The Dressage Foundation’s office is just an hour from Omaha….and the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals! We are thrilled to have this prestigious event in our backyard from April 4-8 (next week!).
Since we love Omaha, we thought we might give a few tips for those coming to our great state for the World Cup. At the CHI Health Center Arena and Convention Center, all things World Cup are under one roof. That means ticketed competition, the warm-up arena, vendors, education, and concessions are all within steps of each other.
But if you want to head outside (make sure to check the weather first-it always changes!), just head north, south, or west and you have lots of great restaurants. Sara Weiss, our Director of Grants and Programs, is a self-proclaimed foodie who wants to share some of her favorite Omaha restaurants.
Omaha's Steakhouses:
In Nebraska, cows outnumber people and that means great steak is plentiful! If you want to try an authentic Nebraska steakhouse, here are a few suggestions:
Closest to the CHI Health Center Arena: 801 Chophouse – High-end steakhouse that is pricey, but the quality of the food and amazing service make it a place to go in the Old Market.
Best in Omaha: The Drover - several miles west from the CHI Health Center Arena, but worth the drive for the whiskey-marinated steaks (get the rib-eye). The décor will remind you of the “old west” and it has another wonderful steakhouse staple: a great salad bar!
For a bit of Omaha History: Johnny's Cafe - a few miles south of downtown Omaha is Omaha’s oldest restaurant and steakhouse, Johnny’s. It is over 100 years old and is set where the historic Omaha stockyards used to be. It’s a classic steakhouse with classic cocktails.
Other ideas:
- Committee Chophouse in the Blackstone District. The Blackstone district is just a short drive from the Arena and well worth a stop. It has been revitalized in the past few years and has a wonderful assortment of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops (visit Archetype!). The Committee Chophouse is in the Cottonwood Hotel (formerly The Blackstone Hotel). The Blackstone Hotel is where the Reuben was invented! Across the street is one of the best bars in Omaha (and they serve a great Reuben!!!), the Crescent Moon. Crescent Moon is part of “Beer Corner USA” and is also home to the Huber Haus (a German Beer Hall) and Max & Joes which features Belgium beers.
- Gorat's - Another well-known and well-loved Omaha steakhouse. Gorat's is a favorite of Omaha's own Warren Buffett!
Stay tuned for more fun tips for visiting Omaha!
Learn more about the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals at https://omaha2023.fei.org/overview.
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocate donations, and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high-performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
Sara’s Old Market Favorites (two blocks south of CHI Health Center):
Block 16: A favorite for locals and visiting celebrities alike! Chef and Food Network star, Alton Brown, proclaimed the “Croque Garcon” as one of the best burgers in the USA. Block 16 has been nominated for a James Beard award and features unique daily specials. A great place for lunch!
La Buvette: A lovely spot for fresh French-inspired food and an incredible list of wines. The prices cannot be beaten for the quality. It’s Omaha’s little slice of Europe and a great place to people watch.
Boiler Room: Fine dining, locally sourced, seasonal, and always interesting. Chef Nicholson is a James Beard Award semi-finalist.
Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream: Everyone needs dessert at some point after a long week of horsing around! Ted & Wally’s has a daily list of flavors handmade in their shop, plus vegan options as well. A very sweet treat!
Also check out: M’s Pub, V Mertz, and Ika San Ramen
Stay tuned for more fun tips for visiting Omaha!
Learn more about the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals at https://omaha2023.fei.org/overview.
Photo Courtesy of Visit Omaha
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocate donations, and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high-performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
