20 Restaurants You Have To Visit In Nebraska Before You Die
Choosing a limited number of restaurants for a list like this is an almost impossible task. There is endless great food in Nebraska, whether you’re looking for a greasy spoon diner or a high-end foodie paradise. We narrowed down the thousands of restaurants to these 20 that we think everyone should try. We aren’t talking about your local bar where you get a burger every week out of habit; these are the places you’d drive hours to get to because the food is just that good. Want to track down the best restaurants in Nebraska? You might not be able to get to all of the local landmarks in the Cornhusker State, but these 20 are a great place to start.
Please note that this is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. These restaurants are so different that there’s no way to compare them to one another. But they all have one thing in common: they’re the best of the best, and you’ll want to try them all as soon as you can.
The story behind Bella Italia is almost as good as the food. Italian immigrant Shadi Aboushady was working as a chef in New York when he fell in love, got married, and moved to her hometown of Cozad. There the couple opened Bella Italia, an authentic Roman-style Italian eatery.
This "farm-to-table street food" establishment is one of famed chef Alton Brown's favorite Omaha eateries. He places it in his top five burger places - no small compliment coming from a guy who eats for a living.
This authentic Thai eatery has been going strong since 2010. They adjust the spice level to your individual tastes, so even if you don't like super-spicy foods you can still enjoy the delicious noodles, curry, and a ton of other exotic dishes.
If the idea of eating mouth-watering steaks and drinking exceptional wine in a monastery sounds appealing, Brother Sebastian's should be at the top of your foodie bucket list. Not only is the food exceptional; the monastic theme makes for a very relaxed eating experience.
A cafe and bakery by day, a dessert and cocktails hotspot by night, The Chocolate Bar is a fun addition to Grand Island's dining options. Stop in for breakfast or lunch, or come by in the evening for a decadent slice of something chocolatey paired with a red wine or gourmet coffee.
While this place serves delicious pastries along with breakfast and lunch items, they've developed a cult following for their unbeatable pizza. Pizza is only on the menu on Thursdays, and the wait time is easily over an hour - but it's well worth the wait. A large pizza from the Danish Baker weighs around five pounds, and you're charged by the pizza size, not by the number of toppings. We'll have ALL the toppings, please.
Dish serves comfortable classic meals in a classy atmosphere. It's the perfect place for a first date, special occasion, or just because you don't feel like cooking. Be sure to try the salmon with polenta - amazing!
This Vegas-themed restaurant features burgers with fun names like Phat Elvis, The Lounge Lizard, and One Eyed Jack. This is a slick concept pulled off perfectly; being inside is like walking into a whole other world. A tasty, tasty world with thick milkshakes and amazing fries.
This classic Omaha venue has been dishing up unbelievable whiskey-marinated steaks for decades. The Drover is considered a landmark, and one of the best places in Omaha to get your steak fix.
You might not expect a place called a "coffeehouse & cafe" to serve gourmet fare, but the Emporium does just that. From down-home dishes to modern haute cuisine, this place is a true gem. It was named one of Nebraska's ten best restaurants, a title that is well deserved.
The Flippin' Sweet was named by Midwest Living Magazine as one of the top 27 pizza places in the Midwest, the only Nebraska restaurant to earn a spot on that list. This converted garage serves creative taste combos and delicious craft beers, using local ingredients whenever possible.
Honest Abe's serves creative, fun burgers and fries ("freedom fries," at that) with a playful personality. One of their selections is called the "Greatest Burger Ever," and reviewers say it lives up to its name.
Doesn't the kid in you just light up when you see an ice cream place? Ivanna Cone wants to feed your inner child some of the most delightful homemade ice cream ever. This family owned and operated ice cream shop makes its own waffle cones every day - a fact that's hard to miss when you walk in and are immediately treated to the delicious aroma.
It's hard to find good Mexican food in Nebraska, but Los Jalapenos nails it. Your meal doesn't even come with silverware, in fact - you eat your hands and scoop with fresh tortillas, the way nature intended.
Everything that comes out of the kitchen at The Mixing Bowl has a little bit of love included (no extra charge). This undeniably sweet place serves traditional midwestern German-inspired meals, house-made pastries, and gourmet coffee. Locally-sourced ingredients are used whenever possible. Did we mention the homemade ketchup? Oh, my.
"Swanky vegan comfort food" is Modern Love's motto, and they definitely provide that. Even meat eaters have been known to rave about the 100% animal-product-free meals at this unique restaurant.
Ole's serves up good midwestern food, but what really makes it stand out amongst all of the steakhouses is its unconventional decor. The interior is filled with big game hunting trophies, including the heads of an elephant, a buffalo, and a giraffe. Ole's has been around since 1933 and is something of a regional legend.
We weren't sure about including a chain restaurant on this list, but Runza is a special case. It's a Nebraska staple, and despite it being fast food, it really is a place every Nebraskan should try at least once.
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Address: 114 W 7th St, Cozad, NE 69130, USA
Address: Block 16, 1611 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
Address: Brother Sebastian's Steakhouse, 1350 S 119th St, Omaha, NE 68144, USA
Address: 116 W 3rd St, Grand Island, NE 68801, USA
Address: 114 Mill St S, Dannebrog, NE 68831, USA
Address: 1100 E O St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USA
Address: 2121 S 73rd St, Omaha, NE 68124, USA
Address: 401 S Beltline Hwy W, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USA
Address: 3905 2nd Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USA
Address: 126 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USA
Address: 701 P St #101, Lincoln, NE 68508, USA
Address: 2003 Plum Creek Pkwy, Lexington, NE 68850, USA
Address: 1945 10th St, Gering, NE 69341, USA
Address: Modern Love, 3157 Farnam St Suite 7113, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Address: Ole's Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge, 123 N Oak St, Paxton, NE 69155, USA
Address: 205 Stagecoach Trail, Ogallala, NE 69153, USA
Address: Sin City Grill, 410 W 3rd St, Grand Island, NE 68801, USA
Address: 1420 W 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best restaurants in Nebraska
March 01, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the most popular foods in Nebraska?
Nebraska's most iconic foods are ones you won't find elsewhere. Sure, we're known for our corn and our steaks, but where else can you pick up a bottle of Dorothea Lynch to put on, well, everything? That's what I thought. Other foods that are pretty unique to Nebraska, and to some extent, the Midwest, include raisin pie, Runza, cheese frenchies, and cheeseburger pizza. Some foods that were invented in Nebraska and have made their way across the globe include Reuben sandwiches, butter brickle ice cream, and Kool-Aid.
Do any Nebraska restaurants serve the world's best food?
If you ask around, every Nebraskan has their favorite spots that serve the world's best (insert food here). However, we do have to point out two places that have earned international attention - The Drover and Block 16, both in Omaha. The Drover is famous for their iconic whiskey steaks, which have been the talk of the town since the steakhouse opened in 1969. Block 16 has been the subject of more recent fame - celebrity chef and foodie icon Alton Brown claims that the restaurant serves his favorite burger. Brown has continually raved about the food scene in Omaha, and Nebraskans are happy to see our finest foodie city getting the attention it deserves.
What are the best candy shops in Nebraska?
Serendipity Chocolate in Tekemah is an old-school candy shop that claims to make the world's best caramel, and we might have to agree! It sure hits the spot whenever we visit. Old Market Candy Shop in Omaha will take you back in time to the candy counters of your childhood, and you'll want to try some of their delicious homemade chocolates. Chocolat Abeille is also in Omaha but offers a completely different vibe! If you're looking for unique artisan chocolates, they're your one-stop-shop. The Cordial Cherry is heaven on Earth for anyone who loves chocolate-covered cherries - the whole store is packed with varieties from the classics to some you've never even dreamed were possible.
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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
