Whether your go-to order is a slice of pie, a pile of pancakes, plate of eggs, or just a bottomless cup of coffee, there's something wonderfully comforting about settling into a booth or pulling up at the counter of a diner. They’re an important part of America's food culture, and many are still gloriously retro, with old-school neon signs, bright bar stools, and plenty of tales to tell. Here, we reveal the best classic diners in the US, counting down to the greatest of all.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America's must-visit retro diners. How many have you been to?
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
With the vintage vibe of a classic American diner, and a menu of traditional, comforting German dishes, Kroll’s Diner is a twist on the 1950s diner experience – and that’s why people adore it. Since 1972, menu items such as the Reuben sandwich and German burger (which comes loaded with sauerkraut) have delighted customers. The standout favorite, though, is the knoephla soup, thick with chicken, potato, and little dumplings. There are also locations in Bismarck, Mandan, and Minot.
This diner's theme is simple: the color purple. Each Purple Cow outpost is fashioned on the classic 1950s model, with a retro soda fountain and plenty of neon. The original diner, on Cantrell Road in Little Rock, opened in 1989 and there are now six locations to choose from (three in Little Rock, one in Hot Springs, one in Conway, and one in Benton). They serve all the classics, including a wide range of burgers, hot dogs, and toasted sandwiches, plus signature purple shakes and desserts.
A Greek American diner just off I-95 between Washington DC and Philadelphia, Broadway Diner made an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2009. There's something for everyone on the huge menu, including moussaka and souvlaki, but Guy Fieri’s favorites were the Hungarian goulash, shrimp Creole, and potato-crusted salmon. The dessert display is pretty epic, too.
Just northwest of Atlanta you'll find Marietta Diner, a neon palace you may also have spotted on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Not only does it look fabulous inside and out, but it’s also open 24 hours a day. The menu is broad and varied, with timeless breakfast favorites, sandwiches, burgers, and a variety of Greek dishes that reflect the owner’s heritage. Sweet-toothed customers can’t resist the stunning cake display. The baklava cheesecake is particularly divine.
This retro joint in Honolulu is not only a nod to the classic diners of the 1950s, but it's also an homage to the whole era. The walls are adorned with memorabilia and dishes are named after iconic celebrities, characters, movies, TV shows, and songs. Try the Elvis peanut butter and banana sandwich, the Magnum PI fried chicken and bacon sandwich, or the Lassie chili cheese dog. There's even a shop where you can buy retro movie and music collectibles.
This comfy all-day venue has a vintage look, a warm atmosphere, and a commendable relationship with local food producers. The Bluebird Huevos (smoked pork and green chili topped with Parmesan polenta and fried eggs) are worth the trip alone and the diner's sweet offerings – we’re talking cinnamon roll French toast and buttermilk pancakes – are also great.
Built in 1954 as a drive-in, this venue has changed hands and names over the years, but has remained the Original Market Diner since 1989. Changes or no changes, the service is fast and friendly, and the diner continues to dish out house-cooked food in hearty Texan-sized portions, with bottomless coffee. The Denver omelet, home-style biscuits and gravy, banana bread French toast, and freshly baked pies all get a thumbs up.
This fun and funky diner, located just west of Indianapolis, is the perfect place to go if you love all things vintage. Set in a stainless-steel dining car that dates back to the 1950s (it was carefully relocated and restored in 2014), the diner houses a collection of car license plates and old-school lunchboxes with Pac-Man, Barbie, and Mickey Mouse designs. Customers love the Oasis Burger, which comes piled high with two beef patties, pulled pork, bacon, barbecue sauce, coleslaw, pickles, and Cheddar.
A 24-hour diner, the Red Arrow has been around since 1922 and has four outposts across New Hampshire – but the Manchester location is the original. Though many years have passed since it opened, it's managed to hold onto its vintage look, with red-brick walls, red paint, and a tall neon red sign. The inside is much the same: expect booths, red bar stools, and walls cluttered with neon signs and vintage memorabilia. The specialty here is the pork pie with gravy and you can't go wrong with the cookie sandwich either.
The food at Elm Street Diner is, frankly, outrageous (and we mean that in the best way). An entire section of the menu is called 'social media superstars' and features crazily stacked sandwiches, giant burritos, and brunch dishes piled high with toppings. But seeing how you match up to the mega portions is part of the appeal of this retro-style diner. It's been in the Moshos family since 1987, and there's now a second location in Norwalk.
Silk City Diner, Lounge & Garden is the kind of place where you could literally spend the entire day. It's open for brunch and dinner, and then at night the joint brings out the entertainment. But while that might showcase a more modern sensibility, the foundation of the diner is actually very old-school. The diner car was constructed by the Paterson Dining Company in 1952 and was called Silk City because Paterson, New Jersey had a flourishing silk industry at the time.
The aptly named Midnight Diner is open 24/7, with neon lights reflecting off the silvery dining car exterior throughout the night. It’s the place to go if you yearn for soul food made from scratch – dishes such as shrimp and grits, fried chicken, mac ’n’ cheese, and collard greens are all endorsed by happy customers. The diner moved to Uptown in September 2023, but the service and the food remained the same.
Not to be confused with Maryland's Broadway Diner (which is also on this list), this much-loved spot in Columbia, Missouri has a charming vintage vibe and a menu packed with comfort food classics. The diner's signature dish is The Stretch, a mound of hash browns smothered in chili, eggs, cheese, onions, and green peppers. If you're feeling especially ravenous, order the Super Stretch, which is even bigger.
The Pine Tree State isn't short of retro dining cars, but the A1 Diner, built in 1946, is up there with the most charming. With its pastel yellow exterior, blue vinyl booths, neon clock, and floral tablecloths, it’s cheery and nostalgic. The food is suitably eclectic, too, with fish tacos and a scallop BLT among the top choices. The diner's Sunday brunch menu, which changes every week, is also hugely popular.
Believed to be one of America’s oldest diners still in operation, Casey’s 10-stool dining car has been serving customers since 1922, although it began life as a horse-drawn wagon 32 years before that. It has a long wooden bar, classic diner stools, retro floor tiles, and a bun steamer that pre-dates the diner by around 30 years. People come by to experience a slice of history and to try Casey’s famous steamed hot dogs – get yours 'all around,' with relish, onions, and mustard.
It’s hard not to fall for Dixie’s charms, with its checkered floors, neon signage, gray and red booths, and table jukeboxes. Yet despite the retro vibe, the diner actually opened in 2005. Here, the service is fast and friendly, and the food is exceptional. Choose from build-your-own omelets, skillets, burgers, house-made chili, and a range of fresh soups.
This nostalgic diner (located on Route 340, just outside of Lancaster) is completely 1950s themed. From the vintage car parked outside to the red vinyl furnishings, neon lights, and the menu of burgers, fries, and sundaes, visiting DJ's Taste of the 50s is like traveling back to a simpler era. Customers also love the throwback music, the excellent service, and how great the diner is for families with kids.
This 1940s railcar is charming on the outside and even cuter on the inside, where there's a blue and white color scheme and a row of booths that runs parallel to the seat-lined counter. The Blue Benn is classic diner territory and wins over visitors with its retro feel. It’s been serving pancakes, Philly cheesesteaks, and omelets to hungry passersby since 1948 – and its table jukeboxes keep customers just as happy as the food does.
This cozy diner is all about classic comfort food with a gourmet twist, with favorites such as Swedish meatballs, chicken and dumplings, roast turkey, and house-made meatloaf all served with a choice of sides – think mashed potatoes, mac ’n’ cheese, scalloped apples, and cheesy grits. As well as the friendly, efficient service and tasty food, people love the diner's retro interior and say that for dessert, the signature hoho chocolate torte is a must-try.
This brilliantly old-school diner has been open since 1958 and in terms of décor, little has changed since then; think turquoise bar stools at the counter, red booths, and neon signage. The joint garnered cult status after featuring in several films – including 2004’s Starsky & Hutch and 1993 movie True Romance – and continues to serve hearty breakfasts, burgers, and sandwiches, as well as specials like pork chops with potatoes and toast to satisfied customers today.
'Cooked in Sight, Must be Right' is this diner’s motto and has been since 1950. The diner was restored in 2004, but the décor, like its tagline, has stayed true to its retro roots. The menu features traditional diner fare, with a few contemporary upgrades (think goats' cheese omelets, crab hash, fresh juices, and açaí bowls). The Eggs Howley's – featuring two crab cakes on a toasted English muffin, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce – gets rave reviews from customers.
This vintage diner – with an old-school interior complete with cozy booths and a jukebox – was once located on Louise Avenue and called the Market Diner. But after failing to generate interest, the owners had the idea to move the restaurant downtown. Suddenly, people flocked to the joint and it's now a Sioux Falls institution. It’s a tried-and-true community spot, known and loved for specialties including poutine, beef stroganoff, and jambalaya (made with your choice of spicy pork and andouille sausage, or blackened chicken).
This bold blue dining cart in East Greenwich dates back to the 1950s, when it was built by The Worcester Dining Car Company. Although it has since been restored, it retains its original clock, green bar stools, woodwork, and floor tiles. The stainless-steel hood, wooden booths, and photographs were brought in to fit with the retro décor. Head here for brunch – customers rave about the banana bread French toast and the signature Johnny Cakes, made from Kenyon’s Stone Ground Corn Meal and served dripping with butter or syrup.
Ruth's Diner originally opened in downtown Salt Lake City in 1930, but moved to its current, leafier location at Emigration Canyon in 1949, where it still sits in one of the city's old trolley cars. The eponymous Ruth was quite a character, by all accounts – she started out as a cabaret singer before setting up the diner. Today, the food still has an excellent reputation, and it can be enjoyed outside on the patio in the warmer months.
Frank's Diner is the oldest continuously operating lunch-car diner in the country. Open since 1926, it was in the same family until 2001. The current owners have remained faithful to the character of the much-loved establishment, which many will recognize from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It serves a mean garbage plate – that’s hash browns, green peppers, and onions served with eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat or vegetables.
Inspired by classic mid-century diners, friendly neighborhood joint Dove’s (located in Chicago’s Wicker Park) proves that retro design and contemporary cuisine work brilliantly together. The wood paneling, brown tile floor, counter stools, and soundtrack of Chicago soul and blues conjure a distinctly vintage vibe, while the menu features Southern-inspired Mexican food, as well as diner favorites. That means you can feast on the likes of excellent buttermilk fried chicken and old-school onion burgers, as well as tacos and sizzling steak fajitas.
Established in 1958, this famed Inglewood diner is known for its preserved Googie architecture, with an irregular-shaped roof, distinctive neon sign, and retro interior. Typical diner favorites are in plentiful supply, including chicken wings, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, and eggs – but it’s the house specialty of fried chicken and waffles that has people talking.
You don't normally think meat-free when you imagine a diner, but The Chicago Diner has been fully vegetarian since 1983, when it first opened its doors. The menu has plenty of classic diner options, including burgers and sandwiches, all served with a vegetarian-friendly alternative to meat. Locals have embraced the concept, crowning the restaurant with multiple readers' choice awards over the decades.
Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop has been part of the New York food scene since 1928. Throughout all that time, however, there have been five owners, all of whom put their own twists on the joint and its menu. The diner also closed down for a time in 2021. These days, S&P belongs to the owners of the Court Street Grocers mini chain and is alive and well, specializing in classic burgers and sandwiches that are fresh and exciting. And don't worry, you can still get your hands on the famous tuna melt.
If you’re hankering after the ultimate nostalgic 1950s diner experience, this all-American joint, which opened in 1957, more than delivers. The distinctive red and white striped eatery features an original carhop station, meaning that happy customers can have crisp yet juicy cheeseburgers, curly fries, chili dogs, onion rings, and cherry-topped milkshakes delivered straight to their front seats. Go on the right day and you could also catch a vintage car show.
Doo-Dah is apparently a nickname for Wichita, and the Doo-Dah Diner is a Wichita institution. The owners Patrick and Timirie Shibley are locals, and the diner itself is loaded with Wichita State memorabilia. The aim of the place is to provide the best experience for all guests, with a menu of scratch-made diner staples such as biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak and eggs, and crispy corned beef hash.
Welcome Diner features an all-day menu of burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items – but the joint takes its food much more seriously than you might expect. The whole menu is made from scratch using the finest ingredients from local suppliers, ensuring the food on your plate is as fresh and flavorful as possible. People adore the house-made biscuits served with an array of different toppings, as well as more unusual options like the loaded jackfruit fries.
Like magpies to shiny objects, customers flock to this steel-fronted diner, which must be one of the most easily recognizable in New Jersey. The mammoth menu provides customary diner food, including a must-try meatloaf and tasty chicken and waffles. It also has a large selection of excellent fresh seafood dishes, such as shrimp Parmesan and grilled salmon.
The teeny-tiny Palace Diner has a small menu to match its dinky size. The 15-seat spot, located inside a trolley car, serves just a handful of breakfast dishes, four sandwiches, and a smattering of sides (including the famous Palace Potatoes). Not that anyone minds, because everything is sublime; the tuna melt has been described as 'life-changing.' The fire engine–red trolley was built by the Pollard Company in 1927 and is now one of two surviving Pollard diners in the country.
Very little has changed at Lou's Diner since it opened in 1969. The super-friendly spot in the center of Las Vegas has purple booths, walls adorned with ornaments, flowers, and doilies, and tables plastered with business cards left by customers. But the real winner here is the food. Everything on the menu gets its fair share of praise – from breakfast dishes like pork chops with eggs to the diner's house-made hot cakes, soups, and chili. As if that wasn't enough, the joint also hosts classic car shows.
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Last updated by Emily Shardlow-Price.