Best Dining 2021
Nominations and final voting: Based entirely on community participation, Omaha businesses are nominated as the best in their category for about eight weeks at TheReader.com beginning in January and running through the end of February. Tens of thousands of nominations inform the top nominees in each category who will appear on the final ballot. Final voting runs March 5 through April 30. Stringent procedures help insure one-person, one-vote and minimize vote-buying. An independent accounting firm Hancock & Dana, one of Omaha’s oldest, counts final votes to tabulate the awards.
Winners: This list represents what Omaha locals and Reader readers love — businesses that are the best at what they do. With deep thanks to everyone in the community who participated, we congratulate these amazing awardees! (Alprazolam)
Best Bagel Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bagel Bin Inc.
Readers’ Choice: Bruegger’s Bagels, Panera Bread
Readers’ Refer: Ultimate Bagel Inc.
Best Bakery
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pettit’s Pastry
Readers’ Choice: Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, The Omaha Bakery
Readers’ Recommend: Square Donut, Great Harvest Bread Co., Olsen Bake Shop, Uptown Bakery
Readers’ Refer: Wahoo Bakery, *Holly’s Healthy Holes (*closed since voting ended)
Best BBQ Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Porky Butts BBQ
Readers’ Choice: Tired Texan BBQ
Readers’ Recommend: Hartland Bar-B-Que, Jim’s Rib Haven, We’ll Smoke You BBQ
Readers’ Refer: 402 BBQ, Cubby’s BBQ, Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, Papio Pit BBQ
Best Breakfast Joint
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lisa’s Radial Cafe
Readers’ Choice: First Watch, Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, Early Bird Brunch, Summer Kitchen Cafe
Readers’ Recommend: The Sojourn Cafe
Readers’ Refer: Jimmy’s Egg, Homestyle Cafe, Jojo’s Diner, Sunnyside on Center
Best Brewpub
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Upstream Brewing Company
Readers’ Choice: Brickway Brewery & Distillery, Farnam House Brewing Company
Readers’ Recommend: Benson Brewery, Jaipur Brewing Company and Restaurant
Best Brunch Spot
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lisa’s Radial Cafe
Readers’ Choice: Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, Early Bird Brunch, Jimmy’s Egg
Readers’ Recommend: The Sojourn Cafe
Best Buffet
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: HuHot Mongolian Grill
Readers’ Choice: China Buffet, Pizza Ranch, Valentino’s, Ameristar Heritage Buffet
Best Burger Joint
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stella’s Bar & Grill
Readers’ Choice: Dinker’s Bar and Grill, Block 16
Readers’ Recommend: Winchester Bar & Grill
Readers’ Refer: Cheeseburgers, Naughty Buddha Burger Bar, Louie M’s Burger Lust
Best Cafe/Diner
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Culprit Cafe
Readers’ Choice: Lisa’s Radial Cafe, Edge of the Universe, Jimbo’s Diner
Readers’ Recommend: Harold’s Koffee House, The Sojourn Cafe, Jojo’s Diner
Readers’ Refer: Zen Coffee Company
Best Catering Company
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Abraham Catering
Readers’ Choice: Catering Creations, QDOBA Mexican Eats, Oasis The Falafel Joint, Flagship Commons Catering
Readers’ Recommend: Aaron’s Catering
Readers’ Refer: Chef Hattam Catering
Best Chicken Joint
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Alpine Inn
Readers’ Choice: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Dirty Birds – The Switch, Popeyes, Quick Bites Soul Food
Readers’ Recommend: Time Out Chicken
Best Chinese Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Three Happiness Express
Readers’ Choice: Crystal Jade Restaurant
Readers’ Recommend: Five Spice, Ming’s Restaurant, Taste of China, Golden Bowl Chinese Restaurant, Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen, Dragon Cafe, Gold Mountain Restaurant
Readers’ Refer: China Palace Restaurant, Hunan Fusion, Rice Bowl, Hunan Palace
Best Coffeeshop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scooter’s Coffee
Readers’ Choice: Dripped + Draped, Karma Koffee
Readers’ Recommend: Stories Coffee Company, Edge of the Universe, Archetype Coffee – Little Bohemia, Zen Coffee Company
Readers’ Refer: Amateur Coffee, Hardy Coffee Co., Blue Line Coffee, Dundee Double Shot Coffee, Green Beans Coffee Co., Black Sheep Coffee House, Urban Alley
Best Doughnut Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pettit’s Pastry
Readers’ Choice: Hurts Donut Co., Square Donut, Olsen Bake Shop
Readers’ Recommend: LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sunrize Donuts, Bob’s Donuts
Readers’ Refer: The Omaha Bakery, *Holly’s Healthy Holes (*Closed since voting ended)
Best Drive-Thru Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Runza Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Abelardo’s Authentic Mexican Food, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Curry in a Hurry
Readers’ Recommend: Taco Bell
Readers’ Refer: Harrison Beijing Gate
Best Falafel Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob
Readers’ Choice: Oasis Falafel, Sam’s Gyros, El Basha Mediterranean Grill
Readers’ Refer: Shahen Afghan Restaurant
Best Food Truck
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: 402 BBQ
Readers’ Choice: The Churro Truck
Readers’ Recommend: Fauxmaha, Bigdogs Patio Cafe, The Smoothie Truck
Best French Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Le Voltaire French Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Le Bouillon, La Buvette, Dario’s Brasserie
Best Greek Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Greek Islands
Readers’ Choice: Jim & Jennie’s Greek Village
Readers’ Recommend: Feta’s Greek Restaurant, Feta’s Gyros & Catering, Sam’s Gyros
Readers’ Refer: King Kong
Best Gyro Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jim & Jennie’s Greek Village
Readers’ Choice: El Basha Mediterranean Grill, Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob
Readers’ Refer: Greek Islands
Best Ice Cream Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Coneflower Creamery, Ted & Wally’s Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
Readers’ Choice: Zesto Shoppe
Readers’ Recommend: Mixins Rolled Ice Cream, eCreamery Ice Cream & Cookies, Graley’s Creamery, eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato
Readers’ Refer: Dolci Old Market
Best Indian Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Jaipur
Readers’ Choice: The Oven, Flavors Indian Cuisine, Curri Fine Indian Cuisine
Readers’ Recommend: Taj Indochinese Cuisine, Curry in a Hurry
Best Italian Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lo Sole Mio Ristorante
Readers’ Choice: Roma Italian Restaurant, Spezia – Steaks, Italian and Seafood Restaurant, Malara’s Italian Restaurant
Readers’ Recommend: Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire, Mangia Italiana
Best Japanese Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Readers’ Choice: Yoshitomo, Sakura Bana Japanese Restaurant, Dragon Cafe
Readers’ Recommend: Hiro 88, Matsu Sushi
Best Local Food-Serving Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Block 16
Readers’ Choice: Benson Brewery, Fauxmaha, Stirnella
Readers’ Recommend: Modern Love, Boiler Room, J. Coco
Readers’ Refer: Dante Ristorante Pizza, Kitchen Table, Table Grace Cafe
Best Mexican Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: La Mesa Mexican Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Maria’s, Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, Cilantros Mexican Bar & Grill
Readers’ Recommend: Trini’s Mexican Restaurant, Roja Mexican Grill, Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria El Rey
Readers’ Refer: Estilo Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, Tixteco Mexican Restaurant, Howard’s Charro Cafe
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: El Basha Mediterranean Grill
Readers’ Choice: Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine, Chaikhana Bar & Shishkabobs, Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob
Readers’ Recommend: Shahen Afghan Restaurant
Best New Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Switch Beer and Food Hall
Readers’ Choice: Cheeseburgers, Naughty Buddha Burger Bar, Pacific Eating House
Readers’ Refer: Edge of the Universe
Best Nouveau Cuisine Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Modern Love
Readers’ Choice: Edge of the Universe, Boiler Room Restaurant, Le Bouillon, Brushi European American Cuisine
Best Pasta Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Spaghetti Works
Readers’ Choice: Malara’s Italian Restaurant, Pasta Amore Cafe & Bar, Spezia – Steaks, Italian, and Seafood Restaurant, Via Farina
Best Pizza Parlor
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mama’s Pizza
Readers’ Choice: Copps Pizza Company
Readers’ Recommend: Johnny Sortino’s Pizza Parlor, Big Fred’s Pizza Garden & Lounge, Frank’s Pizzeria, Virtuoso Pizzeria by David Losole, Zio’s Pizzeria
Readers’ Refer: Noli’s Pizzeria, The Brick Oven Pizzeria, Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe Italian, PizzaWest, Tasty Pizza, Caniglia’s A Mano, Via Farina, Bernie’s Pizza Parlor, Don Carmelo’s Pizzeria
Best Ramen Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ika Ramen
Readers’ Choice: Yoshi-Ya Ramen, Ika San Ramen, JINYA Ramen Bar
Readers’ Recommend: Lucky Tiger Izakaya & Sushi
Best Restaurant for Romance
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse
Readers’ Choice: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Spezia – Steaks, Italian, and Seafood Restaurant
Readers’ Recommend: J. Coco, La Buvette Wine & Grocery, Johnny’s Cafe
Readers’ Refer: Modern Love
Best Retail Meat Counter
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fareway Meat and Grocery
Readers’ Choice: Just Good Meat, Hy-Vee, Stoysich House of Sausage
Readers’ Refer: B.I.G. Meats
Best Retail Produce Selection
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee
Readers’ Choice: Whole Foods Market, ALDI, Trader Joe’s
Readers’ Refer: Natural Grocers
Best Retail Wine Selection
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee
Readers’ Choice: Spirit World, Wine, Beer, and Spirits, Trader Joe’s
Readers’ Recommend: La Buvette Wine & Grocery
Readers’ Refer: Marks Pantry and Bottle Shop, Whole Foods Market, Vino Mas
Best Sandwich Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Block 16
Readers’ Choice: Jimmy John’s, The Bánh Mì Shop, Ethnic Sandwich Shop, Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill
Readers’ Recommend: Star Deli, Hartland Bar-B-Que
Readers’ Refer: Fauxmaha
Best Seafood Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar
Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill, Plank Seafood Provisions
Readers’ Refer: Lutfi’s Fried Fish
Best Steak House
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Drover
Readers’ Choice: Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse
Readers’ Recommend: Charleston’s Restaurant, Cascio’s Steakhouse, Gorat’s
Best Sushi Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Readers’ Choice: Yoshitomo, Hiro 88
Readers’ Recommend: Ponzu Sushi & Grill, Sakura Bana, Matsu Sushi
Best Sweets Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Old Market Candy Shop
Readers’ Choice: Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, Chocolat Abeille
Readers’ Refer: A Family Affair Caramels
Best Taco Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Maria’s
Readers’ Choice: Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, Voodoo Taco, California Tacos & More
Readers’ Recommend: Taco Co., Roja Mexican Grill, Hook and Lime
Readers’ Refer: Mas Chingon, The Hoppy Taco
Best Take Out
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill
Readers’ Choice: Hartland Bar-B-Que, Salween Thai Restaurant
Readers’ Recommend: Crystal Jade Restaurant, Modern Love, Naughty Buddha Burger Bar, Oasis The Falafel Joint, Nice Rollz
Readers’ Refer: Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen
Best Tapas (Small Portions)
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Readers’ Choice: Hook and Lime, Le Bouillon, Oasis The Falafel Joint
Readers’ Refer: The Grove Juicery & Wellness Cafe
Best Tex-Mex
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Roja Mexican Grill
Readers’ Choice: Maria’s, Cilantros Mexican Bar & Grill, Trini’s Mexican Restaurant, Stokes Grill & Bar
Readers’ Recommend: Hook and Lime
Readers’ Refer: Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Best Thai Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Salween Thai Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Thai Pepper
Readers’ Recommend: Thai Orchids Restaurant, Bangkok Kitchen, Mercy Thai Restaurant, Laos Thai
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Modern Love
Readers’ Choice: Fauxmaha, Okra African Grill, Soular Power Plate
Best Wing Restaurant
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Oscar’s Pizza & Sports Grille
Readers’ Choice: Wingstop, Ray’s Original Buffalo Wings
Readers’ Recommend: Buffalo Wild Wings, The Salty Dog Bar & Grill, Crescent Moon
Readers’ Refer: Modern Love, Nite Owl