Satisfy your sweet tooth at 402 Creamery, the Lincoln scoop shops serving seasonal ice cream made from the freshest ingredients around. Dig into signature flavors like Cinnamon Snickerdoodle and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache, or test out their inventive flavors of the month. Besides making mouth-watering ice cream, 402 Creamery puts the community first by sourcing the best local ingredients and getting involved with fundraisers and other area events.  

If you’re in search of really, really good donuts, look no further than Hurts Donut Co. They’ve been sweetening mornings in Lincoln for years, along with nearly a dozen other locations across the midwest. Get your donut fix in the morning, afternoons, evenings, and any time in between, as Hurts Donut Co prides themselves on being open 25 hours a day, eight days a week. 

Choose from their selection of over 70 varieties of donuts, each of which they say is a love letter to their customers. Sink your teeth into classics like Bavarian cream or maple bacon, or satisfy your sweet tooth with unique donuts like the E.T. (topped with Reese’s pieces) or the S’mores (with a toasted marshmallow right on top).

Bold beers are best served in Lincoln’s historic Grand Manse building. At least, if you ask Boiler Brewing Company. This U.S. post office and courthouse turned brewery pours a rotating list of beer, cider, and mead, alongside some of the best bites in downtown Lincoln. 

Taste everything from the Coconut Killa imperial stout to the fruited gose Sedonah’s Sunrise Mimosa to red ales, lagers, IPAs, and even mead. Savor your pint in the tap room or get a crowler to go to enjoy back in your hotel room.

Tavern on the Square is as cozy as they come, with exposed brick walls and rustic wood ceilings reminiscent of the 1800s. Their old-world spirit is fitting as the tavern is flanked by buildings built over 300 years ago, all of which make up Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket Square. Whether you belly up to the bar or catch some sun in the outdoor courtyard, Tavern on the Square is a place you can stay a while. 

Their daily specials change with the season, but what remains is local craft beer, inventive cocktails, and a neighborhood bar atmosphere you just can’t beat. 

A family-owned restaurant, The Oven is part of a 27-year-old legacy of Indian food—but not just any Indian food. The Oven serves up Northern Indian cuisine specifically, which is unique for its colorful foods, bright aromas, and unmistakable depth of flavor. The Haymarket location first opened in 1988 and has been a Lincoln dinner staple ever since.

Dig into classic Indian appetizers like samosas or pakoras, but save room for entrees like tandoor chicken, chicken tikka, and more, all with a hearty helping of Indian bread.

Enter: the cozy basement coffee shop of our dreams. Locally-owned and operated since 2001, Crescent Moon Coffee in Lincoln serves a variety of single origin and locally roasted coffees, loose leaf teas, specialty espresso drinks, craft beer, wine and cocktails. While their drinks and extensive café menu are stellar, the exposed brick walls, rustic wood beams and homey ambiance steal the show. Place your order and stay awhile – trust us, you won’t want to leave this hidden gem.  

Kate Martin just might be the coolest Lincoln cocktail bar you’ve never heard of. Mysterious watering hole with drinks named after famous Nebraskans? We’re always in. Every drink at this O Street establishment is hand–crafted and well-considered by the excellent bartenders. You’ll definitely want to try at least one, maybe two, okay three…