In the heart of Lincoln’s beloved Haymarket District, LeadBelly is the kind of locally-owned contemporary American restaurant that makes you realize a burger can be so much more than a burger.
Born from a shared vision sketched on a cocktail napkin by co-owners Michael Martin and Tony and Wendy Young, LeadBelly opened its doors in 2013 and immediately carved out a reputation as one of the best locally-owned restaurants in Lincoln, Nebraska — a bold, creative, and unapologetically fun dining destination that has never once played it safe. 🍺
How LeadBelly Won Lincoln’s Hearts
From day one, the founding team built a menu that treated the humble American burger as a blank canvas — topping their house-ground patties with everything from tequila-braised pork and jerk ginger peanut butter to raspberry jalapeño jam and chorizo hash, creating a lineup of options that manages to feel both wildly creative and deeply, satisfyingly delicious.
Diners from across Nebraska made the drive specifically for LeadBelly’s burgers — a remarkable testament to what a well-executed, truly creative menu can do for a locally-owned restaurant without a corporate budget behind it.
The atmosphere played an equally powerful role in building LeadBelly’s loyal community — a laid-back, contemporary pub energy that feels equally at home for a solo lunch, a double date, or a post-game night out with friends.
Co-owners Michael Martin and Tony and Wendy Young built something genuinely rare in LeadBelly — a community-driven Lincoln restaurant where the food never stops surprising you and the atmosphere never stops welcoming you back. 🙌
Food writers and diners alike have pointed to LeadBelly as a defining entry in the Lincoln burger scene — not just one of the best in the city, but one of the best in Nebraska.
That reputation was built the only way a restaurant’s reputation ever truly is — one outrageously good plate at a time, served by a team that genuinely cares about every guest who walks through the door.
Food Highlights
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Raspberry Beret Burger: Jerked ginger peanut butter, raspberry jalapeño jam, candied bacon, romaine, and red onion on a toasted brioche bun. 🫐🥓
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Full Leaded Jacket: A house-ground beef patty sandwiched between two freshly baked cinnamon rolls, smothered in queso and chili, and served with tomato, onion, sour cream, fresh jalapeño, and crisp corn tortilla chips. 🌶️🧀
- Hüevos Ranchero Burger: Chorizo hash, a fried egg, crisp romaine, red salsa, sour cream, and white cheddar on a toasted brioche bun — a bold, breakfast-inspired burger. 🍳
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California Dreamin’ Burger: Candied bacon, creamy guacamole, red onion jam, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, pepper jack, and fresh jalapeño on a toasted brioche bun. 🥑🌶️
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Giddy Up and Go Burger: Tequila-braised Big Red BBQ pork, white cheddar, citrus slaw, and fresh jalapeño on a toasted brioche bun. 🤠
- Gooey Louis Burger: Bloody Mary sauce, celery, pickle, and a fried egg on a toasted brioche bun — a cocktail-inspired burger. 🍅🥚
- Big Mike Burger: House-ground beef patty, melted white cheddar, creamy garlic aioli, fresh tomato, red onion, and crisp romaine on a toasted brioche bun — a beautifully straightforward classic.
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VooDoo Lady Burger: Jerk ginger peanut butter, pineapple, roasted poblano, red onion, shredded romaine, and pepper jack on a toasted brioche bun. 🍍🌶️
Atmosphere
LeadBelly’s Haymarket location is one of the most energetic and personality-driven dining rooms in all of downtown Lincoln — a contemporary American pub space that buzzes with the lively, unpretentious spirit of a place that knows exactly what it is and leans into it completely.
The décor is sharp and urban, with a full bar, craft cocktail menu, and an impressive rotating draft beer selection that makes LeadBelly just as popular for drinks as it is for food. 🍻
It’s the kind of downtown Lincoln restaurant that works for virtually every occasion — casual enough for a Tuesday lunch, lively enough for a Saturday night out, and creative enough to keep regulars coming back to work their way through the entire burger menu one visit at a time.
Bottom Line
LeadBelly is Lincoln’s crown jewel of creative American pub dining — a locally-owned Haymarket icon with 16 outrageously inventive burgers, scratch-made appetizers, a legendary craft beer bar, and the kind of bold, never-boring menu that has made it one of the most beloved restaurants in Nebraska since the very day it opened. 🍔🎸❤️
Address:
301 N 8th St, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508
🕔 Open Mon–Thu 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sun 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM