Down in the Haymarket, a restaurant that offers a quirky take on classic dishes, catches the attention of Lincoln residents. The classic dishes range from burgers to salads to pasta, all with unique flavors that send your taste buds on an adventure.
I have been to LeadBelly a few times, and it’s one of my favorite American-style restaurants in the Haymarket. Right on the corner of North 8th and Q streets, there’s a big vertical sign to let you know you’re at LeadBelly. The building is over 130 years old, but does not disappoint the eye with its classic look.
Walking into the restaurant, there’s a stoplight to tell you either to sit yourself or wait to be seated. The light was on red, meaning we should wait to be seated. Someone came quickly to give us a seat and was very attentive.
I sat in a booth by a window and in the corner. The restaurant had dark lighting, but the window brightened up the mood.
As soon as we were seated, our waiter took my drink order and asked if I had been in before. I always appreciate when servers ask if I have visited because it shows they want to make my experience valuable.
I just got water, but it was on the table within seconds. For cups, they use glass mason jars, which feel on brand to the restaurant’s theme.
The menu has many different options. Right away, I knew I wanted to get a Leadbelly. With Leadbellies, you choose your meat, toppings, bun, any extra toppings and your side. I got a ground beef burger with the Ciao Bella toppings and fries.
The ‘Ciao Bella’ burger from LedBelly on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Lincoln.
Photo courtesy of Jodi Soptic
The Ciao Bella has grilled portobello mushrooms, provolone and parmesan cheese, roasted garlic mayo, red onion jam, greens, tomato and a toasted brioche bun.
This burger was delicious. The meat was very tender and juicy, the portobello was also juicy, which made the bun soggy, but it wasn’t bad. The garlic mayo was my favorite part of the burger. It added so much flavor and brought the whole dish together.
The fries were not as good as the burger. They were crispy but lacked flavor. I got a mix of crinkle and waffle fries, which I liked, but they could have used more seasoning.
I also got another burger with the toppings under “Basic B.” I wanted to try a more basic burger to look through picky eaters’ eyes. The “Basic B” has candied bacon, white cheddar cheese and a toasted brioche bun, so it’s basically your average bacon cheeseburger.
The ‘Basic B’ burger from LedBelly on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Lincoln.
Photo courtesy of Jodi Soptic
This dish didn’t have as much flavor as the Ciao Bella and could’ve used some sauce. The bacon was the best part of this burger as it was well done and crispy. If you dip the burger in ranch, it makes the burger taste better.
Both of the burgers were $14.29 with a side of fries.
Outside of the food, the waiter was very respectful and attentive. He always made sure we had everything we needed and made the experience great.
Overall, LeadBelly is a great choice if you’re not a picky eater. They have a wide variety of dishes to choose from, but I definitely recommend trying out a Leadbelly. The meals are decently priced, ranging around $15 and even though it was a burger, I still had leftovers. I would give LeadBelly a 7/10.
Check out LeadBelly for yourself at 301 N 8th St.
Leadbelly restaurant in the Lincoln Haymarket on Wednesday, April 7, 2025.
Photo by Fisher Madsen
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Dining and Cooking