The 21 Best Diners in Chicago for 2024
Looking to find some of the best diners in Chicago? While the definition of what constitutes a true diner changes over time, many can agree on some evergreen standards, including amazing breakfast fare, a laid-back casual vibe and reasonable prices accompanied by generous portions. Perfect for early mornings or late nights, the best diners in Chicago will always excel in comfort food favorites.
Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast or a satisfying but budget-friendly dinner with homestyle flair, we’ve lined up some of the best diner options in Chicago. Some are even open 24/7 for those late-night visits. If you are searching for things to do in Chicago or perfect date ideas in Chicago, check out these great casual eateries.
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Find the Best Diners in Chicago
If you don’t quite know where to begin in finding the perfect diner experience in Chicago, the best way to get acquainted with the city’s eats is to take advantage of one of the many diverse food tours in Chicago. Let an experienced local guide take you to amazing eateries of all varieties throughout the city’s huge network of neighborhood favorites and fine dining. Visit award-winning restaurants in Chicago that display a wealth of global cuisines and fusion experiments. Sample distinctive Chicago foods like classic hot dogs, or enjoy deep-dish delights on pizza food tours in Chicago.
Whether it's just around the corner or across town, you may find your new favorite diner along the way.
21 Best Diners in Chicago
1. Alexander's Restaurant
This Greek family-owned operation has been in business since 1960, first in various Edgewater locations, most recently at Clark and Granville and now in a second location in Lincoln Square along Western. The menu at Alexander's offers all the classic best breakfast ideas you would expect, including omelettes, scrambles, skillets, crêpes and waffles, making it a great option for breakfast or lunch. It's also one of the only Chicago diners located in Lincoln Square.
The Vibe
At the Western location, a bright and contemporary feel with lots of light and exposed brick creates a casual and comfy vibe among cream-colored booths and lots of windows, making it one of the best Chicago diners for people-watching from inside.
What to Order
Diners recommend the Greek omelette, which features feta cheese, onions and tomatoes, as well as their large selection of skillets and scrambles. Make sure to try the fresh squeezed orange juice.
Alexander's Restaurant | Multiple Locations | $$
2. The Pick Me Up Café
Known largely for its vegetarian and dietary-needs-friendly menu, the Pick Me Up Café has been in operation since 1997, first in Wrigleyville, now in Andersonville. The Pick Me Up Café also hosts a popular weekend brunch with both vegan and meat-eater options, making it one of the best Chicago diners for mixed groups.
The Vibe
A fun, funky and bright colorful interior sports innovative art from local artists on the walls and ceiling. There's a decidedly laid-back but very hip vibe.
What to Order
Try the tofu scramble featuring cilantro, tomatoes, green and red peppers, garlic and mushrooms, or opt for one of their many gluten-free bakery options. Meat eaters can enjoy the salmon Benedict or the Garlicious Chicken Breast with goat cheese and pesto mayonnaise.
Pick Me Up Café | 4842 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640 | $$
3. Irene’s Finer Diner
Irene’s Finer Diner gives the feel of a classic diner with locally sourced meat and eggs at the center of its menu, making it one of Chicago’s best diners for the eco-conscious. We love their creative twists on old favorites like eggs Benedict and French toast, as well as new ones like avocado toast.
The Vibe
The interior is cozy and bright with soft yellow walls, homey artwork and white chairs that feel very much like a farmhouse kitchen.
What to Order
Try their amazing short rib grilled cheese featuring Gruyère and honey or their waffles with mascarpone orange peel and Nutella. They also have a good selection of handhelds, salads and soups.
Irene’s Finer Diner | 2012 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618 | $$
4. The Golden Nugget
Scattered throughout various Chicago neighborhoods in four locations, this Chicago classic eatery is known for its long 50-year legacy as one of Chicago’s best and most-renowned diners. Its large, vintage lighted signs are part of the charm, with many locations open 24 hours a day.
The Vibe
Each Golden Nugget location gives off the feel of an old-school diner, down to cozy dark booths and brick-tiled floors. There is also a counter with stools and a casual atmosphere that encourages both quick bites and longer lingering meals. Because they are plentiful, Golden Nugget is one of the best Chicago diners for finding a location within walking distance of you.
What to Order
Waffles are one of their signature favorites, so try the chicken waffle, the four-cheese fruit waffle, or the Alaskan waffle, which is topped with ice cream. They also have an all-day selection of lunch and dinner options like clubs, burgers and Mexican favorites.
The Golden Nugget | Multiple Locations | $$
5. The Chicago Diner
With their signature slogan “Meat Free Since ‘83,“ this Chicago diner is the best place to find classic breakfast dishes with a plant-based twist on favorites like The Radical Reuben and their award-winning milkshakes. The Chicago Diner has two locations, one in Lakeview and one in Logan Square.
The Vibe
Filled with 50s diner charm, the interior features red Formica and aluminum tables, booths and lots of neon.
What to Order
Favorites include a Cajun black bean burrito and the seitan meat gyro served with vegan tzatziki sauce. They also have a delicious Country Benedict made with seitan. It's one of the best Chicago diners for both gluten-free and vegan options.
The Chicago Diner | Multiple Locations | $$
6. Uncle Mike’s Place
This Ukranian Village diner serves a combination of Filipino brunch offerings and traditional American fare, including milkfish, skirt steak, Spam and longanisa, a Spanish sausage similar to chorizo. They also fuse American breakfast favorites with unique Filipino variations, like the Manila omelette with broccoli and chicken breast. Uncle Mike's is one of the best (and only) Chicago diners that serves up the Philippines’ breakfast favorites.
The Vibe
The crisp green walls impart a tropical vibe augmented by bamboo shades. With exposed brick and a neon sign welcoming diners, the effect is casual but crisp and contemporary.
What to Order
Favorites include the Longanisa Breakfast and lugau, a porridge/oatmeal made with ginger. For later in the day, try the Uncle Mike’s Burger or the skirt steak sandwich.
Uncle Mike’s Place | 1700 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$
7. 3rd Coast Café
This Gold Coast favorite is the best Chicago diner if you’re looking for an intimate space with a lot of classic style. Around since 1985, 3rd Coast Café is housed in a location that has held restaurants since the 1920s, serving up locally sourced eggs and meats in both traditional breakfast dishes and a rotating menu of dinner options like seafood and steaks.
The Vibe
Ornate wood doors and cut glass give way to a small but bustling dining room with a sizeable bakery case. The feel is elevated but still very casual.
What to Order
3rd Coast is known for its chocolate chip, blueberry and strawberry scones as well as its in-house roasted granola. Other favorites include steak and eggs and a wide selection of omelettes.
3rd Coast Café | 1260 N. Dearborn Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$
8. Nellie’s Restaurant
This Humboldt Park eatery hosts the only Puerto Rican breakfast buffet in the city each weekend, as well as daily offerings of both Puerto Rican and American breakfast favorites. It's one of the best Chicago diners to sample Puerto Rican breakfast dishes.
The Vibe
The interior of Nellie’s is filled with warm colors and rich, dark wood, making a cozy spot for individuals or large groups with a chic but laid-back aesthetic. It can get crowded on the weekends for the buffet, however, so expect a wait. It's the best diner in Chicago for traditional Puerto Rican dishes.
What to Order
The breakfast jibarito is a Chicago-original Puerto Rican sandwich enclosed in plantains instead of bread. Regulars also swear by the avena de coco (coconut oatmeal).
Nellie’s Restaurant | 2458 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$
9. Dove’s Luncheonette
Located in bustling Wicker Park, Dove’s Luncheonette offers Tex-Mex inspired variations on American breakfast classics like mole maple syrup and masa pancakes. Not only are they the best among Chicago’s unique diners, but they also have a full bar, with a selection of tequila and mescal cocktails along with Mexican wines and beers.
The Vibe
Dove’s Luncheonette oozes vintage charm, from its midcentury wood paneling to stylish penny tiles and vintage stools. The interior is comfortable yet chic, with a selection of vinyl records providing the diner’s soundtrack. It's the best Chicago diner for cool retro energy that evokes the 60s and 70s.
What to Order
Diner favorites include the fried chicken with chorizo gravy and the chipotle steak sandwich. They also serve a unique horchata pie.
Dove’s Luncheonette | 1545 W. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$
10. White Palace Grill
Open since 1939, White Palace Grill is a South Loop favorite that has hosted diners from every corner of the city, including students looking for inexpensive eats, politicians meeting their constituents and decades of downtown office workers. With their large corner sign, they are one of the best Chicago diners for a sense of local history.
The Vibe
One of Chicago’s most traditional diners in terms of low prices and 24/7 open hours, White Palace looks the part with sparkly red booths, chrome and Formica tables and a distinctively 1950s feel.
What to Order
You will find traditional diner favorites across all categories, including breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads. The Monte Cristo is a favorite, along with the Pancho Villa Omelette and their chicken and waffles.
White Palace Grill | 1159 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60672 | $$
11. Stax Café
One of the newer, trendier best Chicago diners on this list, Stax Café has opened a second River West location to their original in Little Italy, serving up pancakes as a specialty along with all manner of other breakfast and lunch options.
The Vibe
Stax has a fresh and modern look with green walls and industrial details that feel chic and stylish, but they offer an unpretentious menu of breakfast favorites and bakery items.
What to Order
Try the unique variations on pancakes, including lemon lavender and cookie butter options. They also have a large selection of sandwiches and wraps for later in the day.
Stax Café | Multiple Locations | $$
12. Lou Mitchell’s
Perhaps the quintessential Chicago diner, Lou Mitchell’s is one of downtown’s best-known eateries both in and outside the city, celebrating a century in business. The large vintage neon sign on its storefront boasts the “world’s finest coffee," and — located near Union Station — it's one of the best and most famous diners in Chicago to encounter locals and travelers alike.
The Vibe
The interior has a distinctive old-world feel with a serpentine counter with stools along one whole side, accompanied by cozy booths and a selection of Chicago historical photos and memorabilia on the walls.
What to Order
Each visit includes complimentary sugar-dusted doughnut holes to start. The food is tasty standard American diner fare, including egg dishes, waffles, pancakes, burgers, club sandwiches and more. Definitely take home something from the bakery, where pies, cookies and doughnuts are made on-site every day.
Lou Mitchell’s | 565 W. Jackson St., Chicago, IL 60661 | $$
13. Eggy’s Diner
Located in Lakeview East in Streeterville, Eggy’s specializes not only in the eggs that make its name but a menu rich in crêpes, pancakes and other “urban comfort food.” Eggy's is one of the best emerging Chicago diners.
The Vibe
Bright, open and modern, it's a contemporary take on diners of the 20th century, with a home-cooked feel.
What to Order
Try the crunchy French toast, which landed a coveted mention on the Travel Channel’s Food Paradise. They also have a deli corner serving up pastrami, classic Reubens and corned beef.
Eggy’s | 333 E. Benton Pl., Chicago, IL 60601 | $$
14. Golden Apple Grill & Breakfast House
Serving all-day breakfast and open 24 hours a day, this quiet and unassuming Lakeview eatery offers up all the usual diner favorites as well as Mediterranean dishes like Greek chicken and various varieties of meat kebabs. It's one of the best Chicago diner options for a middle-of-the-night meal.
The Vibe
With the timeless appeal of a classic diner, Golden Apple features lots of warm, cozy wood paneling, mirrors and a large counter, perfect for lingering over coffee after a night in Lakeview's hot spots.
What to Order
Try the Greek chicken or one of their classic breakfast skillets. The raspberry stuffed French toast is a decadent treat big enough to be enjoyed by two. It's one of the best Chicago diners for large and generous portions.
Golden Apple Grill & Breakfast House | 2971 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 | $$
15. Stella’s
With its giant sign featuring a closed fist clutching utensils, Stella’s is hard to miss in its corner location, where it serves as one of the best Chicago diners in Lakeview.
The Vibe
The interior is fresh and contemporary with a vintage flair, filled with lots of color and energy. They also have an excellent outdoor area set amid the bustle of the neighborhood. This is one of the best Chicago diners for people-watching along bustling Broadway.
What to Order
Diners recommend the classic burgers and the Buffalo chicken sandwich. For breakfast, try the fruit-laden French toast. The menu also features a unique Butterfinger milkshake.
Stella's | 3042 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 | $$
16. Eleven City Diner
A favorite spot for tourists and locals alike, Eleven City Diner’s South Loop locale serves a large menu, including Jewish-inspired favorites like matzo ball soup, pastrami and classic brisket. It is also one of the best and closest diners to Grant Park happenings every summer.
The Vibe
This expansive space is filled with neon and vintage diner décor accents, including Formica and chrome tables and red leather stools lit by sleek neon signs.
What to Order
In addition to everyone’s favorite pastrami and matzo ball soup, Eleven City also features great grab-and-go options, excellent coffee and a candy store hearkening back to the midcentury corner soda shops serving up endless milkshakes and malts.
Eleven City Diner | 1112 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605 | $$
17. Roux Diner
This New Orleans-inspired diner is tucked in Hyde Park close to the University of Chicago, where it’s a perennial student favorite. At Roux, you can find Southern-infused fare like shrimp and grits and biscuits and gravy. Roux is one of the best Chicago diners for Southern dishes and breakfast favorites.
The Vibe
Clean and contemporary, this light-filled space has a very Southern farmhouse feel with ample seating and lots of windows.
What to Order
Beignets and coffee seem to be at the top of everyone’s list. You can also try the fried catfish and the gigantic cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting.
Roux Diner | 1050 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615 | $$
18. Daley’s Restaurant
Recently installed in a brand new custom-built location near the Cottage Grove Green Line stop, this South Side Chicago classic has been in business since 1892 in various locations, making it one of the older Chicago diners on the list and the best spot to stop for a quick dinner before your commute.
The Vibe
The old location nearby looked more like a classic Chicago diner of the last century, while the new spot features high ceilings, spacious seating and details like a giant chandelier near the entrance flanked by industrial accents.
What to Order
Like many diners, Daley’s excels at their omelettes, pancakes and griddle breakfasts, but they also have a solid selection of burgers, wraps and other offerings. Try the salmon patties or the salmon croquettes.
Daley’s Restaurant | 6257 S. Cottage Grove., Chicago, IL 60632 | $$
19. The Palace Grill
Located near the United Center, this local favorite has been in business for 80 years, making it the oldest restaurant in the West Loop and the best Chicago diner for sports fans. While usually only open for breakfast and lunch, The Palace Grill stays open for dinner on the nights of Chicago Blackhawk home games for a pre-game bite.
The Vibe
Filled with Blackhawks accents and memorabilia, this sports enthusiast haven is lively and raucous, with vintage diner accents like red seats, chrome details and a checkerboard floor.
What to Order
Try classics like the Denver omelette, the farmer’s skillet and the ½ pound Palace Burger to enjoy fairly large portions for a low price.
The Palace Grill | 1408 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607 | $$
20. Huck Finn’s
Themed loosely around the Mark Twain classic, this eatery has three locations, all open 24 hours every day of the week. Whichever one you choose, Huck Finn's is definitely one of the best diners on the South Side of Chicago.
The Vibe
Each location of Huck Finn’s sports a vintage 1970s feel with patterned booths, dark wood and glass partitions etched with scenes from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
What to Order
The Donut Delight features one of Huck Finn’s signature giant doughnuts topped with ice cream and whipped cream. Unique literary menu items include the Huck Burger and the Becky Thatcher Breakfast. Huck Finn's is the best Chicago diner to get a little bit of literary history with your meal.
Huck Finn’s | Multiple Locations | $$
21. Little Goat Diner
Just one of the eateries created by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, this casual spot is the best Chicago diner if you’re looking to sample a more laid-back and inexpensive version of her genius, including a huge selection of baked goods, coffee and breakfast sandwiches. This unique Chicago diner is the best place to find contemporary fusion experiments that meld a variety of cuisines.
The Vibe
Little Goat’s feel is casual in price but elevated in style, with a fresh, contemporary feel. The dining room features two-seater booths and tables with a large outdoor eating area.
What to Order
The menu boasts a famous Cheez-It sundae that marries salty and sweet to perfection, as well as unusual global combinations like their bacon kimchi biscuit. Little Goat is one of the best Chicago diners for experimental palates.
Little Goat Diner | 3325 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 | $$
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Whether you are looking for early-morning nourishment or late-night sweets, Chicago diners are some of the best in America for low-priced and delicious meals with a casual atmosphere.
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