UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#2. Omaha
It’s only natural that restaurants in Omaha, Neb., lead the nation in utilizing local ingredients and the farm-to-table movement. Farms raising lamb, pigs, cows and a variety of vegetables surround Omaha, giving local chefs a bounty of fresh, sustainable food choices. Residents tend to dine at independent restaurants and strongly support local farmers, acquiring many ingredients at markets or co-ops. This makes Omaha one of the Top 10 Foodie Cities in the country.
Food drives the economy in Omaha, which is home to one of largest food companies in the world, ConAgra Foods. Sean Connolly, the company’s new chief executive officer, recently told the Omaha World-Herald that he enjoys checking out the city’s restaurant scene. One of his first dining experiences in Omaha took place at Boiler Room, considered by many to be among the best restaurants in the state. The Boiler Room’s menu showcases the products of local growers, many of which offer organic produce and grass-fed meats. Both Boiler Room and Grey Plume have garnered much praise from national food critics, including the James Beard Foundation. Reviews on Yelp give high marks to Modern Love, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse and Block 16, which serves what it calls “farm-to-table street food.” Block 16’s menu ranges from buttermilk fried chicken to hand-pattied burgers and duck fat fries.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Omaha, from those who haven’t been here, is that the city lacks diversity. This certainly isn’t the case when it come to food. Some of the most popular restaurants in Omaha include Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, Laos Thai Kitchen and Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob. La Casa Pizzeria, a family-owned restaurant that opened in 1953, was recently inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame.
Don’t Miss: dinner and dessert at Dario’s Brasserie, brunch at Lot 2, an evening at J. Coco