4 editor-picked american diner restaurants across 3 cities.
A guide to american diner restaurants worth a trip, by city. We list operators, signature dishes, and the rooms locals book first.
Katz's on East Houston has cured, smoked and hand-sliced pastrami in New York City since 1888. The corner-of-the-counter sandwich is the deli's whole point.
Signature: Pastrami on rye, Matzo ball soup
Order: Hand-cut pastrami on rye, mustard, half-sour pickle.
Tip: Tip the slicer a dollar when you get your ticket; a thick fatty slice samples your way and the sandwich comes built right.
Russ & Daughters has slung appetising on East Houston in New York City since 1914: hand-sliced smoked salmon, sturgeon, schmaltz herring and bagels to take home.
Signature: New York bagel, Smoked salmon platter
Order: The Classic: Gaspe Nova lox, cream cheese, tomato, onion, capers on a poppy bagel.
Tip: The shop is for take-away. Sit down at Russ & Daughters Cafe around the corner on Orchard for table service.
Hob Nob Hill in San Diego is the Bankers Hill American diner at 1st and Juniper since 1944, the 80-year-old institution reopened in 2025 with a throwback breakfast-and-comfort-food menu.
Signature: Monte Cristo, Biscuits and gravy, Prime rib (weekends)
Order: The Monte Cristo at breakfast; the weekend prime rib special.
Tip: Open daily 8am-8pm; the bakery starts at 6am, fresh muffins and cakes come out by opening.
Ted's Bulletin in Washington DC is the 14th Street art-deco American diner from the Matchbox group, an all-day breakfast room with the in-house adult pop-tart line as the signature.
Signature: Homemade pop-tarts, All-day breakfast
Order: The homemade strawberry pop-tart with milkshake; the all-day breakfast headliner.
Tip: Weekend brunch fills up by 11:00; the original Barracks Row Ted's takes walk-ins on weekday mornings.
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