Best Diners
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 1715 Second Ave.
212-860-2320
This Upper East Side diner — one of the few left in the neighborhood — bills itself as “Your Anytime, Any Day Diner,” and claims to have been the first 24/7 eatery in the city. Nearly everything is locally sourced — except for the salt, which they import from Greece. You can lounge in comfortable vintage booths while enjoying their eclectic menu, which includes Mexican-style fries, guacamole, disco fries (covered with melted mozzarella and gravy) Angus burgers, frozen hot chocolates and a Greek yogurt parfait.
VIAND 2130 Broadway
212-877-2888
You can’t beat the Viand if you’re looking for an old school New York coffee shop that serves huge portions of diner classics all day long, from pancakes for breakfast, a Waldorf wrap for lunch to meatloaf and — when they have them — lamb chops for dinner. The staff scurries across the blue and yellow linoleum floor to bring hungry customers such favorites as wings, salmon fillets and jumbo shrimp scampi. They also have an impressive dessert menu featuring peanut butter pie and chocolate chip cake.
BUS STOP CAFÉ 597 Hudson St.
212-206-1100
The Bus Stop is the go-to place in the Village for breakfast — and lunch and dinner, too. This family-owned, former Prohibition era speakeasy serves a wide variety of oatmeal for breakfast and offers create-your-omelets if you’re not in the mood for cereal. Among their specialties are sweet potato fries, spinach pie and a wrapped pork chop special. They offer a variety of vegan and veggie options and have outdoor seating. The owners are responsive and reply to online reviews — even the few that are not so great.