BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN OMAHA: 2023 EDITION (SO FAR)
We’re only partway into 2023, and we’ve already seen some drastic shifts in Omaha’s restaurant scene.
Our city has welcomed two new elite pizza joints, brought in one of Lincoln’s favorite restaurants, added two awesome brunch spots, and opened a reimagined bar/food hall serving some of the best wings and burgers in Omaha. And (as of this writing) it’s just the beginning of June.
Whew.
There are plenty of more great new restaurants on the way, but let’s take a moment to step back and evaluate all the great spaces that have entered the scene. And if you’re looking for a new place to try, these 10 are worthy of your consideration (in no particular order).
Top 10 New Restaurants in Omaha
Semo
Owner Drew Statz, who honed his craft serving as the executive chef at Dante and Monarch Prime, broke off to start his own pasta-centric restaurant early in 2023, and the early returns are phenomenal. Semo has thrilled Omahans flocking to Fremont, and even Food Network star Guy Fieri stopped in for a meal.
The farm-to-table restaurant’s stars are its pastas, which are all made in house. The texture and toothsome quality of the noodles themselves are spot on, and Semo pairs them with compatible sauces, such as a chunky sausage ragu to fit into the spirals of the radiatore, and a rich, hearty bolognese to fold into sheets of flowing pappardelle. Semo’s dedication to making everything in house truly stands out, right down to the bread service. Pastry chef Michelle Statz (Drew’s wife) creates some of the best sourdough and focaccia in the city.
Kamp
Kamp is a foodie’s paradise. This upbeat, next-level food hall ups the ante by offering 3 different concepts, but all under one culinary team. That squad is led by Kristina Lee, the flavor-creating genius behind the wildly-successful pop-up Nice Rollz (which will join Kamp later in 2023).
Inside Kamp you’ll find:
- Single Double: this stand serves one burger, but it’s in the conversation for best in Omaha. With two crusty smash patties, gooey American cheese, caramelized onions, and a tangy, creamy house sauce, it’s a sloppy, beautiful mess of a burger.
- AngelWingz: You’ll be hard-pressed to find bigger wings in Omaha. They’re hand-breaded to add extra crisp, then fried and paired with AngelWingz’ unique sauces, which range from the sweet heat of Not Tso Nice to the wild yet tasty absurdity of Taki Elote to Me.
- Concessions: Imagine a concession stand, only manned by a renowned chef. This stand dishes out amped-up versions of hot dogs, pretzel bites, popcorn, and loaded tater tots. It sounds wild, but trust me, it works.
Lyle's Pizzeria
For all that Lyle’s Pizzeria has going for it, there’s one element that immediately vaulted it into my favorite pizza restaurants in Omaha: the crust.
The interior of the pizza is firm and crisp with absolutely no droopage: you can hold a slice of it up and it remains flat as a 2×4. And the quick date in the oven also produces a bubbly, airy outer crust with charred pockets that add texture and mild bitterness. But what really makes this pizza unique is its sourdough base, giving it a mild tang that plays really well with the other components.
From the simple brilliance of the Pepperoni Pizza to the meat-centric Tre Carne and the unique Potato Pesto, Lyle’s uses fresh, interesting ingredients to make its pizzas pop. But it’s the dough that takes center stage and elevates this small, humble pizzeria to a higher level.
Williamsburg Pizza
If you want an authentic New York slice, it’s hard to do better than Williamsburg Pizza. After all, the renowned restaurant has five locations around the Big Apple.
Fortunately, one of the co-owners is originally from Omaha and wanted to bring his restaurant to his hometown. So in May 2023, Williamsburg Pizza started serving authentic NY slices in Omaha.
From the enormous, foldable Brooklyn Round Style slices to the square, crispy Grandma-style pizzas, Williamsburg brings something completely new and welcome to Omaha. The pizzas are enormous and feature gooey, creamy fresh mozzarella along with local ingredients, such as Certified Piedmontese beef.
Lemon Tree Cafe
Lemon Tree Cafe is an old-school diner serving simple, reocognizable dishes, but with a fun twist. And it’s no surprise when you consider the sisters that opened the joint: Meghan McLarney and Jennifer Maguire combine the whimsy of Gravy Train and classic, proven recipes of Lisa’s Radial Cafe to create a space downtown Ralston has fallen head over heels for.
If you want an extremely well-cooked plate of bacon and eggs or a classic stack of flapjacks, you’ll find those cooked from scratch here. But you can also get Jalapeno Popper Stuffed French Toast or pancakes with bacon, ham, and cheddar cooked inside the fluffy, sweet discs. Whatever you order, you can be assured you’ll have friendly service and a casual atmosphere that transports you back to a cozy 1940s cafe.
Know Good Eats
Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop is, for my money, the best bakery in Omaha. So when owner Katina Talley announced she was starting a concept more focused on savory dishes inside Archetype Coffee, I was all in on Know Good Eats.
The Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich is about as good as it gets, as pepper-y sausage, fluffy eggs, and a gooey blanket of melted cheddar cheese are sandwiched inside a buttery, flaky biscuit. The menu also includes elevated toasts (both sweet and savory) alongside a host of pastries, which change daily. If the Sausage Breakfast Puff—a savory, adult version of a Pop-Tart—makes an appearance, change your day’s plans and get to Archetype.
Mission Ave BBQ
Mission Ave BBQ brings a taste of Texas to Omaha (technically Bellevue, but well worth the drive). Pitmaster Scott Fogle honed his craft working in renowned Austin eateries, and it shows in his smoked meats. His rub is simple—just salt and pepper—which allows the flavor of the meat itself to shine while creating a nice crusty bark on the exterior.
Mission Ave BBQ also offers tacos, but Scott doesn’t just toss protein inside a tortilla. He chars the tortillas on the grill and pairs each meat with thoughtful ingredients. The guacamole and tangy red salsa pairs unbelievably well with the rich, fatty brisket.
Muchachos
A beloved downtown Lincoln restaurant, Muchachos brought its brilliant smoked meats to Omaha when it opened in Little Bohemia in April. The meat alone is BBQ-restaurant quality, and Muchachos allows you to stuff brisket, pork, and chicken into burritos, tacos, and rice bowls or on top of nachos or mac & cheese.
The pro move, however, is to get the Hatch Mac Burrito. A giant 14-in. tortilla is filled to the brim with the meat of your choice (get the brisket) and Muchachos’ signature hatch mac & cheese, which adds a creamy fattiness to balance the savory, salty meat. Salsas and avocado crema add enough moisture to make this one of Omaha’s best burritos.
Clean Slate Food Co.
Clean Slate Food Co. is everything you want in the perfect lunch spot: simple, convenient, clean, and delicious.
Most of the plates coming out of this kitchen are lower in fat and calories, but don’t lack at all for flavor. From breakfast sandwiches to vibrant salads and an excellent pork loin sandwich, this is a great spot to fill up and still remain productive for the rest of the day.
Plus, if you don’t have time to stop in for a meal, Clean Slate has a refrigerated section where you can purchase meals to go and heat them in a few minutes in the microwave. These grab-and-go options vary week by week and reheat remarkably well.
Mexitli Restaurant
Mexitli Food Truck has been serving some of Omaha’s best tacos for years, but owner Alberto Cardenas took the leap and opened a brick and mortar this spring. The additional space at Mexitli Restaurant allows him not only to offer the delicious tacos and tortas he did on the truck, but also expand his menu to offer more delicious Mexican dishes.
This includes excellent birria tacos with a rich, complex consomme, Mexican hot dogs (wrapped in bacon; yeah), and chicken enchiladas that rival any in town. I love food trucks, but having the ability to eat Mexitli’s food in a cozy, friendly space takes it up another level.