshitomo’s calming gray walls are adorned with realist sketches from ImageDrawings. Enjoy four hours and 20 courses, or choose a shorter experience that gives you more time to linger over sake pairings. Admire the skill in each component, including the sliced radish garnish. Yoshitomo’s philosophy is still perfection through simplicity.

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Conclusion

Omaha’s food scene enthralls with its wide variety of cuisines, skilled chefs, and warm friendliness. World-class cuisine and service suited for the glossiest publications are served in fine dining establishments. However, the city is equally proud of its cherished historic establishments that serve cuisine that have been savored for centuries. Even when you visit a homegrown restaurant for the first time, it feels familiar.

Omaha’s menus now reflect the blending of cultures in the American heartland, with global influences evident throughout. While still honoring local cuisine, these rich customs blend together through fusion. Where else on the same street can you have tender tacos, a substantial steak, and delicate sushi? Omaha gives dining access to a whole world of flavor. To experience the finest that this underappreciated culinary paradise has to offer, simply come hunger and an open mind.