If you’re looking for a classic diner experience in Los Angeles, you’re in luck. La La Land is a haven for traditional diners. From classic diners to modern takes on counter service, there is a diner for everyone’s taste.
The best diners in Los Angeles serve everything from hearty comfort food to upscale diner staples. Whether you crave a stack of fluffy pancakes or an artisanal burger, you can’t go wrong when visiting a top-rated LA diner. Get your appetite ready, here are the best diners in Los Angeles.
1. The Original Pantry Cafe
The Original Pantry Cafe serves all-American food in portions the size of your head. This local diner, which opened in 1924, is located in the heart of downtown LA. This diner is famous for serving classic diner food all day long.
Diner staples at The Original Pantry Cafe include perfectly cooked eggs and fluffy pancakes. Their signature “Pantry Special,” a combination of eggs, bacon, and hash browns, will satiate the largest of appetites. This cafe’s no-frills ambiance adds to the experience. Locals applaud The Original Pantry Cafe for its commitment to always using fresh ingredients.
Address: 877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles 90017
Map: The Original Pantry Cafe Hours: 7 am to 3 pm, Wednesday – Friday, 7 am to 5 pm, Saturday – Sunday
2. Nick’s Cafe
Nick’s Cafe is a downtown favorite diner that’s stood the test of time. This old-school diner opened its doors in 1948 and is still serving up a classic diner menu for breakfast and lunch. This diner’s straightforward approach to creating greasy breakfast meals like chorizo and egg tacos keeps the locals loyal.
Nick’s standout dishes are the hot melts. Patrons can choose between the classic Hot Pastrami, Swiss, or Tuna melt, with a side of onion rings or sweet fries. Nick’s Cafe also offers plenty of dishes for lighter eaters, such as the Protein Breakfast and Mini Country Plate.
Address: 1300 N Spring St, Los Angeles 90012
Map: Nick’s Cafe
Hours: 6 am to 2 pm, Monday – Friday, 6 am to 3 pm, Saturday – Sunday
3. Pann’s Restaurant
Pann’s Restaurant is a classic 1950s coffee shop that boasts a warm and family-run vibe. Pann’s consistently uses high-quality and fresh ingredients. Locals rave about Pann’s Country-Fried Steak and Eggs and Biscuits.
Other old-fashioned diner favorites are the Chicken and Waffles or Combo Pancakes with a fried egg. To extinguish a Saturday or Sunday hangover, check out the “Hard Stuff” section of the menu that offers delicious mimosas. Lighter eaters can choose from a list of salads, such as the Caesar and Cobb Salad served with garlic toast.
Address: 6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles 90045
Map: Pann’s Restaurant
Hours: 8 am to 3 pm, Monday – Friday, 7 am to 3 pm, Saturday – Sunday
4. Mel’s Drive-In – Hollywood
Mel’s Drive-in has multiple locations throughout LA, including West Hollywood and Sherman Oaks. However, don’t confuse this classic American diner with any old chain. This legendary drive-in diner was made famous by the 1973 classic film “American Graffiti.”
Today, these diners still light up in the night with neon signs and serve delicious 50s-style dishes. Menu favorites include Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes, New York Steak and Eggs, and El Rancho Breakfast Burritos. A jukebox at the table will welcome you when you arrive, allowing you to travel back in time while you savor some traditional American fare.
Address: 1660 Highland Ave, Los Angeles 90028, United States
Hours: 7 am to 11 pm, Sunday – Wednesday, 7 am to 12 am, Thursday – Saturday
5. Swingers Diner
Swingers Diner is not just about food; it’s about the experience. This eclectic diner offers a retro vibe with late-night hours and old-school tunes. Locals frequent Swingers Diner after a night on the town for after-hour comfort food.
Highly rated dishes include Huevos Rancheros, Breakfast Burritos, and cheeseburgers. The Avocado Toast with avocado spread over thick multigrain toast and topped with kosher salt, lemon, and chili flakes, is perfect for vegetarians. Swingers also emphasizes sustainability with its commitment to serving only farm-fresh organic eggs.
Address: 8020 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90048
Map: Swingers Diner
Hours: 8 am to 3 am, Monday – Sunday
6. The Griddle Cafe
The Griddle Cafe is a go-to spot for breakfast classics like steak tacos, French toast, and cheesy omelets. The Griddle Cafe also happens to be on our list of the 8 Must-Try Pancakes in LA. This cafe doesn’t skimp on the portions. You can also expect to be blown away by delicious flavor combinations.
Try The Griddle Cafe’s banana nut pancakes (known as “Banananana”), which are filled with caramel, walnuts, and streusel. Snap a selfie or two when you indulge in the “Selfie on Sunset”: a cinnamon-sugar, chocolate chip, and cream cheese-filled pancake. Lunch delights include menu favorites such as the Shrimp BLT and the TGC Bourbon Burger.
Address: 7916 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90046
Map: The Griddle Cafe
Hours: 8 am to 3 pm, Wednesday – Sunday
7. Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles – Hollywood
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is synonymous with soul food in Los Angeles. Roscoe’s has been serving Angelenos great food since 1975. The restaurant offers Southern comfort food including home-styled chicken sausage and chicken chili cheese fries.
If you are feeling adventurous, try the fresh chicken livers served with waffles, potato salad, or French fries. Roscoe has opened several locations throughout the greater LA area. Each location has its own character but all share the same dedication to flavor and quality.
Address: 1514 N Gower St, Los Angeles 90028
Map: Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles – Hollywood
Hours: 8 am to 12 am, Sunday – Thursday, 8 am to 4 am, Friday – Saturday
8. Clark Street Diner
Clark Street Diner is a cozy, thoughtfully designed diner with a 1970s aesthetic and delicious food. This restaurant surpasses other traditional greasy spoon diners, with intentional dishes that focus on seasonings and modern recipes. The “Clark Street” Avocado Toast and the Country Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs are among fan favorites.
Retro bar stools and booths in the dining room add to the appeal of this diner’s charming atmosphere. The servers are known for being very friendly and helpful. If you don’t like waiting, make a reservation here as it gets packed on weekend mornings.
Address: 6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles 90068 (located in the Adler A Hollywood Hotel)
Map: Clark Street Diner
Hours: 7 am to 3 pm, Monday – Tuesday, 7 am to 9 pm, Wednesday – Sunday
9. Astro Family Restaurant
Astro Family Restaurant exudes quirkiness and serves comfort foods around the clock. Astro’s family-friendly atmosphere and big menu make it a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An added bonus is that Astro Family Restaurant is open 24 hours a day.
Local favorites include their Hot Cakes and Waffles, classic American dinners, and seafood. Other retro diner favorites on the menu are Italian Eggs and Breakfast Burritos. Good old-school American diners are becoming a rare breed; visit Astro’s Family Restaurant while the food is still hot.
Address: 2300 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles 90039
Hours: Open 24 hours, Monday – Sunday
10. Millie’s Cafe
Millie’s Cafe is a beloved breakfast spot with locations in Pasadena and Silverlake. It is known for its home-cooked meals and commitment to fresh ingredients. All of the egg dishes use farm-fresh, cage-free eggs.
Locals praise Millie’s for having an extra-kind staff that is equally as attentive. Standout dishes include the Pork Belly Eggs Benedict and Challah Blueberry French Toast. Vegans and vegetarians—don’t fret. This versatile diner has an extensive range of options for plant-based individuals including tofu scrambles, vegan sausage, and V-cheese.
Address: 3524 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90026
Map: Millie’s Cafe
Hours: 8 am to 3 pm, Monday – Sunday
11. Norm’s Restaurant
If you are looking for comfort food in a 1950s style, you will find it at Norm’s Restaurant. Norm’s Restaurant is technically a chain but has a local heart. It was opened by Los Angeles native Norm Roybark in 1949 with a dream to offer patrons casual dining at affordable prices.
Now Norm’s has 23 locations throughout Greater Los Angeles, serving eggs, coffee, and pancakes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Menu favorites include Fried Chicken Breasts with Country Gravy and hand-cut steaks. Everything on their menu is prepared fresh and made-to-order.
Address: 470 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood 90048
Map: NORMS Restaurant
Hours: Open 24 hours, Monday – Sunday
Honorable Mentions
These honorable mentions for classic diners in Los Angeles still deserve a spot on this list. Here are a few more LA eateries that make the cut, ranging from budget to fancy:
- The Serving Spoon: This hub for LA locals serves delicious Southern comfort food. Try their highly regarded baked chicken with greens, red beans, and rice.
- Pacific Diner: This diner is located in San Pedro, CA, and is known for offering Southern-style dishes such as chicken-fried steak and chicken and waffles. It is a comfy local diner with a friendly staff.
- The Strand House: The Strand House is a chef-driven upscale cafe in Manhattan with spectacular ocean views. The Strand House’s delicacies include truffle pizza, pan-seared Aegean Branzino, and the octopus appetizer.
A Classic Diner Feeds the Soul
Los Angeles diners provide a comforting and delicious taste of America. Hotcakes, burgers, pancakes, and hash browns are just a few of the traditional diner staples you can try at these restaurants.
Retro decor and friendly service at these diners will make you feel like you’re on the set of a vintage movie scene, or that you’ve taken a step back in time. A time in the past when burgers and milkshakes were the simple pleasures of life.
The next time you find yourself in the City of Angels, make sure you stop by a friendly diner to fill your belly and your soul.
