Although there is still a timeless almost classic quality to the New York diner experience, hearkening back to Edgar Hopper's "Nighthawks" painting from 1942, the number of diners in Manhattan has been falling of late, with the number in Brooklyn now exceeding the number in Manhattan. Our NYC.com list below covers a wide variety of them that are still thriving, from the upscale to the greasy spoon.
Village Yokocho(212) 598-3041
8 Stuyvesant St,
New York, NY, 10003
Around The Clock offers a great view of Stuyvesant Square, an eight-table outdoor deck during the warmer months, and rock bottom prices. A favorite late night spot for NYU students and East Village revelers, it is known to occasional close its doors for a few hours in the wee hours of the morning, despite its name.
Bel-Aire Diner(718) 721-3160
31-91 21st Street,
Queens, NY, 11106
Given the smallish numbers of classic diners currently operating in Manhattan, this old-school establishment exists as it does primarily because it's located in Queens Astoria neighborhood. Featuring mirrored walls and long counter with a long line of circular brown diner stools, what the Bel-Aire lacks in fine diner fare it makes up for by looking so original, one might even say classic.
Brooklyn Diner USA(212) 977-1957
212 W 57th St,
New York, NY, 10019
Celebrating American ethnic dishes found all over Brooklyn, the menu here features the kind of real food you crave to eat, just like your mother used to make…only better. Every part of Brooklyn is represented by Jewish, Italian, Irish & other ethnic favorites. And every childhood fantasy is fulfilled by the enormous desserts, all baked on the premises every day.
Clinton St. Baking Company(646) 602-6263
4 Clinton St,
New York, NY, 10002
In Manhattan's Lower East Side the Clinton Street Bakery has a diner décor and ambience, but it is the quality of the cooking and baked goods that makes this place a bruncher's delight. Diners will wait outside in the rain to get into this place on weekend mornings, so if you want try this little dinette for the first time, pop by during the week and you'll most likely spare yourself the wait.
Daisey's Diner(718) 788-1438
452 5th Ave,
Brooklyn, NY, 11215
An institution in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, Daisy's has been serving up diner grub since 1932. Instead of the retro diner styling, Daisy's stays true to its brick-walled Brooklyn tradition while serving food that's a tad cheaper than diners in Manhattan.
Diner(718) 486-3077
85 Broadway,
Brooklyn, NY, 11211
One of the earliest outposts that cemented Williamsburg's reputation as fabulously hip minus the Manhattan attitude, Diner consistently serves excellent new American fare with very casual and efficient service. Whether it's Sunday brunch or a weekday dinner, the food is always innovative and interesting. Brooklyn can be a great place to brunch these days.
EJ's Luncheonette(212) 535-8087
1271 3rd Ave,
New York, NY, 10021
EJ's is every bit the classic 1950's diner atmosphere you know and love and particularly popular with the kids, who get to sample dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, along with other kid favorites, such as P&J sandwiches, French toast, hot dogs and the like. The only drawback with being popular is that EJ's can sometime be a bit crowded. Expected an up-tempo bustling atmosphere here.
Ellen's Stardust Diner(212) 956-5151
1650 Broadway,
New York, NY, 10019
For an entertaining diner experience stop by Ellen's Stardust Diner on Broadway. Retro-themed like the 1950's era, Ellen's serves traditional American diner food and features a singing waitstaff-- delightful fun for both adults and kids.
The Highliner (formerly Empire Diner)(212) 206-6206
210 Tenth Ave,
New York, NY, 10011
In recent years, New York has lost most of its classic Streamline diners. Yet this perennial favorite remains in northwest Chelsea, serving up everything from burgers to kid-friendly grilled cheese. They bill themselves as the world's hippest diner, but for great service, classic diner decor and, and reasonably priced menu you simply can't go wrong here.
Gemini Diner(212) 532-2143
641 2nd Ave,
New York, NY, 10016
A great Murray Hill neighborhood establishment, with friendly service, huge portions, and best of all it's open 24/7.
Hollywood Diner(212) 691-8465
574 6th Ave,
New York, NY, 10011
Pricier than most, this Chelsea diner aims to please by offering more high end menu items but that means you pay more for more sophisticated food and may start to feel like, except for the standard décor, you're not in a diner at all.
Hudson Diner(212) 627-9191
468 Hudson St,
New York, NY, 10014
Visitors to Hudson Diner might be fooled upon first glance inside here, since the red gingham tablecloths suggest Italian fare, but rest assured this is a straight-up plates-on-the-hip diner. It's décor is borderline quaint, menu prices slightly above average, and the waiters are extremely friendly and accommodating.
Jackson Hole - Bayside(718) 281-0330
3501 Bell Blvd,
Bayside, NY, 11361
Jackson Hole Diner, home of the 7 oz. burger has been serving up its juicy, flavorful steam-grilled burgers since 1972. with multiple locations in New York, it also serves South of The Border menu items, great sandwiches, and the full breakfast menu you expect from a great diner.
Market Diner(212) 244-2888
572 11th Ave,
New York, NY, 10036
Traditional diner fare in this updated and funky setting near the Javits Center, a true Midtown classic!
Metro Diner(212) 866-0800
2641 Broadway,
New York, NY, 10025
It's not often that you see diner menus cross the twenty dollar threshold, but you do here. To be fair, the menu at metro is well-prepared and extensive, and reasonably priced sandwiches and burgers can be had here as well. This is the Upper West Side so they probably want to satisfy their upper end clientele as well as the average Joe off the street.
Pom Pom Diner(212) 397-8395
610 11th Ave,
New York, NY, 10036
Pom Pom Diner has been family owned and operated since 1969 and serves a variety of neighborhood types, plus the late night run-off from the nearby Penthouse club. High praise goes to the quality of its breakfast menu. In terms of ambience, it has a rather subdued, no-frills interior, with a lack of nostalgic items which one often expects from a standard diner.
The Remedy(212) 677-5110
245 E Houston St,
New York, NY, 10002
Owner Peter and Anastasious Giannopoulos have created a really sleek diner aesthetic here. Featuring all-day breakfast specials, steaks, pork chops, southern fried chicken. The real surprise here is that they offer a number of tasty pasta dishes and even Pan Seared Mediterranean Scallops.
Skylight Diner(212) 244-0395
402 W 34th St,
New York, NY, 10001
Skylight Diner has been serving Hell's Kitchen residents and catering to local businesses since 1996. It's extensive menu is reasonably priced and runs the gamut from breakfast omelets to hardy sandwich to the slightly pricier meatloaf, pasta, steak, and seafood items. As is the case with most diners, the good grub is usually somewhere in the middle of the menu.
Square Diner(212) 925-7188
33 Leonard St,
New York, NY, 10013
This classic New York dinner set in what has become trendy Tribeca presents charming blue-collar aesthetic with nautical themes and a menu offering that could be called standard in terms of diner grub. Given the typically expensive restaurant milieu of Tribeca, this is a good place to stop if you're in this neighborhood with family members. You won't find a cheaper (or quicker) eatery in the neighborhood.
Sullivan Bistro(212) 228-6091
169 Sullivan St,
New York, NY, 10012
The Sullivan has seriously upgraded its food quality under its new ownership and probably should be careful about taking it too high up the quality food chain in the fear of alienating its base. Even in the world of diners, its hard to argue against fresh ingredients, well-prepared dishes, and little flairs of inventiveness.
Tick Tock Diner(212) 268-8444
481 8th Ave,
New York, NY, 10001
Tick Tock Diner, with its chrome exterior and classic diner interior, is certain to please even the most high brow diner critics( they're out there in legions.) It's not just the design of Tick Tock that merits praise, the menu here is huge and the food is extremely well-prepared and reasonably priced. Try one of their signature sandwiches or homemade baked meatloaf— you'll won't be disappointed.
Tom's(212) 864-6137
2880 Broadway,
New York, NY, 10025
A favorite haunt of Columbia students, the food has never been particularly good or bad at Tom's. It has simply existed, and for college students that is a good thing. (We'll leave it to the philosophy majors to further ponder its existence.) Suzanne Vega, herself a former Barnard student, immortalized the place in her 1981 song "Tom's Diner".
Village Den(212) 691-0303
225 W 12th St,
New York, NY, 10011
The wall mural spoof of Da Vinci's last supper peopled by celebrities from pop-culture is the first thing that strikes you upon taking a seat at this smallish West Village Diner. The menu is standard diner fare, but as with so many things in New York the location is the thing. You're in the West Village, the service is quick and the food is cheap, so that's all that really matters.
Westway Diner(212) 582-7661
614 9th Ave,
New York, NY, 10036
The self-proclaimed number one diner in Manhattan and birthplace of the popular television sitcom Seinfeld, this place offers the entire spectrum of diner grub—milkshakes, hamburgers, deli sandwiches, French fries, simply the works. Certain to please the most finicky of kids!
