30 of the Best Diners Across America

Built by the Pollard Company in 1927, Palace Diner is one of three surviving Pollard diners left in America. The cozy eatery only has seating for 15 people, and is often described as one of the best diners in the country despite its equally small menu: It offers seven dishes for breakfast, and four sandwiches for lunch.

If you find yourself in Salt Lake City, a trip to Ruth's Diner is basically a must. As the second oldest restaurant in the state, the diner is a treasured eatery. While it's not open 24 hours, its menu and beautiful space more than make up for it.

Housed in a 1946 Worcester Lunch Car, this popular diner is a favorite among locals, thanks to its classic dishes and impressive roster of specials. The place's vintage look only adds to the charming atmosphere.

If you're looking for some throwback fun, Peggy Sue's—built in 1954—is the place to visit. The colorful interior, filled with bright candy and soda as far as the eye can see, will take you back in time. Check out the 5 & Dime Store inside for a malt or sundae.

The Florida Avenue Grill prides itself on being "the oldest soul food restaurant in the world." Open since 1944, the D.C. diner serves breakfast all day long, with hearty options including fish and grits, hot cakes, and salmon cakes. For dinner, the food gets even more indulgent with smothered fried pork chops, pig's feet, and fresh-fried Atlantic croaker.

The dining car that houses the Historic Village Diner dates back to the 1920s. One step into this landmark and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time, as the decor has been well preserved over the years. Despite the eatery's age, its menu is perhaps more creative than you would expect it to be. There are homemade sweets and spins on classic diner staples like the Clam Boat sandwich and twice-baked stuffed sole with garlic and shrimp.

This New Jersey staple has been around since 1929. In 2022, NJ.com named Summit the Best Diner in New Jersey—a huge accomplishment, considering the state is the Diner Capital of the World. The best of the best!

It's the breakfast at Franks Diner that will keep you coming back for more. (Ask for the famous Garbage Plate or Cinnamon Swirl French Toast.) Featured in numerous TV specials and travel publications, the eatery was owned by the same family from 1926 to 2001. The new owners throughout the years have stayed true to the legacy of Franks, helping the restaurant earn the title of "Best Diner & Best Breakfast in Kenosha County."

Lou Mitchell's was the very first place in Chicago to serve breakfast all day. The restaurant opened in 1923—three years before Route 66 was built. (Route 66 was one of the first highways in the U.S. and connected Chicago to Los Angeles.) Its location on Jackson Boulevard is right off of the famous highway, making it the perfect spot for hungry travelers.

A prime spot for people-watching on the Sunset Strip, photo-ops, and soaking in the retro atmosphere while listening to music from your table-side jukebox—Mels Drive-In in West Hollywood is about as packed full of American pop culture history as it gets. The futuristic early-1960s building was also once home to the famous Ben Franks coffee shop, a favorite late-night haunt for rockers in the '60s and '70s, including Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.

A little American diner trivia: Movie buffs will recall Mels and its iconic sign from 1973's American Graffiti—that was the first Mels location, opened in 1947 in San Francisco, now lost to the sands of time. Today, there are two descendants of the Mels diner dynasty: the next-generation Mels Drive-In in California, including the West Hollywood location, and The Original Mels, which serves up diner favorites in a retro-style environment in Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Though it's called Texas Tavern, this small-but-mighty diner is located in Virginia. The beloved restaurant dates all the way back to 1930, and is known for its incredibly low prices which are still on the menu today. Yes, that sign is correct—a hamburger will cost you just $1.50!

Built in 1919, Memphis's oldest restaurant has plenty of history behind it, and the menu favorites include Chocolate Mudslide Pancakes and the Sunriser Sandwich Plate. Did we mention Arcade had one very famous customer? Elvis Presley (who loved a good peanut butter and banana sandwich) was a regular, and even had a favorite booth.

This '50s-style diner opened in 1969, and it offers a unique take on classic diner food. A large portion of the menu has a German influence, and you'll find things like Breakfast Fleischkuechle, Knoephla Soup, and more. Next time you're in the Roughrider State, you can visit Kroll's in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, or Fargo.

Broadway Diner, which has been serving customers for over 60 years, puts the "comfort" in comfort food. It offers a range of traditional options—including its signature The Stretch meal, in which hash browns are topped with scrambled eggs and covered with chili, cheddar cheese, green peppers, and onions. Yum!

Seinfeld fans will immediately recognize this iconic hotspot. Tom's Restaurant serves up plenty of classics like omelettes, burgers, and sandwiches. While you won't find Elaine's Big Salad here, you will find a pretty large (and delicious!) Greek salad.

Yoder's, open since 1975, is a Florida favorite for its warm and cozy breakfast choices. You'll find traditional options like French toast and eggs, as well as Amish specialities like Corn Meal Mush and Mom’s Homemade Sweet Rolls.

Cozy Dog has been around since 1949, and claims to be the inventor of the corn dog. The diner still uses its original batter recipe from all those years ago, and the Route 66 decor adds to the retro feel of this funky restaurant.

Twin Peaks fans know all about this special eatery. The show famously rebranded it as the Double R Diner, and Twede's has kept a similar sign throughout the years. The diner's history dates back to 1941, and the menu is exactly what you'd expect from such a classic spot.

As the very first diner to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, this special spot is a must-visit. It remains one of the only Sterling Streamliner diners in existence, known for its bullet-like shape. Its menu is also unique: It changes up its specials on a daily basis, so you'll always have something new to sample.

At Sid's, it's impossible to leave hungry with so many mouthwatering menu items—like grilled cheese, the Steak & Shake sandwich combo, and Frito Chili Pie, to name a few. Why not finish your meal with a delicious banana split?