Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Lincoln

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Lincoln? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Oven - Downtown

4.9

4.9 (548)

$30 and under

Indian

Lincoln

About the restaurant

The first Oven Restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Lincoln, has been around since 1988 and owned/operated by a dedicated family of chefs who have been creating Indian cuisine for over twenty seven years. The Oven Restaurants specialize in Northern Indian Cuisine which is known for its rich colors, flavor profiles and a unique style of cooking in a clay oven, called the Tandoor. Chicken, shrimp and lamb marinate for several hours in a yogurt and spice mixture and placed on skewers while various breads are being hand made by our chefs fresh each day. The skewers and breads are then placed in the tandoor over an open flame where breads are cooked to perfection and the rich flavors are sealed in to ensure tenderness and quality of the meat. Whether you enjoy the historic Haymarket atmosphere to the relaxed vibe of the Cellar, we have what you want!

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

One of our favorite restaurants! The food and service are always the best. Love the wine room at the downtown location. Highly recommend😊

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Haymarket

4.8

4.8 (131)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

Denise

Dined 7 days ago

We eat at Blue Sushi approximately three or four times a year - always for a special occasion. Our rolls were not as tasty as we have experienced in the past (we always order the same rolls). However, the appetizers and drinks were yummy, and the service was very good. Since it might have been a fluke, we will definitely be back again.

The Oven - East

4.8

4.8 (275)

$30 and under

Indian

Lincoln

About the restaurant

The Oven Restaurants specialize in Northern Indian Cuisine which is known for its rich colors, flavor profiles and a unique style of cooking in a clay oven, called the Tandoor. Chicken, shrimp and lamb marinate for several hours in a yogurt and spice mixture and placed on skewers while various breads are being hand made by our chefs fresh each day. The skewers and breads are then placed in the tandoor over an open flame where breads are cooked to perfection and the rich flavors are sealed in to ensure tenderness and quality of the meat. Over the last several years, the Oven Restaurants has expanded to two other locations and added space to the lower level of the Haymarket location. Whether you enjoy the historic Haymarket atmosphere and relaxed vibe of the Cellar, the beautiful sunsets and outdoor patio of the Oven East, or you’re in Omaha for the night to try Himalayas, there are many ways to sample the cuisine of India!

Top review

John

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

The food is great. Staff seemed a bit distracted. The noise level makes conversation difficult. They refuse to seat larger (7 in our case) outside. Doing that would help a lot. First, it’s much quieter outside. Second, large groups have to speak louder to converse across a long table, which raises the noise level for everyone. They could also purchase some plastic covers for the tips of the chair legs. The noise of a nearby table being seated or leaving is pretty awful. And of course, all conversation has to stop anytime someone orders a blended drink from the bar. Great food, I just wish we could sit outside where it’s possible to have a conversation without shouting.

Green Gateau

4.8

4.8 (834)

$30 and under

American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

The Green Gateau is an upper-scale neighborhood restaurant that has been in operation for over 25 years in the heart of downtown Lincoln. We have combined a European atmosphere with American contemporary cuisine to create a casual, yet refined feeling with delicious flavors.

Owners Eric and Cristi are proud to serve their award winning desserts, fresh seafood, and Nebraska Wagyu beef. This is just a fraction of the comprehensive menu that is sure to satisfy. We are also proud to source local and organic produce, dairy, meat, and wine.

The Green Gateau is a consistent winner of Lincoln's Choice 'Best Brunch', and offers brunch from 8-3 on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Green Gateau boasts one of the most comprehensive wine selections in Nebraska, and is annually voted a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.

Top review

TamaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food is always good and today was no different. Our breakfast was delicious and the service was fantastic. This is one of our favorite spots to go to when we are in town.

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Venue Restaurant & Lounge

4.7

4.7 (2153)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Venue Restaurant & Lounge is a full-service restaurant in Lincoln, NE. We specialize in affordable quick-service lunches while presenting a fine dining chef-inspired dinner service. Join us and our Executive Chef Geoff Wendland for Lincoln's best steaks, delicious seafood, fresh salads, appetizers, pizzas and more. With desserts prepared by our Pastry Chef Linda Erhart and steaks hand-cut in-house by our butcher Jesse Laney. We also offer Catering and Event Services with a large variety of delicious items for any event from an intimate wedding reception to a glamorous business dinner. We have your event venue covered with our selection of 5 private dining rooms, as well as two downtown ballrooms with the Jasmine Room and the Scottish Rite Ballroom.

Top review

Iyrel

Dined on Jul 1, 2025

My spouse and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary, and it was an unforgettable evening! From the moment we arrived, the hostess greeted us warmly, acknowledging our special occasion with genuine enthusiasm. The staff who served our drinks also congratulated us, making us feel truly special. Our server was incredibly attentive despite a busy night, ensuring every detail was perfect. The medium-rare rib eye was cooked to absolute perfection—juicy—and the fried potato salad was a delightful surprise. To top it all off, we were treated to a delicious complimentary dessert that capped the night beautifully. Highly recommend for a memorable dining experience! Thank you.

Piedmont Bistro by Venue

4.6

4.6 (1724)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Lincoln

About the restaurant

With amazing people, astonishing local food, and outstanding service, the Piedmont Bistro by Venue is the neighborhood favorite you can trust and love. Serving everything from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, step inside our welcoming dining room or join us in our full service bar for a genuine neighborhood experience.

Top review

Jaime

Dined on Jun 30, 2025

Great experience overall. We had a great meal and excellent service.

Blue Orchid Thai

4.6

4.6 (227)

$30 and under

Thai

Lincoln

About the restaurant

High-ceilinged establishment with a patio & cocktails serving classic eats & vegetarian options.

Top review

Perre

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Another wonderful experience at Blue Orchid. Our favorite date night place

Granite City Food & Brewery - Lincoln

4.5

4.5 (552)

$30 and under

American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

With its warm, inviting, and modern design, Granite City Food & Brewery’s expansive interior features a spacious and comfortable dining room, four-sided modern, full-service bar, as well as an outdoor patio. The on-site brewery, with award-winning hand-crafted micro-brews, is visible from the main dining and bar areas. The restaurant also showcases an open kitchen featuring chef developed, handcrafted made-from-scratch cuisine, including innovative signature entrees, flatbreads and more.

Granite City Food & Brewery’s signature brews, which are made on-site, include The Duke (Pale Ale), The Bennie (Bock), The Northern (American Style Light Lager) and The Stout. Seasonal brews are featured throughout the year.

Happy Hour is offered Monday-Friday, 3-6pm & 9-close.

Top review

Linsey

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

The good was delicious and the waiter was nice and helpful

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Experience

Lawless Brunch Buffet

JTK Cuisine & Cocktails

4.5

4.5 (715)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

JTK is an upscale restaurant located in the Historic Haymarket where we strive to be a truly unique restaurant for the City of Lincoln. Our goal is to provide our guests the ultimate dining experience through exceptional food, superior service and an award winning wine list.

Top review

Veronica

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service Quality food Reasonably priced Good wine selection, cocktails and specials

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Popular dish

Pork Schnitzel

Popular dish

Blueberry Bread Pudding

Hiro 88 - South Lincoln

4.4

4.4 (184)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Hiro 88 is an upscale Pan-Asian restaurant group with locations in Omaha and Lincoln, NE. With the help of renowned architects like Japan’s Nakamura-san, we’ve created distinct atmospheres at each of our locations, each inspired by its surrounding neighborhood. Serving award-winning Chinese cuisine and some of Omaha’s best sushi, we have something for everyone’s palate.

Top review

Kathi

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

Overall a great experience. It was very, very loud in the dining room making conversation with the table difficult. But the waitstaff was attentive, our food came out in a timely manner, and it all tasted great. Might think about dining outside next time to avoid the noise.

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