It can be hard to eat out with a family—trust us, we know. And while it may seem tempting to head directly to the drive-thru or a fast-casual spot, you don’t have to anymore! There are plenty of restaurants in the Omaha area that now offer specially designed kids’ menus, specials and fun atmospheres that make dining with the kids easier than ever.
In this guide, we rounded up the best spots in the area for kid-friendly dining, complete with healthy options, entertainment, dedicated kids’ menus and more. So, whether your kids are picky, adventurous or both, you’ll find the perfect spot right here.
2419 Leavenworth Street
Nestled near Old Market, you’ll find the 11-Worth Café, a family-owned restaurant since 1976 that serves a variety of delicious choices for breakfast and lunch. Quick, casual and friendly, 11-Worth is a perfect place to bring the whole family for a weekend brunch. In addition to offering plenty of kid-friendly food options—from cereal and milk to thick, creamy milkshakes—they’ll also sometimes give out balloons that will keep your children entertained all day long.
10405 Calhoun Road
Not only is this historic inn home to some of the best fried chicken in the area, but they also play host to some of the cutest guests around. Over 50 raccoons come around every day for food scraps. Don’t be afraid of them—these creatures are adorable and friendly and your kids will love watching them while they eat! If you aren’t able to stop by any time soon, make sure you’re following them on Facebook, where you can catch plenty of adorable photos and videos of the raccoon guests.
13955 S Plaza
The Amazing Pizza Machine sounds like a kid’s dream just from the name—and it really is! This 60,000-square-foot, all-indoor restaurant and entertainment center features rides and attractions including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, mini-bowling, the Frog Hopper, the Mission Vortex, and more than 170 arcade games. And as if that wasn’t enough, this children’s’ paradise also has an enormous buffet restaurant which features pizza, pasta, salad, soups, breads, nachos, baked potatoes, desserts, ice cream, beverages and more! The kids will especially appreciate the option to dine in one of their four themed rooms—Cogswell’s Cartoonery Theater, Johnny Sprockets, Fan Factory Sports & Fun and Luigi’s Cafe.
3912 Farnam Street
Photo courtesy of Brian Langbehn via Coneflower Creamery
You scream, your children scream and we scream for ice cream! Located in the heart of Omaha’s Blackstone District, Coneflower Creamery churns farm-to-cone ice cream in a variety of interesting flavors. The desserts are all made with seasonal ingredients from local farms, and everything down to the sprinkles is made fresh in the kitchen. Try a scoop of their butter brickle, which pays homage to a historical Omaha ice cream flavor first introduced in the 1920s by the Blackstone Hotel. We also recommend accompanying your flavor of choice with some of the house-made artisanal root beer!
3223 North 204th Street, Elkhorn
When it comes to feeding your kids, you usually can’t go wrong with burgers and ice cream. And Dairy Chef, a tiny but mighty burger stop in Elkhorn, is a local favorite. Opened in 1969, this local institution features all-natural, soft-serve ice cream along with burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken nuggets—and pretty much anything else your child always seems to be craving. For those with dietary restrictions, they also have several vegan and gluten-free options. While they are usually only open from March to early October every year, this quintessential Omaha gem definitely deserves a spot on this list of kid-approved eateries. Please note: they’ll be closing for the 2019 season soon, so make sure to get your ice cream fix ASAP!
3824 Farnam Street
Who would have guessed that artisanal donuts, fried chicken and coffee would make such an incredible combination? Eat Bob’s Donuts has made waves in the Omaha community with its innovative flavors, modern atmosphere and friendly service since opening its doors in 2017. In addition to a variety of unique, gourmet donuts, they have plenty of options the kiddos in your life will be obsessed with—from a Fruity Pebbles-filled pastry to a PB&J-flavored donut that is full of kid-friendly flavors.
1170 Capitol Avenue | 1004 South 74th Plaza
Serving ridiculously large pizza slices, fries piled high and unique topping creations in a fun atmosphere, Lighthouse Pizza is an Omaha must-try. Eating at Lighthouse is like playing a “choose your own adventure” game, and you and your family will have a blast as you go through the steps to craft your perfect dish, like choosing your pizza toppings, fry sauce and, of course, whether you want cheesy garlic bread with your order (the answer is always “yes”). They are open late every night and you can eat in, hit the drive-through, pick up or even get your meal delivered.
1217 Howard Street
Photo courtesy of The Monster Club
This theme restaurant is brand new on the Omaha dining scene. Located in the Old Market, The Monster Club is a horror-themed eatery serving elevated pub fare during the day and a full menu geared towards adults after 9 p.m. The kids’ menu, or “Little Monsters Menu” features a plethora of delicious items like chicken nuggets, mac n’ cheese, burgers and even a BBQ jackfruit sandwich for non-meat eaters. Before you eat, enjoy taking in the props and posters that decorate the restaurant as well as one of their frighteningly delicious cocktails.
502 South 11th Street | 8416 Park Drive, Ralston
Spaghetti Works has been serving authentic Italian fare in the Omaha area for over 40 years. This classic Italian restaurant is known for its huge bowls of pasta, which you can get refilled for free as many times as you’d like, and the vintage truck-turned-salad-bar. And if pasta isn’t your families’ go-to dish, they also offer a wide range of sandwiches and pizzas.
1205 Howard Street
Photo courtesy of Plank Seafood Provisions
Located in the heart of Old Market, Plank Seafood Provisions serves the freshest seafood in Omaha. Your little ones will love the nautical decor inside or people watching from the spacious patio outside. The large menu is almost as impressive as the ambiance—featuring plenty of delicious dishes for both kids and adults along with an oyster bar and a spectacular cocktail menu.
13838 R Plaza
Omaha’s favorite rock and roll-themed restaurant, Shirley’s Diner is always a great choice when deciding where to take the family out to eat. Shirley’s prides themselves on providing a place where families can gather over a great meal. On their kid’s menu, you’ll find a no-frills selection of children’s favorites including “pa’sghetti”, chicken strips, sliders and a pancake.
106 Galvin Road, Bellevue
There’s no doubt in our minds that Stella’s Bar & Grill is one of the best places to get a burger in the Omaha area. In fact, the burgers have landed on Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha list every year since 2008! The Bellevue locale has been serving locals and visitors alike since 1936, and the burger is the result of a tried-and-true family recipe passed down for generations.
514 South 11th Street
Though Lazlo’s claims to be Nebraska’s first brewpub, Upstream was the first to call Omaha home. Since 1996, they’ve been serving in-house, crafted brews alongside artisan pub fare. While a brewpub might not be your first choice when deciding where to go out with the family, it should be! Children get little bendy sticks to play with while you wait for your table and kids’ portions are huge, featuring options every kiddo will love. Plus, if you visit on Tuesdays you might get a chance to see Joe Cole, a roving magician who is highly entertaining!
2295 South 67th Street | 2502 Farnam Street | 21209 Nebraska Crossing Drive, Gretna
Voodoo won first place in 2019’s Best of Omaha competition for their delicious tacos, and you can now find them in three different locations across the metro area. Whether you want smoked brisket, fried avocado, mahi-mahi or smoked alligator, their menu has a taco that will satisfy your every craving! The kids’ menu features smaller portions and simple dishes like chicken tacos, smash tacos and chicken fingers.
Do you have a suggestion?
If we missed your favorite kid-friendly restaurant in the Omaha area, tell us about it in the comments below!
Search 
