Diners might be the only place where you can expect to eat alongside churchgoers dressed in their Sunday best, young children inhaling waffle sundaes and college students recovering after a night out… and to me, that’s something special. The simplicity of a diner is often its best feature—red, patent leather booths and a menu no less than six pages with a font size just a tad too small. Diners are where I discovered my grandfather’s love of black-and-white milkshakes, where my friends and I spent hours discussing a breakup over glasses of apple juice and where my former university roommates and I laughed over a stack of pancakes. So, decidedly, all Empire State roads invariably lead to a great diner—and we have plenty of them.
Most Recognizable: Tom’s Restaurant
“I am sitting in the morning at the diner on the corner.” Sound familiar? Suzanne Vega’s 1980 Top 10 smash hit “Tom’s Diner”—which found new fans with the 1990 remix by DNA—was written at, and inspired by, New York City’s Tom Restaurant. And while you may not recognize the diner from the song, the façade of this cornerstone eatery is one you’ve surely seen before acting as the stand-in for the iconic Monk’s Café in Seinfeld. It’s neon red “RESTAURANT” sign is one of the lasting images from that hilarious and classic sitcom.
2280 Broadway, New York, NY
Take Amtrak to Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, 5.3 miles from the diner. Take the 1 train for ten stops to Cathedral Pkwy (110 St.) and the diner is a 3 minute walk.
Most Unassuming: Hot Biscuit Diner
This little spot in Ticonderoga knows how to serve up some incredible breakfast food. Set within a quaint cabin-esque building, with old fashioned wooden booths, red-and-white checkered floors and red vinyl stools, it may look like a run of the mill diner. But the food they’re cranking out from the kitchen says different—it was even voted as a “must see” spot in the Adirondacks on PBS’ Roadside Recipe. With a friendly staff, classic country style cooking and budget pricing, this spot is a must for diner lovers.
14 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, NY
Take Amtrak to Ticonderoga Station, 2.4 miles from the diner.
Most Homemade: Lake Effect Diner
Arguably the winner in the underrated parts of a diner breakfast is the toast. At this spot, plates come out with four pieces of bread perfectly toasted and slathered with butter. If that’s what you’re after than look no further than the Lake Effect Diner. This Buffalo spot bakes all their bread in house daily, so from sides of toast to sandwiches, you’re getting the absolute best and most fresh. They also focus on sourcing local products and making as much as they can from scratch.
3165 Main St, Buffalo, NY
Take Amtrak to Buffalo-Exchange Street Station, 6.5 miles from the diner
Most Unique: Funk ‘n Waffles
The Belgian Waffle is of course a diner classic, but it has never been done quite like this. A Syracuse gem, this eatery serves up waffles with flavor combinations like no other. Can’t decide between a savory or sweet breakfast? Try a pulled pork waffle. Or if you’re more a dinner for breakfast type, try a spaghetti waffle (yup, a waffle made of spaghetti) topped with chicken parm. Even if you prefer the classic combinations, they’ve got waffles topped with Nutella and bananas or strawberries and cream.
307-13 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY
Take Amtrak to Syracuse Station, 2.4 miles from the diner.
Oldest: Manory’s
Dating back to 1913, Manory’s has been serving delicious food in Troy for more than a century. The menu has something for everyone and most importantly offers breakfast all-day. If you live on the sweeter side, their cinnamon rolls have become something of a local delicacy and their milkshakes come in a multitude of flavors ranging from chocolate to something more fun, Brown Sugar Pop Tart—don’t forget to add a shot of espresso! Speaking of espresso, Manory’s espresso bar serves up coffee to die for.
99 Congress St, Troy, NY
Take Amtrak to Albany-Rensselaer Station, 10 miles from the diner.
Coolest: Eveready Diner
Retro feeling, an expansive menu, milkshakes the old-fashioned way and a drive thru— yes, a drive thru—these are the things that make the Hyde Park Eveready Diner a true standout. There’s a reason this spot was featured on Food Network’s hit show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The classic feel brings you back to a simpler time, its neon red sign beckoning you into a world of fresh baked muffins and red vinyl booths. There are even jukeboxes still functioning at each table for those classic diner tunes. Now I ask you: How cool is that?
4184 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY
Take Amtrak to Poughkeepsie Station, 5.9 miles from the diner.
Best Overall: Dan’s Diner
Located in an old rail car, this spot dates back to 1925. After a dozen years of dedication, owner Dan Rundell lovingly restored what was sold as scrap in Hemmings Motor Magazine into a premier New York eatery. Voted as the No.1 Diner In Upstate New York by Lovefood, customers enjoy classic dishes made with impeccable care and fresh ingredients. The menu isn’t flashy, focusing on the things everyone loves. Safe to say, this is a must-try spot.
1005 NY-203, Chatham, NY
Take Amtrak to Hudson Station, 16 miles from the diner.
