Restaurants

All Omaha restaurants are smoke free. The most atmospheric place to dine is undoubtedly Rick's Café Boatyard, located beside the Missouri River at 345 Riverfront Dr. (tel. 402/345-4545; www.rickscafeboatyard.com). A bustling, airy restaurant seating 1,000 diners both inside and on a huge deck overlooking the river, it's known for its live music in summer (Thurs-Sat) and fresh seafood, but also offers burgers, steaks, and pasta, all priced between $12 and $45. In the Old Market, M's Pub, 422 S. 11th St. (tel. 402/342-2550; www.mspubomaha.com), has a bistro atmosphere with its sidewalk seating and open kitchen. It serves a wide range of salads, sandwiches, lahvosh (pizza on Armenian crackers), and satays, priced from $8 to $36.

For a taste of Omaha's famous steaks, head to Gorat's, 4917 Center St. (tel. 402/551-3733). This family-owned Omaha institution has been serving steaks hand-cut and aged on the premises since 1944 and is a popular hangout of investor Warren Buffet. Seafood, pastas, daily specials, and a children's menu round out the offerings, with steaks and all the trimmings ranging from $17 to $26. Another popular choice is Dundee Dell, in the quaint Dundee neighborhood west of downtown at 5007 Underwood (tel. 402/533-9501; www.dundeedell.com). Established in 1934, it's famous for its fish and chips and large assortment of sandwiches, all priced below $10, but also available are a children's menu and the world's largest selection of single-malt Scotch. The Amazing Pizza Machine, on the western edge of the city off I-80 at 139th and Millard Ave. (tel. 402/829-1777; www.amazingpizzamachine.com), offers a buffet (dinner $11 for adults, $5.50-$6.50 for children) and a huge game arcade.