A Coastal-Style Seafood Meal in Omaha’s Old Market

A tray of oysters can set the tone nicely in Omaha’s Old Market: a few raw shells on ice, perhaps an oyster shooter for the more adventurous person at the table, and the pleasant problem of deciding what comes next. This seafood-focused restaurant gives oysters plenty of room on the menu, but it does not stop at the raw bar.

The cooking runs from familiar coastal comfort food to more dressed-up fish plates, with shellfish, chowders, pasta and regional fish all in the mix. It is an easy place to make a full dinner of several shared starters, though a lunch of a cocktail and a bowl of bisque would be perfectly sensible, too.

Inside, the nautical theme and coastal-inspired décor keep the mood bright and lively without turning dinner into a theme-restaurant performance. The room can be comfortable for conversation, while the outdoor tables put diners at an active Old Market corner where there is plenty of street life to watch.

Oysters arrive in several forms here. Raw oysters on the half shell are the straightforward choice, and the selection can offer an enjoyable little comparison of briny flavors and textures across different oysters.

For a warmer route, there are broiled oysters and Oysters Rockefeller. Oyster shooters add a quick, spirited bar-snack option, particularly when the table is already passing around a few appetizers.

Happy hour has been a notable time for oysters, cocktails and selected small plates. The details of those offerings can change, so it is worth checking the current schedule and menu before planning a visit around a particular special.

The starter list has enough range to support a leisurely meal before anyone orders an entrée. Shrimp toast, crab dip, calamari, ceviche, crudo and clam chowder give a group plenty of ways to move between crisp, creamy, chilled and fried.

Baja ceviche brings citrus and spice into the picture, with a bright, balanced profile that makes sense early in a meal. It is a good counterpoint to richer plates such as crab dip or the creamy pastas farther down the menu.

The curry clam chowder takes a recognizable seaside staple in a more distinctive direction. Clam chowder’s usual comforting richness remains, but curry adds a layer that keeps the bowl from being merely expected.

Peel-and-eat shrimp have also been a popular happy-hour order. They suit the unhurried, hands-on side of seafood dining: a pile of shells, napkins close by, and a drink waiting at the bar or table.

The beignet-style hushpuppies deserve their own moment. Their interior is soft and fluffy rather than heavy, and jalapeño jam and chives add sweet heat and freshness around the fried cornmeal comfort.

Soft Parker House rolls provide another carb-forward temptation. They have a hushpuppy-like character of their own, which makes them especially hard to ignore when the table has ordered chowder, bisque or a saucy pasta.

There are non-seafood supporting players, too: Brussels sprouts, truffle fries, a butter lettuce salad and a pepper-forward Cacio e Pepe Caesar salad. Those choices help keep a shared table from becoming a parade of seafood alone.

Lobster bisque is a rich, velvety bowl with deep flavor, the sort of dish that can turn a quick meal into a longer sit-down. It is indulgent in the proper way, especially on a cool day or alongside a lighter seafood starter.

The lobster roll comes in a buttered roll, with lobster prepared to hold onto its texture rather than disappearing into a soft, overworked filling. It offers a direct, satisfying answer for diners who want lobster without committing to a more elaborate entrée.

Shrimp and lobster pasta goes in the opposite direction: creamy sauce, substantial pieces of seafood and a notably full plate. The pasta has been described as thick and chewy, making it a hearty choice for someone who wants coastal flavors with the comfort of a pasta dinner.

The fish list moves well beyond a generic catch-of-the-day approach. Mississippi catfish, walleye, mahi mahi, snapper and grouper all point to a menu willing to borrow from different American coastal traditions while keeping a Midwestern fish such as walleye in view.

Walleye can arrive flaky and paired with creamy polenta. One preparation takes a salty, punchy puttanesca-style direction, a useful reminder that fish does not have to be treated delicately to be good.

Scallops show up with scalloped orzo or risotto, and a strong sear gives them the savory edge they need against those softer, richer bases. These are the plates for settling in with wine and letting the meal stretch a while.

The cocktail list has fun with its coastal names. The Strawberry Surfer, Coco Inferno and Sea Foam Margarita make the bar feel like more than a waiting area before dinner.

Wine is available for a more traditional seafood pairing, while nonalcoholic options are not an afterthought. A sparkling lemonade has been prepared on request, and nonalcoholic champagne has also appeared among the drink choices.

That flexibility helps the room work for different kinds of outings: a casual afternoon stop, a cocktail-and-appetizer visit, dinner with friends or a more celebratory meal. A children’s meal has included grilled shrimp with fries, fruit, fruit snacks and yogurt, giving younger diners a seafood-appropriate option without asking them to tackle a whole raw-bar spread.

The Old Market location puts the restaurant within walking distance of local shops and the surrounding downtown district. A meal can fit naturally between browsing storefronts or taking a stroll toward the nearby riverfront.

Outdoor seating is especially appealing for people-watching, while the dining room itself can range from quiet and conversation-friendly to moderately lively. Reservations are available and can be useful on busy evenings and weekends, when the room has drawn a full crowd.

Parking nearby includes street spaces, paid lots and garages, though it can take a little patience to find the most convenient spot. The menu has also evolved over time, so anyone with a particular oyster preparation, fish dish or happy-hour plan in mind should check the current offerings before heading out.