Best Restaurants in Omaha (2025)

Chef David Utterback’s intimate Benson sushi-ya channels top-flight technique—aging, pickling, smoking—into nigiri and small plates that feel singular in the Midwest. Its adjacent Ota omakase draws national buzz, and the restaurant is regularly cited by Eater and James Beard watchers.

A romantic Old Market stalwart since 1977, V. Mertz couples a seasonal tasting menu with one of the city’s most thoughtful wine programs. Recently spotlighted by local media, the kitchen’s Midwestern produce focus keeps longtime fans and first-timers equally engaged.

Set in a dramatic Old Market space, The Boiler Room’s daily-changing menu champions meticulous butchery, house pastas, and a 500‑bottle cellar. Praised by local critics and James Beard–recognized leadership, it’s a polished snapshot of Omaha’s modern culinary ambition.

Chef Nick Strawhecker’s West Omaha fixture marries wood‑fired Neapolitan pizzas with seasonal Italian cooking and an all‑Italian wine list. Long admired by regional writers, Dante’s farm partnerships and weekly menu shifts show how closely it cooks with the seasons.

Benson’s weekly six‑course tasting menu anchors a New European kitchen that’s playful, precise, and rooted in regional farms. Frequently recommended by Eater and local critics, Au Courant balances bar‑seat spontaneity with chef’s‑counter finesse.

This independent legend defines Omaha’s steakhouse soul with its whiskey‑marinated cuts, prime rib, and vintage salad bar. Celebrated in numerous guides, The Drover remains a rite of passage—unfussy service, big flavors, and a true sense of place.

Part wine bar, part grocer, all Old Market institution. Daily French‑leaning specials, house‑baked bread, and bottles pulled right from the shelves define its leisurely rhythm. Long praised by The New York Times and local writers, it’s quintessential Omaha‑meets‑Europe.

Baking since 1919, Orsi’s is Little Italy’s carb‑loving cornerstone. Sicilian‑style pies, garlic bread, and deli staples fly out the door; grab‑and‑go is the move, but the flavors are pure Omaha heritage. Locals and editors alike treat it as sacred.

In Millwork Commons, Dolomiti turns out blistered sourdough pies with Northern Italian sensibility and smart toppings, plus memorable antipasti. Reviewed enthusiastically by respected local critics, it’s a fresh anchor for the city’s newest creative district.

Chef Ashish Sathyan’s Kerala‑influenced kitchen brings layered South Indian flavors—think tandoori seafood, biryani, and weekend regional specials—to a sleek Regency room. Regularly praised by local food writers and Eater, it’s a vibrant counterpoint to steak‑centric expectations.

Downtown’s farm‑to‑street icon riffs on comfort food with chefly gusto—daily specials, local sourcing, and cult sandwiches that draw lunchtime lines. Frequently featured by national and local outlets, it’s the casual stop every Omaha itinerary needs.

Family‑run for over a century in South Omaha’s historic stockyards area, Johnny’s channels ranch‑house nostalgia with prime rib, classic cocktails, and hospitality that keeps regulars returning. Cited by Eater and beloved by locals, it’s pure Omaha tradition.