Getting tired of eating at home? Put the pots and pans away and spend a night out on the town instead! Omaha offers a thriving restaurant scene filled with a diverse array of spots that cater to different tastes and interests. While the city is best known for its steak, it also features top-rated burger joints, cafes, bakeries, and more! Need some recommendations for your next dinner spot? We’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the top 9 unique restaurants in Omaha now!
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1814 N 144th St | West Omaha | railcaromaha.com
If you’re looking for a classic American dining experience, then you need to try Railcar Modern American Kitchen. Located in West Omaha, Railcar dedicates itself to providing a warm, cozy atmosphere for guests. Whether you come for dinner with friends or for a private event, you can expect delicious food and superior service.
The menu features a wide selection of made-from-scratch comfort food and craft cocktails. Some of our favorite dishes include the Chicken Relleno Pasta and Sriracha Duck Polenta. On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant serves its Chef Specialty, the Roasted Prime Rib. If you happen to stop by then, the dish is definitely worth trying. Bringing the kids? Railcar offers ½ price kids meals on Sundays and Mondays!
“Railcar has an experienced staff that knows how to make the dining experience (even a burger and pizza lunch) a special and memorable one. Food was served hot, ingredients were fresh and a warm greeting was extended by the hostess who also offered to take our picture when we were leaving.” - Yelp Review
5002 S 33rd St | South Omaha | guaca-maya.com
At Guaca Maya, you’ll come hungry and leave energized and ready to party! Guaca Maya serves delicious and authentic Mexican food inside a lively, club-like atmosphere. For over two decades, this locally-owned and operated restaurant has attracted thousands of guests from all over Omaha.
On the menu, you’ll find savory dishes like the Huevos Con Chorizo, Carne Asada A La Tampiquena, and Milanesa Con Papas! Refreshing margaritas, beer, and sodas are also available to enjoy alongside your meal.
Guaca Maya also hosts regular events like karaoke nights and live music nights. During “club time,” Guaca Maya serves savory tacos and burritos. Since it gets pretty busy at the nightclub, we recommend reserving a table before going.
“It's the most fun atmosphere for a meal without going somewhere with actual entertainment. I told my friends it reminded me of the Mexican pavilion in Epcot. The building itself is so neat and then the food!! I have never had a Mexican buffet but wow oh wow was it incredible. Genuinely some of the best Mexican food.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Guaca Maya.
4702 S 27th St | South Omaha | johnnyscafe.com
Since 1922, Johnny’s Cafe has been regarded as one of the best steak houses in Omaha. Over the years, it has been featured in publications like USA Today, Men’s Journal, and Midwest Living. If you love supporting local restaurants, you’ll be happy to learn that Johnny’s Cafe is family-owned and operated.
The restaurant is best known for its hand cut beef dishes, which are all aged on-premise and cooked to order. T-bones, ribeyes, filet mignons, and more savory steak dishes are served alongside a side of the cafe’s signature mushroom sauce. However, you can also find seafood entrees, chicken dinners, and sandwiches.
Do you consider yourself a wine connoisseur? Or someone who is just a big fan of wine? Johnny’s Cafe holds a wine tasting on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Each tasting includes a sampling of five wines as well as hot and cold appetizers.
“Overall, my experience at Johnny's was pretty comforting in my opinion. Usually at steakhouses I feel like I have to dress super fancy, but I felt pretty comfortable and the ambiance was nice. I like how historic this restaurant is and it gives you a glimpse into the history of Omaha.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Johnny’s Cafe.
1508 Harney St | Downtown | wickedrabbit.bar
The Wicked Rabbit is one of Omaha’s best hidden gems. This swanky, vintage cocktail lounge will take you to the infamous speakeasy era of the 1920s. Located inside the Hotel Deco, The Wicked Rabbit offers a small, but cozy bar and lounge area. It’s perfect for nights when you want to grab a drink with friends and just relax.
Only fresh, high-quality ingredients are used for their cocktails, which all cost $13. The selection can feel a little overwhelming, but the bar’s friendly bartenders are more than happy to help you select a drink you’ll love.
“Creative selection of drinks or you can have them make something else that suits your fancy. Staff was welcoming, friendly, and efficient. Pricing is on the higher end but it's a small venue and the drinks are GOOD!” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Wicked Rabbit.
502 S 11th St | Old Market, Downtown | omaha.spagworks.com
Spending the day out in the Old Market? Stop by Old Spaghetti Works for a meal break! This popular Italian restaurant is located inside a restored warehouse. As a result, it offers a fun and unique dining atmosphere for guests. The restaurant’s converted loading dock is a popular dining spot for its close proximity to the street. Another unique feature of the restaurant is its duo of Model-T trucks that double as salad bars.
Traditional Italian meals like Eggplant Parmesan, Lasagna, and Cheese Tortellini can be found on the menu. Feeling hungry for more? You can get refills on their pasta and sauce plates all year round. Enjoy!
“Absolutely love Spaghetti Works! The Endless Pasta Bowl is delicious and there are so many options to try. I always get a bowl to take home. I would say they get pretty busy definitely during dinner rush so call ahead to make sure you can get in but I've never had to wait too long there.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Old Spaghetti Works.
4920 Underwood Ave | Dundee | dariosbrasserie.com
Take a break from Omaha and travel to France by way of Dario’s Brasserie. This chic French restaurant features an appetizing dinner menu along with an extensive beer list. Some of their most popular dishes include the Dry Aged NY Strip & Frites, Smoked Salmon Croque Madame, and Baked Vegetarian Crepe.
The beer list features an extensive selection of options. If you can’t decide on just one, you can order a beer flight instead. Have a sweet tooth? You’ll love Dario’s dessert selection. From the Nutella Banana Crepe to the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, you can’t really go wrong with anything here. They even serve a Beer Float!
“The ambiance and decor perfectly teeters on the line of fancy and casual. Definitely reminded me of some of the cafes I'd dined at in Europe. Bustling and busy, but not too loud. Simple, yet with some elegance.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Dario's Brasserie.
6070 Maple St | Benson | edgeoftheuniversebff.com
Edge of the Universe is probably one of the most unique cafes you’ll ever visit. This charming cafe features a new theme each month. Some past themes include Starry Starry Night, Hawaiian Surf Shack, and End of the Rainbow. Along with a new theme, Edge of the Universe also hosts a new nonprofit to celebrate their contribution to the community.
As for food and drinks, Edge of the Universe offers baked goods, charcuterie boards, and boozy shakes. A themed menu filled with special cocktails and goods is also available. Do you love games? If you come on Tuesday or Wednesday, you can participate in Tuesday Trivia or Wednesday Music Bingo.
“Let me start by saying how adorable this place is. From the nondescript exterior, I would never have expected what I found inside. It is absolutely charming and decorated in a fairy tale style, with lots of gold, pastels, flowers, chandeliers and the like. Their menu is simple and typical of what you would find in a cozy little cafe such as this.” - Yelp Review
3157 Farnam St, Suite 7113 | Midtown Crossing | modernloveomaha.com
Vegan food doesn’t have to be tasteless or boring. Modern Love quickly proves that with its enticing selection of hearty vegan meals. Their appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees are all vegan. But to be honest, you probably won’t be able to tell much of a difference between their dishes and classic comfort food containing meat and dairy.
Modern Love also offers an extensive dessert menu filled with cheesecake, brownies, ice cream, and even boozy milkshakes! You can expect a good time at this fun vegan restaurant.
“The strawberry rhubarb dessert with a scoop of ice-cream was something I would order if I was on death row and had one last dessert to ever eat. TO SAY IT WAS AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The ambiance and decor is perfect and our server was fantastic. Always attentive and answered all questions/was very knowledgeable on all the food on the menu.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Modern Love.
3229 Harney St | Midtown | spielbound.org
Do you like playing board games? Then you should visit Spielbound Game Cafe! Spielbound Game Cafe features over 3,000 games in its library. In order to play, you can sign up for a membership or pay for a $5 day pass. Once you pick out a game, you can visit its small cafe, which offers coffee, beer, wine, and snacks. Before you know it, you’ll have spent the whole day here!
“Spielbound has been a go-to location for me ever since I moved to Omaha 3 years ago. In addition to having unique and delicious drinks, their selection of board games is never-ending. It is the perfect casual spot for a hangout with friends, and there is sure to be a game to fit everyone's interests.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Spielbound Board Game Cafe.
Omaha is home to a variety of fun and unique restaurants. There’s always an interesting new spot to try here! How do you plan to change it up for your next night out? Let us know in the comment section below! We love hearing all about your foodie adventures.
