PrintWhat's Your Go-To Neighborhood Diner?
The neighborhood diner is a staple of New York life—just ask the characters on Seinfeld—but one that's increasingly less common on the streets of the city. The shift is a logical one; when high-end burger joints, artisan milkshake bars, and first-class brunch spots appear on every block, the humble diner starts to lose its appeal. Still, there's a certain niche to be filled by the corner eatery.
In the West Village, The Waverly—not to be confused with its higher profile neighbor, the Waverly Inn—has all the essentials of a good diner: 24-hour operation, brusque but efficient service, bottomless coffee, a many-page menu. Omelets come with crispy shredded hash browns (not home fries); waffles are fluffy; eggs are poached just right. Prices, by Manhattan standards, are absurdly low—omelets start under $5, pancakes under $6, fried eggs for $4. And its throwback decor is entirely unconscious; unlike Johnny Rocket's down the street, the Waverly feels comfortably aged rather than cartoonishly dated.
The food's nothing spectacular, but diners like these are as reliable as it gets. What's your favorite neighborhood diner? And what should we order, when we're there?
Waverly
385 Sixth Avenue, New York NY 10014 (at Waverly Place; map)
212-675-3181
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17 Comments:
I live near Queens Boulevard, so when I need a good diner fix, I go to Georgia Diner. Good burgers!
momstheword at 10:11AM on 06/08/09
When I'm in my neighborhood, I like Silver Star on 65th and 2nd. They have a chicken and portabello wrap that's my standby. Served with a pickle and fries, it's really filling and yummy. If I'm around work, I go to Tick Tock on 34th and 8th. They have good chicken fingers, a good selection of different chicken sandwiches, and my dad likes their wings.
meem21 at 10:50AM on 06/08/09
Joe Jr, 3rd Ave. for breakfast and a great hamburger:
http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2008/05/joe-junior-burgers-manhattan-gramercy-third-avenue-nyc.html
Nick Solares at 12:02PM on 06/08/09
Living on the UWS in the 90s my go to since it opened is Key West on Bdway btwn 94th-95th
any breakfast dish anytime; burgers;chicken souvlaki-actually almost anything they serve is good basic diner food in generous portions
jlipof at 12:37PM on 06/08/09
where is georgia diner ?
ezeating at 12:40PM on 06/08/09
Malibu Diner on 23rd near 7th is a must for authentic, tasty diner food--they have the huge menu with everything from Greek to pasta to seafood. Best old-school diner I've found in Manhattan,
drmoze at 2:14PM on 06/08/09
http://www.yelp.com/biz/georgia-diner-elmhurst
momstheword at 4:08PM on 06/08/09
Eisenberg's (5th Av. just north of 22nd St.)
popcontest at 8:48PM on 06/08/09
Lyric Diner at 22 and 3rd
patrickamory at 10:35PM on 06/08/09
I've been going to the Waverly since my college days. Nothing in my new neighborhood on the UWS really compares.
JungMan at 11:52AM on 06/09/09
Joe Jr. on 6th Ave!
greenolivemedia at 12:19PM on 06/09/09
For me in Westchester it used to be the old Thru Way Diner in New Rochelle just off 95 but unfortunatly it is now gone to make way for another chain drug store. I have moved my 'diner fix' to Odyssey Diner on White Plains Road in Eastchester (Rt. 22) where the owning Doukas family is currently marking their 35th anniversary at this site. It offers everything a diner should, including the possibility of having breakfast any time of the day or evening...along with a good overstuffed Turkey Club and Reuben. Half-pound burgers too!
gutreactions at 10:32AM on 06/11/09
Green Kitchen on 77th and 1st is a great 24 hour diner on the UES.
Daniel85 at 9:24AM on 06/12/09
Alpha Donuts, Woodside, NY
My go to coffee shop on the way home from galavanting.
RobertoRx at 3:39PM on 06/16/09
Why oh why don't we have diners in Britain???!!! I have diner-envy!
snowmoonelk at 10:27AM on 06/19/09
George's in Ditmas Park (Coney Island Ave @ Cortelyou) - the food is nothing special, but it's seriously old-school.
Anapoli in Bay Ridge (3rd Ave @ 69th) - the food IS something special, especially the gyro omelet. And they serve iced coffee in old soda shop coke glasses.
marthagrace at 10:33AM on 06/20/09
We often go to Comfort Diner (45th between 2nd & 3rd) on lazy weekends and their eggs and pancakes are great.
arathi at 8:52PM on 08/23/09