Lincoln, Nebraska wears a lot of different hats for a midwestern city. It’s the state capital, a proud college town for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a place where fall Saturdays revolve around football, and a hub for arts, museums, and live events. Walk through downtown and into the Historic Haymarket District and you’ll see another side of Lincoln that locals are quick to brag about: a lively, very local food scene built around comfort food, family recipes, and small businesses that have become institutions over the years.
If you’re planning a trip and looking for things to do in Lincoln, weaving a food tour into your sightseeing is one of the best ways to see the city. The restaurants and shops here are clustered in walkable neighborhoods, so you can easily combine a stop for a signature sandwich or ice cream with a stroll through the Haymarket’s brick streets, a concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena, or a tour of the state capitol. Guides to Lincoln highlight the Historic Haymarket as a must-see district, pointing out its turn-of-the-century warehouses, farmers market, and mix of galleries, shops, and independent restaurants that “sizzle with activity” day and night.
This guide focuses on five spots that show off the flavors locals love most: the iconic runza sandwich, a cozy European-style brunch and dessert destination, over-the-top burgers, a brewpub that helped put Nebraska craft beer on the map, and small-batch ice cream in an old-fashioned soda shop. Together, they create a ready-made food itinerary you can plug into any weekend in Lincoln.
Runza Restaurant — Nebraska’s Famous Bread-Pocket Sandwich
No list of Lincoln signature dishes can skip the runza. The runza sandwich is a soft bread roll baked around a filling of ground beef, onions, cabbage, and spices, descended from a Volga German meat pastry called a bierock. In Nebraska, it’s gone from immigrant comfort food to full-blown regional icon. The most famous version comes from Runza Restaurant, a regional chain that started in Lincoln in the late 1940s and now has locations all over the state.
Several Runza locations sit around the city, but the shop at 4901 O Street is a convenient stop if you’re driving across town or heading between shopping districts. TripAdvisor reviewers give this location solid marks, with one calling it “a great first experience at Runza West O in Lincoln” and another mentioning that even a quick stop for lunch delivered “good food” and friendly service. A separate Lincoln Runza review sums it up simply: “Hamburgers were excellent. Staff friendly & prepared our order quite fast.”
Writers outside Nebraska often treat the runza like a discovery. Articles about the state’s food traditions talk about it in the same breath as Cornhusker football, tying the sandwich closely to Lincoln’s sports culture and to cold-weather comfort eating. Game-day coverage and fan chatter mention that thousands of runzas are sold at Memorial Stadium each season, which explains why so many locals consider them part of the Lincoln experience alongside seeing the team play or walking through campus.
What does it actually taste like? Online reviewers compare it to a cross between a cabbage roll and a burger, with soft, slightly sweet bread giving way to a peppery, savory filling. Some first-timers admit they were skeptical about the cabbage but came away surprised by how well everything works together. Others suggest ordering a basket with crinkle-cut fries or onion rings and dipping both sandwich and sides into a pool of ranch or cheese sauce for the full local effect.
What to order: If you’ve never been, start with the Original Runza so you get a feel for the classic beef-and-cabbage ratio. After that, you can branch out into cheese, mushroom-Swiss, or other variations. Pair your sandwich with fries or onion rings and something cold to drink before you head off to your next stop.
The Green Gateau — Brunch, Cake, and Cozy European Flair
If Runza is all about grab-and-go comfort food, The Green Gateau at 330 S 10th Street shows off Lincoln’s softer, more European-influenced side. This “upper-scale neighborhood restaurant” has been around for decades and routinely lands near the top of lists of the best places to eat in Lincoln. It’s an easy walk from the capitol and downtown hotels, which makes it a natural fit for a lazy weekend brunch or a celebratory dinner while you’re in town.
The Green Gateau’s brunch menu reads like a love letter to classic bistro dishes. A recent version lists Croque Monsieur on brioche, crab sliders with roasted red pepper mayo, a rich pasta Gorgonzola with chicken, and a Gateau burrito loaded with eggs and cheese. The separate Gateau To-Go Brunch lineup makes it even harder to choose, with options like crepes Florentine, huevos rancheros with pork chili, corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy, and warm beignets or scones served with whipped cream and lemon curd or strawberry jam.
Reviewers regularly single out brunch as the best in town. One highly rated TripAdvisor review is literally titled “Best Weekend Brunch in Lincoln,” praising the made-from-scratch biscuits and sausage gravy and calling it a longtime favorite. Another guest who visited for a celebration wrote that “there’s a reason this is one of the highest rated restaurants in Lincoln… it was exceptional,” noting both the quality of the food and the service from start to finish. Diners on review and reservation sites describe the ambience as “cozy,” “romantic,” and “a nice break from the pub food and bars in downtown Lincoln.”
The restaurant’s dessert program is just as much a draw. A Green Gateau catering menu details a “Gateau Signature Dessert Buffet” featuring the namesake Green Gateau cake, lemon Italian crème cake, apricot torte, mini cheesecakes, and other sweets. Photos from guests show towering slices of layered cake and crème brûlée served in classic ramekins. One long-time patron jokes that they always struggle to choose between the Green Gateau cake and an ultra-rich truffle torte, which is a good problem to have.
What to order: For brunch, you can’t go wrong picking something from the Eggs Benedict section and rounding it out with beignets or a scone to share. If you’re visiting later in the day, consider one of the steak or seafood specials and treat dessert as non-negotiable. Either way, plan a little extra time to linger over coffee or a glass of wine before walking down to the Haymarket.
Honest Abe’s Burgers & Freedom — Creative Burgers with Local Personality
When the craving for something messy and indulgent kicks in, locals point visitors toward Honest Abe’s Burgers & Freedom, a Lincoln-born burger joint with several locations around the city. The original spot at 840 N 70th Street is a popular stop for both neighborhood regulars and visitors willing to drive a few minutes from downtown for a great burger.
The restaurant’s own tagline promises “tasty beef, soft buns, and a whole lot of gloriously honest food,” and the menu delivers on that promise with a rotating cast of burgers that go way beyond basic lettuce and tomato. Past lineups have included patties topped with pickled apples, unusual cheeses, or house-made sauces, alongside thoughtful veggie and vegan options that local college guides call out as some of the best non-meat burgers in town.
A detailed write-up from a Nebraska restaurant critic describes one of Honest Abe’s signature burgers as a masterclass in balance, with toppings that “blend together brilliantly” instead of competing with each other. Reviewers on Yelp and TripAdvisor echo that sentiment, calling the burgers “constantly on point” and highlighting the combination of juicy patties and creative toppings. One guest notes that the place is “great for a splurge” with big portions and the kind of flavors that make the occasional wait during peak hours feel worth it.
The experience fits neatly into a typical Lincoln day. It’s the kind of place you hit after walking the Haymarket and touring the capitol, when you’ve built up an appetite and want to sit down to something satisfying before heading to a show or game. Because Honest Abe’s has a downtown location as well as the original on N 70th, you can decide whether you’d rather stay close to campus and the arena or explore another part of town.
What to order: Check the board or the online menu before you go, since special burgers rotate. If you see a combination that sounds a little strange (like those pickled apples), trust the kitchen’s instincts and try it. If someone in your group doesn’t eat beef, the veggie and vegan patties are worth a shot rather than feeling like an afterthought.
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill — Nebraska Craft Beer and Comfort Food in the Haymarket
Right in the heart of the Historic Haymarket, Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill at 210 N 7th Street is both a brewpub and a Lincoln landmark. It’s part of a family of businesses connected to Empyrean Brewing Co., often credited as Nebraska’s first craft brewery, and it’s been drawing crowds for years with house-made beer and hearty, from-scratch comfort food. Lincoln’s tourism site lists the Haymarket location among its recommended downtown restaurants, and TripAdvisor reviewers give it high marks for both food and atmosphere.
Lazlo’s describes its philosophy as “creative comfort food” paired with unique, flavorful beer. The menu backs that up with homemade appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrées, all accompanied by made-from-scratch soups and side dishes. A TripAdvisor summary of the Haymarket location highlights just how wide the selection runs, from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, fish, and vegetarian plates. Yelp reviewers praise favorites like the prime rib, grilled chicken dishes, chicken fingers, and thick-cut fries, noting that “there’s really something for everyone” on the menu.
What really makes Lazlo’s feel like a signature Lincoln stop, though, is the way it ties into the neighborhood around it. The concrete-and-brick building opens out toward the Haymarket’s brick streets, and outdoor seating in good weather lets you people-watch while you eat. A Facebook page for the Haymarket location mentions that “great food and Nebraska brew” are the main draw, but reviewers often add that the buzz of the district—especially on weekends and event nights—adds to the fun.
What to order: If you’re a beer fan, start with a sampler flight from Empyrean Brewing to get a feel for Nebraska craft styles, then settle in with a burger, steak, or one of the chicken specialties pictured throughout Lazlo’s promotional photos. The restaurant is large and family-friendly, so it’s a solid pick if you’re traveling with a group and want a place where everyone can find something they like.
Ivanna Cone — Handmade Ice Cream in the Historic Haymarket
After all that savory food, you’ll want something sweet, and luckily one of Lincoln’s most beloved dessert spots sits just a few steps away from Lazlo’s in the Haymarket. Ivanna Cone, located at 701 P Street, is a family-owned, small-batch ice cream shop that has been operating since 1997. The owners describe it as a “one-of-a-kind family-owned and operated premium, handmade ice cream shoppe” with a classic “old time” soda shop look, and that’s exactly how it feels when you walk through the door.
The shop makes all of its ice cream on-site in small batches, using real ingredients and playful flavor combinations. The Ivanna Cone website lists staples like sweet cream vanilla, fresh strawberry, Dutch chocolate, and cinnamon, then tempts visitors with rotating specials that change frequently. Local guides and blogs mention flavors like peach horchata, honey blueberry espresso, and other inventive mixes that keep regulars coming back to see what’s new.
Downtown Lincoln’s business directory calls Ivanna Cone “a one of a kind family owned and operated premium handmade ice cream shop with a classic ‘old time’ soda shop look,” and notes that it sits right in the middle of the Haymarket’s action, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and retail shops. That location makes it an easy add-on to almost any evening plan, whether you’ve just finished dinner at Lazlo’s or are leaving a concert at nearby Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Reviews are full of affection. A frequently quoted TripAdvisor comment says the shop is “always a must when we visit the Haymarket in Lincoln!!! Super fun atmosphere with super yummy ice cream and flavors you don’t get elsewhere.” Another reviewer mentions how much they enjoy watching staff work the small-batch freezers while kids press up against the glass case to see the colors and toppings. Many people also praise the homemade waffle cones, which fill the shop with a warm, sugary smell as they’re made.
What to order: The smart move is to ask for a couple of samples before you decide. Pick one tried-and-true flavor—vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry—then pair it with something seasonal or unusual so you can taste the creative side of the menu. Get your scoops in a homemade waffle cone and take a slow walk along the Haymarket’s brick streets to round out your evening.
Putting Your Food Tour Together
One of the best things about this lineup is how easily it fits into a broader “things to do in Lincoln” itinerary. You can start your day with a runza on the way into town or between attractions, then wander through downtown and the capitol area before settling in for brunch or lunch at The Green Gateau. From there, head toward the Historic Haymarket to shop, browse galleries, or check out the seasonal farmers market that local tourism sites describe as a must-do for weekend visitors.
In the afternoon or evening, grab a burger at Honest Abe’s—either at the original N 70th Street location or downtown near campus—and see what’s happening at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, or other event venues highlighted on lists of Lincoln attractions. Wrap up the night back in the Haymarket with dinner and a pint at Lazlo’s, then cross the street for ice cream at Ivanna Cone as you watch the district glow under its string lights.
By the time you’ve made it through all five stops, you’ll have tasted dishes that locals talk about constantly when they describe their city: the humble but addictive runza, rich brunch plates and cake, creative burgers, Nebraska-brewed beer paired with comfort food, and ice cream scoops that kids and adults get equally excited about. Combined with Lincoln’s museums, live music, sports, and historic neighborhoods, these signature dishes help turn a quick visit into something much more memorable.