Nebraska’s capital city is more than college ball and prairie horizons—Lincoln’s food scene has quietly matured into a welcoming, creative, and community-focused celebration of both comfort and innovation.
Its top restaurants reflect the Midwest’s honest, resourceful spirit while adding a distinctly youthful, cosmopolitan twist.
1. Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill
A legend in Lincoln, Lazlo’s is where the city gathers—grownups for prime rib and in-house ales, students after games, families on Sunday afternoons. Set in a renovated railway warehouse in the Haymarket District, the space hums with history and local art.
Classics abound: hand-cut steaks, barbecue ribs lacquered with honey, housemade beer cheese soup, crisp fish and chips, and those nearly-mythic honey-glazed croissants.
They proudly serve beer from Empyrean Brewing, with seasonal stouts and hoppy ales always on tap.
2. The Dish Restaurant
A candlelit jewel for the city’s special nights, The Dish is where Nebraskan farm fare gets a funky, modern edge.
Start with wild mushroom salad or curried Wisconsin cheese spread, then settle in for rich plates like curry-dusted sea scallops with asparagus, grilled duck breast in cherry glaze, or locally raised lamb with minted pea purée.
Creative cocktails and a fabulous wine list (with midwest and French picks) make for long, conversational evenings.
3. Ivanna Cone
Downtown Lincoln’s Ivanna Cone is joy in a brick storefront—handmade ice cream (in rotating flavors like blueberry cheesecake, salty caramel, and even “Cereal Milk”), bright 50s décor, and a swirl of birthday parties and date-night strolls.
The staff hands out free samples not just for kids, but for everyone—resulting in wildly happy faces and cobbled-together scoop combos. Summer nights see lines out the door and laughter spilling onto the sidewalk.
No visit to Lincoln is complete without a cone, and every local has a “favorite flavor story.”
4. The Oven
For nearly three decades, The Oven’s intoxicating scents have drawn crowds: cumin, cinnamon, fenugreek, the tandoor’s heat, and a rainbow of curries.
Nebraska beef and local produce shine in dishes like spicy vindaloo, creamy chicken tikka masala, and fresh-baked naan.
Owner Surinder Bhandari (a Lincoln legend) takes pride in his food and absurdly deep wine cellar—one of the Midwest’s biggest and best.
Sit in the bustling main room or the moody “Cellar,” where hundreds of bottles line the stone walls. It’s the beating multicultural heart of Lincoln’s food scene.
5. LeadBelly
More than a burger joint, LeadBelly is Lincoln’s headquarters for reimagined comfort food.
The “Full Leaded Jacket”—a burger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches, topped with onion rings, chili, and queso—is famous (and occasionally feared).
Hot dogs come loaded with chili and Fritos, while salads and fries are equally imaginative.
A tap list full of Nebraska’s best and a patio packed with every walk of Lincoln life mean LeadBelly is never boring. Regular themed trivia nights, kid-friendly menus, and “secret” off-menu orders keep locals returning.
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