Restaurants You Should Try in Lincoln, Nebraska

Taking inspiration from the delicate green cakes found in the cooking journals of artist Claude Monet, The Green Gateau is a Lincoln farm-to-table favorite. Serving up a fascinating insight into contemporary American cuisine, exemplary dishes include coconut shrimp lollipops and truffle fries, presented in European-inspired surrounds. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and fills up whatever the time of day, so booking is essential.

If you like the idea of calamari with your clubbing you’ve come to the right place. This laid-back dining institution overlooks the Wilderness Ridge Golf Course – a championship course that’s hosted some prestigious events. Jumping off the menu here are burgers every which way, a juicy turkey club wrap, and all-day sirloin steak. After 5 pm, pasta dishes and plenty more steaks join the menu. Expect fresh produce from neighbouring farms and fresh seafood from Seattle.

The official main attraction here is the energy efficient building that accommodates FireWorks Restaurant, an environmental pioneer of a place with its own rain garden containing native plants, shrubs and trees. The restaurant sends out delicious dishes thanks to a rotisserie, pizza oven and grill, all wood-fired, in keeping with the natural setting. The 21 day-aged prime cut steak is one of the menu standouts. The unofficial attraction? The decor in the dining area – an elegant essay in wood and stone, with cosy booths to relax into.

Toast has carved out a stellar reputation thanks to fine light dinner options and decor that’s big on reclaimed material. Behind the bar sits an impressive antique cabinet from 1898 whilst the windows, door trims and baseboards employ timber reclaimed from a 1920s school. Locals’ menu favorites include traditional biscuits in gravy and sugar-glazed meatloaf.

For more than 30 years, Dish has stood on a corner of downtown Lincoln, finessing modern American cooking for a whole host of repeat guests who return for more. A relaxed place where banter flows and traffic moves beyond the big windows, the high ceilings lend Dish an elegant ambiance. The decor consists of a dangling plant or two and original wall art, whilst the likes of pork belly and beef-strip loin dominate the menu. Smoked-salmon benedict for Sunday brunch (the only day they do it) is a winner.

One of Lincoln’s top Indian restaurants, The Oven East is a popular spot for those craving the rich flavors of the northern subcontinent. The action here revolves around the traditional tandoor clay oven, in which yogurt-coated chicken, prawns and lamb are left to cook to tangy succulence. Breads, meanwhile, are slapped onto the sides of the oven until they’re brown and pillowy. The wine list is excellent, with 13 champagnes alone (not including the magnum offerings). All in all, The Oven East is a slick spot for a convivial dinner with friends or family.

The pleasures of brewpub drinking in Lincoln began in 1991, when Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill opened in the historic Haymarket District. The first drinking establishment of its kind in Nebraska, Lazlo’s serves up handcrafted ales from its on-site Empyrean Brewing Company. Regulars know that the food is delicious too, with favorites including barramundi with garlic lemon butter and ribeye steak, both cooked on a woodfire grill. Sit back and order from one of their cozy booths, or, if the weather is right, take a seat outdoors.

Cuisine and cocktails is the tagline for JTK, an upscale dining favorite in the Haymarket. Highlights include American Kobe beef, a Nebraskan version of Japan’s famed steak, which is a big hit locally. Another favorite is the White Russian, a rich dessert of vodka, Tia Maria and ice cream. Expect classics such as ribs and pulled pork, ideal with a whisky from their impressive list featuring options from places as diverse as Wales and Japan.

Havelock district’s original 19th century fire station is the setting for the Engine House Café. This explains the striking original features, including wooden ceilings and memorabilia from retired and active firemen. The menu also harks back to the old fire team with such dishes as the Engine House Burger, flame-broiled with lettuce, tomato and onion. If you’re looking for somewhere easy to start your day, Engine House Café also has an excellent, hearty breakfast menu.

LeadBelly cooks up a contemporary twist on American cuisine that’s innovative yet familiar. Their salads and appetizers are nothing to shy away from, but we suggest you let your gaze slide down their list of eponymous burgers and classics. Take your tastebuds around the United States with the All American, California Dreamin and Key West burgers – or melt into the Queso Awesome on their Smokehouse Mac n Cheese before indulging in the Irish Stout Pie made with Jameson caramel sauce, Guinness custard, and a cocoa crust with an Irish whipped cream.

Hacienda Real serves up what might just be the best Mexican food in Lincoln. Authentic cuisine from south of the border brings savory, spicy and saucy flavors to Nebraska’s capital. The salty shrimp and crab on the Cancun Platter transport your taste buds to the playas of the Yucatan. The Guadalajara Special smothers steak with chilies and adds a deep-fried chicken burrito to help you absorb one of their mighty margaritas. If you’re simply in the mood for chips and queso or guac with a darn good burger, they’ve got American and Mexican styles sizzling gently on the grill.

It’s not native to Lincoln, but Blue Sushi Sake Grill is one of the best Japanese spots in the city. Munching on a starter of charred edamame is a great way to chew over the other delights on their menu. A plate of mango crab rangoon – cheesy, garlicky stuffed wontons – is a no-brainer and no one will have a problem vacuuming up the odd order of shishito peppers. The real conundrum comes when deciding between the cherry bomb nigiri, madai chimichurri sashimi, and shiitake to me maki rolls. Save time and brain cells and order all three.

Let’s talk steak and scotch. Cornbread and chops. Seconds and thirds. An evening at Single Barrel is a grand, gluttonous affair. Hearty appetizers include crab cakes and a roasted shrimp cocktail, best followed by juicy sirloins, smoked brisket and pan-roasted salmon. The standard steakhouse fare fills the menu, but good luck resisting the unique additions – for instance the PB&J blackened pork chop with bacon jam and peanut butter sauce. The Single Barrel whiskey bar offers a wide range of bourbons, single malts, and wines.

Nick Dauk contributed additional reporting to this article.

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