Best Italian in Omaha?

[Omababe]

Too many new hipster restaurants opening.

"Blame it on the casinos!"

[EATapodcast]

Echoing Lo Sole Mio. It's great. I also am a huge Biaggis fan.

[Brad]

I was going to vote for Malara's as well. I can't remember which day, but I believe they make a tortellini stuffed with their sausage that is delicious.

Saturdays!

[choke]

Too many new hipster restaurants opening.

"Blame it on the casinos!"

....or on the rain.

[nativeomahan]

I was going to vote for Malara's as well.

Speaking of Malara's, does anyone know anything about them possibly moving and/or expanding?

I thought I posted this here already but I did not see it. A while ago when I was dining there I overheard some chit-chat about the owner "buying some nearby property" or something and I kind of assumed it was something like an expansion.

(I guess I could just ask the next time I'm there.)

My wife used to work there when she was in her early 20's. The last time we ate there on a Saturday night, she mentioned how the dining room and bar would be packed on the weekends. It has been far from that when we go there now. It's too bad because we think the food is pretty darn good. Too many new hipster restaurants opening.

What exactly is a "hipster restaurant"? One that focuses on chef inspired, seasonal menus, fresh herbs and locally sourced ingredients, served up in an attractive atmosphere? If that makes a place "hipster" then count this 50-something in as being a hipster.

[Greg S]

For me I think of hipster places as seen and be seen places. Trendy.

If I here hipster or foodie to describe a place it causes me pause in going. Another is when I am hearing about a place and the person describes it more as authentic than good.

I know most on this place look down on it but my favorite italian is still Lo Sole Mio. Used to go a lot before UNO hockey games downtown. Now with them at Baxter don't make it as much as we used to.

Greg

[guy4omaha]

I have too many favorite Italian restaurants to have a favorite one above all others in Omaha. Agree with most, if not all, of the positive reviews in this thread over the years.

I might have missed it earlier somewhere in the thread but I would add Mangia's to the list of good Italian food in Omaha. Now mind you, not even a guy like me is going to mistake it for a Hipster place. i would liken it to a neighborhood Italian diner or cafe. It's well worth the drive to Irvington in my opinion.

Be prepared to wait as the dining room is small, maybe the size of Nicola's inside or a pinch smaller perhaps. In warm weather it probably doubles in size with a patio. We were there last night (Monday night in December) and people were waiting and the take out business was brisk. Our out of town guests were impressed with the food and the out of the way drive into old town Irvington. They felt like they were in on a secret.

[Omababe]

Duh! My bad!

It was Mangia, not Malara, where I overheard the chitchat about buying some nearby property.

Reset that question please.

As for what is a hipsta restaurant, after this last time in the El-Lay area, I might use the term "overseasoned" in the description, as in to cover up lack of true talent in the kitchen.

[bigredmed]

For me I think of hipster places as seen and be seen places. Trendy.

If I here hipster or foodie to describe a place it causes me pause in going. Another is when I am hearing about a place and the person describes it more as authentic than good.

I know most on this place look down on it but my favorite italian is still Lo Sole Mio. Used to go a lot before UNO hockey games downtown. Now with them at Baxter don't make it as much as we used to.

Greg

Hipster places are places where 3 green beans and a carrot strip is considered a vegetable side dish and places where being seen or being able to drop the name is more important than the meal.

Le Sole's is good, but you just can't get around the discrepancy between their normal food and their dump trucks of pasta. I hate going somewhere where my wife and I are at opposite ends of the satiety scale.

[nativeomahan]

Omaha has had several really good Italian places disappear in recent times. The city used to be known for their vibrant Italian restaurant scene. Now, not so much. Osteria Avoli is top notch. The best of the rest is probably Pasta Amore. There are lots of good pizzerias but if you want classic Italian cooking, whether pastas or otherwise, there aren’t that many options. The chain places are tasty, but they aren’t true Italian.

[Brad]

So what's in the Running these days for Best Italian?

Avoli Osteria
Spezia
Pasta Amore
Luigi's
Nicola's
Dante
Vincezo's

Feel like I'm missing one?

[djc311]

So what's in the Running these days for Best Italian?

Avoli Osteria
Spezia
Pasta Amore
Luigi's
Nicola's
Dante
Vincezo's

Feel like I'm missing one?

I really like Mangia's food... but last I knew (basically since COVID) you can't dine in there any longer. I live so far away from the Irvington exit that I simply won't go there to grab to go food that gets cold by the time I get home.

Italian has to be our favorite food type and it seems like everything continues to close. Although many may not have liked Grisanti's, my wife and I loved their Tour of Italy, their tomato tortellini soup and of course their amazing bread and sauce.

I don't even need 100% authentic recipes - but Olive Garden is not Italian... well, it's about as Italian as Fazoli's.

My mom took everyone out for Easter last weekend to Cascio's. Had their chicken parm and it was OK, but the fact they probably haven't spent more than $10 on any improvements in that place over the past 20 years makes me not much of a fan. IMO it's another restaurant that will likely close their doors when certain things happen in the family that runs it (ie, Malara's).

It's quite sad - we have almost a million people here and I can't think of a single Italian place that I love to go to anymore.

On a side note I'm a huge fan of lasagna without anise - I don't enjoy black licorice and prefer to not have that taste in my food, either. So perhaps that's a personal issue that I just have to deal with. But even places like Spezia which I do enjoy (although it's another restaurant that looks like it dropped right out of the 1970's), doesn't even offer lasagna. How does an Italian restaurant NOT offer lasagna? May as well not have spaghetti or fettucine.

[Coyote]

Did I hear that Mangia’s is opening a second location - but only a take out location, I think I heard this on Grow Omaha this morning…

[Brad]

I really like Mangia's food... but last I knew (basically since COVID) you can't dine in there any longer. I live so far away from the Irvington exit that I simply won't go there to grab to go food that gets cold by the time I get home.

Mangia, that's one I was missing. I had it catered in for a work lunch a coupe months ago and we had some else pick it up so I don't know about recently, but last fall (2022) we dined in a lunch a couple times. Dining room was full the entire time.

Did I hear that Mangia’s is opening a second location - but only a take out location, I think I heard this on Grow Omaha this morning…

Correct From Mangia's Facebook Page last Tuesday:

The possibilities are endless….
15 years with our amazing customers! Inquiring minds want to know. Where would you like to see a Mangia Italiana TO GO location open up?!

[Padre]

I really like Mangia's food... but last I knew (basically since COVID) you can't dine in there any longer. I live so far away from the Irvington exit that I simply won't go there to grab to go food that gets cold by the time I get home.

Mangia, that's one I was missing. I had it catered in for a work lunch a coupe months ago and we had some else pick it up so I don't know about recently, but last fall (2022) we dined in a lunch a couple times. Dining room was full the entire time.

You can dine in for lunch only, Tuesday thru Friday, 11 - 2.

[nativeomahan]

Brad I’ve tried and enjoyed almost all of those on your list. I’m not familiar with Luigi’s. Vincenzo’s references that it resembles St. Louis style Italian places. It’s much more Old School than the others.
Roma has really good food, down in Bellevue. They remodeled not that long ago and it features a pretty nice atmosphere now to match their good food.
La Casa has a limited Italian-American menu to go with their wonderful pizzas. Cascio’s isn’t an Italian restaurant but they offer a handful of American style Italian dishes. I’m afraid to say I cannot think of any other locally owned Italian restaurants. Not sure if Mio Italiano has opened yet.

[Brad]

Brad I’ve tried and enjoyed almost all of those on your list. I’m not familiar with Luigi’s.

I have never been their either, but its in Old Towne Bellevue. I have heard good things.

[nativeomahan]

It’s a bit strange to me that Italian restaurants in Omaha seem destined for placement on the Endangered Species list while Mexican restaurants are popping up everywhere, and there is no shortage of Asian places.

[NovakOmaha]

Malara's or Lo Sole Mio and as I understand it they are both closed.

La Casa, Caniglia's (in any configuration), Piccolo Pete's, Mr. C's, etc. were good but I found the two above to be at a bit higher level of good.

No idea about any current ones but I sure remember these

[OmahaJaysCU]

There literally isn’t a place to have real veal parm in this town anymore.

[Brad]

There literally isn’t a place to have real veal parm in this town anymore.

While I like Veal Parm, its never been on of my go to dishes. That said, I know back in the day when I worked at Grisanti's, their Veal Parm was the real deal and we sold a lot of it.

[nativeomahan]

Grisanti’s was fantastic! You could have a delicious meal of just their salad and buttery garlic bread.

[Omaha Cowboy]

There literally isn’t a place to have real veal parm in this town anymore.

At Pasta Amore you can. In fact all of their veal dishes are quite good..

Dolce’ may not technically be an Italian restaurant, but Italian inspired..and it is worthy of a mention. Roma Italian Restaurant in Bellevue (Fort Crook Rd) is also worth the drive (and another place you can get good veal parm)…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nativeomahan]

Malara's or Lo Sole Mio and as I understand it they are both closed.

La Casa, Caniglia's (in any configuration), Piccolo Pete's, Mr. C's, etc. were good but I found the two above to be at a bit higher level of good.

No idea about any current ones but I sure remember these

Since you live in Metro Detroit can I ask what the dining trends are in that metro? Are you also losing a lot of old mom and pop places? Is the restaurant mix changing and are you seeing fewer Italian places? Just curious.

[Omaha Cowboy]

There literally isn’t a place to have real veal parm in this town anymore.

At Pasta Amore you can. In fact all of their veal dishes are quite good..

Dolce’ may not technically be an Italian restaurant, but Italian inspired..and it is worthy of a mention. Roma Italian Restaurant in Bellevue (Fort Crook Rd) is also worth the drive (and another place you can get good veal parm)…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Another place I just remembered that has solid Italian is Bella Vita Ristorante in Elkhorn.. It’s worth a try. I enjoyed it the last time I dined there..

Edit- I just saw they either will be or already have closed for good earlier this month. Sad…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nativeomahan]

Yes, yet another closed Italian place.

[NovakOmaha]

Malara's or Lo Sole Mio and as I understand it they are both closed.

La Casa, Caniglia's (in any configuration), Piccolo Pete's, Mr. C's, etc. were good but I found the two above to be at a bit higher level of good.

No idea about any current ones but I sure remember these

Since you live in Metro Detroit can I ask what the dining trends are in that metro? Are you also losing a lot of old mom and pop places? Is the restaurant mix changing and are you seeing fewer Italian places? Just curious.

Great question. It seems that here there haven't been that many local restaurants closing, at least since I moved here. The Omaha trend of independent restaurant closures started with the casinos and their cheap buffets. That began when I lived there. There are a lot, a LOT, of independent local restaurants in the Detroit metro. Really great ones with recipes from the old country. Yes, metro Detroit gets its share of the popular chains. It's funny. Wahlburgers made a splash here and one by one they're closing. I never went there and I'm sure covid and labor problems and food costs hurt.

To get back to your last question the restaurant mix is very wide. Pretty much you name it it's here. As for Italian restaurants we have our favorite local ones and one of them did close. I think in the end the difference between Omaha-sized cities and Detroit sized cities is just that. Population. 25 mile radius in Omaha is around a million, Detroit 4.3 million. Has to make a difference.

Here is my favorite Italian restaurant.

Roma

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the Omaha BBQ scene is in far worse shape..

But that’s an opinion/discussion for another thread…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebport5]

So what's in the Running these days for Best Italian?

Avoli Osteria
Spezia
Pasta Amore
Luigi's
Nicola's
Dante
Vincezo's

Feel like I'm missing one?

You could probably shorten this list to the ones that make their own pasta. Of course, it's not a guarantee of quality and execution but it's a good starting point.

Cibo Vino sounds promising as it is to be a scratch kitchen.

[Globochem]

Via Farina

[nativeomahan]

I think the Omaha BBQ scene is in far worse shape..

But that’s an opinion/discussion for another thread…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Yes.
And yes.

[djc311]

Grisanti’s was fantastic! You could have a delicious meal of just their salad and buttery garlic bread.

I proposed to my wife there - it was simply our place. Our first real date, and we never had bad food there.

I heard they closed due to health violations… or perhaps it was a rumor or the cause of their demise. No matter, I miss their food. IMO it was the best place to get Italian we loved that was consistently good. And the bread and sauce was the best in town (if you like garlic & butter drenched bread).

I wish they’d come back - or an iteration thereof. Every time I drive by their old location it puts a frown on my face.

[Brad]

I heard they closed due to health violations… or perhaps it was a rumor or the cause of their demise. No matter, I miss their food. IMO it was the best place to get Italian we loved that was consistently good. And the bread and sauce was the best in town (if you like garlic & butter drenched bread).

I think it was taxes. Michael Grisanti sold it to a new owner a few years before they closed and I heard it went downhill fast under the new ownership. I quit working there around 2006 or so and not sure I ever went back.

[ChadJK]

Gristanti's - I never made it into Grisanti's much. I went a few times in the early-2000's and seem to remember really liking it, but it just wasn't especially convenient. I went back maybe a year before they closed and everything about the experience from food to service to cleanliness and maintenance was just bad. I was not at all surprised to hear they were closing. I didn't realize there was an ownership change.

Avoli Osteria - We've been a couple of times and really enjoyed it.

Spezia - In my head, this will always be La Strada 72. I've eaten there a couple of times and like it, but it's just one of those restaurants I seem to keep forgetting about. I'll have to make it a point to go back.

Pasta Amore - Went here for a weekday lunch years ago and sat outside and enjoyed it. We never made it back to try dinner. I think they've changed ownership in the last 5 or so years and they're no longer open for weekday lunches.

Luigi's - This one is in Olde Towne Bellevue. My only experience was stopping in to get a takeout order of Spaghetti Marinara for my daughter and she really liked it. We keep meaning to try it, but when we're in the vicinity we usually end up at Roma's.

Nicola's - Never been.

Dante - I've been a few times, but I've only had two things on their menu: pizza and their Zucchini Fritti. Both are so yummy that I can't seem to not order them. So, I've not tried their other entrées.

Vincezo's - This is another I used to keep forgetting existed. It's in the rotation now and we probably stop in once every couple of months. We like it. Sometimes I worry they're hurting for business as they don't seem as busy as they should be, but they manage to keep hanging on year after year, so I must just visit at odd times.

[Brad]

Pasta Amore - Went here for a weekday lunch years ago and sat outside and enjoyed it. We never made it back to try dinner. I think they've changed ownership in the last 5 or so years and they're no longer open for weekday lunches.

The people behind Railcar and Timber purchased it.

[nativeomahan]

Pasta Amore - Went here for a weekday lunch years ago and sat outside and enjoyed it. We never made it back to try dinner. I think they've changed ownership in the last 5 or so years and they're no longer open for weekday lunches.

The people behind Railcar and Timber purchased it.

We have eaten dinner at Pasta Amore twice in the past 6 or 8 months. Both times the food was very good. Under the present owners the menu has been freshened and expanded and they seem to be trying to attract a younger clientele than the AARP crowd that predominated under the prior ownership (full disclosure, I’ve had my AARP card for almost 15 years but my culinary tastes don’t run to spaghetti, creamed corn and meatloaf). They have several dining rooms and a beautiful outdoor patio. While Omaha’s Italian restaurant scene is much smaller than it was 25 years ago this is one of the Top 5 in town for my money.

[nativeomahan]

My husband and I dined Al fresco last night at Cibo Vino in the Old Market, based on the strong recommendation of a friend. He was right. The food and service were both very good. I had their Soup of the Day, which was (ironically) Spanish Gazpacho. It was among the best examples of gazpacho that I’ve had anywhere. We split a better than average order of calamari, and both of us opted for pasta as our main meal. Every bite got eaten! Prices are quite reasonable, given you are in the heart of the OM.
The pastas are all home made. Pretty much everything is made from scratch. I hope they can maintain their quality.

[Cermak]

I heard they closed due to health violations… or perhaps it was a rumor or the cause of their demise. No matter, I miss their food. IMO it was the best place to get Italian we loved that was consistently good. And the bread and sauce was the best in town (if you like garlic & butter drenched bread).

I think it was taxes. Michael Grisanti sold it to a new owner a few years before they closed and I heard it went downhill fast under the new ownership. I quit working there around 2006 or so and not sure I ever went back.

Grisantis was always pretty good, I miss the place. Nice convenient location and the place seemed big and roomy. Seemed like a long time ago that it was open, I often frequented it back in the late 80's and 90's. For a while it was my "go to" place for Italian in Omaha.

[djc311]

I heard they closed due to health violations… or perhaps it was a rumor or the cause of their demise. No matter, I miss their food. IMO it was the best place to get Italian we loved that was consistently good. And the bread and sauce was the best in town (if you like garlic & butter drenched bread).

I think it was taxes. Michael Grisanti sold it to a new owner a few years before they closed and I heard it went downhill fast under the new ownership. I quit working there around 2006 or so and not sure I ever went back.

Grisantis was always pretty good, I miss the place. Nice convenient location and the place seemed big and roomy. Seemed like a long time ago that it was open, I often frequented it back in the late 80's and 90's. For a while it was my "go to" place for Italian in Omaha.

I wish it would come back - I'm sure there are several that thought of their restaurant as being too commercial due to its size, but it wasn't a chain and I thought the service was always very good.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Pasta Amore - Went here for a weekday lunch years ago and sat outside and enjoyed it. We never made it back to try dinner. I think they've changed ownership in the last 5 or so years and they're no longer open for weekday lunches.

The people behind Railcar and Timber purchased it.

We have eaten dinner at Pasta Amore twice in the past 6 or 8 months. Both times the food was very good. Under the present owners the menu has been freshened and expanded and they seem to be trying to attract a younger clientele than the AARP crowd that predominated under the prior ownership (full disclosure, I’ve had my AARP card for almost 15 years but my culinary tastes don’t run to spaghetti, creamed corn and meatloaf). They have several dining rooms and a beautiful outdoor patio. While Omaha’s Italian restaurant scene is much smaller than it was 25 years ago this is one of the Top 5 in town for my money.

Since December 2022, I’ve eaten at Pasta Amore twice. Once, the service and food were excellent. The other, pretty much the exact opposite- the food was mediocre and the service was terrible..

I’ll be going back a 3rd time relatively soon, and my hope is for the great experience I had previously. If it’s as bad as it was the last time I went (in March), I’m writing them off my list. Which would be a shame…

Ciao..LiO…Peace