Spezia

Spezia, tucked away in the heart of Omaha, is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the cozy interior and dim lighting, which created a relaxed and intimate ambiance.Despite arriving at 5:30 on a Tuesday night, the restaurant was bustling with activity. I was seated at the side bar, which, while not ideal, proved to be a minor inconvenience compared to the culinary delights that awaited me. The manager, who greeted me with a menu and took my drink order, exuded a welcoming and attentive demeanor.My Dr. Pepper arrived promptly, accompanied by a basket of warm bread served with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. While I typically prefer butter, this bread was exceptional, and the balsamic vinegar added a delightful tangy twist. In fact, it was so delicious that I had to exercise restraint to avoid filling up before my main course arrived.Speaking of the main course, I opted for the Chicken Parmesan, and it did not disappoint. The presentation was impeccable, and the aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water. The chicken was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Paired with a side of perfectly cooked angel hair pasta, it was a truly satisfying dish.From the friendly service to the delectable food and cozy atmosphere, Spezia exceeded my expectations. It's no wonder the restaurant was packed; the quality of the food and service speaks for itself. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Omaha.

Spezias has been one of my family's favorites for as long as I can remember. They have superb service, delicious Italian food, and a refined aesthetic. One of our favorites is the Gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. The gnocchi is soft on the inside with a light pan fry that elevates the texture. Paired with a gorgonzola sauce to add some bite, and a fresh basil, it's become a dish I crave regularly! It used to be listed as an appetizer, and while it currently is only available as an entree, if you request - they will make the smaller portion! For Entree's, my parents swear by the French Acadian Linguine. Annually, they order it as a special treat and the portion is so large that they typically have some left over! The spices have a tuscan kick, but without being spicy in the way a jalapeño would be, also toned down by the cream. My brother tried a flatbread and was shocked by the portion and flavor! It seems to be made in a wood - burning stove and was the size of a large charcuterie board. Typically, I am loyal to a fault to the Cheese Ravioli, because I absolutely LOVE it. Yet, I tried the eggplant parmasan, and requested that the pasta on the side be upgraded to ravioli, which they do for $4 upcharge. This is definitely worth it as they give you four ravioli! The eggplant parmesan is the best I have ever had in Omaha as it is not soggy, has a crispy and flavorful outside, and is thick cuts of eggplant. Even the meat eaters at the table tried it and enjoyed! While the prices are higher than some other locations in Omaha, the portions definitely help making up for it as everyone had leftovers to take home. Service is consistent, helpful, and personable! Spezia's will remain a family favorite for our annual holiday meal :)

Spezia baffles me. The parking lot is always packed, and you can't get in on a weekend without a reservation.And yet...the few times I've been there, it just doesn't seem to be good enough to warrant the attention. It's as if people have been going there for 25 years and just haven't tried anyplace else for their special occasions out of habit.Our bread was late, arriving after the appetizer. The calamari was hard; over-breaded and too crunchy, and there was no sauce to speak of. I ate 2 pieces and decided the calories just weren't worth it.My scallops were bland, as was the broccolini. Well cooked to just al dente, but just not that tasty. My companion's cioppino was also a bit flavorless.Our waiter was friendly but slow to respond to service requests.We had two gift cards which brought us there, but I think that will be the last time for Spezia.

We had driven by this restaurant for a while before we decided to try it out when the in-laws were visiting. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the authentic Italian atmosphere. The restaurant had pretty dim lighting, which can be good or bad depending on the person and the occasion. As with most Italian restaurants, Spezia offered complimentary bread - which was one of our favorite parts. The food was all cooked pretty well and relatively authentic (though I'd argue you can find more authentic ones). We did order the tiramisu for dessert, and I regret that. The tiramisu tasted like it was soaked in alcohol for days (not the normal Kahlua taste) - my husband jokes that he felt drunk after eating it. Overall, it's a cute little Italian restaurant with a relaxing vibe - recommend trying it out!

The parking is a bit difficult, but manageable if you arrive before 8:00pm. Otherwise, you risk parking on the uphill street behind the official parking lot. The food is great - these pictures were from 2021, and ever since the restaurant always had consistent track record having delicious food, amazing service, and the ambiance always is relaxing and calming. Remember to let your waiter know if you have an anniversary or celebration, they may accommodate you with a candle or seat you in a more intimate setting at the back

Absolutely Amazing!!! I had to say that first. The food, the service, and the atmosphere are some of the very best in this area. We had a reservation and were greeted warmly and seated immediately. We chose the calamari as an appetizer and that fried squid set the stage for the entire evening. The Calamari is a bit spicy, it has pepperoncini, red peppers and banana peppers too, olive oil tops it. Just Fantastic. Cioppino Spezia is a seafood stew with shrimp and mussels and some fish too. Extremely delicious. Just like the Hunter's ribeye it was cooked just the way that I requested. Everything we had at Spezia was worth every cent. The service is some of the best we have ever had in this town. I highly recommend Spezia to everyone. I can not wait to go back.

Best service and great food!! We were in town while my father was in the hospital and we were recommended this restaurant from one of the nurses. We loved it so much that we went back twice! The food was tremendous service was spectacular and the atmosphere was great!

I have visited Spezia for the last 3 years when in town for work! The bread is phenomenal with the olive oil and herbs on the table, mixed together. Here in the southeast, it can be compared to what Carrabbas does. The service is always top notch and very Italian professional. I first ordered Chicken piccata because I had been looking at another Yelp friend's dish (Thanks Susan) and I had forgotten how delicious it was. The one here was watery and my chicken had been chopped into chunks. I'm not used to that as I wanted to cut into the chicken myself and bathe it in the capers and sauce. I barely saw capers and then there was a lemon that I dare not squeeze in there because it was already swimming in some sort of water juice. I was, however, able to switch my dish out with their seasonal menu which included a Spring Risotto. The appearance was not appealing, but the flavor was there and not lacking! I ate the entire dish and did not have anything to take home. If you know me, you know I always get a to-go box to take my leftovers. There were none. The Spring Risotto included pesto, asparagus, and green peas hence the green color of the risotto. The chicken was cooked perfectly and then I added some of the herbs that I had been dipping my bread into, onto the chicken!!!! That took it to another level!I'll be back next year Spezia!!!!

Group of us came for a birthday dinner outing, and were very happy. Service was fantastic, many options for even a picky eater to find something. Beautiful surroundings, great wine list and all of the entree's were a hit by everyone! Thank you for a lovely time!

Spezia is a bit rich but offers a diverse menu of Italian and adjacent plates. The service is a tad slow but the cheesy ambience paired with really well-balanced dishes ensures I'll be back. I love wherever they source their tomatoes from. The flatbread was really well proportioned on ingredients but the noodles could've been just a bit more al dente.