Are you looking for a special restaurant for a special occasion? Omaha has no shortage of wonderful places to indulge in, whether you are looking to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or any memorable event.
5 Restaurants in Omaha for a birthday dinner, date night, or celebration
Avoli Osteria
5013 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE 68132
Opened in Dundee in 2013, Avoli features Northern Italian cuisine. The menu changes seasonally, as they source local ingredients in addition to importing ingredients from Italy. The inside is elegant, with decorative chandeliers, and there is a beautiful patio outside.
The pastas are all so delicious it is difficult not to fill up on those, but you will want to save room for the tasty meat entrees. The restaurant encourages diners to share dishes, which allows for everyone to try more than one menu item. However, everything also works as individual entrees, if you do not want to share or are with a group where sharing is not convenient.
The Boiler Room
1110 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102
The Boiler Room used to actually be a boiler room that provided heat for the old Bemis Bag Building. Opened in 2009, the restaurant has the beautiful aesthetic of an abandoned industrial building that has been polished to feel cozy, warm, and timeless. The food is upscale, yet comforting and down to earth. The restaurant partners with many local growers and producers to form their menu, which changes frequently. I tend to order whatever fish entrée they have at the time, which is always fresh and cooked to perfection.
If you are a wine lover, there is always a perfect wine pairing for any meal, with their large selection of at least 500 wines. In addition, they offer unique and seasonal craft cocktails, with many house-made ingredients.
A Foreign Taste
14242 Fort St #109, Omaha, NE 68164
Located in West Omaha, this unique venue offers food and wine representing different culinary tastes around the world. The wine menu is also international, and the sommelier can help you find the perfect pairing. The inside is relaxing and romantic, but also great for a gathering of friends. It’s a wonderful place for people who are adventurous with food and want something completely different, with creative ingredient combinations. You can order from the main menu, or they also offer an amazing chef’s tasting menu, with six courses and an optional wine pairing with each course. You won’t leave hungry, either way.
In addition to dinner, they also have brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with a kids’ menu available, so aside from a special occasion place, this could be a great place for a family brunch.
The Committee Chophouse
302 S 36th St, Omaha, NE 68131
If you enjoy a good steak for special occasions, look no further than The Committee Chophouse, located in the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Blackstone. The steak here is perfect, along with the sides. Each side (ordered a la carte) is large enough to share. The service is impeccable, and the servers know everything there is to know about where they source their steak, seafood, sides, and how everything is cooked. The staff takes great pride in how this restaurant operates, and it is infectious to the diners because eating here is a wonderful experience.
V. Mertz
1022 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102
Nothing is more classic Omaha than dining in the beautiful Old Market Passageway. Although it is picturesque year-round, it is especially magical during the holiday season, when the passageway is filled with sparkling Christmas lights. V. Mertz sits cozily in the passageway, dimly lit, warm, and welcoming. This restaurant began in 1977, when the Mercer family excavated the passageway and opened V. Mertz as a café and wine shop. Later, it transitioned to an upscale restaurant.
They have a great wine selection and offer cocktails and spirits as well. The menu, while not large, changes seasonally and will please all tastes with a variety of offerings. The staff are very helpful and friendly, so do not hesitate to ask questions about the menu items.
Omaha is a hidden gem when it comes to great restaurants. If you have a favorite restaurant for special occasions, I would love to hear what it is and why you love it.
