We have gathered a list of the most popular and best diners in New York City like Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Empire Diner, Tom’s Restaurant, and Veselka. Let’s dive right into the deliciousness!
What is a diner?
A diner is an American cuisine serving home-style hamburgers, milkshakes, french fries, club sandwiches, and other simple quickly cooked, and inexpensive meals. Diners are sometimes open 24/7 and serve breakfast food all day long.
The early diners were small food trainers or converted train cars. That is why the shape of diners often is longer than it’s wide.
Today most diners are known for having a stainless steel exterior and the inside filled with retro-designed booths, jukeboxes, and neon signs.
Tick Tock Diner
Tik Tok Diner is one of the largest diners in New York with more than 280 seats. Here you can enjoy delicious breakfast meals all day like omelets, egg dishes, and waffles. Their menu is extremely 14 pages so you don’t have to worry about finding something that you like.
| Address: 481 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 |
| Phone number: +1 212 268 8444 |
Ellen’s Stardust Diner
This little diner restaurant will give you a unique experience. Ellen’s Stardust Diner will not only serve you some of the best food but also give you a little show. The people working in the restaurants sing which makes it feel like a Broadway show. The prices are a little more expensive, but it’s totally worth it if you ask me.
| Address: 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 |
| Phone number: +1 212 965 5151 |
Lexington Candy Shop
Lexington Candy Shop is a famous diner in New York located on the Upper East Side close to The Met and Central Park. Come here to enjoy amazing sundaes, pancakes, burgers, french toast, and much more.
| Address: 1226 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10028 |
| Phone number: +1 212 288 0057 |
Bel Aire Diner
Bel Aire Diner is located in Queens and has been around since the 1950s. The interior has a fun 1960s muscle car theme. What makes this place special is that their menu is a whole book! If you often struggle with deciding what to eat this place might give you a hard time.
| Address: 31-91 21st Street, Queens, NY 11106 |
| Phone number: +1 718 721 3160 |
La Bonbonniere
La Bonbonniere is a diner in New York where you can grab some fast and inexpensive diner food. It’s located in the West Village and has indoor and outdoor seating.
| Address: 28 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10014 |
| Phone number: +1 212 741 9266 |
Tom’s Restaurant
You need to visit this place if you’re a big fan of the tv show Seinfeld. Tom’s was the location for many scenes from the tv show Seinfeld, referred to as Monk’s. Jerry and his friends hung out here almost every episode. This restaurant has been around since the 1940s and is located in Morningside Heights in Manhattan.
| Address: 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 |
| Phone number: +1 212 864 6137 |
Westway Diner
Westway Diner has been around since 1988 and is one of the best diners in New York. This diner has classic diner interior details like booths, seating at the bar, and XL portions. Come here to enjoy some pancakes, eggs, burgers, and much more.
| Address: 614 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 |
| Phone number: +1 212 582 7661 |
Pearl Diner
Pearl Diner in New York is over 50 years old and is located in the Financial District. If you decide to come here I can recommend trying their fried chicken, french toast, mac and cheese, or hamburger. Pearl Diner has the best creamy banana pudding if you’re craving something sweet.
| Address: 212 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10038 |
| Phone number: +1 212 344 6620 |
Square Diner
This is a very charming and classic diner in New York located in Tribeca. Square Diner has been a family business for over 40 years and is today owned by the married couple Ted and Anna Karounos.
| Address: 33 Leonard Steet, New York, NY 10013 |
| Phone number: +1 212 925 7188 |
Kellogg’s Diner
If you happen to be in Williamsburg you can head to one of the best diners in New York called Kellogg’s Diner. This place is over 100 years old and serves extremely large portions of classic diner food. Kellogg’s Diner has the best eggs, hash browns, burgers, and as much coffee as you can drink. They are open 24/7.
| Address: 518 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 |
| Phone number: +1 718 782 4502 |
Waverly Diner
Waverly Diner is known for having some of the best diner food in New York City. It’s located in the West Village and they server diner and breakfast food all day long. I recommend trying their famous espresso shake, their cheeseburger with caramelized onions, or their omelets.
| Address: 385 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014 |
| Phone number: +1 212 675 3181 |
Empire Diner
Head to Empire Diner if you want a more traditional and classic diner experience. This diner in New York has the best omelets, avocado toasts, and pancakes.
| Address: 210 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011 |
| Phone number: +1 212 335 2277 |
Veselka
Veselka is a Ukrainian diner restaurant located in the East Village. Come here to eat some of their delicious dishes like eggs and pancakes but also traditional Ukrainian food like pierogi, borscht, and potato pancakes.
| Address: 144 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003 |
| Phone number: +1 212 228 9682 |