Barred Owl — Restaurant in Lincoln

I had a genuinely enjoyable experience at The Barred Owl, and despite some setbacks, I plan to return and give it another chance.

The atmosphere is truly impressive. The view and decor make it feel like you are no longer in Nebraska, which gives it a unique and hidden gem quality. Although the balcony was closed during my visit, it remains one of the main reasons I look forward to coming back.

The food was average. The flatbreads were underwhelming, soggy, and difficult to handle, with a flavor that did not leave a lasting impression. The truffle fries also fell short. They were too soft inside and thicker than I prefer. Normally I enjoy thin truffle fries, but these lacked the crisp texture and rich truffle flavor I was expecting. The standout item was the chicken skewer. It was perfectly cooked, incredibly juicy, and well coated in a flavorful sauce. That dish alone made the meal worthwhile.

Service was disappointing. We waited almost 45 minutes for our food, which was surprising since we arrived just six minutes after opening. The server apologized and explained that other tables were ahead of us, which seemed unusual given the timing. Despite the delay, the server remained polite and attentive. I can only imagine that wait times during busier hours could exceed an hour.

This is a great place to bring friends or family from out of town, but it may not be ideal for a first date or large gathering. The bar and dining area are relatively small, so I would recommend visiting with a smaller group. Pricing is fair for what you receive, and the elevated location provides an amazing view that adds to the experience. It truly is a hidden gem in Nebraska, and I hope my next visit is...

The bar was clean and the drinks were actually reall good. The patio with fire pit was a great private escape from the louder main room inside. My main issue was at the end of the night (after last call) I walked up to the bar and waited. Both bartenders and a third staff member made eye contact with me, smiled, and walked away...I had to flag them back down to close out my tab. After giving my name, all 3 staff members spent 5-10 minutes scurrying around the bar looking under the till, on the floor, inside coolers, and even the trash can with out saying a word to me...I concluded they lost my card. After that time of commotion one bartender finnally communicated they didnt seem to have my card and continued to question me if I even gave my card to them to begin with! Yes, I had checked all my pockets and purse to be sure but I knew I gave it to them. They took my name, number and discription of the card and said "we will call you when we hopefully find your card, and of course tonights tab will be on the house and not charged." They did find my card about 10 minutes after I left the bar and was able to pick it up....but I still got charged for the nights tab. It's a great place with good atmosphere and drinks but the staff need...

To start with the good. The place is well designed with a great view. The food is hit or miss with the ‘tatchos’ being mostly just a large plate of $16 tater tots with a little bit of toppings which were not bad but not by any means worth $16. The service is extremely slow, like sooooooo slow. Took us about 20 minutes to get our drinks and the server kept telling us the drinks were on their way (it was not THAT busy)(weirdly our tatchos came out sooner). In addition to the slow service; I asked the bartender if they could turn off the music outside since there was live music in the courtyard below and they said they would, yet they never did. The biggest low star in my book is the drink I ordered. I ordered a paper plane which is a simple 1:1:1:1 yet it was horrible. It was the color of a Manhattan yet was so off balance, I couldn’t finish it. If you go, order a beer or glass of wine, enjoy the view, and then go somewhere...