Best New Restaurants in Omaha
2021 Edition
After nearly a year of to-go boxes and takeout meals, diners were allowed to returned to dining in restaurants in 2021. And when they did, they found a slew of great new options available to them.
Even amongst a global pandemic and major ensuing staffing issues, Omaha’s restaurant scene continued to grow and thrive in 2021. New restaurants popped up all over the city, from high-end steakhouses to breakfast hubs to pop-ups offering ethnic cuisine not found anywhere else in the city.
Here are, in one man’s opinion, the best new Omaha restaurants to hit the scene in 2021.
Little Ve's
A vegan joint occupying the top spot? You better believe it. Much as I love meat and dairy, they’re not required to make incredibly flavorful, crave-able food, as Little Ve’s proves.
What began the year as a pop-up, Little Ve’s popularity swelled as vegans and carnivores alike wolfed down this vegan Latin food at The Switch Beer & Food Hall. Owner Rene Guzman’s takes on tacos, burritos, and tortas became so beloved that Little Ve’s took up permanent residence in the Blackstone food hub in December 2021.
First things first: you won’t miss the meat. Little Ve’s asada legitimately looks, feels, and (most importantly) tastes like steak. The hunks of jackfruit in the Birria Tacos immediately bring to mind pulled pork, and the mock chorizo in the Flautas is spiced so well that you couldn’t tell the difference between this and pork in a blind taste test. Guzman has become a master of seasoning, and his dishes pull out flavors I simply haven’t found at any other restaurant.
The large-as-an-infant burrito is a crowd pleaser, but my personal recommendation is to get the torta. This grilled sandwich pairs that brilliant, brain-warping mock asada with crispy bread guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, and jalapeños to form one of Omaha’s best sandwiches.
Sunnyside on Center
If you’re looking for a breakfast that’s full of flavor but won’t put you out of commission for several hours, Sunnyside on Center is the perfect choice. The signature burritos are large enough to tackle your hunger without inducing a productivity-killing food coma, and they’re a perfect to-go option if you need to eat on the run.
Sunnyside’s burritos wrap crispy home fries, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and a protein of your choice (I recommend the delightful bacon) into a warm, griddled tortilla blanket. What makes these burritos truly unique is a vibrant, slightly spicy green chili sauce.
The breakfast sandwiches, crafted with buttery English muffins, are a hit too, and Sunnyside’s clever specials are always worth monitoring. Every few weeks the friendly joint will roll out a Breakfast Philly, a Pork Bulgogi Burrito, or the Infamous Center Street Sinkhole, a dish so loaded with breakfast staples you can’t see the plate underneath it.
No trip to Sunnyside is complete with a Hash Brown. This crispy rectangle is greasy, salty, and fatty in all the way hash brown patties should be. Your diet can start tomorrow. Enjoy this delight today.
Everett's
Tucked away in a strip off 90th and Maple with limited signage, you’d likely never notice or think to stop by Everett’s if you were just driving by. Thankfully, the excellent food has created all kinds of word-of-mouth advertising to help hungry Omahans find this hidden gem.
The menu is simple and relatively small, but every dish is composed and executed with thought and purpose. The highlight are the House Brined Wings, large, meaty portions that Everett’s will finish on the grill after frying. This produces excellent texture and grilled flavor while keeping the chicken meat moist. All four sauces are good, but the standout is the sticky Peanut Sauce.
The Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken Sandwiches can all be ordered with a barbecue, Mexican, or Asian twist. The Brussels Sprouts, deep fried, tossed in a honey glaze, and finished with a lime crema, are a delight. And the crispy Hand Cut Fries can stand up to almost any in Omaha.
If you’re feeling indulgent, cap off the meal with Jill’s Famous Brownie and Ice Cream, a gooey, fudge-y ode to chocolate that pairs perfectly with the boulder of vanilla ice cream placed atop it.
Good Lookin'
Good Lookin’ is the rare brunch spot that can offer something for all diners. Typically, restaurants that try to please everyone end up with watered-down versions of what each group wants; Good Lookin’ is an exception.
For those who want a classic greasy spoon breakfast, there’s the indulgent Chicken Fried Steak (bolstered by a hearty O’tillie chorizo gravy), Double Standard (eggs any style, bacon or sausage, pancakes or toast, and potatoes), and extra sweet Old Fashioned Donut.
Those seeking a unique twist on breakfast classics can opt for the hefty Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Toast, or Eggs Benedict, highlighted by cold smoked salmon and aji hollandaise.
And diners closely monitoring their calorie counts can savor the Vegan Hash or Good Lookin’ Bowl, lighter options that still pack plenty of flavor.
Whichever camp you fall into, don’t pass on an order of Crispy Potatoes. These hunks of starch are boiled, squished, and deep fried to ensure that they achieve maximum crispy texture. Slather them in the house bacon jam and you’ll be in breakfast Heaven.
Kalye
If you asked Omahans what Filipino cuisine is, I’m willing to bet most would struggle to give you an answer. And yet, Kalye’s stint in The Switch proved Omaha has a taste for the food of the Philippines, as Kalye sold out nearly every day.
While still searching for a permanent home, there’s no doubt this pop-up is doing something unique and interesting. The Lumpia steal the show, as these deep-fried wrappers stuffed with pork, carrots, onion, and celery are flakier, lighter, and better than egg rolls. The Adobo Wings are massive and, thanks to a glaze of garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar, feature an excellent sweet/heat combo.
Kalye’s skewers are also excellent. Both the pork (wonderful caramelization) and chicken (tender and juicy) meat are great on their own, but they’re amped up by Kalye’s garlic rice. The rice adds a nutty, buttery flavor to complement the sweetness the caramelization meat offers.
As a new pop-up, Kalye is still working to establish its rhythms and timing of events. I’d recommend following it on Instagram, because the next time it surfaces, you don’t want to miss it.
Gather in Omaha
Upon its arrival this summer, Gather in Omaha quickly became well-known for its unique urban vertical farm, a basement space diners can visit where the restaurant sustainably grows microgreens and herbs year-round in a protected environment. But this new restaurant also deserves recognition for its inviting atmosphere, creative drinks, and creative menu.
With an open kitchen concept that allows you to see your food being prepared, two unique patio environments, and a spacious dining room, Gather is just a fun place to hang out. Throw in some housemade cocktails and you already have an intriguing concept.
But the food can stand on its own at Gather, as the menu is an assortment of creative, chef-driven dishes inspired by food all over the world. Among the wide-ranging dishes are pork buns, Mediterranean burrata cheese, burgers, bison strip loin, and Korean-marinated wagyu.
Among the best dishes is the hearty Elk Bolognese. Al dente strands of pappardelle adhere to the tomato-based sauce and mixture of elk, bison, and wagyu meat, giving the dish a rich, smoky essence.
After your meal, head downstairs and check out the hanging gardens. It only takes a minute or so, and it’s cool to be able to see where some of your food is grown and understand why your plates taste so fresh and clean.
Honorable Mention: Icniuhtli; Cafe Postale; Chicago Dog 42; Deviled Egg Co.