The Best Bars for Foodies in Omaha

by The OpenTable Team

Updated February 26, 2020

Omaha is a delightfully inviting and compact town that makes for easy sightseeing and exploring. This vibrant Nebraskan city started as mainly farmland and stockyards before developing into the bustling metropolis it is today! Visitors can find many fantastic museums, awesome live music and artistic and eclectic neighborhoods to explore. It is home to billionaire investor Warren Buffet, one of the largest Zoo's in the world, and the charming Old Market Arts and Entertainment District downtown. And it is definitely on the nightlife map these days - people travel from near and far to check out the mix of homey Midwestern watering holes, unique music venues, and swanky clubs. If you're on the hunt for a fun night out, check out our Tastemaker List of the best bars in Omaha.

Dante

4.8

4.8 (2565)

$31 to $50

Italian

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Part of the Farm-to-Fork movement, Dante Ristorante Pizzeria showcases wood-fired Neapolitan pizza bursting with local flavor. Located in West Omaha’s Shops of Legacy district, this restaurant offers the perfect place to kick back and recharge with a full menu of rustic Italian fare and perfectly paired wines. The space is bright and beautiful with lots of natural light and dark wood settings and features a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Plus, there is an outdoor space to dine and drink alfresco when the weather permits!

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

So glad Ron is back. Great service, wonderful food & awesome drinks.

Pitch Pizzeria - Dundee

4.5

4.5 (916)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Midtown

About the restaurant

Pitch, located on Underwood Avenue in the historic Dundee neighborhood, is a bar and restaurant combo popular with locals. The focus here is on traditional pizzas, cooked in a coal-fired oven just like they do in Italy. The menu also features fresh seafood, hand-cut steak, housemade pasta and a delicious burger! The bar is always bright and lively and features an array of in-house concoctions as well as a well-thought-out and impressive wine selection.

Top review

CherylVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

A staple and dining in Omaha. Has phenomenal salads, pizzas, and interesting cocktails in a cool old vibe.

Upstream Brewing Company - Old Market

4.4

4.4 (1463)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

Located on 11th Street in the Old Market neighborhood, Upstream Brewing Company is a popular spot for great food, terrific beer and a casual upscale atmosphere. The restaurant features an extensive menu of new American pub fare, including thin-crust pizzas, hand-cut Omaha Steaks, fresh fish, pasta, salads, hearty sandwiches and more. The bar is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike and stocks fresh, handcrafted beers and over 100 different wines. They also have room for large parties, so get a group together and come here to celebrate!

Top review

JosephVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Glad to visit this old friend! The food was fantastic--fish n' chips, pork schnitzel, and the adult mac n' cheese all terrific. Food came out fast. Cocktails were great. And we just love the old school place.

J. Gilbert’s - Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood - Omaha

4.7

4.7 (3279)

$31 to $50

Steak

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

J. Gilbert’s is an upscale steakhouse and bar with a casual vibe. Located on Capitol Avenue downtown, it’s the place where locals go when in need of a great steak and a perfectly made martini. The menu features prime-aged beef cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill. Choose from the various cuts of steak, fresh seafood (including award-winning crab cakes) and other house-made favorites. The atmosphere includes fireside dining, wood, brick and soft lighting. Their cocktail and wine list are superb and you can always find the perfect thing to pair with your meal.

Top review

ReneeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

First time we visited J Gilbert’s. Food was so good. We ordered off the PreFix menu. The amount of food was great for the value. The ambience was warm and comfortable. Our server was very sweet and attentive. We will be back!!

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hiro 88 West Maple

4.7

4.7 (846)

$30 and under

Sushi

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Hiro 88, located on Maple Street in West Omaha, is a casually elegant place for food and drinks in Omaha. A favorite of neighborhood locals and visiting guests, they serve upscale Pan-Asian cuisine including sushi and Chinese. The interior features unrivaled design by Japanese architect Nakaura-san, and the clean open space is modern and peaceful. Many folks come here to enjoy their amazing selection of Sake, an array of fine wines, cocktails, domestic and Import Beers and Premium Liquors.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Delicious food and great service! Love Sundays for all day happy hour sushi and drink specials.

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Omaha

4.5

4.5 (1888)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

Sullivan’s Steakhouse, located on 15th Street in the heart of Old Market, is a vibrant American Steakhouse and bar featuring fine steaks and cocktails. The dining room has an elegant vibe and the lounge is sleek, cool and inviting. They pride themselves on serving only the finest Midwestern hand-selected steaks, aged a minimum of 28 days and then seasoned and broiled to perfection. It’s a great place to take a date, impress a group of colleagues or celebrate a special occasion. Try specialty items like the Delmonico Steak or the Herb Brick Chicken.

Top review

LexiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We arrived on time for our 5:30 dinner reservation. Taylor greeted us promptly and was an attentive server, checking on us frequently and asking questions. The food was spectacular and ambiance can’t be beat. What a great place to dine!

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Popular dish

Beef Wellington Bites

Popular dish

Bone-In Filet Mignon

Experience

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner

Boiler Room

4.8

4.8 (1970)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

The Boiler Room, located on Jones Street in The Old Market neighborhood, is a converted boiler room in the Bemis Bag Building dating back to 1896. It’s an ingredient-driven modern American/French restaurant with a daily changing menu of rustic European cuisine. The bar is top-notch and presents a cocktail list that is informed by the classics and also updated with modern twists. And they have a wine cellar with over 500 different labels of Old World wine intended to pair perfectly with your food.

Top review

JVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Food is thoughtfully prepared and presented using high quality ingredients. Everyone in our group of four enjoyed their entrees, commenting that the venison and scallop dishes were remarkable. Dessert of vanilla custard tart and housemade cranberry ice cream was a lovely close to the meal. Cocktails were good but not great, if there was any low point to the meal. Overall, a great experience, but I question the value for the price. Can an equal or better experience be had for less? Yes.

Kona Grill - Omaha

3.7

3.7 (1437)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Kona Grill is a local favorite located in the Village Pointe Shopping Center in West Omaha. They have a full menu of global cuisine and they fly in fresh fish every day in order to craft amazing sushi and made-to-order entrees. It’s a lively space to enjoy a refreshing cocktail or two and diners can choose to sit in the bright dining area or out on the shaded patio overlooking the plaza fountain. Standout menu items include Lemongrass crusted snapper, the tuna tower and the firecracker sashimi.

Top review

Carla

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious food and great service. Will definitely be back

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Popular dish

Sushi & Salad

Experience

Sushi Sundays at Kona Grill

Experience

Taste of Kona: 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu

Timber Woodfire Bistro

4.6

4.6 (1628)

$30 and under

American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Timber Wood Fire Bistro specializes in wood-fired cuisine served in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Grab a seat in front of the roaring hearth and peruse the awesome list of offerings from the bar. They make all meals from scratch and executive chef Jared Clarke prides himself on creating the area’s best comfort food dishes! They prepare dishes in a state-of-the-art wood-burning grill or in a brick oven heated by log embers. Locals love the full-service bar and they feature a great whiskey selection to accompany your steak. Try a thick-cut filet, a homemade pizza or one of the delicious grilled vegetable entrees.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 1 day ago

It was a wonderful experience. What a fabulous evening. Will definitely go back.

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Popular dish

Cajun Ribeye

Beacon Hills

4.1

4.1 (806)

$30 and under

American

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Beacon Hills is a cozy American restaurant in Aksarben Village that serves up homemade comfort food with Midwestern hospitality. They make all the dishes from scratch with a focus on fresh and local ingredients. Whether you’re here for brunch, lunch or dinner, you can take advantage of the great bar offerings, too. Break out the mimosas, bloody marys, martinis and fine wines! The interior is warm and cozy, perfect for a leisurely Sunday brunch or a cozy cocktail with dinner.

Top review

Rolley

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Good food, quick service. Pot pie and lasagna were delicious.

Spezia - Steaks, Italian & Seafood

4.8

4.8 (3061)

$31 to $50

Italian

Midtown

About the restaurant

Spezia is the place to go for classic Italian food and great wine in Omaha. It’s a laid-back restaurant with a beautiful interior and sunny patio for diners to enjoy an alfresco meal. Whether you’re on a romantic date, entertaining clients or just out for a charming night on the town, this is a great bar for any occasion. Choose from the wide array of menu items and specialties, like the sage pot roast, Alfredo Primavera, classic meatballs and more.

Top review

Erin

Dined 5 days ago

Can’t go wrong with any dish here! Salmon A La Rosa, Beef Burgundy and Peach Chicken are some favorites.

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Popular dish

Shrimp Scampi Capellini