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.
- Bella Italia, Cozad
TripAdvisor/Bella Italia
Facebook/Bella Italia 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Block 16, Omaha
Yelp/Brian L.
Facebook/Block 16 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Suwannee Thai Cuisine, Kearney
Facebook/Suwannee Thai Cuisine
Yelp/Kevin F. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse, Omaha
Yelp/Alex L.
Yelp/Alex L. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- The Chocolate Bar, Grand Island
Facebook/The Chocolate Bar
Facebook/The Chocolate Bar 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Danish Baker, Dannebrog
Danish Bakery/Facebook 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Dish, Lincoln
Yelp/Edward Tj G
Facebook/DISH 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! Visit their site for more information here.
- Sin City Grill, Grand Island
Facebook/Sin City Grill
Facebook/Sin City Grill 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- The Drover, Omaha
Yelp/Su I.
Yelp/Jennifer P. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Emporium Coffehouse & Cafe, Scottsbluff
Yelp/Hunter P.
Yelp/Washington I. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- The Flippin’ Sweet, Kearney
Facebook/The Flippin Sweet
Facebook/The Flippin Sweet 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Honest Abe’s Burgers and Freedom, Lincoln
Facebook/Honest Abe’s
Facebook/Honest Abe’s 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Ivanna Cone, Lincoln
Yelp/Ellen P.
Facebook/Ivanna Cone 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.Visit their site for more information here.
- Los Jalapenos, Lexington
Yelp/Ryan M.
Yelp/Louis H. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- The Mixing Bowl, Gering
Facebook/The Mixing Bowl
Facebook/The Mixing Bowl 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Modern Love, Omaha
Facebook/Modern Love
Facebook/Modern Love “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.Visit their site for more information here.
- Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse, Paxton
Yelp/Pat G.
Yelp/Lori P. 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. Visit their site for more information here.
- Runza, Multiple Locations
Facebook/Runza
Facebook/Runza 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. Visit their site for more information here.
What do you think of these selections? Which restaurants would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
TripAdvisor/Bella Italia
Facebook/Bella Italia
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Brian L.
Facebook/Block 16
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/Suwannee Thai Cuisine
Yelp/Kevin F.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Alex L.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/The Chocolate Bar
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Danish Bakery/Facebook
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Edward Tj G
Facebook/DISH
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! Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/Sin City Grill
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Su I.
Yelp/Jennifer P.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Hunter P.
Yelp/Washington I.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/The Flippin Sweet
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/Honest Abe’s
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Ellen P.
Facebook/Ivanna Cone
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.Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Ryan M.
Yelp/Louis H.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/The Mixing Bowl
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/Modern Love
“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.Visit their site for more information here.
Yelp/Pat G.
Yelp/Lori P.
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. Visit their site for more information here.
Facebook/Runza
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. Visit their site for more information here.
The best restaurants in Nebraska serve iconic dishes. If you love our state’s cuisine, then these 12 iconic foods in Nebraska will have your mouth watering.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 114 W 7th St, Cozad, NE 69130, USAAddress: Block 16, 1611 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68106, USAAddress: Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse, 1350 S 119th St, Omaha, NE 68144, USAAddress: 116 W 3rd St, Grand Island, NE 68801, USAAddress: 114 Mill St S, Dannebrog, NE 68831, USAAddress: 1100 E O St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USAAddress: 2121 S 73rd St, Omaha, NE 68124, USAAddress: 401 S Beltline Hwy W, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USAAddress: 3905 2nd Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, USAAddress: 126 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USAAddress: 701 P St #101, Lincoln, NE 68508, USAAddress: 2003 Plum Creek Pkwy, Lexington, NE 68850, USAAddress: 1945 10th St, Gering, NE 69341, USAAddress: Modern Love, 3157 Farnam St Suite 7113, Omaha, NE 68131, USAAddress: Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge, 123 N Oak St, Paxton, NE 69155, USAAddress: 205 Stagecoach Trail, Ogallala, NE 69153, USAAddress: Sin City Grill, 410 W 3rd St, Grand Island, NE 68801, USAAddress: 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.
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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
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.
