The Best Diners In Every State

Whether you want a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or even a midnight snack, diners are the perfect place to satisfy a craving for American comfort food classics. These restaurants have been a part of the U.S. cultural landscape since the 1850s, when young entrepreneur Walter Scott began selling simple late-night eats to newspaper staff in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, diners often specialize in nostalgiac dishes that take guests back to simpler times. 

No matter where you go in the U.S., there are local diners full of loyal patrons who love their downhome recipes and the spot's inviting atmosphere. Although most of these longstanding restaurants have their own set of fans, each state has one diner that stands out from the crowd. These diners have one-of-a-kind specialties, colorful backstories, and tasty everyday dishes that make them among the best in the country. Some are worth taking a trip to visit, while others are hidden gems that could be hiding nearly in your backyard. 

When it comes to breakfast, burgers, and dessert, many Anchorage residents swear by Kriner's Diner. This family-owned restaurant has a history of positive community involvement, such as a tradition of serving free Thanksgiving to-go meals. 

On the menu, patrons will find plenty of traditional diner fare. The restaurant offers generous portions, especially from its breakfast menu. For lunch, try the house-made corned beef hash or Andy's Awesome Burger, topped with jalapeños, cheese, bacon, barbecue sauce, and onion strings.

For a piece of Arkansas history with a diner meal, look no further than the Old South Restaurant in Russellville. This restaurant earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, over 50 years after opening its doors. 

Today, the diner is going strong sticking to its Southern comfort food roots. Reviewers praise many of its homestyle dishes, including hamburger steaks, meatloaf, and prime rib. Patrons are also big fans of the diner's desserts, especially apple pie. 

In Glenwood Springs, 19th Street Diner lets guests step back in time to a traditional '50s-style diner. The decor is only the beginning. The restaurant's menu is nearly the same as when it opened in 1986, giving visitors an authentic taste of classic American eats.

While diners recommend a multitude of menu items, deep-fried French toast has the most extensive fan base. This restaurant also has a bar, which isn't unheard-of, but is a nice bonus. 

For diner lovers in Wilmington, Delaware, Angel's Restaurant, housed inside an old Silverside Dairy building, is a can't-miss. Several reviewers rave about the lunch and dinner dishes, including classics like burgers as well as fish and chips. 

There are also plenty of breakfast options here, such as omelets, pancakes, and egg sandwiches. However, one of the most intriguing menu sections here focus on "breakfast desserts" like Boston cream pie and a chocolate espresso cake.

Perusing the dessert display at a diner can be a fun part of the experience, especially at a place like the Marietta Diner. This Georgia diner is open 24 hours and has a colorful menu packed with delicious choices. 

Dessert is serious business at this restaurant, which offers over two dozen pies and cakes. Before sampling one of these sweet treats, many reviewers suggest trying the diner's gyros, chicken and waffles, or one of its many traditional breakfast dishes.

Diners may not have the chic aesthetic of high-end restaurants, but that's part of the Rusty Lantern Diner's charm. This family-owned establishment treats the residents of Ucon, Idaho to huge helpings of homestyle diner food in a laidback, unpretentious atmosphere.

The Big Lantern Burger is one of the diner's signature dishes, starting with two beef patties that are then topped with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, bacon, and traditional burger fixings. 

Many diners wouldn't be the same without the influence of Greek restaurateurs, including the Four Seasons Diner in Indianapolis. Owner George Potamousis gained experience cooking in Greek diners before opening his own. The family-owned restaurant has been going strong for about three decades.  

Although there are plenty of dishes to choose from, many recommend a longtime menu staple: the Southern Skillet. This home fries-based breakfast skillet features cheese, peppers, onions, and a country-fried steak, all topped with sausage gravy and two eggs.

Some restaurants come and go, but Bobo's Drive-In has served comfort food staples in Topeka, for seven decades. Many fans have expressed their love for this eatery in-person and online, praising the friendly service, crispy onion rings, and simple yet satisfying burgers. 

The longstanding restaurant has earned particular praise for its thin hamburger patties and famous homestyle apple pie. That apple pie was also featured in a 2008 episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" as a highlight of the diner's menu.

The Louisiana culinary scene is renowned for hearty Southern dishes. Brenda's Diner honors that tradition with delicious plate lunches. This neighborhood establishment in New Iberia has a different menu for each weekday featuring Louisiana staples like crawfish etouffee, turkey wings, and barbecue ribs. 

The diner's namesake and owner, Brenda, and her staff are as inviting as the food. Reviewers also sing Brenda's praises and love the diner's authentic soul food. Although many dishes have earned recommendations, most diners highlight the fried chicken.

Restaurant-goers can thank Greek immigrants for helping expand the diner concept in the 20th century, and their influence is still evident. Baltimore's Broadway Diner offers many Greek-inspired dishes, such as baked moussaka, gyros, and souvlaki. 

In addition to Greek dishes, this spot offers plenty of seafood and Italian specialties such as eggplant parmigiana and tiramisu. Broadway Diner even appears in an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," which features a seafood dish called Broadway Festival. Reviewers also praise the generous portions and wide variety of menu options. 

In Ira Township, Michigan, The M-29 Diner is an excellent choice for diner food that is comforting and decadent. This diner serves everything from omelets to hot dogs, and the menu also includes Tex-Mex-style dishes such as a seasoned beef breakfast skillet. 

One of the best dishes on the menu is the diner's signature M-29 Burger, topped with cheese, bacon, and onion rings. Many reviewers have also given this diner five-star ratings for its food and the staff's hospitality. 

Abe's Grill is easy to spot in Corinth, Mississippi because of its eclectic exterior. The diner is covered in vintage signs and is itself a relic of the past. However, Missippians widely regard this little landmark as one of the best diners in their state. 

The restaurant's reputation even earned it a BBC News interview (via Facebook), and its homey food has plenty of fans. Many reviewers have given the diner a perfect score, citing low prices and delicious breakfast as some of the best highlights.

Diners are great places to enjoy burgers, and the Roadhouse Diner in Great Falls, Montana, has some of the greatest. In 2018, Great Falls Tribune even awarded the restaurant its Best Burger award. 

The burgers on the menu are anything but ordinary, with names like Sin City and Death By Bacon. Then, there's the Bundy Burger, a special tribute to TV dad Al Bundy of "Married...with Children." This burger's many toppings include ham, bacon, and a fried egg.

Some of the best diners in the U.S. have appeared on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," including The Coffee Cup. This diner has been a regular fixture in Boulder City, Nevada since 1994 and is still beloved by locals today. 

One of the restaurant's unique breakfast dishes, the Pork Chili Verde Omelet, has become famous since appearing on the Food Network. The omelet combines green chili marinated pork and cheddar cheese with three eggs. The diner's French toast and several delicious lunch options are also favorites.

New Jersey is a hotspot for excellent diners, and the Maywood Pancake House in Maywood is among the best in the state, in part because of its healthy spin on traditional diner cuisine. 

While most diners focus on rich comfort food, this restaurant offers plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Its breakfast menu in particular features plenty of vegan and gluten-free meals for everyone, including delicious pancakes.

Some diners have food so good that patrons will line up around the block to eat there. Tom's Restaurant has been part of the Brooklyn landscape since the 1930s and still attracts a massive crowd, especially at peak times. It boasts low prices and delicious food — a winning combination for any diner. 

Some of the unique dishes on offer include lemon ricotta pancakes and crab cakes Florentine, both of which are well-balanced and tasty. 

All-day breakfast is a big draw for most diners, including Deaner's Diner in West Fargo, North Dakota. This restaurant's breakfast assortment includes all the classics, such as malted waffles, omelets, and sandwiches.  

Among reviewers, this restaurant is among the top-ranked diners in West Fargo, who love the friendly service, reasonable prices, and homey food. Among the most positively reviewed breakfast menu items are the caramel rolls, which are equally delicious as dessert. 

One look at the outside of Angel's Diner transports patrons back to the 1950s. However, this McAlester, Oklahoma, restaurant isn't just a retro diner, as it's also a pub and a steakhouse. In a DiscoverOklahoma segment, owner Angel Bernhardt outlined the two seating environments: a low-lit steakhouse section and a high-energy, '50s-themed diner section. 

The restaurant also has two distinct menus. The diner lineup contains classic breakfast and lunch options, plus daily blue plate specials. Meanwhile, the steakhouse menu includes a selection of steaks and brick oven pizzas. 

In Philadelphia, The Dining Car pays homage to diners of the past with its name and retro decor. The old-school restaurant's reputation earned it a spot on a season 2 episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

The diner is worth visiting in part because of its excellent service and extensive menu, with tasty offerings such as apple walnut pie and all-beef burgers. However, this restaurant is more than just a diner. Patrons can also visit the attached bakery and market for confections made daily.

Mixing a service station and a diner may sound unusual, but the Fillin' Station Diner in Hollywood, South Carolina makes for a winning combination. The diner's fun decor replicates an old-time filling station with car fenders and vintage signs. 

Of course, the food is the true highlight of this restaurant. The menu features unique burgers, sandwiches, and other excellent lunch or dinner options. Many reviewers highly recommend the diner's hot dogs, which sometimes appear as lunch specials. 

In Adamsville, Tennessee, the 1950s are alive and well at Kokomo's 50s Diner. This restaurant takes period decor very seriously, featuring wall-to-wall memorabilia and retro furniture. Many recommend that you try the milkshakes and malts, both made in the traditional 50s diner style. 

Many reviews suggest that you try the diner's various cheeseburgers, which are as delicious as the shakes. The burgers and sandwiches have perfectly on-brand names like Rockin' Robyn, The John Wayne, and Betty Boop.

Diners are often known for one particular specialty. Take Ruth's Diner in Salt Lake City, which has been in business for over 90 years and is the second-oldest restaurant in Utah. One of the diner's most popular offerings is its Mile High Biscuits, often served as a side dish or with classic country gravy. 

Although there are plenty of excellent menu options, reviewers rave about these biscuits because of their generous size and delicious flavor. Most agree that these biscuits are perfect with the diner's raspberry jam. 

It's not often that live music is part of the diner experience, but a little place in Charlottesville, Virginia, prides itself on providing this winning combination. The Blue Moon Diner allows singers and small bands to perform for their patrons weekly. 

Of course, it's the food that makes a diner special, and this restaurant's menu features unique breakfast dishes like shakshuka and a tofu scramble. The diner's omelets garner special acclaim, including a Nordic omelet made with smoked salmon and an apple omelet.

In Parkersburg, West Virginia, Mary B's Diner proves that looks can be deceiving. This restaurant may not have a glamorous exterior, but its homey, well-made dishes keep locals coming back for more. New patrons will be sure to enjoy the restaurant's breakfast offerings, which include decadent stuffed French toast, large omelets, and breakfast burritos. 

The diner's assortment of homemade pies is a true standout. Reviewers especially recommend trying the coconut cream, blueberry, peanut butter, and blackberry pies.

Diners are popular because they give patrons a taste of home, and G-Ma's Diner in Mills, Wyoming takes that concept to heart. The restaurant boasts a warm atmosphere and decadent comfort food that tastes like your grandma made it. 

Reviewers praise the restaurant's huge portions, and the biscuits and gravy come highly recommended. The menu includes spicy sausage gravy or the restaurant's specialty, green chili gravy. Both are served with eggs and home fries.