Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Lincoln

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Venue Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (2280)

$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

Rebecca

Dined 5 days ago

We had an amazing time. Great food our server was outstanding. Full celiac kitchen. I love it here because I can eat and never worry. 10/10 experience!! Top picks were the strawberry shortcake, espresso, martini. Crap Cakes and the crème brûlée.

Piedmont Bistro by Venue

4.8

4.8 (1854)

$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

JaneGold

Dined 7 days ago

Our dinner last night was exceptional. Our server was fun and very welcoming. He recognized that we had been in before. Our food was delicious, hot and served in a timely manner. We love Piedmont Bistro.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Haymarket

4.8

4.8 (178)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill is all about good vibes and even better experiences. We bring people together through bold, sustainable ingredients, unforgettable flavors, and a vibrant atmosphere where inspired food, great conversation, and an iconic Happy Hour take center stage.

Top review

Hannah

Dined 4 days ago

We were Celebrating a Birthday and Blue was top notch helping with that! Sweet little touches from the staff made it a fun evening out. Always the food was great as well

The Oven - Downtown

4.7

4.7 (602)

$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

Shay

Dined 4 days ago

Food was delicious! Best Garlic Naan I've ever had. Our waiter was great, too. Would definitely recommend The Oven!

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Lincoln

4.7

4.7 (43)

$30 and under

American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is your destination for bold flavors and warm hospitality. From expertly crafted wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood to signature cocktails, mocktails, and curated wines, every detail is designed to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're gathering with family, hosting a client, or toasting to a special occasion, Firebirds offers elevated cuisine at an approachable price. Join us for Happy Hour at the FIREBAR® or on the patio and let us show you what extraordinary dining feels like. Reserve your table today — we can’t wait to serve you.

Top review

BryanGold

Dined 5 days ago

We ate here at the soft open last week for lunch and again this week for dinner. Both times the food was outstanding. Our server was Eric both times and he rocks. We had to wait for a table even though we had a reservation but it’s the hot new spot in town so be patient - it’s worth it!

Blue Orchid Thai

4.6

4.6 (255)

$30 and under

Thai

Lincoln

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Rosemary

Dined on Apr 16, 2026

We love Blue Orchid! The food may be more expensive than some other restaurants but it is well worth it. And I always have enough left for a second meal. Our server, Ty was also outstanding!

Granite City Food & Brewery - Lincoln

4.6

4.6 (615)

$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

Jeff

Dined on Jun 25, 2026

All the food was very good and the portions were big. Plenty of good food.

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HopCat - Lincoln, NE

4.5

4.5 (69)

$30 and under

American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

Our first foray into Nebraska is located near the Pinnacle Bank Arena in West Haymarket. We're not a sports bar, but we love sports. Want to watch the game? We've got you covered with 52-inch TVs viewable from most seats. Don't want to watch the game? That's cool too. We keep our music on (almost) all the time. Husker games are the big exception to that rule.

HopCat was founded on the principles of bringing local craft beer a bit closer to the communities we love. We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries, sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable

Top review

JUSTIN

Dined on May 24, 2026

We were well taken care of here! Food was good and service was even better!

Hiro 88 - South Lincoln

4.1

4.1 (202)

$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

GratenGold

Dined on May 29, 2026

I have been there before and it was better than I remembered. Good food and nice place.

Well & Good

4.0

4 (284)

$31 to $50

American

Lincoln

About the restaurant

WELL & GOOD. Homestyle inspired cooking with Executive Chef, Kevin Kobayashi.

Well & Good stays true to the homestyle cooking of Nebraska legends, while serving up refined taste to exceed the expectations of the modern traveler. Students will be reminded of home; global guests will experience vast Good Life flavor. Both will take comfort in knowing they're being taken care of with true Midwest hospitality.

Classy casual. Wear your table manners. Stay the whole night.

Top review

DanielleGold

Dined 3 days ago

Everything we had was great. Best steak I have had in a long time. Very tender and cooked to perfection.

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