My personal faves tend to veer toward east Omaha, since I’m a longtime east Omaha resident. But I love patios across this fine city. Here are my picks.
Mr. Toad
1002 Howard St.
I like Mr. Toad, an old-school Old Market bar, year round, but there is a particular charm about its patio, located on one of the main corners of the neighborhood, at 10th and Howard streets. Half-circular booths and tables get shaded by mature trees during the day and lit by fairy lights in the evening. The cocktails are stiff and affordable, and in the summer, I almost always find myself ordering a classic gin and tonic.
Le Bouillon
1017 Howard St.
Le Bouillon’s patio, with its street-facing tables and wide selection of well-priced wines, is one of two Old Market patios that really remind me of Paris cafe culture. I would say I’m not sure how Omaha got so lucky, but I am sure: Paul Kulik and Vera Mercer are the reasons. Kulik, like the Mercers before him, is among the stalwarts that have kept the Old Market such a special neighborhood in our city. Bouillon’s patio is best experienced during its happy hour, Monday through Saturday 3-6 p.m., which includes 30% off wine from neighboring Howard Street Wine Merchant and discounted snacks, including oysters, a meat and cheese plate and caviar and potato chips, among other treats.
La Buvette
511 S. 11th St.
No surprise that this is the other Parisian patio I mentioned above. I’ve spent less time at Buvette lately, but it remains a fact that the restaurant still has one of the best patios in the city to sit, people watch, drink a glass of crisp white wine and share whatever is the special of the day. It’ll always hold a place in my heart. There’s simply nothing else like it in Omaha.
Gather in Omaha
1108 Howard St.
I know this list features a lot of patios in the Old Market, but trust me: Gather is on top of the patio game in a big way. Not only has it reinvented the large patio on Howard Street, in front of the restaurant, it has a second equally large patio at the back of the restaurant, tucked in a nook off 11th Street. I have dined on both and I like them both quite a bit. Gather has quietly become one of my favorite local, reliable spots for dinner. If you haven’t visited, might I recommend an order of mushroom toast with melted brie and a Caliente Wey cocktail?
The Trap Room
733 N. 14th St.
In spite of its location adjacent to the annual College World Series, The Trap Room manages to fly pleasantly under the radar for most of the year. That is one of my favorite things about it, along with its wraparound patio with picnic tables and colorful flower boxes. I called its bloody mary (with help from a team of tasters) the best in Omaha, and I maintain that. I also love their margaritas on tap — particularly delicious in the scorching summer heat.
Lola’s Cafe
4952 Dodge St.
I love the Yves Klein blue patio furniture on the deck tucked behind Lola’s Cafe, the excellent restaurant inside Film Streams. I have (and will again) meet a friend there for lunch or brunch and dine on that patio, be it an egg dish or their fantastic kale salad. I love sitting in the font windows at Lola’s along busy Dodge Street; the patio offers a shadier, more peaceful vibe. It’s a contrast worth appreciating.
Krug Park
6205 Maple St.
The petite patio behind Krug Park in Benson has been a long-standing favorite of my friend group, and I can’t count the times we’ve found our way there for happy hour or later at night after dinner somewhere else in the neighborhood. I know the bar is mostly known for beer and bloody marys, but I’m a true fan of its shortlist of craft cocktails, which are always seasonal, creative and delicious.
Inner Rail Food Hall
1911 S. 67th St., behind HDR
Inner Rail, the food hall in Aksarben Village, is one of those Omaha spots where we often choose to sit outside versus inside because their patio, with fire pits, yard games, twinkle lights and music, is just that pleasant. The ever-changing lineup of restaurants means there’s always something news to choose from: I’m looking forward to trying Zaytuna, a Mediterranean concept, and Tiny’s, a new pizza joint. I’ve found you can never go wrong with a solid burger from Smash City.
Monolithic Brewing
4915 N. 120th St.
Flatwater readers on X, formerly known as Twitter, prompted us to check out Monolithic Brewing. Though a sudden rainstorm had closed its patio, which is adjacent to a park and fishing pond, it certainly looked like a peaceful spot to me. Pair that spot with a lovely blood orange margarita, a solid lineup of craft beers and house-smoked Angus burgers served on warm, toasted buns and I’d count it among the patios I will return to.
Dante
16901 Wright Plaza
The small patio at Dante is one of the most pleasant in west Omaha. I have always enjoyed a seat under their umbrellas complete with friendly, efficient service, excellent cocktails (it feels absolutely right to enjoy a spritz at one of the city’s best Italian spots) and, of course, great food. I find the seasonal dishes to be particularly inspired during spring and summer; fresh and local done the Dante way is always worth heading west for.
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