Craving a late-night feast? Whether you're after a belly-busting breakfast or some post-bar comfort food, the USA has plenty of spots to fill you up after hours. From retro-style diners to low-key Mexican joints, we've picked the best late-opening restaurant in every state.

Al's Deli and Grill has been dishing up Mediterranean and American cuisine in hearty portions for over two decades. Locals love the variety of choice, with highlights including the lamb and beef gyro, served with sour cream and garlic sauce, and Al's bakers: baked potatoes piled high with your choice of meat, veggies, Cheddar cheese and more sour cream. If it's a sunny day, be sure to nab a seat out on the patio.

This pared-back restaurant in Anchorage gets points for its friendly vibe and huge range of breakfast options. In true Alaskan style, you'll see reindeer sausage on the menu, alongside eggs your way, skillets and sweet treats like pancakes and waffles. Carnivores will be satisfied by the meaty mains, from T-bone steak to fried chicken with honey batter, while tempting desserts include a banana split with toppings galore.

This hip spot serves "crave-able" vegan food from 6am in Midtown Phoenix. Fill up on healthy brunch dishes such as overnight oats and spiced tofu scramble, or plump for a Reuben sandwich with plant-based pastrami or a vegan cheese lasagne topped with marinara sauce. The cool space – think bright canvases, art-adorned tables and plenty of plants – is another reason to stay here late.

A friendly spot in the Ozarks city of Rogers, this place has all the trappings of a traditional down-home diner – a great big sign out front, checkerboard flooring, bar seating and, of course, a menu the length of your arm. Southern classics rule here with biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak and a catfish dinner all on offer. You can't go wrong with the bacon cheeseburger, either – get yours with a tower of onions rings. 

"Deliciously yours" is the strapline of this modern restaurant, with a branch in both Hollywood and West Hollywood. The Hollywood spot is the standout location, housed in former 1960s jazz club Shelly’s Manne-Hole. You can usually come here at any hour for breakfast bites or a late-night meal, with menu items including crab-cake Benedict, chocolate-chunk pancakes and chicken pot pie. For the health-conscious, there's also grilled salmon with greens, plus a range of veg-packed salads.

There's been a restaurant at this spot along Colfax Avenue since 1942, and it was taken over by Greek-born Pete Contos back in 1988. Pete (who passed away in May 2019) arrived in the US from Greece in the 1950s, and today 24-hour Pete's Kitchen is beloved for its Greek classics. See what the fuss is about with a gyros plate, souvlaki or chicken-kabob sandwich. Be sure to try the sweet treat baklava too.

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For just over a decade, Guatemala-born Elmer Palma has been serving world eats to the people of Danbury in southwest Connecticut. In true diner style, the menu at this restaurant is gargantuan, with options ranging from Tex-Mex and seafood specials to sandwiches, salads and soups. Pasta-lovers should check out the Little Italy section, which boasts Parmesan-stuffed shells, eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti, and spinach ravioli.

This down-to-earth diner remains a local favorite in Rehoboth Beach, and is renowned for its fuss-free menu and family-friendly vibe. The beachy spot has plenty of seafood on the menu, and crowd-pleasers include the crab-meat omelet (served only at weekends) and a fried seafood trio with flounder, shrimp and scallops. It's also a quick drive from the beach, so you can bask on the sand once you're all full up. Hours have temporarily changed, check the website before visiting.

Despite its name, this swish venue in the Hyatt Regency Orlando is worlds away from your traditional mom-and-pop diner. The decor is sleek and minimalist, and the menu slightly smaller and more refined. The desserts, made in-house by the resident pastry chefs, are the star of the show: try the Floridian key lime pie or the mascarpone tiramisu. For mains, there's a choice of burgers, sandwiches, salads, pastas and meat dishes. 

If you're craving a late-night Mexican feast you can't go wrong with Mama’s Cocina Latina on Atlanta's Piedmont Road. This no-frills joint is beloved for its generously portioned tostadas, tacos and burritos, as well as breakfasts from huevos rancheros to meat-packed fajitas with eggs. Dine alfresco on the restaurant's patio and don't skip on the margaritas. 

A little more high-end than your average late-night joint, M.A.C. 24/7 is located at Honolulu's Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel. The focus here is on modern American comfort food with a Hawaiian twist, and dishes come beautifully plated and in generous proportions. Enjoy the sleek venue, with its plush booth seating and floor-to-ceiling windows, and gorge on entrées from Hawaiian moonfish tacos to a pulled kalua-style pork sandwich. If you're here for breakfast, be sure to order a side of mochi pancakes. Hours have temporarily changed, check the website for updates.

Idaho isn't known for its plethora of 24/7 joints, but Pie Hole does all it can to satisfy Boise's late-night crowds. Both of its two locations stay open until at least 3am every night of the week, doling out pizzas topped with everything from Canadian bacon and pineapple to vegan cheese and veggies. If only a 24-hour venue will do, make your way to Mexican restaurant Los Betos for after-hours tacos instead.

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A true family affair, Tempo Cafe was opened by Jim Kontos in 1983, and today his sons are at the restaurant's helm. Locals and visitors alike rave about Tempo Cafe's breakfasts, which include five-egg omelettes, corned beef hash and "the Continental": chicken livers and scrambled eggs, with mushrooms, onions and peppers. For dinner, choose between Greek chicken with lemon and oregano, or a comforting French dip sandwich. It's open 14 hours a day.

A lively spot for dinner and a drink or two, Downtown Olly's is a favored night venue known for its upbeat vibe and classic grill menu, served all hours. Prop up the bar and tuck into a choice of pizza, pasta, burgers and (pre-11pm) entrées such as garlic-grilled shrimp and flat-iron steak. Finish it off with a cocktail or two – or, if you're here early, there's even a breakfast shot with Jameson whiskey and butterscotch schnapps and a side of orange juice...

If it's fast, flavor-packed Mexican food you're after, Lina's Mexican Restaurant is sure to deliver. The 24-hour joint (which also has a handful of locations in Nebraska and Kansas) prides itself on traditional Mexican dishes made in house, from enchilada-style burritos and chimichanga to tacos and sopes (a little like a Mexican pizza). Wash it down with a glug of horchata rice drink. 

Another fail-safe Mexican restaurant, El Ricardo's Mexican Food offers fast friendly service and affordable eats. The burritos and tacos get the most hype, with special "Taco Tuesday" deals bringing in the crowds. Other traditional dishes include carne asada, pollo asado (roast chicken) and kicking chile relleno.

This laid-back burger joint has been keeping Lexington's college crowd fueled for almost five decades, and its menu offers such delights as the Super Ho (a double half-pound burger) and the Country Fried Ho (a deep-fried steak burger). The mighty breakfast sandwiches are the perfect way to kick off the day – try the Hot Mess, filled with sausage patties, bacon, hash browns, American cheese and scrambled eggs. 

Po-boy shop Melba's was "born from the rubble of Hurricane Katrina". In 2012, local convenience-store owner Scott Wolfe bought a run-down property in NOLA's Eight Ward, an area severely impacted by the hurricane. With the hope of bringing business and tourism to the area, he set up a laid-back restaurant, open 24/7, dedicated to Louisiana's classic sandwich. Still going strong, Melba's dishes up poboys with shrimp, chicken tenders, hot sausage and more day in, day out. 

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While many are quick to write off truck-stop restaurants, this one comes with rave reviews. The brand prides itself on its home-cooked food and, open 24/7, the Dysart's on Coldbrook Road serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches and a host of hot meals. Crowd favourites include the buttery chicken pot pie and the French toast.

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Any diner worth its salt has appeared on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Guy Fieri graced Baltimore's already beloved Broadway Diner back in 2009. Fieri picked his favourite dishes from the sizeable menu, which is packed full of American comfort food and European classics – they included the warming Hungarian goulash and the shrimp creole. Throw in retro interiors complete with light-blue booths and a jukebox and you've got a winning diner. 

Boston has little shortage of great bakeries, but this one satisfies your cravings round the clock. Family-owned Bova's dates right back to 1926, when Calabria-born Antonio Bova realised his dream of opening a bakery in Boston's North End. Fast-forward almost a century and Bova's still serves Tuscan-style bread, Sicilian cannolis, subs, arancini and tiramisu to hungry punters day and night. 

The classic coney dog is the stuff of legend in Detroit and you can sample one in Motor City whatever the time of day. The American Coney Island joint – and its long-standing rival and neighbour Lafayette Coney Island – both serve these revered hot dogs all day and late into the night. The former has been running since 1917 and serves coney dogs in the classic way: with sweet onions, spicy chilli and mustard in a soft, white bun. 

This is where to find the best hot dog in every state

The Nicollet Diner may not have been around for decades but, open since 2014, the restaurant certainly looks the part, with its shiny bar stools and electric-blue booths. Tasty menu picks include the poutine, "hand-pattied burgers", chicken and waffles and buttermilk pancakes. The diner regularly hosts events such as karaoke and all-you-can-eat monthly specials. Check the Facebook page for more details.

The unpretentious Bayview Café is part of Biloxi's IP Casino Resort Spa, and it serves a solid string of much-loved American dishes. Taking inspiration from all over the States, the menu includes items such as California Dreaming Tacos, with blackened or fried mahi-mahi and Mississippi Delta-style fried catfish fillets. Finish with an indulgent dessert, from a boozy banana cream pie to a chocolate-pretzel bread pudding.

Town Topic's winning hamburgers keep the Kansas City crowds pouring in. Something of a local institution, the burger bar dates back to 1937, when founder Claude Sparks began dishing out patties from a little diner on Broadway. Skip forward more than 80 years, and Town Topic's Broadway location operates 24/7, and there are also two other branches. Keep things simple with a classic hamburger and hand-dipped malt for dessert. 

Perhaps one of America's oldest 24-hour restaurants, The Oxford Cafe opened its doors back in 1883. In fact, it's said that the 24/7 operation has been running so long that there are no keys to the front door. Sit shoulder-to-shoulder with locals at the bar, and order cockle-warming dishes such as beef stew, ham hock and chicken a la king, all of which have their own old Oxford nickname. The restaurant is also loved for its games machines and historic photographs of Western Montana.

"Don't ask, just believe" is the lofty motto of this Lincoln diner, who maintain that toast can, in fact, be "magical". Hi-Way has all you'd expect from a casual roadside diner, including big breakfasts, rib-sticking mains and endless coffee served with a smile. Get the day started with the Haystack – eggs, hash browns, sausage gravy and toast – or pick a diner classic, from an original-recipe meatloaf to a roast-beef dinner. Having been a 24/7 joint for the past 34 years, it changed its hours in April to 6am-10pm. Long enough to get your Hi-Way fix.

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Dedicated to notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel, this Sin City restaurant can be found in the El Cortez Hotel and Casino. The hotel itself dates back to 1941, and it was once part-owned by Siegel himself. Today his chequered legacy remains alive at this elegant restaurant, with its exposed brick, red leather and low lighting. Graze on appetisers like shrimp cocktail and twice-fried chicken wings, or bite into the Bugsy Siegel burger, with Applewood smoked bacon, caramelised tomato and Cheddar cheese.

Now with four locations in the state, The Red Arrow was established back in 1922 in the city of Manchester. Today a pillar of the local community, the diner has also played host to stars such as Hollywood's Adam Sandler (who grew up in Manchester) and Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. Indulge in diner staples from steak tips to a turkey dinner, or try one of the restaurant's blue-plate specials, which change by the day.

New Jersey has a reputation for top-notch 24-hour diners, but Tick Tock, opened in 1948, has long been a favourite (currently operating at reduced hours). There's now a location in Midtown Manhattan too, but the Clifton venue, clad in stainless steel and neon, has the most charm. The vast menu hops around the globe featuring Italian delicacies, Mediterranean-style salads and, of course, teetering plates of old-school American cuisine. Their mantra is "eat heavy", so don't skip the cheesecake for afters. 

A small chain with a slew of restaurants spread across Arizona and New Mexico, Federico's Mexican Food does what it says on the tin: it serves up hearty Mexican cuisine to the hungry people of the southwest. You can swing by the Albuquerque location's drive-thru 24/7 for your fill of Mexican tacos, burritos, enchiladas and tostadas. 

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New York is dubbed the city that never sleeps for a reason, and while there are plenty of great spots for late-night grub, this long-standing Ukrainian restaurant stands head and shoulders above the rest (currently operating at reduced hours). Dating to 1954, the revered East Village venue will see you from breakfast to post-bar bites with its traditional Ukrainian cooking and American eats. Fill up on pierogi (a type of traditional dumpling) and try nourishing dishes such as bigos, a stew of sausage, roast pork, sauerkraut and onions. 

This charming French-inspired café and bakery was dreamed up by a trio of Francophiles in 2007, making its mark in Charlotte's hip arts district, North Davidson. Amelie's now has a total of six locations, with its flagship NoDa branch remaining open 24/7. Sweet-toothed visitors should sample the delectable pâtisserie items, from the made-in-house crème brûlée to the petit gâteau. Or, if you're after something more substantial, seasonal salads, soups and French-inspired sandwiches are on offer too.

One for families, this cheerful restaurant in North Dakota's capital serves all-day breakfast, steaks, burgers, seafood and sweets. The breakfast menu is filled out with omelettes, skillets and meaty platters, while sandwich-lovers will be sated by bursting hoagies – think French dip and Philly cheesesteak. Marlin's is a small local chain with eight locations spread across North and South Dakota. 

Dating back to the 1950s, Steve's Diner is a cosy 24/7 spot held up for its great hot dogs and original chilli recipe. The interior is welcoming and unfussy, with light-blue walls and simple wooden tables, and the top menu pick is a Dog with the Works: a hot dog cased in a white bun and topped with the house chilli, mustard and onions. You can't go wrong with a generous load of chilli-cheese fries either.

Here's where to find the best hot dog in every state

Breakfast specials, pancakes and the brand's own fried chicken-dish, Chicken in the Rough, keep punters pouring back to this spot in Oklahoma City. Those in for breakfast should look out for limited-time dishes such as shrimp and grits (made with jalapeños and sharp Cheddar), and pork belly Benedict with homemade cheesy biscuits. Plump for Chicken in the Rough and you'll get half a fried chicken, shoestring potatoes and biscuits with honey.

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A Portland favourite, Cascade Grill prides itself on its no-fuss, scratch-made meals and its use of local produce. American staples are dished up in rustic surrounds, complete with plenty of wood panelling and a big stone fireplace. Specials, from beef stroganoff to chicken pot pie, change by the day, and the main menu is filled with burgers, pastas, meat and fish dishes. 

Hailed as the inventor of the lauded Philly cheesesteak, Pat's King of Steaks has been running since 1930. The cheesecake was apparently concocted by hot-dog-stand-owner Pat Olivieri, who whipped himself up a lunch of ground beef and grilled onions in an Italian roll. Some nine decades later and Pat's King of Steaks is still owned by the Olivieri family. Come by any time and order yours with onions and Cheez Whiz – it's a cash-only operation, so have some bills ready. 

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You'll be hard pushed to find a decent 24-hour restaurant in South Carolina (bar the big chains), but this super-smart industrial-style restaurant is the next best thing. Open until 2am on Friday and Saturday, Hendrix on Main Street, Columbia serves up some classy fare to match its surroundings. Think duck katsu sandwiches and grouper ceviche tacos, or for something bigger, go for the prime flank steak. Customers rave about the cocktails too.

You'll find this chilled-out diner in the city of Woonsocket, a half-hour drive from state capital Providence. The food is home-cooked and dished out currently until 9pm every day, and the surrounds are retro – think blue-leather stools, hanging lights, eclectic posters and a big steel bar. Patriots' specialities include the fried-chicken basket and the shrimp and steak combo, and for breakfast the waffles, topped with berries and drenched in syrup, are particularly inviting. 

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The Millstone Family Restaurant has a trio of locations, with one in Spearfish and two in Rapid City, though only the Spearfish branch is open 24 hours. Dating back to the 1990s, the family-owned-and-run restaurant serves daily specials, from a fish fry on Fridays to roast dinners with all the trimmings on Sundays. Millstone has a killer breakfast menu too – choices include skillets, steak and eggs, waffles and pancakes.

A perfect fit for the USA's Music City, Sun Diner pays tribute to the Tennessee-born Sun Records label, which signed legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. The interior is filled with black and white photos of musical greats, and menu items are named after hit songs. Try the "Cry Cry Cry" Hot Wings with signature spicy sauce, or the "Johnny B. Good" Flatbread with lavosh bread, scrambled eggs, cheese and crispy bacon. It's open until 3am on Friday and Saturday.

This Austin spot is not your average diner. 24 Diner was inspired by the cool venues of the 1950s – but having a top chef in the kitchen gives this joint extra gourmet credentials. Day and night hungry punters come to fill up on entrées cooked by chef Andrew Curren, from brisket chilli to Frito pie. Breakfast favourites include steak and eggs served over skillet fries, and the 24 Hash with oozing Cheddar cheese, bacon and sausage.

This little Utah chain has had two decades of practice serving flavour-packed Mexican eats to the people of Salt Lake City and beyond. If you're in the market for breakfast, you could try a combination plate, laden with ingredients like eggs, shredded beef, beans or chorizo. The familiar tacos, tostadas, chimichangas and burritos are also on the menu. For something completely different, check out long-standing Dee's Family Restaurant in Salt Lake City, a cutesy diner that also stays open until late.

Proud to be a "classic diner", Bob & Edith's now has five locations: three in Arlington, one in Alexandria and one in Springfield. Get cosy in a booth or at the bar and browse the simple menu, which boasts all the usual diner delights, from eggs for breakfast to hamburgers, chicken tenders and towering sandwiches for later on. Enjoy the bottomless iced tea or coffee with your meal, and leave room for a generous slice of pie. 

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It's not easy finding late-night eats in Vermont, even in Burlington, the state's most populous city – but Kountry Kart Deli usually feeds diners for 20 hours (currently operating at reduced hours) every day of the week. The breakfast sandwiches are the stuff of local legend, with your choice of meats, eggs, American cheese and crispy hash browns stuffed into a chunky roll. The burgers and the "hot diggity dogs" come recommended too.

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A trendy spot known for its cool decor and great veggie options, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge serves Seattle's hipster crowd until 2am Thursday-Saturday. Park yourself in one of the plush red booths and dig into a solid menu of sandwiches, burgers and comforting mains. Kick things off with some fried pickles or jalapeño poppers, and follow with the Beyond Burger, a plant-based patty on a brioche bun. 

A casual restaurant in the city of Beckley, the Omelet Shoppe specialises in big breakfasts and has been running for more than four decades. Unsurprisingly, omelettes are this venue's forte, and you can even get 50% off an omelette of your choice on Tuesdays. Have yours Western-style with ham, onions, peppers and cheese, or try a "country boy" with sausage, hash browns, cheese and sausage gravy. Burgers, steak dinners, sandwiches and salads are all on the menu too.

While the name might not sound all that promising, the Little Diner Xpress in Appleton has garnered some local praise over the years. In fact, it has even won Fox Cities Magazine’s Golden Fork award for the best diner/café four years on the trot. Dedicated to the "tasty little things in life", the menu features juicy burgers, house-made chilli, sandwiches and a slew of indulgent desserts.

While Penny's has now burgeoned into a small chain (with a total of 27 diners), one of the earliest diners was in Wyoming's Green River, and it's still well worth a visit. Harking back to the 1990s, the kitsch venue embraces the style of diners past with its monochrome theme, neon clock and mismatched posters. The menu is every bit as cheerful as the decor too – expect typical diner food from an all-day breakfast burger to meatloaf and chicken-fried steak.

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