Best Steak Restaurants Omaha (2026): 14 Local Favorites
Use this guide to match Omaha steakhouses to celebrations, date nights, business dinners, family gatherings, and your budget.
Best in Omaha
Best Burgers in Omaha (2026): 12 Local Favorites
Find the burger spot that fits your night, from downtown standbys and smash burgers to Nebraska Wagyu, patios, takeout, and late-night bites.
Omaha takes its beef seriously, so a burger craving here comes with a lot of good options and a real risk of picking the wrong vibe. A smash burger to eat in the car and a $22 sit-down burger with a cocktail are two very different nights. My goal at What's Happening Omaha is to help you land on the spot that fits your plans, so you spend less time scrolling and more time eating.
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If you want one pick to start with, I send people to Block 16 downtown, a scratch-kitchen sandwich shop whose burger is billed as Alton Brown's favorite hamburger in the country. From there, the list splits by mood. Dinker's and Goldbergs are classic bar-and-grill stops, while All American Burger and Cheeseburgers handle smash burgers and takeout. Charred goes all in on Nebraska Wagyu.
Below are 12 local favorites, each matched to the kind of meal it does best. Use it to pick tonight's spot, or to plan a burger crawl across town.
1. Wilson & Washburn
Wilson & Washburn is my go-to when a burger is part of a bigger downtown night. It sits in a restored 19th century building with exposed brick, one block from the Orpheum Theater, so it works great before or after a show.
The kitchen cooks from scratch, and the tap list runs to 24 craft and import beers. Plant-based eaters get a real option too: the menu features a vegan beet burger alongside pub comfort food like fish and chips.
The name honors two famous madams from Omaha's old Sporting District, which gives the place fun local history. It's also laptop-friendly, with under-bar charging stations and free wifi. Note that it's closed Mondays, and the kitchen stops serving before the bar closes at 2 AM.
Rating: 4.6 (1,261 reviews)
Location: 1407 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102
Contact: (402) 689-3324
Website: Visit Website
2. Block 16
Block 16 is the downtown burger stop that people from out of town ask about by name. It calls its food street-style, bold, and messy, so grab extra napkins.
The Block Burger is a 1/3 pound Jon's Naturals patty with Swiss-American cheese and all the classic toppings. The shop uses locally sourced ingredients, avoids preservatives when it can, and offers vegan-friendly dishes. A new daily special posts on Facebook each day.
Plan around the hours. It's lunch only (11 AM to 2 PM) Monday through Wednesday, open until 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, and closed Sunday. Lunch gets busy, so check the menu before you walk in.
Rating: 4.7 (2,766 reviews)
Location: 1611 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68106
Contact: (402) 342-1220
Website: Visit Website
3. Louie M's Burgerlust
Louie M's Burgerlust is where I point anyone who wants a burger before noon. This down-to-earth diner on Vinton Street opens at 7 AM every day and serves breakfast and lunch side by side.
It's a 1950s-themed diner that is USMC veteran owned and run by a second-generation family. The menu covers a long list of burgers plus sandwiches, breakfast plates, and seasonal snacks.
It closes at 3 PM daily, so this is a daytime plan. Groups can book private rooms or buy out the whole restaurant for a bigger event.
Rating: 4.6 (1,954 reviews)
Location: 1718 Vinton St, Omaha, NE 68108
Contact: (402) 449-9112
Website: Visit Website
4. Charred Burger + Bar
Charred is the pick for a beef-first burger in West Omaha. Every burger uses Wagyu, and the restaurant says its Wagyu is raised right here in Nebraska.
The menu includes the Charred, Classic, Carolina BBQ, and Bacon & Bleu burgers, plus a chicken avocado sandwich for the non-burger person at the table. There's a full bar and a patio, which makes it an easy sit-down dinner spot.
It stays open until 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. If you plan to come back, the app gives you 30 points when you sign up and earns rewards on dine-in and pickup orders.
Rating: 4.4 (1,891 reviews)
Location: 1150 Sterling Ridge Dr #107, Omaha, NE 68144
Contact: (402) 779-8430
Website: Visit Website
5. Ooh De Lally
Ooh De Lally is the burger I suggest for a nicer night out in Dundee. It's a nonprofit restaurant that trains and employs formerly incarcerated people through a partnership with Metropolitan Community College's 180 Re-entry Assistance Program.
The ODL Burger runs $22 on the menu, and it has a big local following. You'll also find a short rib grilled cheese and a lobster roll if your table wants to mix it up.
It serves lunch and dinner with a break from 2 to 4 PM, and you can book a table online. Downstairs, The Fox Den is open evenings Tuesday through Saturday if you want a drink after.
Rating: 4.9 (292 reviews)
Location: 4916 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE 68132
Contact: (402) 698-8333
Website: Visit Website
6. Everett's
Everett's on Maple is a family-friendly spot for elevated pub fare. It was started by a family for families, and you'll see kids at the tables right next to couples on a date night.
The burger to know is the barbecue pulled pork and bacon burger, a smoky stack with white cheddar. Save room for Jill's famous brownie, which the restaurant calls out by name.
Everett's is closed Monday and Tuesday and closes at 8:30 PM the rest of the week. Online ordering and catering make it easy to feed a party at home.
Rating: 4.7 (887 reviews)
Location: 8807 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68134
Contact: (402) 237-7820
Website: Visit Website
7. All American Burger
All American Burger is a focused smash burger joint on Farnam Street. Fresh beef gets smashed and seared to order, then served with crinkle-cut fries.
The Nebraska Fried Onion Burger is an Oklahoma-style smash with caramelized onions, priced at $11.99 single or $14.99 double with fries included. Add a hand-spun vanilla or chocolate shake for $6.99.
There's a second location inside Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben Village. Downtown hours differ between its website and Google listing, so check before a late visit.
Rating: 4.7 (205 reviews)
Location: 1421 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68102
Contact: (531) 466-2788
Website: Visit Website
8. Dirty Birds
Dirty Birds is famous for fried chicken, and the burger is its sneaky second act. It sits in the historic Flatiron building downtown and pairs comfort food with craft cocktails.
Diners point to the bacon smash burger and huge portions. It's a strong choice when half your group wants chicken and the other half wants beef.
Hours are tight early in the week. It's closed Monday and Tuesday, lunch only Wednesday and Sunday, and open into the evening Thursday through Saturday. You can reserve a table.
Rating: 4.8 (1,404 reviews)
Location: 1722 St Marys Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Contact: (402) 557-5558
Website: Visit Website
9. Barrett's Barleycorn Pub & Grill
Barrett's is the laid-back pub where a burger comes with a side of fun. It has served pub grub on Leavenworth for over 30 years, and it has a patio plus a sand volleyball court.
Happy hour runs 4 to 6 PM daily, a good window for a burger and a beer. Volleyball leagues play Monday through Thursday, and the court is open for pickup games on other nights.
It's a solid spot to catch a game with friends. Sunday hours are shorter, noon to 10 PM.
Rating: 4.6 (1,332 reviews)
Location: 4322 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105
Contact: (402) 554-5805
Website: Visit Website
10. Goldbergs in Dundee
Goldbergs is a wood-paneled Dundee standby for burgers, beer, and Bloody Marys. It feels like a neighborhood bar and grill that families can enjoy too.
The specialty Husker burger is the local favorite, and the signature bread pudding is worth the extra stop for dessert. A patio opens things up in good weather.
It's closed Sundays. Monday through Thursday it runs 11 AM to 9 PM, with an extra hour on Friday and Saturday.
Rating: 4.4 (884 reviews)
Location: 5008 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132
Contact: (402) 556-2006
Website: Visit Website
11. Cheeseburgers - Omaha - A Take-Out Joint
Cheeseburgers is my late-night and takeout answer. The Blackstone District shop serves smash burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, fries, and shakes.
It stays open until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday and 11 PM most other nights. That makes it the easiest stop on this list after a night out on Farnam.
It's locally owned, with Regency and Millard locations too. You can order online or through the Cheeseburgers app.
Rating: 4.3 (746 reviews)
Location: 4007 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131
Contact: (531) 466-7995
Website: Visit Website
12. Dinker's - Bar and Grill
Dinker's is the classic neighborhood burger bar, serving Omaha since 1965. It's simple, loud on game day, and packed with TVs.
The Haystack burger is the order regulars talk about most, and thin, crispy onion rings make a great side. Dippable appetizers round out a table for a group.
It's open 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. With nearly 3,000 Google reviews, expect a crowd at peak dinner hours.
Rating: 4.6 (2,969 reviews)
Location: 2368 S 29th St, Omaha, NE 68105
Contact: (402) 342-9742
How to Choose the Right Burger Spot
The fastest way to choose is to decide how you want to eat first, then pick the flavor. Setting and hours narrow this list quickly.
Dine-In, Takeout, and Bar Atmosphere
For a sit-down meal, Ooh De Lally, Charred, and Everett's give you a full table and a relaxed pace. Ooh De Lally takes reservations, which helps on weekends.
For takeout or a quick bite, Cheeseburgers and All American Burger are built for it. Both let you order ahead online.
For bar energy, pick by the kind of night:
Dinker's and Goldbergs for a classic bar-and-grill feel
Barrett's for happy hour, a patio, and volleyball
Wilson & Washburn for craft beer before a show at the Orpheum
Dirty Birds for cocktails with your burger
Match the Menu to Your Craving
Craving | Where I'd go |
|---|---|
Smash burger | All American Burger, Cheeseburgers, Dirty Birds |
Premium beef | Charred (Nebraska Wagyu), Ooh De Lally |
Breakfast plus burger | Louie M's Burgerlust |
Vegan or vegetarian | Block 16, Wilson & Washburn |
Big, messy, creative | Block 16 |
Chicken and burgers at one table | Dirty Birds, Cheeseburgers |
If dessert decides it, Goldbergs has its bread pudding and Everett's has Jill's brownie.
Tips for Planning Your Burger Run
A little planning saves you from showing up to a locked door. Several spots on this list keep short or unusual hours.
Check Hours and Current Menus
Hours vary a lot here. Block 16 is lunch only Monday through Wednesday, Louie M's closes at 3 PM, and Dirty Birds closes after lunch on Wednesday and Sunday.
Mondays and Sundays are the trickiest days:
Closed Monday: Wilson & Washburn, Everett's, Dirty Birds
Closed Sunday: Block 16, Goldbergs, Dinker's
Menus change too. Block 16 posts a daily special on Facebook, so look before you go. Call ahead if a website and Google listing disagree on hours.
Plan for Busy Times and Pickup
Lunch rush hits downtown hard, especially at Block 16, which tells guests to check the menu before coming in. Arrive a bit before noon or after 1 PM for a shorter wait.
For pickup, order ahead through the restaurant's site or app. Cheeseburgers, Charred, All American Burger, and Everett's all take online orders. For a group dinner at Ooh De Lally or Dirty Birds, book a table.
When you're ready for your next meal or night out, I keep more local recommendations coming on What's Happening Omaha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the best burgers in Omaha, Nebraska?
Block 16 is the most famous name, with a burger billed as Alton Brown's favorite in the country. Dinker's is the longtime bar favorite, and Charred leads for Wagyu. The right pick depends on whether you want sit-down, bar, or takeout.
Which of these burger spots are in downtown Omaha?
Wilson & Washburn, Block 16, All American Burger, and Dirty Birds are all downtown. They sit within a few blocks of each other, so you can pair one with a show or a walk.
Where can I find a smash burger in Omaha?
All American Burger and Cheeseburgers both specialize in smash burgers. Dirty Birds also serves a bacon smash burger alongside its fried chicken.
Which Omaha burger spots on this list are hidden gems?
Dirty Birds surprises people who only know it for chicken. Ooh De Lally is newer and has a small review count but a 4.9 rating. Louie M's is easy to miss if you only eat burgers at dinner.
Which spot should I pick if I want a burger to go?
Cheeseburgers is the best takeout pick, and it's open until 1 AM on weekends. All American Burger is another strong choice with online ordering ahead.
How can I plan a burger run to try a few of these places?
Start downtown and walk between Block 16, All American Burger, Wilson & Washburn, and Dirty Birds. Go Thursday through Saturday, when all four are open into the evening, and split burgers to save room.
