Moved to southwest Omaha and wondering what’s actually worth your time out here? This local guide to Millard, Nebraska breaks down the best locally owned dining, craft beer, outdoor recreation, and family entertainment in this Omaha neighborhood, venue by venue.
HurrdatONE: Your Omaha Neighborhood Experts
Omaha isn’t just where Hurrdat ONE is located; it’s home. We’ve spent time in Millard and neighborhoods all over Omaha to uncover the local spots, hidden gems, and community staples that define each area. We’ve walked the streets, talked to business owners, and experienced these neighborhoods ourselves to find the parks, breweries, restaurants, and shops you can’t miss.
Is there a Millard spot we missed? Let us know.
- Historic Old Millard
- Locally Owned Restaurants in Millard
- Bars & Taverns in Old Millard
- Parks & Outdoor Recreation in Millard
- Indoor Kid Activities in Millard
- Wrapping Up: Your Weekend in Millard, Omaha
Historic Old Millard
Before Millard was what it is today, it started as a small development in the early 1870s, thanks to one Ezra Millard. Laid out alongside the Union Pacific Railroad main line, it was officially incorporated as its own village in 1885, thriving on railroad access at a time when other small towns failed around it. (Source: Douglas County Historical Society)
That independent identity didn’t disappear when Omaha annexed Millard in 1971; it just moved a few blocks. Head to the intersection of Millard Ave and L Street and work your way northwest up to Cottner Street, and you’ll find Historic Old Millard: a compact, walkable strip of brick-and-mortar businesses that have served this neighborhood for decades. This is the anti-strip-mall part of town, still holding onto the small-town pride that’s defined Millard from the very beginning.
If Old Millard’s walkable, historic-district feel is your speed, our guide to Omaha’s Old Market covers a similar (if larger and older) pocket of the city worth exploring downtown.
Locally Owned Restaurants in Millard
Shirley’s Diner
One of the first places that comes to mind when you think of Millard is Shirley’s Diner. This family-owned restaurant is a community favorite, and for good reason. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it serves up nothing but homemade comfort food. Pro tip if you’re coming for breakfast: get there early, especially on weekends, because this place fills up fast. The chicken fried steak, hand-breaded and smothered in savory housemade sausage gravy, has earned its reputation as one of the most ordered items on the menu, and it’s available any time of day. Shirley’s stands out as a must-visit when you come to Millard.
- Perfect For: Weekend family breakfasts; hearty comfort food any time of day
- Address: 13838 R Plaza, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $10–$20
- Hours: Mon: 7 a.m.–2 p.m. | Tue–Thu: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. | Fri–Sat: 6 a.m.–8 p.m. | Sun: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe Italian
For over 25 years, Sgt. Peffer’s has been a staple in the Millard community. The menu sticks to Italian classics: baked pasta dishes, homemade sauces, fresh garlic bread, all at a price point that makes takeout feel like a reasonable weeknight decision rather than a splurge. The drive-thru window is a practical detail that gets overlooked in most write-ups, but it can be pretty useful on busy weeknights. Dine-in is a comfortable, family-friendly experience that handles groups easily.
- Perfect For: Weeknight family takeout; casual sit-down Italian without the downtown drive
- Address: 13760 Millard Ave, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $10–$20
- Hours: Mon–Thu: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Fri–Sat: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Sun: Closed
Quack Burger
Smash burgers are the whole concept at Quack Burger, and the local reception has been strong since it opened. Inside Joe’s Duck Inn Bar, all you have to do to get one is walk up, order a burger with crispy seared edges and house sauce, get crinkle-cut fries, and eat it while it’s hot. The menu is intentionally simple, with a focus on getting the burgers, fries, and house sauce right. For a quick lunch in Old Millard between errands, or a low-commitment meal after a Zorinsky trail run, it fits the occasion well. The counter-service format keeps things moving, and a limited menu means the kitchen can focus on getting the burger right.
- Perfect For: Quick casual lunch on Millard Ave; post-Zorinsky burger run
- Address: 13336 Millard Ave, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $10–$20
- Hours: Mon–Tue: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Wed: Closed | Thu–Sat: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Sun: noon–8 p.m.
Local Beer, Patio & Kitchen
The Millard location of Local Beer, Patio & Kitchen makes quality craft beer accessible without a drive downtown. With over 40 beers on tap, focused on Nebraska and regional Midwest breweries, there’s always something new to try. The food program goes beyond bar snacks, offering gourmet burgers and shareable plates from a kitchen built to handle a full dinner crowd. The outdoor patio is expansive and dog-friendly, the kind of place you end up staying two hours longer than planned. Coming from Zorinsky Lake, it’s about a 5-minute drive, making it an easy post-hike stop.
- Perfect For: Dog-friendly patio afternoons; discovering Nebraska craft beers without a tasting-room drive
- Address: 4909 S 135th St, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $10–$20
- Hours: Mon–Sun: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Bars & Taverns in Old Millard
Brick Street Tavern
Brick Street Tavern earns its name with original brick walls and a warm atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back year after year. Located on Cottner Street in the heart of Old Millard, this neighborhood tavern and grill runs a full kitchen alongside a solid lineup of craft beer taps and sports screens. The covered patio is a nice touch for warmer evenings when you want a drink outside without fighting downtown parking.
- Perfect For: Post-work drinks with coworkers; casual night out without the downtown hassle
- Address: 4936 S 135th St, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $10–$20
- Hours: Mon–Sun: 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Blind Dave’s Bar
There’s no cocktail menu at Blind Dave’s, no trendy tap list, and no pretense, just cold beer at prices that will make you feel a little guilty about what you’ve been paying elsewhere. Pool tables, a jukebox, an outdoor seating area, and some of the friendliest bartenders in southwest Omaha make this an easy spot to lose a few hours on a weeknight. It has the lived-in feel of a place that’s been part of the community long enough to stop trying to impress anyone, which is exactly why locals love it.
- Perfect For: Low-key solo evenings; late-night drinks after dinner on Millard Ave
- Address: 5082 S 136th St, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $1–$10
- Hours: Mon–Fri: 9 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sat–Sun: 10 a.m.–2 a.m.
Piccolo’s Bar
Just down the block, Piccolo’s Bar is a cash-only neighborhood bar known for strong cocktails and a laid-back crowd that doesn’t mind you bringing in outside food. It’s the kind of low-key spot where you settle in for one drink and end up staying for three.
- Perfect For: A quiet drink without the wait; bringing your own takeout to pair with a drink
- Address: 13328 Millard Ave, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $1–$10
- Hours: Mon–Sat: 6 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sun: noon–2 a.m.
Joe’s Duck Inn Bar
Right next door, Joe’s Duck Inn Bar has built a loyal following around darts, pool, shuffleboard, and an owner regulars describe as the heart of the place. It’s also cash-only, and here’s a fun detail: Joe’s Duck Inn shares its exact address with Quack Burger, so the burgers you’re reading about in our restaurant section are the same ones getting rave reviews from people bellied up at this bar.
- Perfect For: A night of darts, pool, or shuffleboard; grabbing a Quack Burger with your beer
- Address: 13336 Millard Ave #5, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $1–$10
- Hours: Mon–Sat: 8 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sun: noon–2 a.m.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation in Millard
Andersen Park
Andersen Park sits just off Cottner Street and functions as the community living room for Old Millard. The park features open green space, playground equipment, picnic pavilions, and ball fields, the standard municipal amenities that make it a reliable family destination any time of year. It’s also the permanent home of the annual Millard Days festival, Omaha’s longest-running neighborhood carnival and community celebration. When Millard Days rolls around each year, Andersen Park fills up with rides, food vendors, a parade, and block-party energy that reminds you this neighborhood has a genuine community identity.
- Perfect For: Weekend picnics with kids; attending the annual Millard Days community festival
- Address: 13625 Cottner St, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daily: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
Zorinsky Lake Park Trail and Boating
Zorinsky Lake Park is the outdoor anchor of Millard, and it’s easily one of the best parks in Omaha for the sheer amount of ground it covers. The main entrance is at 156th and F Street, and the lot fills up fast on weekend mornings, so plan to arrive before 8 a.m. if you want easy parking. A 255-acre no-wake lake sits at the center of more than 7 miles of paved walking and biking trails looping through mature trees, open meadows, and wildlife habitat. Bring binoculars if you’re into birding; the park hosts a surprising variety of species year-round. For paddleboard and kayak launches, the boat ramp at 156th and F Street gives direct water access on the south side of the lake, and the no-wake designation keeps conditions ideal without powerboat traffic. Beyond the water, the park includes a modern aquatic center, baseball fields, and multiple playgrounds, part of why it draws such a diverse crowd, from solo morning runners to families spending the entire afternoon.
- Perfect For: Morning trail runs and bike rides; kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake
- Address: 3808 S 156th St, Omaha, NE 68144
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daily: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
Walnut Grove Park
Walnut Grove Park is the quieter counterpart to Millard’s bigger-name green spaces, a shaded, oak-lined retreat built around a small pond that feels far more tucked away than its location just off a main road would suggest. The paved trails wind through the trees and are well suited to an easy walk, run, or bike ride, and a small lake draws in local anglers most weekends. There’s a playground for kids, multiple picnic areas scattered under the tree cover, and several small free parking lots throughout the park, so you’re never far from your car. Just know there’s no public restroom on-site, and while pets are welcome on a leash, the park doesn’t allow boating, swimming, or camping.
- Perfect For: A quiet walk or casual fishing trip; picnicking somewhere less crowded than Zorinsky
- Address: 15050 Q St, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daily: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
Indoor Kid Activities in Millard
The Amazing Pizza Machine
This one is for parents looking to burn off kid energy on a Saturday when outdoor options aren’t appealing. The Amazing Pizza Machine is one of the most comprehensive family entertainment destinations in southwest Omaha. An unlimited pizza and pasta buffet, go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, mini bowling, and a full arcade all live under one 60,000-square-foot roof. Tiered pricing packages let you tailor the experience to your budget, though the full package (unlimited rides and games plus the buffet) represents real value compared to piecing together individual admissions. Hours vary by season, so check before a weekday visit.
- Perfect For: Birthday parties and rainy-day family outings; burning off energy during extreme summer heat
- Address: 13955 S Plaza, Omaha, NE 68137
- Cost: $20–$60 per person (tiered packages)
- Hours: Mon–Tue: Closed | Wed–Thu: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Fri–Sat: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Sun: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (varies seasonally)
Wrapping Up: Your Weekend in Millard, Omaha
Millard rewards the effort to look past the chain restaurants and big-box stores along its main commercial corridors. Between the historic character of Old Millard, 7+ miles of trails at Zorinsky Lake, a solid taphouse to post up at, and locally owned dining that’s served the neighborhood for decades, there’s a full weekend’s worth of activity here, no downtown trip required.
For more local guides to Omaha’s best neighborhoods and dining, check out these related resources from Hurrdat ONE:
- Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Omaha
- Best Breweries and Wineries in Omaha
- Best Bars and Restaurants with Patio Seating in Omaha
- Best Things to Do in Omaha This Fall
Looking for more of Omaha to explore? Browse all of our Omaha neighborhood guides, or contact us if there’s a Millard spot you think we should feature next.
