BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN OMAHA: 2024 EDITION
As I looked at the list of new Omaha restaurants that opened in 2024, a fun theme emerged: young chefs and restauranteurs getting their first shot and making the most of it.
Sure, some of the new restaurants are run by veterans, as the ever-growing Flagship Restaurant group added two new downtown Omaha offerings (and both are fantastic). But for every established restaurateur opening a new spot, there was a couple taking a chance and going all in on a food truck. Or a couple BBQ buddies and longtime industry veterans finally opening their place. Or one of Omaha’s most beloved cooks opening not one, but two great concepts in the Inner Rail Food Hall.
As Omaha’s food scene continues to grow, keep an eye on the young, emerging talent. There’s a lot of it in our city, and they’re stepping forward to make the community even stronger. Without further ado, here are the best new restaurants in Omaha in 2024 (in no particular order).
2023 edition | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
Top 10 New Restaurants in Omaha
Ooh De Lally
Location: 4916 Underwood Ave (Dundee)
Burgers. Mac & cheese. Bread Pudding. Lasagna. All these comfort classics grace the menu at Ooh De Lally… but they’re presented in an elevated manner.
The Mac & Cheese (based off the beloved recipe from the now-closed Mark’s Bistro) nestles spiral cavatappi noodles into a signature 4-cheese blend. The Shortrib Fries top handcut spuds with tender braised short rib and beer cheese. And the Lobster Roll, finished with a splash of nutty brown butter, is as good as you’ll find in the Midwest.
On top of it all, Ooh De Lally partners with Metro CC’s 180 Re-Entry Assistance Program to help formerly incarcerated individuals get jobs, life skills, and training to help them reenter society, so you support a great cause as you delight your tastebuds with upgraded versions of classic dishes.
Clio
Location: 1202 Howard St (Downtown)
You won’t find better Mediterranean food in Omaha than what’s coming out of the kitchen at Clio, the latest brainchild of the Flagship Restaurant Group, and it all starts with the humble pita. From start to finish, each piece of bread takes about 4 days to make before it hits the table. The final product is fantastic; chewy and light, it’s a delight to slather in any of Clio’s 4 signature spreads. But it’s the attention to detail, even on such a seemingly simple dish, that makes Clio special.
You can indulge in braised lamb shank, a chicken schnitzel sandwich, and skewers of juicy chicken, beef, and salmon over fragrant rice. Or order a bunch of small plates, like the Turkish Dumplings or addicting Merguez Sausage Stuffed Dates, to share with the table. The only way you can go wrong at Clio is if you don’t consume multiple pitas.
Lazy Buffalo BBQ
Location: 3924 Farnam St (Blackstone)
Lazy Buffalo BBQ isn’t your typical BBQ restaurant; you can’t order meat by the pound, and brisket is only available as a special. Owners Brady Hess and Evan Keelan are approaching ‘que in a new way, and it makes their Blackstone restaurant memorable.
The meaty, tender ribs are as good as you’ll find in Omaha, and the Gumbo will take your tastebuds right to Louisiana. But it’s the sandwiches where this pair really expresses their creativity. From the pulled-pork stuffed Alan Earl sandwich to the surprisingly delicious Blackstone Bologna, Lazy Buffalo BBQ offers thoughtfully composed combinations of smoked meat and condiments between bread. And be sure to check the deviled egg special of the day.
Memoir
Location: 930 Harney St (Downtown)
With 13 concepts and more than 50 restaurants across the United States, Flagship Restaurant Group has become a powerful brand. And to celebrate 20 years in business, they created a restaurant that lovingly combines their greatest hits: Memoir.
That means the menu includes sushi, burgers and sandwiches, pasta, and other nods to Flagship concepts, all cooked very well and with modern plating and techniques. And speaking of modern, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. It feels like you’re dining on the first floor of a five-star hotel, not a restaurant, and the cocktails and wine list are impressive enough to match the atmosphere.
Boho Supper Club
Location: 1424 S 13th St (Downtown)
Every Thursday evening, one of the most unique dinners in Omaha occurs: the Boho Supper Club. Chef Chris Blazeski creates a new 4-course menu each week inside what’s essentially a residential home turned dining room in the Bohemian Gardens. The restaurant only has about 10 tables gathered around the open kitchen, which very much looks like what you’d find in a normal house.
But Chris’ thoughtfully composed dishes far surpass what you’ll be served in your friend’s dining room. He’s not afraid to bring various cuisines together on one plate, and he does it in ways that make sense and marry both cultures.
Cattle Call
Location: 300 S 16th St (Downtown Omaha)
If all you’re looking for is a drink, Cattle Call is a great option. Between their craft cocktails, draft beers, and wide variety of wine, Cattle Call has a drink for every palate, served in a relaxed, moody atmosphere.
But the food here is excellent, too, as the chefs skillfully combine flavors and techniques from across the globe. Each dish thoughtfully pulls together flavor profiles and cultures in a cohesive way, as exemplified by the Chicken Thigh Roulade. This dish juicy, tender chicken (with a crispy exterior), with a rich smoked gouda mornay and an aloo chop (think of a mashed potato puck deep fried to get a crispy crust). The desserts are excellent here too, and the plates are small, perfect for sharing tapas-style.
Tiny's Pizza Joint
Location: 1911 S 67th St (Aksarben)
Venture inside the Inner Rail Food Hall to find this delightful slice stand slinging some of Omaha’s best NY-style pizza and handmade pasta. Tiny’s Pizza Joint‘s dough (which was developed over the course of months and with tutelage from David Losole of Virtuoso Pizzeria fame) is thin and crispy, but still has nice chew. It’s also highly digestible and the slices aren’t greasy, so they don’t leave you feeling weighed down or gross.
The crust is also finished with a brushing of garlic butter, giving you a crusty, delightful breadstick to finish off each slice. Whether you want a whole pie for your family or need a slice in between meetings at work, Tiny’s is a great addition to Omaha’s pizza scene.
For the Love of Food Cafe
Location: 1103 Galvin Rd S Suite L (Bellevue)
For years, husband/wife team Moises and Jacklyn Salgado built up a loving following serving burritos out of their food truck. But in 2024, they graduated to a brick and mortar in Bellevue, allowing them to expand the menu to include breakfast sandwiches and slices of cake and pie at For the Love of Food Cafe.
The burritos are massive, easily over a pound, but it’s the unique flavor of each that stands out above its heft. The cafe changes its offerings every day, offering burritos (breakfast and traditional) with ingredients like Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Nashville Chicken, and Al Pastor Mexican Pot Roast. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find more caring, friendly people than Moises and Jacklyn, who make you feel like a regular on your first visit.
Dumpling Empire
Location: 5413 S 72nd St (Ralston)
From the moment you enter Dumpling Empire and see the dough being formed, stretched, and filled at the counter in front of you, you know you’re in for a good time. The restaurant specializes in dumplings, buns, and wontons, which can be ordered alone or in a broth. The Tri-Colored Steamed Soup Buns in particular are a delight.
But you’ll also find hand-pulled noodles, fried rice, scallion pancakes, and Chinese dishes to match every appetite at the table. To have a restaurant serving traditional dishes formed right in front of you is truly a treat.
Nocturnal Eats
Location: 5402 S 108th St (Trucks & Taps)
Despite the name, the Nocturnal Eats food truck isn’t only open at night. The trucks is usually serving both lunch and dinner at Trucks & Taps, the food truck depot off 108th and Q. And while it’s constantly experimenting with specials like wings, rangoons, and brunch offerings, the heart of this truck is burgers and sandwiches… and it does them very well.
The burgers are, in my opinion, some of the best you’ll find in Omaha. The patties are massive, juicy, and seasoned very well, and Nocturnal Eats pairs them with interesting ingredients like pulled pork, jalapeno cream cheese, and red pepper aioli. Whether you opt for a food-coma inducing burger, the delightful Philly cheesesteak, or the well-balanced Cubano, there’s no going wrong with a sandwich off this truck.
Sully's GastroBurgers & Fries
In a time when so many restaurants are pivoting to smash burgers, this new food truck went in the opposite direction. Sully’s, rather, offers enormous, juicy patties that are so tender and well-marbled that they eat more like a steak than a burger. Owner Brian Sullivan has a detailed, scientific process that allows him to develop some of the most flavorful hunks of beef you’ll find.
The fries, fried in beef tallow, are crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth creamy in the middle, and Brian’s creativity has him offering new, unique burgers every week. Follow Sully’s on Instagram and Facebook to see where they’ll be next, because you don’t want to miss this truck.
Honorable Mention: Sammy’s Sub Shop; Rise & Shine Elkhorn; Cattle Call; Blue Hawaii; Snowy Sundaes