Bucket-list diners
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TheServingSpoonRestaurant/Facebook
The US and diners go together like a burger and fries. The best of them offer service with a smile, a nostalgic atmosphere and comfort food galore. You’ll find both retro diners and ‘new-school’ spots scattered throughout every state, including historic joints made famous by Hollywood and sleek restaurants serving classic dishes with a gourmet twist. Here we’ve hunted down the greatest diners the country has to offer.
Read through our gallery as we rank the bucket-list diners in every state, counting down to the best in all of the US.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards, accolades, and the first-hand experience of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective.
63. West Virginia: The Poky Dot, Fairmont
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ThePokyDot/Facebook
It’s the colourful quirkiness that draws people in (and back) to The Poky Dot. This diner is as cute as the name suggests, from the ditzy server on the sign to the rainbow of desserts dished up in the bold, bright booths. This riot of pink and sugar might not be to everyone’s taste, but those with a sweet tooth – and, of course, kids – adore it. Here, you’ll find savoury options, including burgers and sandwiches, alongside the likes of banana splits, shakes and sundaes.
62. Michigan: Fleetwood Diner, Ann Arbor and Lansing
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officialfleetwooddiner/Facebook
People flock to Fleetwood Diner for filling breakfasts like its signature dish, the Hippie Hash: hash browns tossed with vegetables and feta cheese. You can add meat, but why bother when the diner’s vegetarian and vegan options are this good? Aside from the food, it’s the friendly service and fun overall experience that really wins over customers. To add to the charm, the tiny trailer-style diner’s internal walls are plastered floor-to-ceiling in stickers.
61. Illinois: Little Goat Diner, Chicago
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littlegoatchicago/Facebook
The food served at Little Goat Diner is a cut above your standard diner fare. This timelessly elegant spot is run by James Beard Award–winning chef Stephanie Izard. However, it does stay true to diner traditions, with booths and spinning chrome bar stools adding vintage charm. But everything on the menu – from classics like pancakes and corned beef hash to less typical fare like Korean-style chicken tacos – is impeccably prepared and worthy of fine-dining status.
60. Texas: Cafe Brazil, Dallas
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CafeBrazilDeepEllum/Facebook
Cafe Brazil started as a quaint 10-table coffee shop back in 1993, but its creative menu of South American–inspired comfort food and bottomless coffee – sourced from around the world – has seen it spread to several locations around the metroplex. Open 24 hours, this is the spot to grab a heaving plate of chipotle steak and eggs or a huge breakfast burrito, any time of the day or night. The impossibly light and fluffy pancakes are legendary, as is the wonderful French toast with fruit and crème anglaise.
59. Hawaii: Eggs ’n Things, various locations
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eggsnthings/Facebook
Breakfast can look more like a lavish dessert at this Hawaiian mini-chain, which was established in Honolulu and now has several locations on the Big Island (plus outposts in Guam and Japan). Eggs ’n Things is famous for its fancy cream and fruit-topped pancakes, though it also serves other delicious morning treats such cheese-filled omelettes and morning wraps.
58. Louisiana: Slim Goodies Diner, New Orleans
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SlimGoodiesDiner/Facebook
It can be hard to find decent vegetarian and vegan food in the Southern USA. It’s particularly rare to find it in a diner – and rarer still to find it so deliciously prepared. Slim Goodies Diner serves breakfast food infused with Creole flavours and a lot of love, and its refreshing array of veggie choices means it’s ideal for groups. The vegan breakfast, with chilli tofu, hash browns and vegan bacon, is wonderful, as are the sweet potato pancakes and the range of omelettes.
57. Virginia: Bob & Edith’s Diner, various locations
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bobandedithsdinerllc/Facebook
Small Arlington-founded chain Bob & Edith’s Diner has several locations in the city, plus one in Springfield and one in Alexandria. Several are, in classic diner tradition, open around the clock – so you can indulge those cravings for pancakes, cheeseburgers or a classic patty melt at any time of the day or night. Everything, from the cooking to the portion sizes and service, is always on point.
56. New York: Ellen’s Stardust Diner, New York City
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lev radin/Shutterstock
You can take your pick of iconic diners in New York City, where they’re woven into the fabric of daily life (and often feature in films and TV shows). Ellen’s Stardust just edges it, though, thanks partly to its singing waitstaff and rainbow-coloured bagels. The Broadway diner came close to shutting off its neon lights forever as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but thankfully it was saved by a crowdfunding campaign.
55. Georgia: Marietta Diner, Marietta
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Kevin Trotman/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Marietta Diner, just northwest of Atlanta, is the type of place people tend to return to time and again (or, if they live out of state, wish they could visit every weekend). The huge menu runs the gluttonous gamut from breakfast classics like eggs Benedict to sandwiches, burgers and Greek dishes (reflecting the owner’s heritage). The desserts, particularly the baklava cheesecake, are irresistible.
54. Rhode Island: Patriots Diner, Woonsocket
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patriotsdiner24/Facebook
It’s all about retro charm, home-style cooking and gut-busting portions at Patriots Diner, which serves all-day breakfasts alongside a menu of classic comfort foods. Some of the plates are too much to eat in one sitting, though customers don’t mind when the food is so good (and you can always take some home for later). People praise the friendly staff and fun atmosphere, too.
53. Kentucky: Ramsey’s Diner, Lexington
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ramseysdinerandover/Facebook
This Kentucky stalwart has a menu packed with Southern favourites, from fried green tomatoes and catfish sandwiches to a fantastic rendition of Kentucky hot brown: a belly-busting turkey and bacon open sandwich that’s smothered in a cheesy mornay sauce and broiled until golden. Ramsey’s Diner has four branches across Lexington and fans say you’re guaranteed a warm welcome (and a slice of exceptional house-made pie à la mode) at each one.
52. Indiana: Oasis Diner, Plainfield
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oasisdiner/Facebook
Oasis Diner makes its own sodas – and they’re delicious. It’s just one of the things that sets this cute and colourful spot apart from the competition. Another is its obsession with lunch; not just serving it, but honouring a part of its history, with a display of vintage tin lunchboxes filling the shelves (and bearing illustrations of everything from ET to Pac-Man). Throw in some wonderfully comforting and classic diner food and a TV playing old sitcoms, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to brighten your day.
51. New Mexico: 66 Diner, Albuquerque
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Tony Hisgett/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Albuquerque’s hugely popular 66 Diner is housed in a former gas station along the historic Route 66. Customers now stop to refuel on delicious sandwiches, burgers, enormous breakfast plates and a selection of must-try malts and milkshakes. It was converted into a 1950s-style diner in 1987, with charming touches like neon signs, Elvis posters, jukeboxes and a soda fountain.
50. South Carolina: Rutledge Cab Company, Charleston
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RutledgeCabCo/Facebook
On the edge of downtown Charleston, Rutledge Cab Company brings old-school diner charm to an old gas station. Customers instantly fall in love with the interior, with its mahogany wood and wall dominated by a decal of a late 1950s Ford Edsel. The menu lives up to those first impressions, featuring creative takes on comfort food classics such as baked spinach dip, burgers served on onion-brioche buns and a variety of inventive breakfast and brunch plates.
49. New Hampshire: Red Arrow Diner, Manchester
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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Red Arrow Diner, founded in Manchester in 1922, has a total of four locations in New Hampshire – and it’s stayed true to its vintage roots. The original location still has red brick walls, red paint and a striking red neon sign, while the inside is classic diner territory, with red bar stools, cosy booths and memorabilia everywhere. Loyal customers reckon everything on the menu, which includes thick milkshakes, huge sandwiches, burgers and pork pie with gravy (a speciality), tastes amazing.
48. Montana: Betty’s Diner, Polson
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Bettys-diner/Facebook
Classic diner food, huge portions, good value for money and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere – Betty’s Diner ticks all the boxes, and then some. The fun, bright pink building is just off US Highway 93 and backs onto Flathead Lake, so it’s a great place to grab a delicious burger and enjoy the gorgeous views, perhaps sitting at one of the outdoor tables. The gluten-free options are appreciated, too.
47. Missouri: Broadway Diner, Columbia
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BroadwayDinerCoMo/Facebook
The classic Reuben sandwich is a favourite at this legendary Broadway Diner, though you can’t go far wrong with anything on the menu. Here, it’s all about comfort food and enormous signature breakfasts. The Stretch, for example, is a delicious heap of scrambled eggs with chilli, onions, cheese and hash browns. The interior is classic diner style, with red booths, pink and blue tabletops and a long counter lined with leather-cushioned stools.
46. Ohio: Buckeye Express Diner, Bellville
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BuckeyeExpressDiner/Facebook
You don’t need a ticket to board the Buckeye Express, but you should probably pack a decent appetite. This family-owned diner, inside a vintage steam engine diner car, is known for home-cooked classics and hearty burgers. People love the novelty of dining on board, with the skinny interior displaying Ohio State Buckeyes football posters and memorabilia. There’s a cute outdoor space, too.
45. California: Rae’s Restaurant, Santa Monica
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Tony Hoffarth/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In true diner style, this no-frills joint is cash only and has no official website. You just have to rock up, but it’s worth taking a chance on. Featured in several films, including 2004’s Starsky & Hutch and Quentin Tarantino’s cult 1993 movie True Romance, this 1950s diner is a classic, from its turquoise-and-red exterior to its bottomless coffee and satisfying breakfasts (piled high with pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs). Fans also rave about the Nutella-loaded French toast and Belgian waffles.
44. Alabama: Sunliner Diner, Gulf Shores
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sunlinerdiner/Facebook
This 1950s-style diner is a short stroll from the blazingly white sands of Gulf Shores – and it’s almost as beautiful as the beach resort itself. Sunliner Diner, which has another location in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, only opened in May 2018, though you wouldn’t know it to look at the bold red and turquoise decor. People love the fun, retro feel and high-quality food, from classic all-day breakfast dishes to more modern favourites such as avocado eggs Benedict.
43. Florida: @ The Diner, Orlando
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thedinerorlando/Facebook
When the owners of this Orlando eatery couldn’t find a diner in the area with high-quality comfort food and great service to match, they decided to take matters into their own hands. @ The Diner fills that particular gap in the market by focusing on eggs, waffles and French toast for breakfast, and hearty entrées for lunch. The highlight of the menu has to be the classic chicken waffles, finished with honey and powdered sugar.
42. Nebraska: Hi-Way Diner, Lincoln
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eat247/Facebook
Hi-Way Diner is a classic, no-frills spot that serves up reliably delicious comfort food with added soul. Breakfast is the thing to order at any time of day, with favourites including eggs Benedict – and anything with hash browns. Diners love that you get a third egg free, while the sandwiches are generously stuffed with fillings such as chicken strips and meatloaf.
41. Pennsylvania: P&G’s Pamela’s Diner, Pittsburgh
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woodsnorthphoto/Shutterstock
The hotcakes sell like, well, hotcakes, at Pamela’s Diner, which has several locations in Pittsburgh. They come crêpe-style, with perfectly crisped edges and a choice of toppings (such as bananas, chocolate chips, walnuts and whipped cream). Whatever else you order, they’re a must-try. Not that the rest of the menu isn’t excellent; you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes, from omelettes to specials like chorizo hash.
40. South Dakota: The Phillips Avenue Diner, Sioux Falls
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PhillipsAvenueDiner/Facebook
This destination spot in downtown Sioux Falls is pure 1950s nostalgia, complete with Art Deco booths, checkered floors and a jukebox always blasting out the oldies. The Phillips Avenue Diner started out in a silver Airstream trailer but has since morphed into the local institution it is today. On the menu, you’ll find all-American diner classics cooked with flair, from chicken and waffles to French dip sandwiches, plus retro malts and shakes.
39. Wyoming: Luxury Diner, Cheyenne
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LuxuryDiner/Facebook
With just a few tables in a vintage trolley car, Luxury Diner often has a long line. Those who have stuck around say it’s well worth waiting to feast on one of its breakfast dishes – including corned beef hash, chicken-fried steak and fluffy pancakes – or to sink your teeth into a juicy burger. The club sandwiches and lunchtime plates are also delicious.
38. Wisconsin: Monty’s Blue Plate Diner, Madison
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MontysBluePlate/Facebook
Pretty much everything except the food at Monty’s Blue Plate Diner is blue, though we won’t hold that against it. This classic spot has won local awards for its fabulous breakfast menu, which includes a particularly tasty corned beef hash and perfect pancakes. There’s also a good range of vegetarian and vegan dishes (like tofu scramble and dairy-free banana and walnut pancakes), plus pies, cakes and cookies that are baked fresh each day.
37. Nevada: Southwest Diner, Boulder City
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SWDiner/Facebook
With a huge illuminated sign, red awnings fronted by palm trees and even a model windmill outside, it’s hard to miss Southwest Diner on Boulder City’s main drag. The interior is charming, with vintage and antique decor that changes with the seasons. This place also serves up substance with the style. Customers praise the excellent service and delicious food, with comforting, homey favourites like meatloaf, pot roasts and pumpkin pie on the menu.
36. Maine: Becky’s Diner, Portland
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Beckys-Diner/Facebook
Becky’s Diner is considered an institution in Portland, serving everything from locally caught seafood to much-loved blueberry pancakes. With a prime location on the city’s waterfront, it’s a popular spot, so there’s often a wait for a table – but the friendly service and dreamy breakfast dishes, like lobster eggs Benedict, are worth waiting in line for. It’s a must for locals and visitors alike.
35. Oregon: The Daily Feast, Portland
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thedailyfeastpdx/Facebook
Locals love The Daily Feast, a friendly neighbourhood joint in Portland’s West End, and visitors tend to fall in love with it, too. The decor is an appealing mix of pretty – with floral displays and vintage touches – and edgy (think bold murals and local art on the walls). The menu takes American diner classics and elevates them with high-quality ingredients and creative twists. Customers recommend breakfast feasts like the corned beef hash, while there are also some great vegetarian options to try.
34. Minnesota: Al’s Breakfast, Minneapolis
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Als-Breakfast/Facebook
The location of Al’s Breakfast could hardly be more apt: this hole-in-the-wall diner, here since 1950, is in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown neighbourhood (and it’s just as adorable as that suggests). Al’s claims to be the narrowest diner in Minneapolis at just 10 feet wide, so it’s a miracle it manages to serve up such enormous breakfasts. Because it’s so tiny there’s often a wait, though the delicious pancakes and fully loaded breakfast plates make it worth it.
33. Tennessee: Sun Diner, Nashville
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sundinernashville/Facebook
Sun Diner takes its name from Elvis Presley’s old label, Sun Records, and its decor pays homage to the history of rock and roll. Even the menu items have music-related names – including Let’s Do The Twist (crème brûlée French toast) and Love Me Tenders (hand-breaded chicken tenders). But the diner delivers much more than nostalgia and quirky designs; choose any of its flavour-packed dishes and your taste buds will not be disappointed.
32. Arkansas: Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, Marianna
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Mike Norton/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
A small clapboard house with nothing more than a simple sign giving away that there’s a restaurant here, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner doesn’t look like much from the outside. But the diner – opened as a smokehouse by current pitmaster James Jones’ grandfather in 1910 – was the first restaurant in the state to win a James Beard Award. The legendary pulled pork, smoked for 12 hours, is incredible; order some to take home or try it in a simple Wonder Bread sandwich with coleslaw.
31. Oklahoma: Sherri’s Diner, Oklahoma City
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Sherris-Diner/Facebook
The speciality at Sherri’s Diner is the puffy pancakes (made to a secret recipe), served with mountains of toppings like blueberries and chocolate chips. The cinnamon rolls and pies are pretty good too, and savoury options include burgers (served in mini Cadillacs) and a sensational plate of liver and onions. The diner’s charms go beyond the menu, though; customers adore the fun interior with neon lights, vintage signage and a jukebox that plays 1950s tunes.
30. North Dakota: The Shack on Broadway, North Fargo
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The-Shack-on-Broadway/Facebook
Marrying comfort food and classic Americana, The Shack on Broadway is one of the best-reviewed diners in North Dakota. From morning until night, it serves perfectly prepared breakfast classics such as house-made buttermilk pancakes and French toast, and hearty lunch and dinner items like burgers and fried chicken. Don’t miss the mashed potatoes and gravy – it’s a customer favourite for a reason.
29. Mississippi: Ajax Diner, Oxford
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ajaxdiner/Facebook
Diners don’t come much more colourful than this. Ajax Diner’s interior is a bold, bright riot of yellow walls, red booths and checkered floors, while string lights add to the fun. This favourite spot is known for its comfort food, serving plates of chicken and dumplings, casseroles and plenty of other delicious dishes drenched in gravy. From the butter beans to the blackberry cobbler, Southern food doesn’t come much tastier.
28. Kansas: Gella’s Diner, Hays
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LbBrewing/Facebook
A diner with its own microbrewery attached? Sold! Charming Gella’s Diner, in the heart of Hays’ arty downtown, is considered one of the best places to grab something to eat in the city. Whether or not you sample the award-winning craft ales, the friendly service and delicious menu of hearty salads, healthy bowls and burgers stand a good chance of winning you over.
27. Washington: Geraldine’s Counter, Seattle
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geraldinescounter/Facebook
Geraldine’s Counter aims to serve something for everyone, at any time of the day – that’s why you can enjoy breakfast until 3pm or start thinking about lunch options first thing in the morning. Most people come here for the French toast, the joint’s signature dish, with toppings that change every day. However, Geraldine’s also offers its own take on other familiar favourites such as pancakes, biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash.
26. California: The Serving Spoon, Inglewood
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TheServingSpoonRestaurant/Facebook
Breakfast is turned into an art form at this unassuming spot, located in a small Inglewood strip mall. The Serving Spoon has served the neighbourhood heaving plates of comfort food for almost four decades and is pretty much always buzzing, especially at weekends. But diners are happy to wait for a taste of its sublime diner staples with a Southern twist, from beautifully battered catfish and expertly fried chicken to cinnamon-dusted waffles and old-school French toast. The daily specials – such as beef short rib and turkey wings – are also fantastic.
25. Maryland: Southside Diner, Baltimore
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eatatsouthsidediner/Facebook
Southside Diner may not have the retro flair or elegant decor of some of the other diners on our list; in fact, it’s pretty nondescript from the outside. But that really doesn’t matter when the food is this good. The menu features classic diner fare – burgers, sandwiches and ham and eggs – alongside Greek specialities like spanakopita (spinach pie) and gyros. People love the warm, friendly atmosphere, too.
24. Arizona: Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Seligman
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Delgadillos-Snow-Cap/Facebook
This delightfully ramshackle and busily decorated roadside diner is a favourite stop for travellers following the historic Route 66, and it has plenty of its own exciting stories to tell. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap was built using scrap materials in 1953 – and the interior matches the façade, with a jumble of Americana signs and paraphernalia filling the walls and shelves. Thankfully, the food (from burgers to burritos) is less haphazard. The malts and tacos are glorious, and the joint even holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Largest Display of Milkshakes Varieties’. The diner closes for winter around November, reopening in the spring.
23. Massachusetts: Miss Worcester Diner, Worcester
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Miss-Worcester-Diner/Facebook
A diner with an entire menu dedicated to French toast just has to be good, right? The legendary Miss Worcester Diner, going strong since the 1940s, also has a menu of egg dishes – and another that’s all about burgers. Whatever you go for, customers reckon everything tastes amazing. It’s a small spot, with a few booths and around a dozen stools at the counter, and the atmosphere is always welcoming, even when it’s busy.
22. Iowa: Pullman Bar & Diner, Iowa City
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PullmanBarAndDiner/Facebook
It’s hard to eat at Pullman Bar & Diner without instantly planning your return. This sleek spot, decked out like an upscale railroad carriage, serves elevated comfort food such as burgers, steak and eggs and pancakes, all made using the finest local produce. The brunch cocktails are highly recommended, too – while excellent music and elegant decor (think gold lettering and a white marble bar top) add to the charm.
21. Utah: The Park Café, Salt Lake City
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theparkcafeslc/Instagram
The Park Café is the kind of place that people dream and drool about and even make special journeys to. It’s been a favourite since it opened in 1952 and has maintained a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home instantly. This is classic diner territory in many ways, from the menu to the simple decor. But customers reckon the food is a cut above, with the burritos and French toast particularly highly recommended.
20. New Jersey: Tops Diner, Harrison
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thetopsdiner/Instagram
Tops Diner has been serving up delicious diner food and warm customer service since 1942 and has managed to stay relevant and stylish through the decades. The steel-fronted diner, reopened in a new structure at the same location in late 2021, attracts customers like magpies, while the interior is a timeless combination of dark wood panelling and striking tiled floors. Of course, it’s the food that keeps people coming back. Menu staples include meatloaf, chicken and waffles, fresh seafood platters and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese.
19. New York: Dan’s Diner, Chatham
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Dans-Diner/Facebook
This treasured dining cart is a real piece of Americana. The structure – an amazing 1925 Jerry O’Mahoney Diner – was salvaged from scrap and lovingly brought back to its former glory by owner Dan Rundell, and it opened as Dan’s Diner in 1993. These days, the cosy spot is loved for its gorgeous vintage interior decorated with quirky memorabilia, and locals praise the warm and homey feel, generous portions and unmatched service. From the perfectly crisp bacon to the fluffy French toast, the all-day breakfast plates are a triumph here. The croissant breakfast sandwiches and chilli dogs also get rave reviews.
18. Idaho: The Rusty Lantern Diner, Ucon
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The-Rusty-Lantern-Diner/Facebook
Housed in a barn-like building set in a yard strewn with old tractors and a flock of birdhouses, The Rusty Lantern is a little different from your typical diner (there’s no neon in sight, for example). People fall in love with its warmth and quirkiness, though the food tends to help, too. Popular choices include tacos, pizza, and ham and bean soups, and it’s considered something of a crime to leave without sampling one of the joint’s enormous cinnamon rolls.
17. Alaska: Little Richard’s Family Diner, North Pole
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No, not that North Pole. Little Richard’s Family Diner is a gleaming landmark of a restaurant in the small Alaskan city of the same name, near Fairbanks, which is famous for its year-round Christmas decorations and (in winter) the Northern Lights. The diner itself is equally charming. People praise the outstanding service, huge breakfasts and delicious burgers.
16. Nevada: Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner, Las Vegas
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winnieandethelsdowntowndiner/Facebook
Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner is not owned by two people called Winnie and Ethel. The co-owners are actually Aaron Lee and Mal Gott, partners in both life and business. Amazingly, the pair opened the Las Vegas eatery in 2023 after winning a Shark Tank-like competition called The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway. Their prize was a furnished diner (completed to their prize-winning design), three months of free rent and free signage. Given the outstanding customer feedback so far, it’s safe to say that Lee and Gott have not wasted their golden opportunity.
15. Missouri: Southwest Diner, St. Louis
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SWdinerSTL/Facebook
The breakfast burrito is the star of the show at Southwest Diner in St. Louis. That’s hardly surprising when you consider it features scrambled eggs, slow-cooked beef, green chilli and home fries all wrapped up in a fresh tortilla. If that doesn’t take your fancy, another popular dish is Grits On Fire – cheesy grits topped with carne adovada, red chilli, sweetcorn, two eggs and queso fresco. Yes, the food is spicy, but it’s also delicious; locals have been chowing down here since 2012.
13. Texas: Phoebe’s Diner, Austin
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phoebesdiner/Instagram
With locations in South Austin and downtown, Phoebe’s Diner turns out classic diner fare – and it throws some good old Texas barbecue into the mix, too. Customers rave about the tender brisket, cooked in a smoker and served with eggs. Everything’s beautifully prepared, from the fried chicken and grits to the tastiest biscuits smothered in sausage gravy.
14. Washington: Frank’s Diner, Spokane
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Frank’s Diner is stunning both inside and out. The restaurant was built in 1906 as an observation car for a steam train. It somehow fell into the hands of Frank Knight in the 1930s, and he converted it into the diner that’s been feeding Spokane ever since. But the spectacular location isn’t the only thing worth writing home about at Frank’s. The menu dishes up all your diner favourites from 6am until 9pm, so you can have eggs Benedict for breakfast and country fried steak for dinner. Perfect.
12. Delaware: Angelo’s Luncheonette, Wilmington
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Angelos-Luncheonette/Facebook
A diner by another name, Angelo’s Luncheonette has been serving up fabulous breakfasts and warm welcomes since it opened in 1967, and a trip here is like stepping back in time. The family-run spot has all the hallmarks of a classic diner, from the stools that line the counter to the cosy booths and walls plastered with retro paraphernalia. People love the home-style cooking and friendly atmosphere – you can even bring your own chocolate chips or blueberries and have them added to the house pancakes.
11. Illinois: Ray’s Diner, Elgin
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Elgin has been blessed with Ray’s Diner since it welcomed its first guests in 1969. The joint is still family owned to this day, and consistently delivers exactly what you want from a classic diner. That means an extensive all-day breakfast menu – including three-egg omelettes, waffles and pancakes – and plenty of options for lunch and dinner, too. Look out for the soups, which are made fresh in-house daily.
10. Arizona: Diner 50, Phoenix
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diner50/Facebook
Diner 50 implores its customers to ‘eat retro’ on its menu, and the interior screams ‘all-American diner’ in every detail. The bar is decorated with vinyl records, the floor gleams with stunning black and white tiles and the joint is kitted out with vintage fixings throughout. But, while the vibes are great, the most important part of any diner is the food. Luckily, Diner 50 delivers on this front, too. Breakfast and lunch are covered, with the country-fried steak being a particular hit with customers.
8. Idaho: Hoot Owl Cafe, Ponderay
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The service, food and huge portions all get a big thumbs-up from customers at the Hoot Owl Cafe. The go-to orders on the breakfast and lunch menus are chicken-fried steak and green eggs and ham, but there are plenty of delicious options to please every palate. One of the many reasons this joint keeps people coming back is because, as one reviewer wrote, ‘it feels like going to grandma’s house’.
7. Florida: Beachside Diner, Augustine
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A1ABeachsideDiner/Facebook
Breakfast is served all day at Beachside Diner, a classic joint that bills itself as ‘an East Coast diner with a beachside vibe’. The fan-favourite choice for breakfast is the spicy chicken and waffles – honey-drizzled chicken tenders served atop a Belgian waffle. Lunch is served from 11am, when even more home-style diner fare is served up to its many guests. It doesn’t hurt that the diner sits right beside St. Augustine beach, either.
6. Texas: Pappa Gyros, Katy
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Pappa Gyros claims to be the best Greek restaurant in the region and the first place in Katy (a city just west of Houston) to serve authentic Chicago beef. It makes for a pretty mixed menu, but it doesn’t matter when the food tastes this good. On the American side of the menu, you’ve got those beef sandwiches as well as Chicago and Coney Island hot dogs. Over on the Greek side, you’ve got gyros, Greek plates and baklava.
9. Vermont: Handy’s Lunch, Burlington
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The food served up at Handy’s Lunch, a family-run spot that’s been going since 1945, is simple yet superb. The small diner, close to Lake Champlain, is a longstanding favourite for breakfast and lunch – and customers tend to leave with full bellies and big smiles. The menu includes crowd-pleasers like the Big Daddy breakfast (a plate piled high with pretty much everything you can think of) and the signature Texas hot dog.
5. Colorado: The Little Diner, Vail
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thelittlediner/Facebook
Hungry Coloradans know that The Little Diner is the place to go before (or after) a day on the slopes. This cosy diner specialises in generous servings of breakfast classics, and customers are big fans of its eggs Benedict. Owners Brian and Peggy Little make everything from scratch using only the finest locally sourced ingredients – and that fan-favourite eggs Benedict is even topped with a hollandaise sauce based on a family recipe. It’s the place to go for fantastic service and great food.
4. Connecticut: The Laurel Diner, Southbury
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thelaureldiner/Facebook
Peter Homick, chef and co-owner of The Laurel Diner, promises his customers that they’ll leave his restaurant with full stomachs and big smiles. The diner specialises in corned beef hash and home fries, both of which Homick makes fresh every day. Diners can choose from breakfast and lunch dishes that are perfect diner fare – delicious, no-frills comfort food. If you’re looking for something a little different, try the local favourite: the Santa Fe chicken omelette.
3. Hawaii: Oli’s Kitchen, Honolulu
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oliskitchenhawaii/Instagram
Oli’s Kitchen only opened in 2024, but it’s already had a sizeable impact on the residents of Honolulu. Opened by native Hawaiians Oli and Skye, the diner focuses on local classics and fusion food to delight the taste buds. Expect garlic shrimp, kālua pig and loco moco to sit alongside Korean marinated short ribs on the eclectic menu, which emphasises locally produced ingredients.
2. Nevada: Lou’s Diner, Las Vegas
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lousdinerlv/Facebook
Lou’s Diner has been a Las Vegas staple since it opened its doors in 1969. The place was called Jo-Ellis back then and actually didn’t become Lou’s until 1997 – but the heart and soul of the joint has survived through all these years. One of the traditions at Lou’s is BYOM, or ‘bring your own mug’. Regulars can leave their favourite mugs in the care of Lou’s so they can use them on every visit. And after tasting the classic, comforting diner fare, guests want to return again and again.
1. North Carolina: Star Diner, Marshall
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Those who’ve experienced Star Diner don’t have a bad word to say about it. This sleek spot, housed in a former gas station, stays true to diner traditions with a range of blue-plate specials for lunch, plus themed menus for Wing Wednesday and Fish Fry Friday. The food here, whether it’s the incredible brunch dishes or the best-ever meatloaf, really is a cut above.
