The best in Lincoln: Haymarket
Haymarket
Ivanna Cone
Who doesn’t like ice cream? Ivanna cone has it. They have some traditional favorites but they really stand out with all the creative flavors that rotate through. They are within walking distance if you just had dinner in the Haymarket and have a really cool atmosphere inside. I love getting a waffle cone with a couple flavors and … Continue reading "Ivanna Cone"
The Oven Cellar
I would assume (almost) everybody in Lincoln knows about The Oven. It’s a great place to get Indian in Lincoln. But I’m not sure everybody knows about the Cellar below The Oven. It’s a wine bar with a fantastic selection. Their sommelier obviously knows their stuff between the wine selection on hand and individual wine … Continue reading "The Oven Cellar"
JTK
JTK has the best steak in town, a Nebraska Wagyu Filet that is just wonderful. JTK itself has one of the most upscale vibes in town and is pretty darn good even without the steak. Bonus JTK probably might just have the best overall whiskey selection in Lincoln. So if you want steak and whiskey, JTK should … Continue reading "JTK"
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill
Lazlo’s is a Lincoln institution, and for good reason. Everything they do is solid and it is probably my most frequented restaurant in Lincoln. I’m not going to send you to Lazlo’s for a crazy new experience you’ve never had because it’s concept is similar to many brewery/bars around the US. I’m going to send … Continue reading "Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill"
Single Barrel
When thinking steak and whiskey, it’s hard to not think of the Single Barrel. They’re a steak joint named after a whiskey process. I don’t know if I need to say anything else. Need more? The whiskey they specialize in is Bourbon and the Bourbon selection is excellent. The Bourbon review named them one of … Continue reading "Single Barrel"
The Oven
The Oven serves traditional Indian comfort food, and they do it very well. But to me, the Oven stands out by combining some very solid Indian food with a great wine list and really nice atmosphere. You can get a good Chicken Tikka Masala in a lot of places, but you can’t get it in … Continue reading "The Oven"
Shokunin sushi & ramen
Shokunin occupies the former Bread and Cup space. I have many happy food memories in that space, so they have a good start there. There are other Sushi restaurants in town, other Ramen restaurants in town and other Japanese restaurants in town. But Shokunin is just different enough from all of them to stand out. … Continue reading "Shokunin sushi & ramen"
(402) Creamery
The (402) Creamery has two locations in Lincoln, one in the Haymarket and one in South East Lincoln. Both provide amazing & fun homemade ice cream creations that rotate through regularly. I once thought Ivanna Cone would provide all of my Lincoln ice cream needs and we didn’t need anything else. I was wrong, the … Continue reading "(402) Creamery"
The Mill
I would call the Mill Lincoln’s favorite coffee shop. There is a reason for this, they have really cool locations, highlighted by one of the best spots in the Haymarket to sit on the patio and enjoy the atmosphere of the Haymarket. Their other locations around town are pretty darn good too and they also … Continue reading "The Mill"
Crescent Moon Coffee
Sitting directly across from the Mill, Crescent Moon is a little harder to find underneath the Apothecary. I’d call both very good spots, but I would describe the Mill as Lincoln’s go-to & Crescent Moon as the Lincoln’s best (coffee) hidden gem because you almost need to know it exists to find it. If this … Continue reading "Crescent Moon Coffee"
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Blue has grown to enough cities in the US that it can probably be considered a chain. I’m still going to include them on my list because 1) they started in Omaha, so they are at least a Nebraska Chain, 2) their space in the Haymarket is one of the better places to eat in … Continue reading "Blue Sushi Sake Grill"
Hiro 88
Hiro 88 is from Omaha, but their Lincoln Locations are a (very) welcome addition to our food scene. Hiro is probably my go-to for sushi & sake. Don’t sleep on their other food as their Chilean Sea Bass, Miso-Glazed is probably my favorite seafood dish in town. Both of their locations have great outdoor seating. … Continue reading "Hiro 88"
Vincenzo’s Ristorante
Vincenzo’s is Lincoln’s best pure Italian restaurant. But you may be taking more of a trip to St. Louis than Italy when visiting. The Lou hints are subtle, with dishes like toasted ravioli and one that’s called “The Hill” after St. Louis’s most famous food and their Italian district respectively. But the dead giveaway is … Continue reading "Vincenzo’s Ristorante"
HopCat
I hesitate to add chains to my lists. You won’t see them much on this site. But Hopcat is a fairly small chain and does a really good job with including local beers with their already amazing & large beer list. The list isn’t just large, it’s well thought out and one that’s hard to beat.
LeadBelly
Leadbelly’s version of chili & cinnamon roll, the fully leaded jacket, isn’t your traditional combo. It’s a “burger” that has cinnamon roll buns and chili all over the top with chips and jalapenos. If you’d like (and I do), add a fried egg and some chorizo to make it a breakfast leaded jacket. I know … Continue reading "LeadBelly"
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street delivers a completely unique experience in Lincoln. There’s really nowhere else you can go to get a crawfish boil dumped on your table to share with a bunch of friends. Between this unique concept, their location in the Haymarket, they really do have a good thing going,
Fleetwood
Fleetwood occupies a fun location in the Haymarket. They’ve done a great job with their atmosphere and their menu. As a new location (writing this in January 2023), I will wait to learn more about how they will evolve and what I like best about them. But so far, they are off to a great … Continue reading "Fleetwood"
Buzzard Billy’s
I might be biassed when talking about Buzzard Billy’s as it is where I worked as a line cook in college. Given the perspective, I’ll tell you a few things about Buzzards. 1) I believe they crank out some very good, well made food. 2) I have always thought they have a fun atmosphere. 3) … Continue reading "Buzzard Billy’s"
South West
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill
Lazlo’s is a Lincoln institution, and for good reason. Everything they do is solid and it is probably my most frequented restaurant in Lincoln. I’m not going to send you to Lazlo’s for a crazy new experience you’ve never had because it’s concept is similar to many brewery/bars around the US. I’m going to send … Continue reading "Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill"
South East
The Oven
The Oven serves traditional Indian comfort food, and they do it very well. But to me, the Oven stands out by combining some very solid Indian food with a great wine list and really nice atmosphere. You can get a good Chicken Tikka Masala in a lot of places, but you can’t get it in … Continue reading "The Oven"
(402) Creamery
The (402) Creamery has two locations in Lincoln, one in the Haymarket and one in South East Lincoln. Both provide amazing & fun homemade ice cream creations that rotate through regularly. I once thought Ivanna Cone would provide all of my Lincoln ice cream needs and we didn’t need anything else. I was wrong, the … Continue reading "(402) Creamery"
Hiro 88
Hiro 88 is from Omaha, but their Lincoln Locations are a (very) welcome addition to our food scene. Hiro is probably my go-to for sushi & sake. Don’t sleep on their other food as their Chilean Sea Bass, Miso-Glazed is probably my favorite seafood dish in town. Both of their locations have great outdoor seating. … Continue reading "Hiro 88"
Multiple Locations
The Mill
I would call the Mill Lincoln’s favorite coffee shop. There is a reason for this, they have really cool locations, highlighted by one of the best spots in the Haymarket to sit on the patio and enjoy the atmosphere of the Haymarket. Their other locations around town are pretty darn good too and they also … Continue reading "The Mill"