The Best Burgers in Nebraska: Omaha and Beyond (2026)

The best burgers in Nebraska are easiest to find in Omaha, where old-school bar and grills sit alongside one of the Midwest's best-known chef-driven burgers. Start with Block 16 for the Croque Garçon, Dinker's Bar & Grill for a classic bacon cheeseburger and Hyde's Slydes for Omaha-themed smash burgers. Just south of the city, Stella's in Bellevue is a statewide favorite.

This roundup is built from the spots in our Omaha burger guide, grouped by style, plus one nearby classic. Check hours before you go, since several diners and bars keep limited evening service.

How Omaha does burgers

Omaha is a beef town, and its burger tradition is the neighborhood bar and grill: a well-seasoned patty, American cheese and a cold beer in a room full of regulars. Locals argue about these places in community polls, and the same names come back every year. In the last few years, a smash burger scene has grown up downtown and at Aksarben Village, and Block 16 has given the city a burger with a national reputation.

The famous one: Block 16

Chefs Paul and Jessica Urban opened Block 16 downtown in 2012, serving farm-to-table street food with daily chalkboard specials. The Croque Garçon, a beef patty with ham, a fried egg and truffle mayo, is the burger that put it on the map. It ranked No. 2 among Omaha-area burger spots by diner reviews in 2025. The dining room is small, so check the specials board before you order, and add the Omaha Fries if you're hungry.

Old-school bar and grills

• Dinker's Bar & Grill: the old-school joint locals vote for. It won half the votes in an Omaha Exploration poll of favorite old-school burger joints, and a 2026 local review called its bacon cheeseburger close to perfect. It also serves a Reuben-style burger, a nod to Omaha's claim on the Reuben sandwich.
• Louie M's Burger Lust: a South Omaha diner on Vinton Street with thick burgers served open-faced, toppings on the side. The Guacamole Burger is a popular order, and it's known for big breakfasts and green chili too. Evening service is limited.
• Don & Millie's: a no-frills burger counter that has served Omaha since the 1970s. Order a cheeseburger and fries.
• Goldberg's in Dundee: a neighborhood bar and grill on Dodge Street in walkable Dundee, with a blackened Cajun burger for adventurous eaters.
• Smitty's Garage Burgers and Beer: a Dodge Street spot with a build-your-own burger menu, a good beer list and a string-lit patio.

More classics from around the country are on our best classic burgers page.

The smash burger wave

• Hyde's Slydes: ranked No. 1 among Omaha-area burger spots by diner reviews in 2025. Owner Nick Hyde built the menu around smash burgers with Omaha-inspired names. The Lancer has a ranch-infused patty, pepper jack, grilled onions, bacon and barbecue sauce, and the Aksarben adds strawberry aioli and blue cheese.
• All American Burger: smash burgers on Farnam Street downtown and at the Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben Village. The All American Smash, as a double, is the order.

Browse our best smash burgers picks for more.

Worth the drive: Stella's in Bellevue

Stella's Bar and Grill in Bellevue, just south of Omaha, is a long-running family bar and grill where burgers are the focus. Chowhound named it the best burger in Nebraska, as a June 2025 local radio report noted, praising its simple toppings and well-seasoned patty. It's an easy add if you're flying in or out of Omaha or visiting the Bellevue area. Check current hours before you go.

How to plan an Omaha burger day

1. Start downtown. Block 16 and All American Burger on Farnam Street are a short walk apart.
2. Head to Dundee and Midtown. Goldberg's, Smitty's Garage and Don & Millie's are all along the Dodge and Farnam corridors.
3. Make Louie M's a morning stop. It's a breakfast favorite too, and evenings are limited.
4. Drive to Bellevue. Stella's is a short drive south of downtown, so it pairs well with an airport run.
5. Vote with the locals. Dinker's is the bar and grill that wins the polls, so don't skip it.

What to order

• Block 16: the Croque Garçon, plus Omaha Fries if you're hungry.
• Dinker's: the bacon cheeseburger.
• Hyde's Slydes: the Lancer.
• Louie M's: the Guacamole Burger.
• All American Burger: a double All American Smash.
• Stella's: a classic cheeseburger.

Make a Nebraska-style burger at home

For an Omaha bar and grill burger, season a thick patty well, melt American cheese on top and add a thick tomato slice and crisp bacon. Our bacon cheeseburger recipe gets you there. To try a Croque Garçon-style burger, top a patty with a slice of ham, a fried egg and a little truffle mayo. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.

Know a great burger in Lincoln, Grand Island or western Nebraska? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

What is the best burger in Nebraska?

Block 16's Croque Garçon in Omaha is the state's most famous burger. Dinker's is the local pick for a classic, and Stella's in Bellevue has been named the state's best by Chowhound.

What is a Croque Garçon?

It's Block 16's signature burger: a beef patty topped with ham, a fried egg and truffle mayo.

Where can I get a smash burger in Omaha?

Hyde's Slydes and All American Burger, which has locations downtown and in the Inner Rail Food Hall at Aksarben Village.

Is there a Reuben burger in Omaha?

Yes. Dinker's Bar & Grill serves a Reuben-style burger, a nod to Omaha's claim on the Reuben sandwich.

Is Stella's in Omaha?

It's in Bellevue, just south of Omaha, an easy drive from downtown.