FIG.

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★⭑

Riverfront cafe with pastries, freshly baked bread, and plates

Perfect For: Baked Goods/Desserts; Casual Dining; Takeout

Standout Dishes: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese; Hummus Bowl; Fried Artichokes

There’s a lot to love about the new Riverfront development in downtown Omaha. From the scientific curiosities at the Kiewit Luminarium to the sand volleyball courts, family-friendly playgrounds, and gorgeous views of the Missouri River, there are a lot of reasons to visit.

But even if none of this existed, a trip to this area of town would be well worth it because of Fig.

Located on the southeast end of the Luminarium, Fig. is a cozy cafe worth visiting for the views and vibes alone. The patio offers stunning views of the sprawling river in a modern space. And because much of Fig.’s exterior is glass, the dining room is constantly splashed with rays of warm sunlight. It’s a great space to work remotely, recuperate from a trip through the museum, or rest while the kids play on the nearby jungle gym.

But great as the atmosphere is, it’s the food that makes Fig. special. As a sister restaurant to Lola’s, the beloved Dundee bakery/cafe, Fig. has many of the same breads and pastries that make Lola’s so revered. But while Lola’s menu mostly on sandwiches and salads, Fig.’s menu extends to more complex breakfast and lunch dishes, such as quiche, burgers, salmon, and steak.

The highlight of the menu is one of Omaha’s best breakfast sandwiches, the Bacon, Egg & Cheese. The eggs are scrambled to perfection, achieving a soft, fluffy texture and a buttery creaminess, and the sharp cheddar cheese melts right into them. The bacon is delicious as it is crispy, but it’s the pain de mie bun that steals the show.

This soft, pillowy bread is somewhat similar to brioche, with a delicate sweetness, velvety crumb, and buttery sheen. Lightly slathered with mayo, it’s the perfect choice for this rich, messy-but-worth-it sandwich.

This sandwich is a great example of the through line of Fig.’s menu: simple, honest food with fresh ingredients. If anything, the menu descriptions sell many of its offerings short; the descriptions aren’t all that exciting, but the flavors burst off the plates.

That’s certainly true of the Hummus Bowl, which starts with a base of nutty, creamy hummus. Pickled beets, cubed sweet potatoes, roasted chicken, cabbage, and crispy quinoa give the bowl a variety of flavors and textures that make each bite interesting and unique. There are no corners cut at Fig., as each element adds something integral to the dish: the sweetness of the potatoes, crispiness of the cabbage, savory notes from the chicken. Everything tastes fresh and has a purpose.

And when you mix it all up and smear it on a slice of Lola’s tangy sourdough, it goes up another level.

Another commonality of Fig.’s menu is how good you feel after eating each dish. There are few items that weigh you down; most are relatively healthy and fill you up while allowing you to be active and explore all that’s around you on the Riverfront.

That’s certainly true of the Salmon Toast, which is essentially Fig.’s version of bagels & lox, but replacing the bagel with a slice of toasted sourdough. The salmon in the tastes so fresh it could’ve been swimming yesterday, and its salt, along with the pops of salinity from the fried capers, balance out the creamy tartness of the cream cheese and acid of pickled onions.

Even the Fried Artichokes don’t feel greasy or heavy. Sure, they’re battered and fried, but the creamy, almost buttery centers offer a mild sweet flavor to contrast the salty batter.

The pastry case, filled with goodies both sweet and savory from Lola’s, is less health-conscious, but life is all about balance, right? And when you peek into this case and its ever-rotating roster of rolls, breads, cookies, and cake slices, I defy you to leave without trying one.

The Chocolate Knot is among the best, combining a doughy, sweet brioche with ribs of decadent chocolate running through it. And the seasonal Gluten Free Pumpkin Cake with Maple is fall in a pastry; perfectly crumbly and with plenty of cinnamon, the maple adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Fig. can be enjoyed in two ways. It’s preferred to sit on the patio or inside the restaurant to slow down and enjoy your delicious meal, and you can access the dining room without going in the Luminarium. But if you’re in the museum and need a drink, pastry, or sandwich on the go, there’s a counter and several coolers connected to the Luminarium that allow you to quickly get what you need and keep moving.

I hope you choose the former, however. Because while Fig. is a great option if you’re in the area, I would drive from across town to eat this food. This cafe takes simple dishes with few ingredients and employs incredible cooking skills and top-of-the-line ingredients to make them memorable.

The name “Fig.” is in reference to the scientific shorthand for “Figure”, paying homage to the mind-opening displays at the Luminarium. But the only thing you need to figure out upon eating this food is when you can visit again.