The 13 Best Diners You Can Find In NYC
The nutty, smoky scent of roasted coffee beans, the lively chatter of strangers, and the bounty of delicious food served in a cozy space are what make up a diner. These food joints often have a special charm, especially in a bustling metropolis like New York City. They are more than just a place to grab a hot meal and a steaming cup of joe but are instead a spot to slow down for a moment and feel a sense of camaraderie with the community. The collective nourishment and interdependence taking place at diners remind us — despite the rushed shuffle of daily life — that we're all connected.
Even though countless diners across the Big Apple have been forced to close up shop in recent years due to skyrocketing rents and endless development, there are still some real gems around just about every corner. Between its wide range of options like classic American comfort food, Latin-fusion joints, European fare, and grub inspired by the Deep South, New York City offers a vibrant assortment of diners that reflects its historically beautiful diversity.
Having so many eateries at your fingertips presents a dilemma: How should you know where to go? While we certainly endorse spontaneously exploring new territory, which can be highly rewarding, we'd also like to steer you in the right direction to some spots that won't let you down. Here are 13 of the best diners that you can find in New York City.
1. S&P Lunch
Changing hands multiple times for generations, the iconic space formerly known as Eisenberg's is now under new management, rising from the ashes under the name S&P Lunch. The diner has changed owners seven times but was first founded by Austrian Jewish immigrants back in 1928. Even though some changes have been made to revamp the restaurant, you'll still find some classics from the old menu, like the diner's iconic tuna melt on griddled rye.
There's a lot to dig about this diner: The reasonable prices, the delicious, lovingly prepared food, and the history of the location itself. For breakfast, you'll find standards like pancakes and cheese omelets along with lox. These breakfast dishes are executed with precision, seamlessly delivering the tasty textures and flavors that we crave. The same can be said for the rest of S&P Lunch's menu. Reubens, triple-decker club sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and milkshakes are all assembled with expertise and finesse.
At S&P Lunch, the atmosphere is inviting, and the food is delicious yet unpretentious. The restaurant successfully captures an era of old-school diner culture that feels like it's increasingly difficult to find. In a rapidly changing landscape like New York City, it's comforting to know that S&P Lunch exists, where you can score an honest meal that won't break the bank.
2. Little Ruby's Cafe
Open since 2002, Little Ruby's Cafe menu is expansive and delicious. The food there is an eclectic mix that mostly consists of classic breakfast dishes like egg sandwiches topped with a crispy hash brown patty, plus all kinds of burgers, bowls, pasta, and salads. Little Ruby's Cafe also offers fresh juice that's squeezed in-house every day, seasonal drinks, coffee and tea, red wine sangria, and plenty of smoothies. It's no wonder it has become so popular over the years.
Diners also tend to praise the Breakfast Bowl there. The Breakfast Bowl comes with poached eggs, crunchy sourdough toast, fresh avocado, whipped ricotta, prosciutto, peas, sprouts, and edamame. Customers are often pleasantly surprised at how good this dish is, reporting big flavors and fresh ingredients that are flawlessly cooked.
The Classic Cheeseburger is another scrumptious choice. Nestled on a potato bun with two premium grilled beef patties, this cheeseburger is juicy and flavorful. Featuring melted American cheese, a drizzle of special sauce, and pickles, along with lettuce, tomato, and onion, the diner's Classic Cheeseburger perfectly hits all the right notes.
Just be sure not to let the amazing breakfast and burgers stop you from exploring more of the menu at Little Ruby's Cafe. The Shrimp Pasta — made with a luscious, lemony cream sauce — is equally righteous. It's easily one of the best diners in New York City, thanks to the freshness of its ingredients and how consistently delicious everything is.
3. Sunday in Brooklyn
With its exciting and inventive menu, Sunday in Brooklyn is a bit more pricey — but well worth it when you're in the mood for a treat. For brunch, the restaurant is probably best known for its Sunday Pancakes. These pancakes are crispy on the outside yet nice and fluffy on the inside. Rich, sweet, and nutty, these pancakes come with hazelnut maple praline and brown butter.
If you're looking for something savory, Sunday in Brooklyn has got you covered there, too. Steak and eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, and shakshuka — which are eggs poached with stewed tomatoes and roasted peppers — are just a few of the other delicious options that await you.
On the lighter side, there's a rice bowl with tasty ingredients that include wild rice, a soft-boiled egg, Brussels sprouts, and pepita romesco. Lovers of handhelds will be happy to see a double cheeseburger and a fried chicken thigh sandwich with pickles, chipotle, and cilantro lime crema.
Sunday in Brooklyn has a lot working in its favor to make it one of the best diners in the city. Between its fast service, exceptional food, and cozy atmosphere, it's a truly great place to kill some time over an amazing meal. The restaurant also offers an assortment of signature cocktails for every meal, along with a handful of desserts. Sunday in Brooklyn is the kind of place that can please a wide range of tastes, thanks to its cleverly curated menu.
4. Sweet Chick
Sweet Chick has several locations, including spots in Williamsburg, Union Square, and the Lower East Side in New York City. Just as its name suggests, the restaurant mainly focuses on fried chicken in various forms. The diner's Chicken and Waffles dish is available in a few delicious flavors, including barbecue, soy honey garlic, Nashville hot, and salted caramel.
The tastiness doesn't stop there — when it comes to brunch, Sweet Chick has plenty more in store. Buttery biscuit sandwiches, blueberry muffin waffles, and hash browns, along with shrimp and grits, are all whipped up in the kitchen. Even though the restaurant can get quite busy, customers report that the food comes out nice and quickly. Customers love the crunchy exterior of the waffles, and the portions are generous, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Pro tip: Don't sleep on the sides. The macaroni and cheese with garlic parmesan breadcrumbs and the jalapeño cheddar hush puppies are delicious. Between the outstandingly succulent fried chicken and hip vibes, Sweet Chick is one of the best diners you can wander into around the city.
5. Banter NYC
Banter NYC is an employee-owned restaurant that specializes in breakfast and lunch fare. The bulkiest part of the diner's menu focuses on eggs and toast with high-quality ingredients. If you're feeling extra ravenous, we'd suggest the Banter Big Breakfast. It comes with two deliciously poached eggs, mushrooms, crispy bacon, halloumi, seared fresh tomato, avocado, and sourdough toast with a side of tomato relish.
Another winner is the Smoked Salmon Toast, which comes with whipped garlic feta, lemon, cucumbers, and pickled onions. Banter NYC also features some other handhelds, like a fried chicken sandwich with pickles and spicy mayo and a couple of different wraps. If you have a sweet tooth, you're bound to dig the Nutella Stuffed French Toast that comes topped with blackberries, strawberries, and maple syrup.
Not only does Banter NYC serve amazing food, but it also fosters an atmosphere of connection for its customers. As one customer on Yelp put it: "Banter is so damn consistent. The food is always good. The service is always good. I never feel rushed to leave, they actually allow you to enjoy your meal and conversation."
While plenty of other diners tend to rush you out the door, Banter NYC understands that to do so itself would betray the good nature of its own name. With its mouth-watering food and welcoming spirit, it's an ideal place to recharge and reconnect.
6. Golden Diner
When you're in the mood for some Korean-American fusion, Golden Diner is a safe bet. The diner's menu cherry-picks some of the best hits from each culture's food scene, showcasing some wildly delicious convergences. The Golden Cheeseburger comes with a lip-smacking mushroom gochujang, fermented Korean chili paste sauce.
Some customers happily report that Golden Diner's cheeseburger is among the greatest they've ever had. Pleasantly charred on the outside yet bursting with juiciness, this food joint cooks its cheeseburgers to order with flawless precision. For those who prefer to stay in their comfort zone, there are plenty of more traditional dishes to pick from, too.
There's a breakfast burrito, honey butter pancakes, and homemade granola. If you're looking to catch a little buzz with your grub, give one of the restaurant's Korean-inspired specialty cocktails a whirl. You'll find creative twists on classic drinks that feature soju-soaked oranges and Korean plum wine. All things considered, there's no doubt that Golden Diner's uniquely-blended menu is as exciting as it is delicious, making it one of New York City's top contenders.
7. Mom's Kitchen & Bar
There's a lot we can point to in order to explain the rise of Mom's Kitchen and Bar. The diner offers colorful, imaginative milkshakes to which you can add booze. It also offers brunch all day. But more than that, the restaurant clearly has a talent for building surprising flavors — a fact that shines in its high-quality, undeniably delicious food.
The Woodland Omelette, made with wild mushrooms, is stuffed with gouda, then drizzled with a creamy béchamel sauce. Béchamel isn't a sauce that you typically see basted over an omelet, yet it makes perfect sense in this context. Paired with mushrooms and the inherent nuttiness of melted gouda, the béchamel adds a luscious layer of richness to the omelet that compliments every ingredient and takes the entire dish to the next level.
Another all-star of the menu is the Chicken and Bacon Waffle, which is made with a chicken breast fried to crispy perfection. What makes this over the top is a drizzle of Cholula honey since it adds a spicy pop of chili pepper-infused sweetness into the mix. There's also Mom's Burger, a delicious cheeseburger that includes ingredients like a fried egg, bacon, and spicy pepper jam.
Mom's Bigmouth Shakes knock it out of the park, too. Mr. Fluffeleupagus — a tempting blend of chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cups, marshmallow fluff, chocolate syrup, and caramel popcorn — is definitely one of the best on the menu. Between this diner's knack for big flavors and large portions, Mom's Kitchen and Bar is a must if you're in New York City.
8. The Smith
Open since 2007, The Smith currently has several locations around New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago. The menu is fairly upscale yet still familiar and approachable, with a wide range of price points. You can score an affordable and delicious bowl of coconut yogurt with berries and granola, raw oysters for just a few bucks a piece, or splurge on a feast of bone-in ribeye.
The Smith's versatile menu is part of what makes it one of the best diners in the area. Whether you're looking for omelets, burgers, or skillet-roasted macaroni and cheese, this place offers all of these dishes and more. Another thing to appreciate about this joint is how mindfully portioned everything is. The meals are known to be properly filling without being overindulgent, striking a perfect balance.
Though it's true that The Smith tends to lean towards the pricier side compared to most casual diners, the reality is that the food is more than worth it. The meals are fresh and flavorful. This diner is also a great place to meet up with friends for some drinks. It has a martini hour, cocktails, and plenty of beer to pick from. No matter the occasion, there's a good chance that a visit to The Smith will fit the bill with its amazing menu, making it one of the best spots in the area.
9. Veselka
If you love pierogies, then you'll love Veselka. This place has been making some of the best Ukrainian-style dishes in New York City since 1954. The diner makes its pierogies by hand from scratch on a daily basis, which makes them as fresh as possible. Veselka's pierogies can be ordered steamed or fried and served with sides of sauteed onions and sour cream.
There are plenty of delicious fillings to choose from, too. Braised beef, mushrooms, and potato, along with a mix of arugula and goat cheese, are just a few of the pierogi stuffings that you can pick from. Some diners say that Veselka whips up some of the finest meals in the area.
In a thoughtful gesture of peace and solidarity, the diner also offers a Stand With Ukraine Bowl that donates proceeds to relief efforts in Ukraine. The bowl comes with a variety of pierogies that are topped with grilled kielbasa, caramelized onions, and bacon.
When you're in the mood for more traditional brunch fare, Veselka has that, too. Eggs benedict with grilled country ham, buttermilk pancakes, and challah french toast are all available on the menu. Between its flavorful Ukrainian fare, traditional brunch dishes, and homemade blintzes, Veselka has one of the most uniquely delicious menus in New York City.
10. Bubby's
With its classic American-style comfort food, Bubby's partners with a wide range of purveyors to bring delicious, locally-sourced dishes to the table. Open since 1990, the restaurant has amassed a dedicated following thanks to its impressive menu, which includes homemade bagels, pies, and some of New York City's best biscuits. When it comes to the pies, we'd recommend treating yourself to the Banoffee – a combination of bananas and coffee — which is made with dulce de leche, espresso, and whipped cream in a graham cracker crust.
But there's so much more than pies that make Bubby's a worthwhile destination. Those looking for a traditional breakfast platter will love The Abe Lincoln Breakfast. This generously large breakfast of two silver dollar pancakes, two eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, grits, and homefries is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of patrons. If lunch is on your mind, the diner has a spicy chicken sandwich, cheeseburgers, and fresh salads to choose from.
Because Bubby's works with local suppliers, the food is extra fresh, which nudges it into the top-tier territory. Be sure to check out Bubby's dinner menu, too. Smoked chicken wings, succulent salmon, and a classic meatloaf made with pork and grass-fed beef served with mashed potatoes and creamy chicken gravy are worth every penny.
11. The Grey Dog
The Grey Dog is perfect for those who have pets and are looking for some delicious food. This pet-friendly spot has an all-day breakfast menu that features popular hits like French toast with raspberry orange syrup, cheesy eggs on fluffy croissants, and vegan breakfast burritos.
In fact, there are several vegan options on the menu, including vegan popcorn chicken and buffalo chicken. Meat eaters will be happy to see favorites like cheesesteak wraps with peppers and onions, pulled short rib sandwiches with crispy onions, and BLTs. But it's the grilled cheese that's the real surprise here. Grilled cheese sandwiches can be fairly simple, but The Grey Dog goes above and beyond to provide something truly spectacular.
The grilled cheese is made on challah bread and stuffed with cheddar and mozzarella. The cheese spills over the sides of the bread, melting on the griddle into a cheese crisp. The subtle sweetness of the challah also provides some nice contrast to the savory richness of the cheese. All in all, The Grey Dog has a lot to offer both you and your furry friends, making it one of the best diners in the city.
12. Johny's Luncheonette
Every big city needs a no-frills diner with solid food, and that's exactly what Johny's Luncheonette is. While you won't find fancy ingredients or ornate plating, you will find something far more valuable. Simple, humble, consistently tasty food — all for very reasonable prices. This is a big reason why this is one of the best diners in the area.
For a classic breakfast, we'd recommend the Lumber Jack Pancakes, which comes with two fluffy pancakes, bacon or sausage, and two eggs. If you happen to be looking for something a little different, there's a Mexican Flatbread Breakfast plate that comes with beef, peppers, and onions cooked in a spicy tomato sauce that's topped with two eggs over flatbread. This dish feels like a Latin-inspired twist on shakshuka.
Where Johny's Luncheonette shines the most, though, is the diner's signature sandwiches. The restaurant's version of a Reuben — dubbed Do Me An Ava — comes with pastrami, bacon, swiss, and Russian dressing on a sub roll. The bacon adds a deeper layer of smokiness, and the sub roll does a great job at soaking up all of the juices and dressing. If you're on the lookout for a filling meal that's fairly priced, it's hard to beat Johny's Luncheonette.
13. Coppelia
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Coppelia is a Latin diner that delivers exceptionally delicious food around the clock. The breakfast menu, which is served all day at Coppelia, is short and sweet. Chilaquiles, lemon-ricotta pancakes, and huevos rancheros are just a few of the delicious options on the table.
The restaurant's handhelds and main courses are far more expansive. The Medianoche is served on brioche, which is a little softer, moister, and sweeter than the bread these Cuban sandwiches are traditionally served on. Medianoche translates to midnight, and this sandwich is famous for being deliciously devoured in those late hours after a long night of going out.
With its doors always open, Coppelia is the kind of diner that feels like a home away from home. Having a diner that you can depend on for a hot and tasty meal at any time of day is something that should not go underappreciated. This, along with the restaurant's knack for serving consistently delicious food, is what differentiates Coppelia from other diners and elevates it into a realm of excellence.