Santoro
Upscale Mexican • Chef Jesus Rivera
Chef Jesus Rivera was already a beloved Omaha icon at his former restaurant, Rivera's, which served some of the city's best Mexican food for nearly 20 years before closing in 2022. What he's built at Santoro doesn't just match that legacy—it surpasses it. The food is more refined now, but those same explosive Mexican flavors are in every single dish.
The enchiladas are the star—each one generously stuffed with tender, seasoned proteins and paired with complementary sauces and cremas. But don't sleep on the buttery steak in the Santoro Carne Asada or the Cazuela Al Horno, a kind of Mexican lasagna layered with tortilla chips, chorizo, shrimp, chicken, and cheese. Whatever you order, be prepared to send your tastebuds on a trip to Pueblo, Mexico. There is no better Mexican restaurant in Omaha.
Location
8601 W. Dodge Rd., Ste 101
West Omaha
Best For
Date night, celebrations
Anyone who loves Mexican food
Don't Miss
Enchiladas, Carne Asada
Cazuela Al Horno
Adam & Timothy's Tip
If you loved Rivera's, Santoro is the next chapter—and it's even better. Chef Rivera's fans have followed him here in droves, so expect a wait on weekends. Go early or make a reservation. And if you only order one thing, make it the enchiladas.
Our Classics — Places We Always Go Back To
Old Market Classic
M's Pub
422 S. 11th St., Old Market
$$$
The definitive Old Market experience. Famous for martinis, escargot with havarti, and that warm brick-walled atmosphere that just feels like Omaha. If you go to one restaurant in the Old Market, make it this one.
as of Feb 2026
Wine & French
La Buvette
511 S. 11th St., Old Market
$$$
Wine, baguettes, and one of the best patios in the city for people-watching. The kind of place where you sit down for one glass and leave three hours later. Quintessential Old Market.
as of Feb 2026
Fine Dining
V. Mertz
1022 Howard St., Old Market (The Passageway)
$$$$
Tucked inside the Passageway in the Old Market, V. Mertz is Omaha's most refined dining experience. White tablecloths, impeccable service, and food that justifies every dollar. This is where you go to celebrate.
as of Feb 2026
Italian Date Night
Nicola's Italian Wine & Faire
521 S. 13th St., Old Market
$$$
Intimate, romantic, and the kind of Italian that feels personal—not corporate. The pasta and seafood are excellent, and the wine list is thoughtfully curated. Perfect for date night.
as of Feb 2026
Brunch & American
Jams American Grill
7814 Dodge St., Midtown
$$
Our favorite brunch in Omaha, hands down. The kind of place where you know half the people there on a Sunday morning. Reliably excellent food, great service, and zero pretension.
as of Feb 2026
Casual • Burgers
Dinkers Bar & Grill
2325 S. 60th St., South Omaha
$$
Best burgers in Omaha. We will die on this hill. Nothing fancy—just perfectly cooked burgers, cold beer, and the kind of dive-bar charm that chains spend millions trying to replicate.
as of Feb 2026
Brewpub • Casual
Upstream Brewing Company
514 S. 11th St., Old Market
$$
Great beers brewed in-house, solid pizza, and a lively atmosphere—especially on game days. A reliable go-to that never disappoints. The Old Market location is the original and the best.
as of Feb 2026
New & Noteworthy 2024–2026
These are the places generating the most buzz in Omaha right now. Some we've been to, others come highly recommended by local food critics and writers we trust. Omaha's dining scene is evolving fast—these spots are leading the charge.
Downtown • Date Night
Memoir
930 Harney St., Downtown
$$$
Opened Feb 2024 at 930 Harney St. Managed by Flagship Restaurant Group. Outstanding food, drink, and decor—the first restaurant locals recommend for a downtown night out. Already feels like an Omaha staple.
Mediterranean • Old Market
Clio
1202 Howard St., Old Market
$$$
Beautifully decorated Mediterranean spot at 1202 Howard St. Mezze, spreads, large plates, and a curated wine list with rare European varietals. Book ahead—reservations go fast.
Yakitori • Japanese
Koji
1216 Howard St., Old Market
$$$
Chef David Utterback (Yoshitomo) introduced Omaha to yakitori, and the city hasn't looked back. Wildly popular—get a reservation early or eat at off-peak hours. The sushi bar seats are coveted.
New-School Steakhouse
The Committee
4622 Leavenworth St., Midtown
$$$$
New school meets old school in the best way. The beef Wellington is decadent, the baked Alaska is worth saving room for, and the warm, cozy atmosphere makes it feel special every time.
Women's Sports Bar • Benson
SET The Bar
6305 Maple St., Benson
$$
One of the nation's first women's sports bars, in Benson. Chef Kristin Pyle's smashburger is among the best in Omaha, and the Biscoff Crumble French Toast at brunch is legendary.
Mexican-ish • Creative
Masa Luna
2924 Leavenworth St., Midtown
$$
Started as a home tamale delivery business—now a packed restaurant. Chorizo pierogies, mole-based Manhattans, and some of the most inclusive vegan/vegetarian options in town. Heart is in the tamales.
French-American Steakhouse
Pivot Prime
1403 Farnam St., Downtown
$$$$
Chef Joel Hassanali's French-inspired steakhouse in the old Mahogany Prime space. Slow-aged prime cuts, fresh seafood, and creative cocktails including Bananas Foster pudding. A welcome addition.
Chef-Driven • Waterloo
Salted Edge
110 S. 243rd St., Waterloo
$$$
110 S. 243rd St., Waterloo—on Omaha's western edge. Chef Hassanali's first venture. Plum Creek chicken with a 12-ingredient spice blend, Vadouvan roasted cauliflower, and an excellent burger.
Modern Casual
The Linden House
721 N. 132nd St., West Omaha
$$
721 N 132nd St. Chefs Jenny Coco (J. Coco) and Jared Combs (M's Pub) have redefined this space. Cozy and modern with garlic shrimp, crab cakes, flatbread pizzas, and excellent service.
Brunch • Local
HomeGrown Omaha
3914 Farnam St., Blackstone
$$
Blackstone brunch spot using local ingredients—Archetype coffee, Fat Head honey, Rotella's bread. The coffee cake with cinnamon streusel and buttermilk caramel sauce is the can't-miss item.
Wood-Fired Pizza
Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca
1105 N. 13th St., Millwork Commons
$$
1105 N 13th St in Millwork Commons. Sourdough pizza from a wood-fired oven. The NoDo neighborhood is becoming a legit food destination, and Dolomiti is a big reason why.
Korean Fried Chicken
bb.q Chicken
1299 Farnam St., Downtown
$$
Global Korean fried chicken chain with a signature double-fry technique. Hand-battered, hand-brushed. Try the Golden Original or the boldly spiced Hot Mala. A fun, flavorful addition to the city.
Bars & Nightlife
Omaha's nightlife has always been underrated. From Old Market wine bars to Benson dives, there's something for every mood.
Honorable Mentions — The Locals' Picks
These are the places Omahans know about but visitors often miss. Not fancy, not trendy—just consistently good: El-Ranchito on 24th St. for authentic Mexican, La Casa Pizza for old-school pies, Isla Del Mar for surprisingly great sushi, Pla Too Thai for the best Thai in town, El-Bees in Waterloo for a classic small-town bar and grill, China Garden on 84th St. for Chinese that's been reliable for decades, and Charlies on the Lake for waterfront vibes.
Top Things to Do in Omaha
Beyond the restaurants—our picks for experiencing the best of Timothy's hometown.
Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
We're not being homers—this is genuinely one of the best zoos in the world. The Desert Dome is the largest indoor desert in the world. The Lied Jungle is a literal indoor rainforest. The aquarium tunnel is mesmerizing. Plan for a full day. It earns every minute.
College World Series
Every June, Omaha transforms into the center of the college baseball universe. The atmosphere at Charles Schwab Field is electric, but the real magic is what happens around it—the bars overflow, the whole city comes alive, and strangers become friends. A bucket-list Omaha experience.
Jazz on the Green
Free jazz concerts on summer Tuesday evenings in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. Bring a blanket, grab food from one of the nearby restaurants, and settle in. It's the most "Omaha" thing Omaha does—relaxed, communal, and genuinely joyful.
Omaha Farmers Market
Saturday mornings in the Old Market from May through October. Local produce, baked goods, crafts, and live music. It's become a Saturday morning ritual for half the city. Go early for the best selection, stay late for the atmosphere.
Vala's Pumpkin Patch
Every fall, Vala's becomes the place to be. It's massive—way beyond a typical pumpkin patch. Corn mazes, apple cider donuts, hayrack rides, and an atmosphere that makes October in Nebraska feel like the best month of the year.
Bellevue Berry Farm
Pick-your-own berries in summer, pumpkin patch in fall, and Christmas trees in winter. A family tradition for a lot of Omahans. Less chaotic than Vala's, more intimate, and the berries are legitimately fantastic.
Explore the Old Market
Cobblestone streets, local shops, galleries, and some of the best restaurants in the city all in a few walkable blocks. The Old Market is the heart of Omaha. Start at M's Pub or La Buvette, then wander. You'll find something worth stopping for.
Heartland of America Park & The Bob
The riverfront has been transformed. The new Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (walk to Iowa and back!) are all worth a visit. The city invested heavily here and it shows.
Explore Our Austin Guide
Austin is home now—and our guide there is far more extensive. Neighborhood guides, trusted vendor referrals, restaurant recommendations, happy hour guides, plus cocktail and food recipes we love to make at home.
Visit the Austin Guide