New York City mash the mulct - dining game , but sometimes the only way to curb cravings is by visiting a Greco-Roman , honest-to-goodness - fashioned diner . There ’s something timeless and nostalgic about a no - falderol ( and no - Re - required ! ) spot where you’re able to order everything from fluffy banana pancakes to a definitive griddle cheeseburger to a malted chocolate milkshake – and all of it at 2 am .
Convenience , firm service , and a richness of carte items are the hallmarks of truly with child diners , and NYC has no shortage of them . From iconic , decades - sometime institutions to round - the - clock neighborhood gems , here are a dozen of the urban center ’s top greasy spoon .
Waverly Restaurant
Though it underwent a renovation and expansion in 2011 , this onetime - fashioned , John Cash - only Greek diner still looks rooted in time with cushioned vinyl booth , peach curtains , and dark wood paneling . It offers the same familiar menu , as well , 24/7 : buttermilk silver buck pancakes , malted milk shake , thick - gash steak fries , Italian - American long suit , and just about anything else you could want . Regulars often square up in for the extensive egg offerings ( more than three dozen salmagundi of omelette alone ) , which come served in a steel skillet on a wooden circuit card .
La Bonbonniere
Do n’t let the fancy name fool you : this cash - only dive slings cheap American eats in an retiring setting , consummate with bright blue vinyl radical stool and a Formica counter . A brisk change for the posh West Village locus , it ’s the berth to enjoy elementary - yet - live up to solid food – lots of pancakes , omelettes anyway you care ‘em , former - schoolhouse milkshakes – and perchance catch a celebrity sighting . All for only a few clam .
B&H Dairy
Not much has change at this lilliputian Eastern European diner since it open more than seven decades ago . Step up to the counter of this vegetarian yap - in - the - wall for kosher comfort food staples : matzo ball soup , meat - loose borscht , plump pierogies , Malva sylvestris blintzes , and knish . control out the revolve daily specials , and do n’t leave out the challah Gallic pledge ( a steal at $ 6.50 ) .
Tom’s Restaurant
Seinfeldfans experience that the fancied Monk ’s Café feature in the sitcom was really Tom ’s . This Greek family - owned shop class has been around since the ' 40s , serving firm no - gimcrack diner fare and bottomless cups of coffee to television show devotees , Morningside Heights house physician , and Columbia students ( ordering a milkshake and boom fries at 3 am is essentially a rite of passage ) . Tom ’s also claims to have the best shake in New York ; we ’ll have to ask Kramer about that .
Bel Aire Diner
Astoria is Queens ' Greek capital , so it ’s only fitting that the inwardness of town boasts this grand Greek diner – complete with mirrored walls and nostalgic neon accents – that dates back to 1965 . The all - day - and - Nox menu is monolithic , and spans everything from Mexican ( huevos rancheros , pulled pork quesadillas ) to Americana ( chocolate chip pancake sundaes , triple decker turkey ball club ) , but when in Athens , do as the Greeks would : go for the stuffed grape vine leave , Athenian burger on pita wampum , or Souvlaki platter with all the fixin ’s .
Joe Jr.
The epitome of a greasy spoon establishment , this cozy 3rd Ave blot offers all the typical American grub , but it ’s also the topographic point to go when jonesing for a classical , diner - style cheeseburgerthat ’s ranked amongst the city ’s dependable . Made from primer boeuf chuck and cooked on a well - seasoned 2-dimensional top griddle , then pass with American high mallow and crispy bacon on a seed white bun , this sister is simple , unostentatious , and always satisfying .
Jackson Hole
You may recognize this place from an early scene inGoodfellas(when Paulie and Jimmy steal the hand truck from the diner parking lot ) – it ’s a quintessential Queens turning point powerful off the Grand Central Parkway ( to begin with the Airline Diner build in 1952 ) . The family unit - owned joint expect about as erstwhile - school Americana as you’re able to get with buzzy neon augury , tabletop jukebox , and vintage vinyl group booths . Dive into one of the two dozen signature “ broncho " chicken speciality and a tasty root beer float , or go straight gangster with the 7 oz , house - age beef beefburger .
Kellogg’s Diner
Open round the clock , this Williamsburg standby offers standard diner fare in a ( relatively ) updated setting , follow a makeover in 2008 . Expect everyone from neighborhood regulars who always grade the baked meat loaf to hipster night bird of night stopping in for post - bar- crawl burgers and mozzarella sticks . Be warned : it ’s hard to refuse the enticement of the dessert case , with its rotating mixture of sweetness like banana cream pie , tiramisu , and Oreo cheesecake – and the added scoop of ice emollient give out without saying .
Cup & Saucer
The classic corner dining car on Canal seems to have nailed its formula for continued achiever : quality food , fast pitch , and great client help , all at a palatable price . Snag a antagonistic seat ( if you could , there ’s only a dozen ) for generous portions of all the greatest greasy spoon hit : eggs to order , fluffy pancakes , stacked sandwiches , or fried anything . Open daily from other morning breakfast through later lunch .
Square Diner
The fact that this bantam diner has come through since the ' 50s in its ritzy Tribeca ' lens hood means it must be doing something ripe . Charming red vinyl John Wilkes Booth and shiny silver pervade the triangle - shaped ( not substantial ! ) eatery , along with a ace - extensive menu of breakfast basics , full-blooded salads , and killer sandwich . The move here : get Teddy ’s Special Sandwich ( a not - too - mayo’d homemade Gallus gallus salad and Viscount St. Albans mellow with penetrating cheddar , tomatoes , and onions on toasted seven - grain bread ) and a wonderfully frothy egg cream . There ’s also a 4 - 7pm weekday happy hour with beer , wine , and cocktails for just a few buck a pop .
The Colonnade
If you ever incur yourself on Staten Island ( hey , it can happen ! ) , stop into The Colonnade to step back in time – or just to chirp the ’ toughie where Wu - Tang rose to fame . ooze out with old - schooling garishness , this family - have - and - operate landmark is a full throwback with tried - and - true diner solid food . You ’ll discover all the expected platters , heap mellow sandwiches , pastas , and seafood speciality , along with hearty entrées in the “ Roasts , Steaks , Chops & Birds ” incision of the menu .
Alpha Donuts
Tucked beneath the sublime 7 train platform , this beloved , family - have shop class dishes out one of the dependable breakfast trade in town : java , juice , egg , and a doughnut for just $ 3.95 ( with bacon for a buck more ) . In addition to breakfast , the specialty here is – you guessed it – donuts . From the featherlight glass best - vendor to vanilla and chocolate frost , these day by day - made delights sell out quickly during the dawning rush , so get there early to ascertain your favourite is n’t pass over out . Craving a cruller at 3 am ? Alpha ’s catch you cover , serving food all night long . Cue Lionel Richie .
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Waverly Diner | Flickr/Joseph
La Bonbonniere
Wikimedia/Christophe Gevrey
Cole Saladino/Thrillist
Flickr/tarnie
Flickr/Ben Kilgust
The Colonnade
Flickr/nycnosh
