25 in ’25: Nebraska’s Unbeatable Eat-Ables
Legendary sundaes, pizza, burgers, candy, locally roasted coffee, breakfast burritos, prime Nebraska steaks — your mouth waterin’ yet? We have so many delicious eats and delectable treats across our state that it’s hard to know where to start. Don’t worry; we’ve compiled a list of 25 of our favorite Nebraska must-eats and culinary experiences that you just have to try in 2025.
1. Potter Sundry
Potter
The world-famous Tin Roof Sundae was first created right here at this old-school soda fountain in the small town of Potter. Come for the ice cream; stay for heaping helpings of pancakes, French toast, burgers, fries and a variety of sandwich options.
2. Runza
Statewide
Ground beef, cabbage, onions and a mix of spices all packed inside of fresh-baked bread — that’s the runza sandwich. You can find this Nebraska staple at dozens of Runza restaurants across the state.
3. Back Alley Bakery
Hastings
Come hungry for breakfast burritos, egg scramblers, paninis, wraps and a variety of fresh-baked artisanal bread at Back Alley Bakery.
4. Izzy’s Pizza Bus
Omaha
This converted school bus is serving up a selection of Detroit-style pizzas, garlic knots, brownies and local brews. Get your pizza fix at Izzy’s.
5. Block 16
Omaha
Pulled pork roll, croque garcon burger, duck duck goose fries — you’ll find a menu full of farm-to-table street food at Block 16. The locally sourced, award-winning cuisine at this downtown Omaha favorite is a must.
6. Coneflower Creamery
Omaha
Craving a frozen treat? Stop into one of Coneflower Creamery’s two Omaha locations to try handmade ice cream, from classics like vanilla bean and salted caramel to seasonal signatures like Grandma Minnie’s Lemon Bar and Raspberry Oatmeal Cream Pie.
7. Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine
Lincoln
Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine is the spot for Mediterranean and Persian fare in Lincoln. Try a few samples before selecting from a variety of authentic dishes, including sambusa, falafel, gyros and baklava.
8. UNL Dairy Store
Lincoln
On University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus, shop handmade dairy products at UNL Dairy Store. Famed for its ice cream, the shop offers its signature flavors, like Scarlet & Cream and Caramel Cashew, in scoops, cake cones, malts, shakes, sundaes and floats.
9. Honest Abe’s Burgers and Freedom
Lincoln
How about bacon, jalapeños, pepper jack, cumin-lime mayo, romaine and sriracha ketchup all piled high on a juicy burger? Add a basket of parmesan truffle tots on the side and a birthday cake milkshake for dessert. Find all that and more at Honest Abe’s.
Dig into Nebraska Specialties
Frenchees, kolaches, runzas - learn more about traditional Nebraska fare and where you can find these recipes on your next visit.
10. Baker’s Candies
Greenwood
You’re in for a treat in Greenwood. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Nebraska’s famous chocolate meltaways at Baker’s Candies.
11. City Café
Newman Grove
This small-town café is whipping up big flavor and tons of buzz for its classic feel and mouthwatering homemade pies. Check Facebook for daily specials and pie flavors!
12. Round the Bend Steakhouse
Ashland
We can’t talk about Nebraska’s culinary scene without mentioning Nebraska beef. Between Lincoln and Omaha, choose your favorite cut paired with a loaded baked potato and a house cocktail or local beer. If you’re feeling bold, try the beef fries. Not familiar? More on that in a bit.
13. Kelley’s Fish Market
Blair
If fish is more your style, try the fresh-caught, fried-to-perfection catfish, carp and walleye at Kelley’s Fish Market in Blair.
14. Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse
Paxton
Surrounded by over 200 big game trophies adorning the walls, dig into hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites at Ole’s.
15. Don & Millie’s
Lincoln, Omaha and Bellevue
Burgers, chicken fingers, chili dogs and frenchees, Nebraska’s deep-fried grilled cheese favorite — these are just a few of the mainstays you’ll spot on the menu at Don & Millie’s locations in Omaha, Lincoln and Bellevue.
16. Odyssey
Hastings
Book a table at Odyssey for the perfect date night. For starters, share crab cakes, arancini or a caprese bruschetta board. Then, order the shrimp pasta or steak Florentine for your mains. For dessert: chocolate and amaretto bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. Yum!
17. Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub
Chadron
Grab your favorite pick-me-up along with an assortment of breakfast and lunch options, like the breakfast burrito, frittata, sandwiches, soups and salad.
18. 411 Restaurant and Lounge
Norfolk
If you’re traveling through Norfolk, stop in for a unique dining experience at 411 Restaurant and Lounge. From make-your-own mac and cheese to the buffalo meatloaf sandwich, this menu is full of tasty creations.
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19. The Mixing Bowl
Gering
Start your day with an Americano or mocha alongside the ranchero burrito filled with eggs, pepper jack, hash browns, bell peppers, avocado and chorizo smothered in green chili sauce.
20. Gering Bakery
Gering
While you’re in Gering, treat yourself to fresh-baked pastries, bread, cookies and cakes at Gering Bakery.
21. The Chocolate Bar
Grand Island
This Grand Island café is offering much more than chocolate. Visit for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and dessert, which, of course, features house-made chocolate.
22. Big Red Nebraska Popcorn
Scottsbluff
Need a snack for the road? Sample a variety of popcorn flavors, including buttered, white cheddar, BBQ, caramel, bubble gum, toffee, rainbow and more, at Big Red Nebraska Popcorn.
23. The Danish Bakery
Dannebrog
Sticky buns? Check! Cookies? Check! Cinnamon rolls? Check? Kolaches, bagels and pretzels? Check, check and check! The Danish Bakery is a one-stop shop for all your favorite baked goods.
24. Foodie Festivals and Events:
Statewide
Every year, you’ll find Nebraska communities celebrating different types of cuisines and dishes in all kinds of foodie festivals and events.
In late May/early June, Taste of Omaha showcases the city’s rich culinary scene. Sample food and drink from over 40 of Omaha’s most popular restaurants. Plus, admission is free!
In June, head to Butte for Pancake Days for a pancake feed, tractor pull, parade, food stands and more.
Okay, still curious about Round the Bend’s beef fries we mentioned earlier? These are actually deep-fried bull testicles, and this Ashland steakhouse hosts an annual celebration, the Testicle Festival, of this delicacy on Father’s Day weekend each year.
Don’t miss carnival rides, kids’ games, raffles, local vendors and all-you-can-eat free popcorn at the state’s longest continuously running festival, North Loup’s Popcorn Days, in August.
Visit Verdigre, the “Kolach Capital of the World,” in June to celebrate Czech heritage at the annual Kolach Days. You’ll have your fill of kolaches, the favorite Czech and Slovak pastry the festival is named after.
25. Buy Your Own Nebraska Beef for the Ultimate Campfire Cookout
Statewide
If grilling by the campfire on clear Nebraska night is more your speed, you can’t go wrong with Nebraska beef. You can find prime cuts from grocery stores and retailers across the state, including Ellsworth Crossing (Waterloo), Buy Nebraska (Kearney), The Mercato (Lincoln and Omaha) and more.
Bonus: Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing
One of our favorite local recipes is Dorothy Lynch Home Style Dressing, crafted right here in Duncan, Nebraska. Since the 1940s, this sweet and spicy condiment has been used in all sorts of dishes, from salads to shrimp skewers to chili to pizza. Pick up a bottle at a local grocery store to add a little bit of extra Nebraska flavor to your campfire cookout.
Closure Notice: After the Official 2025 Nebraska Visitor Guide went to print, No. 3 Big Pig and No. 22 Tangled Tumbleweed closed. We replaced those restaurants in the online version of the article.
