The 18 best diners in NYC

What is it? A recently restored Williamsburg diner that's home to greasy specials with a side of Tex-Mex. 

Why we love it: Yes, you can still get an order of eggs and bacon at the new Kellogg's Diner. But if you've had a bit of Jackie Carnesi's cookery, why would you? Introducing her Tex-Mex sensibilities to the diner sphere, good morning and good night eats include tender braised guajillo ribs, brick-red chili with a thick square of cornbread and mammoth-sized slices of Texas Toast, battered in corn flakes, deep-fried and finished with a pat of seasonal jam. The plain coffee is also better than average, and it's only at $3, or you can up the ante with a little iced horchata version. It all goes down in a space that looks like a suped-up Airstream, adding, perhaps, a little more elegance to your 4am dine.

Time Out tip: Let the gleam of the glass-cased pastry counter entice you and get a slice of pie of the evening. 

Address: 514 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Daily, 24/7 

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What is it? The old Happy Days diner is home to even happier days thanks to Margot alums who revamped it. 

Why we love it: Standing in the same space as the much-beloved local diner Happy Days, Montague Diner’s new owners have retained much of its old-school charm (house accounts, a pile of newspapers to peruse), while adding their own dreamy, 1940s-fantasy touches inspired by their work in the movie biz. Grab a coffee, a pile of pancakes and some corned beef hash in the morning, or stop by at night to split an order of mozzarella sticks and a bottle of orange wine. The food’s not too fussy, and neither is the wine list, making it a favorite new spot for Brooklyn families. 

Time Out tip: Diner fries and martinis? It can be had here as the diner shakes up three versions of martinis: espresso, vodka and the Dirty Diner gin and plenty of olive brine. 

Address: 148 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours:  Sun–Thu 8am–9pm; Fri, Sat 8am–10pm 

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What is it? A grandma chic luncheonette that's heavy on the sandwiches and cakes, so much cake.   

Why we love it: This funky little spot might be too cute, with its mismatched china and 1950s green walls. And yet…those sandwiches! The menu is small and ever-changing, but you’re likely to find the Dill Party, a pile of roasted turkey, avocado and—the titular party—dill Havarti, dill mayo and dill pickles. Vegetarians get solid choices, too, like the Squash Me made with roasted honey nut squash, kale pesto, goat-cheese ricotta and smoked olive oil. 

Time Out tip: Save room for a slice of cake, with layers of flavors including citrus curd on a sweet-and-salty saltine crust or chocolate coconut piled with chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, toasted coconut and coconut custard.

Address: 5-65 Woodward Ave, Queens, NY 11385

Opening hours: Thu–Mon 11:30am–4pm

What is it?

Why we love it: Samuel Yoo, a Momofuku veteran, brings Korean and Japanese flavors to the classic diner menu. Sure, there’s matzo ball soup and tuna melts, but there’s also a chicken katsu club sandwich, Korean fried chicken wings and a wedge salad spiced up with a generous dose of chili crisp. They don’t open until 10am, so you won’t necessarily see a diner’s coffee-drinking regulars, but they’re open until 10pm so you can grab a post-work cocktail. 

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What is it? Sam Yoo's version of a greasy spoon dabbles in Korean fried chicken wings, egg sandos with Chinese sausages and those viral honey butter pancakes. 

Why we love it: Samuel Yoo, a Momofuku veteran, brings Korean and Japanese flavors to the classic diner menu at Golden Hof. Sure, there’s matzo ball soup and tuna melts, but there’s also a chicken katsu club sandwich, a vegan grilled cheese with a cute cup of kimchi tomato soup for dipping and a wedge salad spiced up with a generous dose of chili crisp. But it is the honey butter pancakes that has been the calling card as of late, the dome shaped beauties drenched in plenty of syrup and a serious pat of butter. 

Time Out tip: The cocktails here lean heavy on soju, stirred into Bloody Mary's and passion fruit sangrias. 

Address: 123 Madison Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 9am—10pm

What is it? A time-honored staple of the Clinton Hill neighborhood, Mike's Coffee Shop has fed the community since the 1950s. 

Why we love it: Mike's Coffee Shop, known simply as Mike's to those who frequent it, has been churning out affordable, generously-sized plates for students from nearby Pratt Institute and longtime residents alike. Chicken and waffles and ultra-fluffy pancakes are two of the main draws, but don’t miss the Reuben sandwich—corned beef with sauerkraut and melted Swiss on rye—and old-school milkshakes.

Time Out tip: An order of eggs, any style, will only run you $8. Even better? It comes with a side of potatoes and toast, no extra charge. 

Address: 328 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Opening hours: Daily, 6am - 4pm

What is it? This family-run spot has been holding it down for what's left of the East Village's Ukrainian past since 1954.

Why we love it: Serving the neighborhood with the most bars in NYC, Veselka (Ukrainian for "rainbow") offers both solid American diner standards like eggs and pancakes as well as Eastern European fare like pierogi, cheese blintzes, borscht and potato pancakes.

Time Out tip: The icon made its debut in Brooklyn back in 2024, bringing its borscht and pierogies with it. There's also a quick service offshoot in Grand Central Station and Madison Square Garded. 

Address: 144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 

Opening hours: Mon–Thur 9am–midnight; Fri 9am–1am; Sat 8am–1am; Sunday: 8am–11pm

What is it? A shoebox sized diner that's been around since the 1930s. It remains as one of the few kosher dairy lunch counters in the city. 

Why we love it: First opened in 1938, this kosher dairy lunch counter is now owned by married couple Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed (a Polish Catholic and an Egyptian Muslim, respectively.) They’re still serving up some original menu items, including blintzes, matzo balls and challah, for the locals that crowd the counter for a taste of old New York. 

Time Out tip: The breakfast special includes two eggs any style, home fries, challah bread and your choice of juice, coffee or tea for just $10.50.

Address: 127 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Sun, Tue–Thu 7am–11; Fri, Sat 7am–11:30pm

What is it? A longstanding lunch counter that lives on again thanks to the team behind Court Street Grocers.

Why we love it: In the old home of the late, beloved Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, S&P Lunch stays true to luncheonette tradition. S&P—which was the name of the lunch counter before it became Eisenberg’s—mixes the old (cracked stools, cherry lime rickeys) and the new (an updated menu, $19 sandwiches) to satisfying effect. With old-school specialties including matzo brei, kreplach and chopped liver on rye, you’d never know this spot has seen seven owners since 1928.

Time Out tip: If somehow the two-fisted Pastrami sandwich ($19) is somehow enough, you can double it for $27. 

Address: 174 Fifth Avenue, NYC 10010

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; Sat, Sun 9am–5pm

What is it? An art deco diner that's been lovingly restored one of its former employees. 

Why we love it: After seventy years on the UWS, Old John’s was forced to shutter its doors during the pandemic. Louis Skibar, a former employee with a penchant for reviving diners, has reopened its doors with an updated menu and most of the Old John’s team. They’re serving up the classics (burgers, meatloaf, chicken soup) and pairing them with a decidedly un-diner-like cocktail menu. Order a chicken club and an aquafaba gimlet for that high-low diner experience.

Time Out tip: Classic chocolate and vanilla egg cream? You can still find one here for $6. 

Address: 148 W 67th St, New York, NY 10023

Opening hours: Breakfast Mon–Fri 7–11:30am, Sat, Sun 7–9am; Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30am–3pm; Dinner 3–11pm; Brunch Sat, Sun 9am–3pm

What is it? A soda fountain and luncheonettes in the Upper West Side, still going strong 100 years down the road. 

Why we love it: Given its fancy Carnegie Hill location, Lexington could be a too-precious, overpriced diner. Lucky for us, Lexington is still a working man's luncheonette that sells lottery tickets at the cash register. In addition to the usual diner fare—burgers, tuna melts—it has old-fashioned items like lime rickeys and egg creams. 

Time Out tip: Do order yourself a cola, they do make it the old fashioned way, after all. Sit at the counter and watch it come to life.

Address: 1226 Lexington Avenue at 83rd Street, New York, NY 10028

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat 8am–6pm; Sun 8am –4pm

What is it? One of the last train car diners in the city clocks in  at over 100 years old. 

Why we love it: It doesn’t get more old-school than Square Diner, a 1000-square-foot, train-car style joint that’s been feeding the increasingly moneyed TriBeCa neighborhood for over a century. Opened in the 20s, the diner was constructed by the famed Pullman Dining Car Company, and is now a legitimate historical artifact complete with stainless-steel trimmings, red-vinyl cushions, and glass-block windows. (It is not, however, a square.) On the food front, popular orders include the hamburger, milkshake and mile-high apple pie.

Time Out tip: If you step inside and think that things look a little familiar, you might be right, as the not so square diner has been used as a set for "Daredevil" and "Gotham."

Address: 33 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 8a–4pm; Wed 8am–9pm; Thu, Fri 8am–9pm; Sat 8am–7pm; Sunday 8am–6pm

What is it? Billing itself as “The Largest Diner in New York City,” this 280-seat colossus caters to the Midtown commuter crowd at Penn Station across the street. 

Why we love it: Opened in 1997, the restaurant stays true to traditional, gut-sticking diner fare that’s complemented by items from the Italian, Greek and Tex-Mex canons. In true diner fashion, breakfast is an all-day offering and includes omelets, farm eggs any style and Belgian waffles. The milkshakes are also serious business, with options such as black & white, cookies & cream and salted caramel. 

Time Out tip: If you happen to wander in during the holidays, know that you will be rewarded with a stack of red velvet pancakes. 

Address: 481 8th Avenue New York, NY 10001 

Opening hours: Daily, 24/7

What is it? A burger-centric Jersey City icon with a sister in Hackensack outpost that was once billed as "the diner of the future."

Why we love it: White Manna, were both opened by Louis Bridges, who bought the original diner at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Mana’s distinctive octagonal building—with the cook in the middle of the room—was even named a local landmark. Now, seven decades later, the around-the-clock restaurants are still known for their griddle-seared patties cloaked in molten cheese and crowned with steamed onions. It comes with pickles on the paper plate so you can cut the grease. 

Time Out tip: This place is cash only, so remember to bring some bucks. 

Address: 470 Tonnelle Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

Opening hours: Daily 8am–11pm

What is it? A 50 year old, neon lit diner that stays open 24/7, 365. 

Why we love it: At 90 years old, Mike Platis continues to serve all the trappings of diner fair in Staten Island. He does in an neon-accented Staten Island spot with all the mirrors that could lean gaudy but it all reads as fun. It was known as the disco diner, for good reason. Over the years, they added a patio plus a huge ballroom for catering. 

Time Out tip: As of September, the diner brought back its 24-hour service. 

Address:

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

What is it? A gathering spot for Cuban comfort foods, all day and night. 

Why we love it: Craving something late at night, but don't want the usual eggs and burger fare? Chef Julian Medina of Toloache and Yerba Buena brings Latin American comfort food to 14th Street 24 hours a day. Made to look like a classic Havana diner, the restaurant serves Caribbean and South American classics with unobtrusive twists, including arroz con pollo, lomo saltado and ropa vieja. 

Time Out tip: There's a pretty sturdy line up of snacks and apps to be had, but we are partial to the oxtail empanada wrapped in a sweet plantain dough. 

Address: 207 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Daily, 24/7

What is it? An iconic diner that was featured on a "little" known TV show in the 90s. 

Why we love it: Not even renaming it Monk’s (ever seen a little show called Seinfeld?) could conceal the identity of this staple, which has been in the Zoulis family for 60 years. It was also the inspiration for Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner,” so be prepared to eat your big salad with a side of folk music superfans taking selfies in front of the sign.

Time Out tip: Surprise, surprise, Seinfield fanatics can find all kinds of memoribilia here, including back in the day TV Guide posters and poster signed from the main cast.

Address: 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

Opening hours: 7am–10:30pm 

What is it? The king of Queens diners is this stainless-steel Art Deco beauty

Why we love it:  Owned by the Dellaportas family—the patriarch, Archie, first acquired the diner after immigrating to New York in 1972—the restaurant is now a legend in the borough. The two page menu hits a full range, we are talking burgers, disco fries, gyros and sundaes. Clearly on a social media kick, the diner is now selling a "burrito" that wraps molten mac and cheese around pulled pork.   

Time Out tip: Have we known a diner to have happy happy? Now we do. Every day from 2-6pm, come early for $4 beers and $5 bourbon and cola slushies next to food deals. 

Address: 31-91 21st St, Astoria, NY 11106

Opening hours: Daily 5am–2am