Best Burgers in Omaha
Omaha's burger scene pairs old-school bar and grills like Dinker's and Louie M's with Block 16's famous Croque Garçon and a new wave of smash burger shops.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in Omaha
Omaha is a beef town, so it is no surprise that its burger scene runs deep. The city has old-school bar and grills that locals have loved for decades, a downtown counter whose burger has earned national praise, and a growing number of smash burger shops. Local touches show up everywhere, from burgers named after Omaha landmarks to a Reuben-style burger that nods to the city's claim on the famous sandwich.
A few areas are worth knowing. Downtown and the Old Market, along Farnam Street, are the easiest places for visitors to start. Dundee, a few miles west, is a walkable neighborhood full of shops and restaurants. South Omaha has a strong immigrant history and old-school diners, and West Omaha, along Dodge Street and beyond, is home to newer spots. Every spot below appears on the cards above, and you can browse more cities in our restaurant directory.
Best burgers in Omaha by style
Gourmet burgers
Block 16 is Omaha's most famous burger stop. The downtown counter, opened by chefs Paul and Jessica Urban in 2012, serves farm-to-table street food and the Croque Garçon, a burger topped with ham, a fried egg and truffle mayo. If you want more in this lane, see our best gourmet burgers page.
Old-school favorites
Dinker's Bar & Grill won half the vote in a local poll of favorite old-school burger joints, and its bacon cheeseburger is a simple, well-seasoned classic. Louie M's Burger Lust in South Omaha serves thick, open-faced burgers alongside big breakfasts and green chili. Don & Millie's has been serving classic burgers and fried sides since the 1970s. In Dundee, Goldberg's in Dundee is a neighborhood bar and grill, and Smitty's Garage Burgers and Beer on Dodge Street offers a build-your-own menu and a string-lit patio. Our best classic burgers page has more spots like these.
Smash burgers
Hyde's Slydes ranked first among Omaha-area burger spots by diner reviews in 2025, with Omaha-themed smash burgers like the Lancer and the Aksarben. Downtown, All American Burger serves the All American Smash with its house sauce, and it has a second counter at Aksarben Village. New to the style? Read smash burger vs. regular burger and browse our best smash burgers picks.
Local burger traditions
Omaha's burger culture is rooted in its bars and diners. Spots like Dinker's, Don & Millie's and Louie M's have fed generations of regulars with straightforward burgers, and many locals measure every new burger against them. Omaha is also widely credited as the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich, and you will see that idea turn up as a burger topping, with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and Thousand Island.
Newer spots like Hyde's Slydes lean into local pride with burgers named after Omaha landmarks and institutions. If you want to make a smash burger at home, our guide to cooking burgers on a griddle covers the basics.
Tips for visiting
- Group stops by area. Block 16 and All American Burger are both on Farnam Street downtown, while Goldberg's is in Dundee and Smitty's is farther west on Dodge Street.
- Check hours before you go. Some old-school spots keep limited evening hours, and Louie M's is best known for daytime service.
- Look at the specials board. Block 16 rotates daily specials, so read the chalkboard before ordering.
- Order a double at smash burger spots. A second thin patty adds more crispy edges.
- Cooking at home? Our burger temperature and doneness guide covers the USDA-recommended 160°F for ground beef.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best classic burger joints, cheap burgers in Omaha.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Omaha?
Block 16's Croque Garçon is the most famous. For a classic, locals love Dinker's Bar & Grill. For a smash burger, Hyde's Slydes topped 2025 diner rankings, and All American Burger is a strong downtown option.
Where can I find a cheap burger in Omaha?
Dinker's, Louie M's Burger Lust, Don & Millie's and Hyde's Slydes are all casual, budget-friendly spots.
Where can I get a burger in downtown Omaha?
Block 16 and All American Burger are both on Farnam Street downtown, a short walk from the Old Market.
What is a Reuben burger?
It is a burger topped like a Reuben sandwich, with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing. Omaha is widely credited as the Reuben's birthplace, and Dinker's is one local spot known for this kind of burger.