Finding the perfect place to feed the family, dine out with a food-finicky friend or meet a Tinder date in public without feeling stuck eating something you don’t like with someone you don’t like yet can feel like a tall order. Instead of sacrificing one of the limited number of meals we have on this planet, consider meeting at one of Omaha’s fairly new and option-packed food halls. An upgrade from your mall food court, but with a similar premise, food halls offer several menus from restaurants you’ll love, no
matter what you love.
This month, The Reader has put together a convenient guide to help you navigate the new and exciting food halls available to Omaha diners.
Inner Rail | Midtown
1911 S. 67th St.
innerrailfoodhall.com
The BackStretch
BackStretch serves domestic beer, imported wine and creative cocktails to anyone milling Midtown. Open Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Fridays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
B² Burger
A purist’s delight, B² uses expertly sourced and seasoned local beef and offers diners few opportunities to defile it. With a limited number of sauces and toppings, B² relies on the quality and flavor of their beef and chicken to keep customers coming back for more.
Culprit Café
From 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, enjoy artisan bakery items, coffee, espresso, tea and sandwiches in the spacious dining room or the fresh air patio.
Hola Mexican Eatery
Mexican-inspired meals at Hola include chicken, steak, pork and vegan-style tacos, bowls and burritos. Stop in for chips and salsa before a night out, or settle in for a satisfying meal.
Kathmandu Momo Station
The only place to grab authentic Nepalese and Burmese street food in Omaha, Kathmandu proudly serves hot and savory ramen, Sekuwa and hand-wrapped steamed or fried dumplings.
Maharani Indian Kitchen
Your home for rich Indian cuisine, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy curry, Biryani and kebabs in the action-packed dining room, or grab it to-go for a delicious night at home.
Noli’s Pizzeria
Noli’s has changed the New York-style pizza game in Omaha and has spawned a little sister store to spread the love. With a menu much like the 40th and Farnam location’s, you can enjoy your favorite pizza by-the-slice (a very generous slice, at that) or order a pie the whole family will love.
Nori
Your favorite rolls, nigiri and rice bowls right in the middle of where you already wanted to be! Sushi can be as convenient as it is delicious, and this accessible spot has all you’ll need for date night, a quick bite or a grab-and-go delight.
Rougamo & Boba
Soup, salad and noodles might be the stars on most menus, but they’re the delicious sidekicks to R&B’s extensive milk tea and matcha menu. Enjoy the flavors curated by chef and China native Jing Stallworth.
Sofra Creperie
Airy and expertly crafted crepes wrapped around sweet and savory locally sourced ingredients make Sofra a decidedly grown-up eatery for those who still have a taste for a little fun. Whimsical tutti frutti crepes on the same menu as a savory Lox selection mean you can enjoy a sophisticated brunch right beside your children (or your best friend who still lives on breakfast cereal).
The Switch | Blackstone
3618 Farnam
theswitchblackstone.com
Ansel’s
A bite of the Big Apple without the crowds, Ansel’s serves your pastrami and bagels with a side of Nebraska Nice.
Dirty Birds
Pickle fried chicken, with a twist. You can learn about the team driving Dirty Birds and their recipe for success in our recent article.
El Arepon
Enjoy made-fresh daily Arepas, hot empanadas and ice-cold Chicha from this Venezuelan eatery in Blackstone. Priced right and guaranteed to satisfy, many items on the menu are gluten-free.
MiniBar
“The Biggest Little Bar in Blackstone” is the perfect place to grab a cocktail while you wait for your order from any of The Switch’s other vendors.
Roast
Do you ever wonder how the team at The Switch keeps it all going? The secret is in the beans. Every cook and dishwasher in the building is running on Roast, and you can too!
Dining Room | Highland Accelerator
Highlander Neighborhood at 2112 N. 30th St.
highlanderomaha.com
Big Mama’s Kitchen
Founded by the dearly departed Patricia “Big Mama” Barron in 2007, and taken up by her daughters after her passing, Big Mama’s has been a dining room table away from home for anyone who needs one for more than 14 years. The restaurant offers catering, hosts a general store and serves hot dishes to warm the soul Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Best Burger
To call itself “best,” this spot has worked hard to create specialty burgers you can’t find anywhere else in Omaha. Shop the restaurant’s line of sauces and sides, schedule catering services for your upcoming events, or order a custom burger – right down to the grape jelly or pear pepper jam. Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Dena’s Place
Your end-of-week destination, Dena’s serves Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays from noon to midnight. The spot features exclusive events, excellent drinks and foods catered from the neighboring Big Mama’s Kitchen. The vibe is intentional and leaves you feeling fed, no matter what you ordered.