Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Nebraska

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Nebraska? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dolce

4.9

4.9 (1634)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

West Omaha

About the restaurant

At Dolce, we focus on using locally sourced ingredients to prepare the highest quality foods. We are a small intimate restaurant with great service. Reservations are recommended. Dress code is business casual.

Top review

Bruce

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

This was our first time and we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our dinner!

Boiler Room

4.8

4.8 (1971)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

A converted boiler room in the Bemis Bag building, built in 1896, The Boiler Room is an ingredient driven modern American/French restaurant. Chef Tim Nicholson's menu changes daily to reflect local farm product availability. Now open five days a week for dinner, offering hand crafted cocktails and an extensive domaine driven Old World wine list.

Top review

Nicholas

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Easily one of the top three dining experiences in the Omaha area with an argument to be made for it being the #1. Food, drinks, ambiance, service, flatware, seating, decor; everything comes together for one of the best dining experiences you’ll find anywhere.

Dante

4.8

4.8 (2576)

$31 to $50

Italian

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Italian wine, hyper-seasonal wood-fired Italian cuisine & Neapolitan pizza serving lunch & dinner in Omaha.

Top review

JimVIP

Dined 6 days ago

At any restaurant and for any meal, the waitperson sets the stage for the experience. Our’s was a five star player! She was there, but not annoyingly so. Her discussion of the menu’s choices were thorough and well informed. She set the stage for an enjoyable meal that included great food complemented by outstanding service.

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Experience

A One-Night-Only Celebration of 15 Years of Dante

Experience

Groundhog Day: Unlimited Wine Tasting

DISH Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1061)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

For parties of more than 6 people, please call the restaurant, 402-475-9475.

Contemporary Cocktails. Elevated Cuisine.

DISH is an upscale New American restaurant in the heart of downtown Lincoln. We strive to provide an unmatched dining experience from start to finish. Our dedication to our guests shines through our fresh and diverse dining menu; creative, handcrafted cocktails; and professional and knowledgeable service staff. Join us for luncheons, romantic date nights, celebrations, or even a quick snack on the way to a show. We are here to make every occasion even more memorable.

Top review

GenevieveVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food is INCREDIBLE at this restaurant! So many courageous flavors. Also, Evan is the best server!

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Popular dish

fried chicken yogurt and pickles

Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi

4.8

4.8 (308)

$30 and under

Japanese

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Welcome to KOEN, a unique Japanese BBQ and Sushi experience! Sharing a meal has always been a cultural cornerstone that brings people together from all walks of life. KOEN in Japanese simply means, “A gathering place” where creating lasting memories with family, friends, and loved ones is built right into your table, literally!

KOEN is the only restaurant in Lincoln, NE where you can enjoy authentic Japanese BBQ flavors pre-marinated and brought to you plated and ready to grill to your liking. Every guest becomes a world-class chef with personal smoke-less grills built right into each table. Specially designed ventilation systems pull smoke away and vent completely outside, so you can relax in a clean and healthy atmosphere. And if family style grilling isn’t your goal, come in and relax with an Asian inspired cocktail, partake in daily happy hour specials, or order fresh-made sushi for dine in or carry out. Online ordering is also available.

Top review

Robert

Dined 2 days ago

It was another great experience with the sushi being outstanding and probably the best in Lincoln. The choice of different items for the grill is also very good!

Gather - Omaha

4.8

4.8 (979)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / Old Market

About the restaurant

Gather in Omaha is an epic dining experience. Once inside our historic urban-chic setting, modern eclectic cuisine awaits as our chefs prepare dishes from our year-round hydroponic farm. Guests can enjoy artisan-inspired drinks on our outdoor patios or at our craftsman-style bar, right in the heart of the historic Old Market.

Gather in Omaha is the first and only restaurant in town to offer an on-site hydroponic vertical farm with fresh produce, greens, and herbs, all hand-picked daily by our culinary team.

READ OUR POLICIES BELOW:
*We will only hold your table 10 min beyond your reservation time and your table will be released. All "no-show" reservations and cancellations made within 6 hours of reservation for parties of 6 or less or 12 hours for 6 or more, will be CHARGED $25/person.

Top review

JulianVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We really enjoy Gather. Consistently good food. Great Service. Loved sharing this with out boys on our anniversary.

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Bone Marrow Fried Rice

Lyle's Pizzeria

4.8

4.8 (6)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Midtown

About the restaurant

Lyle's Pizzeria is a locally-owned neighborhood pizzeria & wine bar with a focus on fresh, simple ingredients and a small but mighty wine selection. Serving hand-stretched sourdough pizzas, small plates, craft cocktails & wine.

Top review

Dawsen

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Great spot in Omaha if you’re looking for good pizza and changing things up.

Jams - Midtown

4.6

4.6 (432)

$30 and under

American

West Omaha

About the restaurant

Jams, an Omaha restaurant legacy, is an American Grill that offers a melting pot of different styles and varieties of food dishes containing high-quality ingredients paired with the optional cold drink or creative cocktail.

Top review

Adam

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Get the short rib grilled cheese! It’s just as great as the service you’ll get.

Blue Orchid Thai

4.5

4.5 (208)

$30 and under

Thai

Lincoln

About the restaurant

High-ceilinged establishment with a patio & cocktails serving classic eats & vegetarian options.

Top review

tonyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Nathan and the whole team are excellent. The food is great and the service is prompt

Screamers Family Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (474)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Screamers Family Restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska, offers a delightful dining experience for the whole family. With a unique blend of mouthwatering dishes and engaging live entertainment, this vibrant eatery promises fun for everyone. Enjoy a diverse menu featuring classic comfort food and innovative culinary creations, while talented singers entertain you with their captivating performances. Screamers is more than just a restaurant-it's an entertainment hub where family and friends can gather to create lasting memories. Perfect for celebrations or a casual night out, Screamers Family Restaurant guarantees a memorable dining adventure in the heart of Lincoln.

Top review

John

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Screamers is simply incredible! My wife and I had a "date night" dinner at Screamers last evening. It was our first visit, but it certainly won't be our last. Screamers is a perfect example of how a restaurant can be successful when the owner is fully invested in making it a success. As its owner/entertainer/waiter/"chief cook and bottle washer", Kevin Witcher has given Lincoln a truly unique and enjoyable dining experience. If you haven't already done so, join the fun and give Screamers a try. Be prepared for a great evening!

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