2024 has kicked off with a culinary bang in Omaha, heralding the arrival of trailblazing establishments like Dolomiti – Pizzeria & Enoteca, Memoir, and Ooh Da Lalley. The landscape for foodies is ablaze with innovation and flavor, promising an unforgettable journey for those eager to explore the newest restaurants in Omaha.

  • Dolomiti Pizzeria
  • Memoir
  • Ooh Da Lalley

The Omaha Food Magazine, ever the culinary explorer, is poised to embark on a culinary odyssey through Omaha’s 2024 restaurant landscape. This journey isn’t just about discovering food; it’s about uncovering stories, passions, and the relentless pursuit of flavor that drives the city’s most innovative chefs and restaurateurs.

As new doors open and the aromas of uncharted kitchens waft through the city streets, we stand ready to seek out and celebrate these new havens of taste. These are not just eateries; they are the birthplaces of future classics, the incubators of culinary genius that will shape Omaha’s food narrative.

So, what makes the best new restaurants in Omaha 2024? Let’s define culinary excellence!

DOLOMITI PIZZERIA

a pizza oven and a wood fired pizza on a butcher block

In the heart of North Downtown Omaha, a new chapter in the city’s culinary saga unfolds with the opening of Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca, a beacon of Northern Italian cuisine in the burgeoning Millwork Commons. Omaha Food Magazine captures the essence of anticipation as this venture, the brainchild of local visionaries Tim Maides, Carlos Mendez, and Luis De La Vega, promises to infuse Omaha with the soul of Italy.
Beyond its artisan wood-fired sourdough pizzas, Dolomiti is set to enchant with its enoteca, a treasure trove for wine aficionados, alongside a menu brimming with authentic flavors from seasonal salads to panini. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a communal haven where food and stories mingle, setting the stage for unforgettable gatherings.
To read more about Dolomiti Pizzeria, read our recent restaurant spotlight.

Memoir

the interior of a restaurant

Now open in the Old Market, “Memoir” marks a new chapter in Omaha’s culinary evolution, courtesy of the Flagship Restaurant Group’s visionary trio: CEO Nick Hogan, President Tom Allisma, and COO Anthony Hitchcock. This team, celebrated for their culinary innovation and striking restaurant designs, has once again elevated the dining experience with Memoir, a testament to their ability to merge traditional grilling with modern flair. Nestled within the vibrant Brickline at The Mercantile, Memoir not only anchors the mixed-use development as a dining destination but also signals Omaha’s ongoing transformation into a dynamic culinary hotspot.

With the Flagship Restaurant Group at the helm, known for their commitment to sustainability and boundary-pushing concepts like the elegant PYRO, Memoir is set to be a jewel in downtown Omaha, embodying the city’s burgeoning renaissance in food culture and setting a new benchmark for dining excellence nationwide.

Trust us, it didn’t take long for Memoir to be considered one of the best new restaurants Omaha 2024!

Ooh De Lally in Dundee

The vibrant atmosphere of Ooh De Lally restaurant in Dundee, reflecting its community spirit and culinary excellence.

Ooh De Lally, a beacon of hope and culinary redemption in the historic Dundee neighborhood, opens its doors, offering a unique blend of fine dining and second chances. Born from the vision of harnessing the untapped potential of the formerly incarcerated, this establishment, taking over the old Marks restaurant space, partners with Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for Culinary Arts to provide a comprehensive training program aimed at reintegrating individuals into the workforce.

With a focus on community support, skill development, and personal growth, Ooh De Lally not only promises an exceptional dining experience but also embodies a profound commitment to societal change, making it a testament to the transformative power of food, compassion, and collective effort.

Read our restaurant spotlight article about Ooh De Lally in Dundee.

Defining Culinary Excellence

In the vibrant culinary landscape of Omaha, extending from the heart of downtown to Papillion, Ralston, Bellevue, Gretna, Elkhorn, Bennington, Fremont, and beyond.

What elevates a new restaurant in Omaha to the esteemed status of ‘the best’? It’s a symphony of elements, each playing its vital part. Firstly, it’s about innovation and daring – a willingness to push culinary boundaries or to reinvent classic flavors with a contemporary twist. Then, there’s the commitment to quality – from farm-fresh ingredients to impeccable service, each detail is a stitch in the tapestry of the dining experience.

A great new restaurant understands its community, reflecting the local palate while also challenging it to explore new tastes. It’s not just about the food on the plate; it’s about the story behind it – the passion, the heritage, the relentless pursuit of culinary perfection. These restaurants create more than just meals; they craft experiences that linger in the memory, long after the last bite has been savored. As we scout the Omaha metro area, we seek these culinary beacons – the restaurants that don’t just feed us but inspire us, that don’t just meet expectations but redefine them. Think Modern Love, Au Courant, Block 16, Porky Butts BBQ, Yoshitomo, Sauced by Alfaro, Semo Pasta + Wine and others that laid the ground work in the past.

We invite you to join us on this culinary journey, to savor each bite and story, as we compile a living list of the best new restaurants in Omaha 2024 – a list that promises to be as dynamic and diverse as the city’s ever-evolving tastes.

Until then, be sure to review our list of the best new restaurants in Omaha 2023!