Built in 1953, this historic and flamboyant roadside stop on the former Route 66 in Seligman is a must-visit. Outside is a 1936 Chevrolet hardtop without its roof, decorated with horns, automotive emblems and an artificial Christmas tree. The diner’s unusual style extends inside where you’ll find a menu of diner classics.

Off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica you’ll spot a shamrock green roadhouse with leprechauns and a dinosaur on the roof. Established in 1973, Patrick’s is known for its atmospheric 1940s feel, burgers and friendly staff. Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has eaten there and has his own custom-made iron chair with a plaque that says "For The Man of Iron: The Terminator". The diner also serves a dish based on a recipe created by Schwarzenegger’s mother as well as a 17-egg omelette.

Located a few miles south of Hartford, this roadside diner started life in Massachusetts before being brought to the Newington site in 1954. Touted as the longest stainless-steel diner in the US, the Olympia has table jukeboxes and has been the location for various movies and commercials too. The food is solid, no-frills cooking. Chocolate chip pancake stacks and cheese omelettes sit comfortably on the menu alongside American-Italian specialities, including meatloaf with gravy and spaghetti with meatballs.

A short drive northwest of central Atlanta is the 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, serving timeless breakfast favourites, as well as sandwiches, burgers and, owing to the proprietor’s heritage, a variety of Greek meals. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the eye-catching cake display and the red velvet cheesecake too.

At Oasis Diner on West Main Street in Plainfield they’re all about lunch – and not just eating it either. The diner is home to a unique collection of vintage lunchboxes that will give you a glimpse into the popular trends of yesteryear. From old school Mickey Mouse to GI Joe and ET, you'll spot all the classics. There’s also a vintage licence plate display for car enthusiasts. If you want to taste something unusual then the way to go is the pizza fries.

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 licence plates and mardi gras beads on the walls. Travellers can even leave their mark on the wall-mounted US and world maps by placing push pins into where they’ve visited. Thanks to the wartime rationing of steel that was in place when it was built in 1943 the exterior of the building is covered in white porcelain tiles. There for breakfast? Try Rick's famous crawfish pie.

Tacos, enchiladas, and burritos are the order of the day here, at a diner that's been serving up locally renowned Tex-Mex food since 1971. But you'll also have plenty to keep your mind occupied as you tuck into your tostada, thanks to the interior decor, which is jam-packed with unique paintings by local and national artists. You'll also notice a lot of John Wayne likenesses in the mix, 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-colour interior, perfectly old-school cutlery and crockery as well as vintage-inspired menus all draw in crowds from New York City and the Hunter Mountains – not a surprise really when the mostly locally-sourced food is such high quality for really reasonable prices. 

This quirky joint in Duck boasts unique features including a big outdoor space which you get to by walking through an arch made of empty bottles. Inside the owners have recycled other glassware into a triangular tree-shaped sculpture. There are plenty of other attractions at The Roadside though, including a professional hula-hooper and a diverse menu offering everything from tuna sashimi to crab cakes. 

You know a diner is good when people visit town just to experience it. This is the case with the Beacon Drive-In – opened in 1946 – and which attracts customers with its curb service, a rare find in the US these days. It's also famed for its iced tea, chili cheese, Beacon burger (a double cheeseburger with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato and slaw) and onion rings.

This might not be the fanciest diner you'll come across but locals and visitors alike say Sugar Shack serves some of the best burgers in the Black Hills. A popular stop with bikers, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is known for its no-frills burgers, rustic atmosphere (thanks to the home-style shared seating) and friendly service. 

Speros Zepatos, a Greek immigrant from Kefalonia, founded Memphis’ oldest restaurant in 1919. Updated by his son Harry in the 1950s, it remains appealingly old-school and is now a local landmark and popular location for movie shoots (it featured in The Firm and Walk the Line to name a few). The country-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and sweet potato pancakes are divine.

Recognise this seemingly unassuming diner? That's because David Lynch, the writer and developer of 1990s TV crime drama Twin Peaks, used it as the location for the fictional Double R Diner in the show. Today, Twede's is known for its signature dessert "twin peaks cherry pie", plus a vast selection of burgers from cheese to teriyaki. 

Take a look at classic American restaurant dishes you can make at home 

Food has been served from this building at 1111 Fairmont Ave since before the 1950s, but it's in more recent decades that it was turned into the whimsical diner it is today. It serves the usual omelettes, cheeseburgers and pork sandwiches, but it’s well regarded for its desserts, most notably its humongous banana splits and shakes.

Now read the strange food combos that really work.

Monty’s Blue Plate Diner in Madison regularly wins local awards for its fantastic breakfasts, but it's the vegetarian offering here that make it worth hitting the road for. Dishes such as tofu scrambler and potato zucchini pancakes will convert the most hardened meat eater. Plus they also make pies, cakes, cupcakes and cookies from scratch daily.

Now check out the retro ingredients we think should make a comeback

Walking through the doors of Johnny J’s Diner is like stepping back into the 1950s, thanks to its retro decor, soda fountain counter and mid-century furniture. Located in Casper, Johnny’s serves all-American classics including waffles, cherry-topped milkshakes and their signature cheeseburger. 

Discover the best burger and fries joint in every state.