Few things encapsulate US culture so neatly as the classic roadside diner, and the best of these joints are so much more than just places to refuel. From highway restaurants with unique and colorful decor to diners in buildings that are attractions in themselves, we’ve rounded up the most charming roadside diner in every state.
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.
A roadside diner that looks like a train yard? A counter that looks like a school bus? What more could you want! The Derailed Diner is a little off the main freeway but worth a short detour. Set inisde a full-size train car with tailgates for tables, it’s chock-full of transport paraphernalia and wall art from skis to bobsleds. The Train Wreck sandwich, with buffalo chicken and bacon, comes highly recommended.
Family-run Sami’s City Diner has all the fixtures and fittings of a 1950s diner, with a relaxed atmosphere and super-friendly staff. People love the generous portions of comfort food including breakfast sliders, short-rib hash, and chocolate chip pancakes. Alaskan specialties like reindeer sausages add some charm to the menu too.
Built from scrap lumber in 1953, this historic and flamboyant roadside stop on the former Route 66 in Seligman is a must-visit. It’s a charming jumble of kitsch and Americana, from the roofless 1936 Chevrolet hardtop parked outside to the colorful signage plastered over the walls. The diner’s unusual style extends to interior decor while the food and classic milkshakes get rave reviews.
We love a theme and this diner’s is simple: the color purple. The flagship Purple Cow is fashioned on the classic 1950s model, with a retro soda fountain and plenty of neon. There are now five locations, including two others in Little Rock, one in Hot Springs and another in Conway, all following the winning formula of purple décor and decent diner food including burgers, hot dogs, and toasted sandwiches. The signature purple shakes are a must-try.
Patrick’s Roadhouse is a surprising sight on California’s Pacific Coast Highway, bringing a burst of shamrock green to a stretch more associated with blue skies and golden sand. The brilliantly bonkers building, opened in 1973, is decorated with leprechauns and has a dinosaur on its roof. Voted best roadside diner 2021 by the LA Times, it's loved for its 1940s style and delicious dishes including fish tacos. Past customers include the state’s former governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has a custom-made iron chair with a plaque that says: 'For The Man of Iron: The Terminator'.
Occupying an old garage that’s been transformed into a beautiful space with outdoor terraces, Steuben’s is a retro diner/hip modern gastro-bar hybrid. The menu offers classics from regions around North America, with customer favorites including the Nashville fried chicken, the poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), and the bacon-infused Bloody Mary.
Located a few miles south of Hartford, this roadside diner started life in Massachusetts before moving to its Connecticut home in 1954. Touted as the longest stainless-steel diner in the US, Olympia Diner has table jukeboxes and a homely, retro vibe that customers adore. The food is solid, no-frills cooking with all-day breakfast dishes sharing the menu with American-Italian specialties such as chicken Parmigiana with pasta and baked meatloaf with gravy.
Lucky’s is a small but perfectly formed diner with a vintage feel and warm, family-friendly atmosphere. People love coming here for breakfast or brunch, with dishes like salmon and eggs Benedict, burritos, fluffy omelets, and house-made biscuits served all day – along with sandwiches, salads and burgers.
Miami’s South Beach is retro heaven and this colorful diner fits in perfectly. Open late, it's a favorite for customers seeking breakfast or sustanence after a night out clubbing. As well as the bubblegum exterior, pink VW Beetles parked outside, and the pink booths inside, customers love the classic menu dishes like French toast, milkshakes, and the Big Pink TV dinner – a selection of daily specials served on a stainless steel tray.
Just northwest of Atlanta is Marietta Diner, a neon palace you may have spotted on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Not only does it look fabulous inside and out, it’s open 24 hours. The menu is broad and varied, with timeless breakfast favorites, sandwiches, burgers and, reflecting the owner’s heritage, a variety of Greek meals. There's also an impressive display of cakes to choose from.
Rock Island Cafe pays homage to the 1950s with joyful abandon. Walls are adorned with movie memorabilia and dish names are inspired by Hollywood, such as the T-Bird chicken wings and fries and the Yellow Brick Road cheese flatbread pizza. Customers love the quirkiness and the retro music, plus there's a shop selling collectables too.
Not your typical diner, The Rusty Lantern has a farmhouse feel and eclectic interior featuring old farming tools. Owned by husband and wife Barb and Kelly Hart, there are old tractors out the back and a collection of bird houses too. It’s this quirkiness and the warm, likeable staff that make customers fall for the diner’s charms. There's separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus featuring Skillet Browns – hash browns with scrambled eggs, bacon, onions, and melted cheese on top – burgers, sandwiches, salads, and chicken fried steak.
Charlie Parker's Diner, housed in a Quonset hut in Springfield, may look unassuming, but inside you'll find a classic diner with neon signs and kitsch interiors. Customers flock to the diner for its famous horseshoe sandwiches – open-faced sandwiches with a choice of meat, topped with potatoes (usually fries), cheese, and gravy or another sauce. Other menu highlights include the fried catfish and stuffed pancakes with a choice of toppings.
Oasis Diner, which was shipped from New Jersey in 1954, is home to a unique collection of vintage lunchboxes that adds to the sense of stepping back in time. From old-school Mickey Mouse to GI Joe and E.T., spotting the classics is all part of the fun. There’s also a display of vintage license plates and a wide menu – customers love the the orignal tenderloin (hand breaded Indiana pork loin served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and garlic mayo).
Locals say chic Pullman Bar & Diner is the best place for brunch in Iowa City. Classic dishes like steak and eggs are paired with delicious breakfast cocktails. The diner is decked out like an upscale train carriage with touches like gold lettering, exposed brick walls, and the polished, white marble bar top adding further to its elegance. Customers also rate the music and general ambience.
In the heart of Hays’ thriving entertainment and arts district, this charming diner comes complete with its own microbrewery. The once-neglected building in downtown is now one of the best places to grab a bite – paired with one of the award-winning craft ales – in the city. Customers rate the great service, warm atmosphere, and tasty food, especially the burgers.
The attitude in this small Cajun-style diner is 'if it goes on the wall, it never comes down', and that definitely shows in the mixture of license plates and Mardi Gras beads adorning pretty much every inch of the walls. The exterior of the 1943 building is unusual too, with white porcelain tiles used due to the wartime rationing of steel. Rick's famous crawfish pie is a breakfast favorite, while the friendly staff are a huge part of the diner’s charm.
As the name suggests, Dodson Roadside Cafe and Creamery specializes in ice cream as well as serving up diner fare. Customers describe it as a hidden gem for delicious seafood dishes and amazing hand-cut fries. The food is prepared and served by students from the Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge, which helps to rehabilitate addicts. Its unusual all-wooden exterior adds a touch of Wild West charm too.
Teeny-tiny Palace Diner has an equally small menu. The 15-seat spot, inside a trolley car, serves just a handful of dishes for breakfast and offers only four sandwiches at lunch. Not that anyone minds, because everything is cooked to perfection. The fire-engine-red trolley was built by the Pollard Company in 1927 and is one of only two surviving Pollard diners in the country.
Bayside Skillet has been a top all-day dining destination for more than 30 years. With breathtaking views out to the bay from its colorful umbrella-clad deck, the sunsets are spectacular and only make the already delicious food taste even better. All of the crab dishes come highly recommended, as is the signature sangria cocktail.
This legendary Worcester diner, which has been going since 1948, has an entire extensive menu dedicated to French toast, with flavor options including strawberry cheesecake, apple pie, and Oreo cookies and cream. Breakfast features all of the classics, as well as worldwide cuisines such as Italian, Irish, Greek, Mexican, and Polish. Lunch is a menu of sandwiches, soups and burgers. Customers love the food and the homely atmosphere.
With locations in Ann Arbor and Lansing, Fleetwood Diner has become an institution. Make sure you try their signature breakfast dish, the hippie hash: hash browns tossed with veggies and feta. As well as the filling food on offer, customers love the retro vibe and quirky decor – the tiny, trailer-style diner’s internal walls are plastered floor-to-ceiling with stickers.
Based in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown neighborhood, Al’s Breakfast also claims to be the narrowest in Minneapolis with a width of just 10 feet (3m) – so skinny it’s a wonder there’s enough space for the huge breakfasts that have been served up here since 1950. It’s a legend in the city thanks to its fun, old-school atmosphere and warm, friendly service. The menu includes omelets, pancakes, waffles, and an extensive list of sides.
The pink petticoats of Mammy’s Cupboard are a beloved mainstay along Highway 61 in Natchez. The 28-feet (8.5m) tall, painted brick sculpture houses a charmingly old-school diner serving Southern classics like chicken pot pie and blueberry lemonade. The figure was depicted as an African American woman when the diner opened in 1940 but was repainted during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s due to racist connotations.
A Missouri legend, Broadway Diner serves homemade classics like biscuits smothered with lashings of creamy gravy in an atmosphere that’s both fun and comforting. Customers love the signature breakfasts like the The Stretch, piled high with scrambled eggs, chili, onions, cheese, and hash browns. The interior is cute and colorful, with red booths, candy-floss pink and sky-blue Formica tabletops, and a long counter with leather-cushioned stools.
Few roadside diners also offer views of a beautiful lake. But vibrantly pink Betty’s Diner, just off US Highway 93, is in a setting that rivals the building for attention. The no-frills spot backs onto Flathead Lake and takes advantage of the waterside views with outdoor tables. The lake views are a hit with customers, who also rave about the beautifully cooked burgers, quaint feel, and gluten-free options.
Mel’s Diner might look like something that’s been unchanged since the 1950s but it actually opened in 2011, and does a great job of recreating classic Americana. It was made from an old diner, the Hollywood, transported from nearby and brought back to life with lots of neon signage, 1950s memorabilia, and vintage cars parked out front. Customers love the warm, welcoming atmosphere, mini jukeboxes and delicious pies.
Southwest Diner is sunny and vibrant, with a huge, illuminated sign outside and red awnings fronted by palm trees so it’s hard to miss the exterior along Boulder City’s main drag. The interior, with vintage and antique decor that changes with the seasons, is also charming. But the dishes, with homely favorites like meatloaf and pot roasts served in generous portions, as well as huge breakfast omelets and sandwiches, are equally worthy of attention. They even serve Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris.
With locations at both the north and south Common Man Roadside service centers, Hi-Way Diner is quirky inside and out. The interior has been designed to feel like it’s outside with a sky painted on the ceiling, a wooden bridge, and a display of rocks with fake animals. Customers love the retro atmosphere that’s also reflected in the old-school menu. Classic items include the Roadie, a bagel with bacon or sausage, fried egg and cheese. There's also a market and deli, so you can stock up on essentials before you continue your journey.
Customers flock to this steel-fronted diner like magpies to shiny objects. The striking exterior is matched by the classy interior, with cream leather booths and wood-panelled walls. Tops Diner also stands out for its customer experience and top-notch food. The mammoth menu offers customary diner food, including meatloaf and tasty chicken and waffles, as well as breakfasts, burgers, and sandwiches. There’s also a large selection of excellent fresh seafood dishes, such as lobster mac ‘n’ cheese and crispy fried shrimp.
Tacos, enchiladas and burritos are the order of the day at Frontier Restaurant, which has been serving up locally renowned Tex-Mex food since 1971. Customers also have plenty to look at as they tuck into delicious tostadas and house-made tortillas – the interior is jam-packed with unique paintings by local and national artists, while weavings and colorful lampshades decorate the ceiling. John Wayne features heavily, as the owners are big fans of the movie star.
More reminiscent of a film set rather than an actual eatery, Phoenicia Diner was originally opened in 1962 and has been on its current site in the Catskills since the early 1980s. The muted-color interior, perfectly old-school crockery and vintage-inspired menus are all winners with customers. Dishes made with regionally sourced ingredients include the Arnold Bennett skillet with scrambled eggs, trout, Parmesan, chives, and crème fraîche, and the Bourbon BBQ meatloaf.
Customers love the friendly service and wide menu at this classic diner. Menu highlights at The Big View include slow-braised beef brisket served with whipped potatoes, broccolini, and gravy, and the low-country shrimp and grits with cream sauce and roasted tomatoes. The all-day breakfast menu is another hit, especially the Spanish omelet, fried chicken and waffles, and the buttermilk pancakes.
With the vintage vibes of a classic American diner and a menu of traditional, comforting German dishes, Kroll’s Diner is one of a kind – and that’s why people adore it. Since 1972, menu items like the Reuben sandwich and German burger – loaded with toppings including 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.
The Buckeye Express is a firm favorite for home-cooked classics and hearty burgers. The family-owned diner is housed in a vintage steam engine diner car, towed from Virginia in 2008, and people love the novelty of it. The interior is equally interesting, with Ohio State Buckeyes football memorabilia covering the walls. There’s also a cute outdoor space with a handful of tables and kids’ play area.
Those with a sweet tooth will be easily won over by Sherri’s Diner, which specializes in pancakes made to a secret recipe. They are, customers say, pretty special: pillowy, puffed-up and served with mountains of toppings like blueberries and chocolate chips. The cinnamon rolls and pies are pretty good too, though the diner’s charms go beyond the menu. The fun interior is decked out with neon lights, vintage signage, and a jukebox playing 1950s tunes.
Charming. Cute. Chic. Colorful. These are all words that often come up when people describe The Daily Feast, a friendly neighborhood joint in Portland’s West End. The decor is pretty, with lots of flowers, vintage touches, and bold murals and art on the walls. The menu takes American classics and serves them with delicious creative twists, such as the chipotle burger, and has some top-notch vegetarian options.
If it’s good enough for Barack and Michelle Obama… The former President and First Lady are among those who have visited Pamela’s Diner and no doubt fallen for its considerable charms. There are several locations across Pittsburgh and, while most are around the center, the roadside Mt Lebanon spot is a popular stop for people traveling down the US19. The hotcakes are a customer favorite.
Haven Brothers Diner can often be found on the road as well as roadside. Usually based near City Hall but often popping up in other locations, it’s the oldest diner on wheels in the US. The company was founded in the late 19th century and began in a horse-drawn lunch cart run by widowed Anne Philomena Haven. Customers describe it as a local treasure with a nice ambience and delicious burgers.
Married couple George and Stephanie Jellyman opened the Fillin' Station Diner in 2013 with the aim of creating a fun, family friendly restaurant, and they've definitely achieved that. With murals painted on the walls outside, gas station memorabilia, and a vintage truck parked outside, customers love the vibe of this diner. The freshly baked desserts are a real highlight, plus there's a menu of award-winning burgers.
This spot doesn’t look particularly fancy. In fact, it more closely resembles a gas station than an eatery. But low-key and no-frills looks are often part of the charm when it comes to roadside diners, and locals and visitors alike reckon Sugar Shack serves some of the best burgers in the Black Hills. A popular stop with bikers, this hole-in-the-wall joint is also known for its rustic atmosphere and friendly service.
Memphis’ oldest café was opened in 1919 by Speros Zepatos, who had moved to the city from Greece. It was updated in 1954 by his son Harry and has barely been touched since – and that’s what people love about it. It’s a genuine old-school diner and a local landmark that’s also featured in films including Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. Oh, and Elvis ate here! You can even sit in his favorite booth. Customers describe classics like country fried steak and sweet potato pancakes as divine.
These are the best restaurants serving American classics in every state
It’s impossible to miss this loud and proud diner on the 1-70 in Amarillo. The Big Texan is painted in bright yellow and light blue, and there are massive billboards and statues alerting passersby to its existence. The huge cowboy sign has become as synonymous with the fun diner as its large 72-ounce steak, which is free to anyone who can eat the entire meal with an hour. Customers describe the place as one-of-a-kind, and it’s hard to argue.
The Park Café is the kind of place that people make special journeys for. Surrounded by Liberty Park, it’s been a neighborhood favorite since it opened in 1952 and has maintained a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel instantly at home. Its menu and interior decor, with red walls and framed sports shirts, are classic diner style, though the cooking is considered a cut above. The French toast comes highly recommended.
This 1940s railcar is charming on the outside and even cuter on the inside, where a row of booths runs parallel to counter seating, and the signature sky-blue and white color scheme throughout. The Blue Benn is classic diner territory and wins over customers with its retro feel. It’s been serving pancakes, Philly cheesesteaks, and omelets to hungry drivers and passersby since 1948 – and its table jukeboxes keep customers just as happy as the food does.
This perfectly pink diner is pure nostalgia, from the bubblegum shades on the wooden exterior and the vintage Cadillac parked out front to the classic menu of burgers, fries, and ice cream sundaes. The inside also bursts with retro joy, with baby-blue booths, 1950s memorabilia and a jukebox. People love fun touches like the statues, including a giant King Kong clutching an airplane and a life-sized Elvis by the door.
Twede’s Café may look unassuming from the outside. But fans of David Lynch’s surreal 1990s crime drama, Twin Peaks, might recognize it as one of the most memorable locations from the show, the Double R Diner. It’s one of the big draws for the café, which certainly plays up to the role. People come for a slice of the Twin Peaks cherry pie, famously loved by Agent Cooper in the show, and a cup of their delicious coffee.
Food has been served from this cute and colorful building on Fairmont Ave since before the 1950s, but it's in more recent decades that The Poky Dot was turned into the whimsical diner it is today. The decor is decidedly retro, with a jukebox and booths in shades of bubblegum pink, sunny yellow, and bold blue. The menu's indulgent desserts, from banana splits to piled-high sundaes, also burst with color and sweet nostalgia.
Blue is most certainly the color at the classic 1950s style Monty’s Blue Plate Diner, which regularly wins local awards for its fantastic breakfasts. The wonderful selection of delicious vegetarian dishes is also worth taking a detour for, with choices like the tofu scramble and vegan banana and walnut pancakes marking a refreshing – and delicious – departure from standard diner fodder. People also love that pies, cakes, cupcakes, and cookies are made daily from scratch.
Walking through the doors of Johnny J’s Diner is like stepping back into the 1950s. The colorful walls are dotted with old photos and memorabilia, the furniture is mid-century and there’s even a soda fountain counter. The menu doesn’t stray from the theme, either: Johnny J’s serves all-American classics including waffles, cherry-topped milkshakes, and their signature cheeseburger, all with a generous side of good old-fashioned hospitality.