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    Golden Diner

    4.3 (1.2k reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Golden Diner Takeout or Delivery

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    GOLDEN DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Golden Diner

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    Reviews With Photos - Golden Diner

    Chinatown Egg Sando
    Amanda C.

    {Overall: 4.5; Food: 4.5} Ambiance: 4; Service: 3.5 I stopped by Golden Diner on a weekday as a solo diner and didn't have to wait. I was seated at the counter, and it was fun watching the cooks prepping dishes. The food here is rich and filling. I highly recommend sharing. *Honey Butter Pancake (with berry compote on the side): This is one of the most decadent sweet dishes I've had. The pancake was incredibly fluffy and moist, soaking up the syrup perfectly. The syrup had a rich honey butter flavor with a hint of saltiness (perfect for a pancake!). This is one of the few things I've eaten that definitely lived up to the hype. *Chinatown Egg & Cheese Sando (with sausage): A very solid breakfast sandwich. The highlight was the sesame scallion milk bun, which was nice and soft, with a subtle sweetness. The sandwich was very filling. Service was fine. The food took a little while to come out. The ambiance is a fun throwback to an old-school New York diner. It's a small space.

    Fires
    Carleen I.

    Golden Diner is a perfect example of why some restaurants become New York institutions. Blending the nostalgia of a classic American diner with Korean and Japanese influences, it's easy to see why this small Chinatown spot has earned such a loyal following. Reservation is highly recommended. After stalking their website a month out for a reservation for six, with no luck. I was able to email the restaurant and got a 4 pm reservation. Despite the steady crowd, the service was warm, efficient, and welcoming. As for the food, everything we ordered was excellent. The famous Honey Butter Pancakes absolutely deserve their reputation. It's light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet. The Korean wings were crispy with just the right amount of heat and sweetness. The katsu chicken sandwich was crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and incredibly satisfying. Even the tuna melt, a diner classic, was perfectly toasted. Golden Diner proves that comfort food can still surprise you. Great service, an electric atmosphere, and a menu that honors diner traditions while adding its own unique personality. It's easy to understand why people are willing to wait for a table, and it's definitely a place we'll return to on our next visit to New York.

    Honey Butter Pancake - Single Stack
    Cindy C.

    Wow, I can definitely see why the pancakes are worth all the hype! We came on a Saturday right before opening, and the line was already more than half a block long. Surprisingly, we only waited about 30-40 minutes. Service was efficient, and we felt like we were in and out. Had your typically diner vibes. We ordered the pancakes, chicken wings, and the katsu chicken sandwich. The only thing I'd probably skip next time is the chicken wings. They had a great crispy crunch, but I thought they were a little too sweet. The pancakes are an absolute must-order. They were incredibly soft, fluffy, and moist, unlike any pancake I've had before. The katsu chicken sandwich was also delicious, with all the toppings and flavors coming together perfectly. Overall, it's a great spot for classic diner food and definitely worth checking out if you're in the city!

    Chinatown Egg & Cheese Sando
    Natalia K.

    We did a walk up on a Friday morning and got there around 10:30, which gave us a 90 min wait. We were fine to wait, and walked around china town to kill time. You will get a text when the table is ready with 10 min to get there. It is a very small diner, with a cool vibe. You're there for the food, nothing fancy. The staff were very kind, and quick with our requests. We came for the pancakes, and they were absolutely worth the hype. Hands down the BEST pancakes we've ever had in life. 1 plate comes with 2 pancakes and are enough to share. But not too much if you're only getting pancakes for a solo serving, you'll be able to finish. We shared the pancakes and also got a breakfast sandwich.

    The famous pancakes
    Diana R.

    Everybody knows they'll have to wait since there's so much hype and attention around the pancakes which to me is just a huge turn off. Last time it was about a four hour wait so I left - this time I planned in advance to walk around Chinatown after I put my name down. They do let you walk away and will text you and you can return within 10 minutes so just plan to wander the neighborhood and you'll be fine. It took two hours before a bar seat was available. I ordered the egg sandwich which was very good. I don't like American cheese but the bun was delicious and soft and sweet and the sausage and egg was tasty. I'm skeptical about hashbrowns and sandwiches but this one was round which I appreciate and very crispy which I appreciate even more! The pancakes were fantastic but I don't know if I'd wait hours and hours again for them - but they were very good and unique. Fluffy and moist with a good amount of honey and butter. The drip coffee was decent and there was just a good old small diner feel about the whole place. I do recommend it if you want the experience but just be prepared to wait. Fun fact- there's a private pool room right across the street you can book an hour and play a game while you wait!!

    Ky N.

    I went here because one of my friends REALLY wanted to try it because apparently it went viral. I had no idea what was so great about these pancakes but we made it happen. It didn't open until 9am, but by the time we came around at 830am..the line was ALREADY poppin' lol. I was like okay...maybe it is really good. We got lucky as we were able to be seated in the first rounds of the tables that they had outside. We ordered the pancakes, wings and thai tea dessert. UNFORTUNATELY, for me, this place is OVERHYPED. Sure, the pancakes were soft and soaked with honey butter...but its really NOT THAT GOOD. I would never wait in line for this place. The wings were just meh...not really crispy, wasn't great as other korean wings I've had. The dessert was recommended and it was my least liked item ordered lol. All three items for a whooping $70. NO THANKS

    Honey Butter Pancake - Single Stack
    Sheyla K.

    We checked in at door and there was about an hour and 40min wait. We put our name on the list, they took our number and txt us when table ready. Gave us time to drive around and look for parking, walk around. Table was ready and we all ordered the single pancake and I ordered a breakfast burrito. The pancakes were exactly all the rave it has caused. Just simply delicious. The burrito was just as good, might be one of the best burrito have ever had. This a defiantly a must stop!

    Honey Butter Pancakes
    Daja E.

    5/27/2026 What could I say about this place that everyone doesn't know about..... absolutely nothing lol. Always recommend getting a reservation weather calling or walking to the booth. Our wait was at least an hour and a half and were texted when our table was ready. They have indoor and outdoor seating with one bathroom for all to use. We got the viral pancakes and they were everything you'd dream they be and then some for sure very filling and buttery. I got a "pick me up" and it was perfect gave me a beautiful caffeine kick to start the day I recommend for sure. Weather you come for the viral moment this feels like a solid staple in the community with bright music playing everyone kind of everywhere and just a relaxed feel that you can't wait to enjoy after you get seated. Bathroom rating 5/5 very clean for how busy the place is :)

    Double Honey Butter Pancakes
    Cole D.

    I feel conflicted, giving it four stars but that's how I feel. It was delicious. It was so fun to try. So fun to try something so viral. It's incredibly fluffy. The honey around it is so tasty. About halfway through I felt it was very dry, there wasn't enough, honey or syrup, and it just ended up being a lot of the same. Maybe if I've gotten a single stack it'd be more well balanced. I got a side of bacon and eggs. Bacon was cooked really well. Eggs were completely plain. Two hour wait, which is better than six hours which was a couple years ago. It was so fun to finally get in.

    Alisa J.

    Pancake was great. Possibly the best one I've ever had. However not sure if it was worth the 2 hours wait on Monday afternoon. By the time we ate the pancake it was already past 3 pm. On a non holiday Monday. Food really was great though and service was good as well.

    Sandwich
    Dasle K.

    OMG the pancakes. Literally to die for and worth the hype. Golden Diner has been on my list for a really long time and we finally got to go! We snagged a weeknight reservation. The inside is super cute. It's got the feel of a classic diner but a contemporary take on it. Everything we had was tasty. The wings are great. The sandwich was surprisingly good. We split a bottle of champagne which was lovely. They brought out a candle for my friend's birthday, unprompted. Loved our dinner here!

    Honey Butter Pancake
    Alvin Z.

    The first few bites were absolutely amazing. It was soft, fluffy, buttery, with a nice hint of lemon and plenty of honey maple butter soaked into every bite. Unfortunately, the richness quickly became overwhelming as I ate one pancake solo. After a while, every bite tasted more or less the same with overwhelming butter, and the sheer amount of it left me feeling nauseous trying to finish it solo. Definitely a dish I'd recommend sharing rather than ordering for yourself! Note that this place is very lively and packed even early on a weekday, so definitely prepare for a wait.

    Water Bottle
    Ione L.

    I was off from work one day this past winter and decided to finally try this place since I had seen so many posts on social media. I will say the PANCAKES did not disappoint and lived up to all of the hype. The place is known for having a long line and a tiny surface area. I was lucky I went solo and sat at the counter. It was crowded and I visited around 2 PM on a Wednesday afternoon. It is a sheik, charming clean diner with exposed brick and old school decor. They had a vibe going on with low toned music in the background. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I ordered with the floor waitress as the kitchen staff only cooks and does not take orders directly from counter patrons. She was kind and attentive. I had their signature pancake, a side of eggs and a side of pickled daikon. Way too much food for a single person but I tried my best to eat most of it. Pancake was superb! Never had one that tasted like that. It had lemon zest on it and I think might have been made with semolina or cornmeal. It was a cross between light /fluffy and dense. Simply perfect! I must say I was completely delighted with my food. Sitting at the counter was great because you can see the food actually being prepared. My neighbors were a party of 3. They ordered several items including the pancake. They seemed to be enjoying their meals. Bathroom was single use and fairly clean. Service was great. Food was hot, delish and priced appropriately. Place was clean and a bit of a downtown-east side vibe. I would totally return here and probably ditch the line for another seat at the counter!!

    Chicken Katsu Club

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    Golden Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Golden Diner

    Is the wait time shorter at dinner time?

    Probably they're most known for their brunch

    Does golden diner mean everything is cooked to a perfect golden color?

    Not necessarily but it's great!

    Can you go in person and order takeout?

    Yes

    Do they have gluten free options?

    they have gluten free bread! So all of the breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese, etc. can be made gluten free

    How busy is this place normally?

    Depends when you go. Its small so weekends you might wait a little longer. I never waited longer than 15 minutes though. Once my mom and I just at the counter when the wait for a little longer.

    Does anyone come here for Happy Hour?

    Yes, it is good for drinks and finger food to share.

    Are the home fries gluten free?

    No why would they be.

    Do they still have that breakfast sandwich? i don't see it on the menu pics

    Yes, they have it as a daily special. Not listed on the menu.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yea for outdoor dining only right now.

    Do they have take out?

    Yup

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Banter

    4.4
    (96 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Great spot to meet friends for brunch or get takeout! Numerous healthy options and delicious…read moredrinks. We got the Banter Bowl, which includes pickled carrot, cabbage, watermelon radish, cucumber, edamame, avocado, quinoa, and miso ponzu dressing. You have a choice of meats, so we chose the grilled chicken. Second, we ordered the falafel bowl that includes three falafels, pickled onions, avocado, cucumber, whipped garlic feta, kale salad, romesco, and Za'atar dressing that had a delicious flavor. However, our ultimate favorite had to be the Thai Crunch Wrap with sweet potato fries. It was fairly busy, and our drinks took a while to come, but the food arrived shortly after. The next time I'm back, I will be sure to reorder the Thai crunch wrap. If you have food allergies, they are extremely accommodating and have numerous vegan/vegetarian/GF.

    - Cozy little spot serving all-day brunch with plenty of indoor tables and ample outdoor seating;…read morewhile the space is on the smaller side, it feels clean and inviting; it wasn't very busy during lunch on a Monday afternoon, with just a handful of tables occupied inside and out - Service was friendly enough and efficient--ordering ahead online was easy, and my pickup order was ready at the promised time and packaged well; that said, it was missing utensils and napkins - The food was just okay--the Banter Bowl with grilled chicken came with two thin slices of chicken breast that were under-seasoned and a bit dry; the accompanying ingredients were fresh and made for a healthy meal, but overall everything lacked flavor and really needed the dressing to bring it together

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    Cask

    Cask

    4.1
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$

    Wednesday girl dinner is a must try. For $25, you get a martini, salad (Cesar or market), and fries…read more(truffle or regular). I got the market salad with grilled chicken which was very filling and packed with flavor. The grilled chicken was an add on so cost a little bit more than $25 but still an amazing deal. 10/10 recommend!

    Stopped into Cask Bar & Kitchen in Murray Hill for a casual dinner and loved the quirky, cozy vibe;…read moreit kind of feels like having dinner in your grandma's living room (in the best way possible). Think vintage wallpaper, little knick-knacks, and warm lighting. It's got character. I ordered the market salad with mixed greens, honeycrisp apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, and sherry vinaigrette. It was a hearty portion - super fresh and flavorful, and honestly more than I could finish (not a complaint!). I also ordered a Diet Pepsi with grenadine; they don't carry Diet Coke, which I almost docked a point for, but the mix was unexpectedly delicious. Highly recommend it. My date ordered the hanger steak and said it was absolutely amazing. Only hiccup: his first glass of wine he got came out hot... like, microwave-level warm. Fortunately, the server brought a new (cold) one and the rest of the meal was smooth sailing. Service was friendly, the vibe was homey and relaxed, and the food was solid across the board. Would definitely come back, especially for that salad and another round of grenadine magic.

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    Friedman's

    Friedman's

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    Don't always believe Yelp reviews--especially coming from a Yelp Elite--so let's set the record…read morestraight! First off, just a quick note for anyone looking: this restaurant is not halal. Aside from that, we had a fantastic experience here at Friedmans Herald Square near Penn Station. They were playing Hilary Duff music, which was such a fun touch since they often match the vibe of whatever is happening at MSG! They even had special Hilary Duff mocktails. The atmosphere is super sweet and cozy. The restaurant was empty when we first walked in, but the second we sat down, it completely packed up! The waiter was very friendly, and even though they weren't able to split the check at the table, they did provide an itemized receipt to make figuring it out easy. The food was great overall--the Mac & Cheese bites and the corn were especially good! We also tried the cheesecake and molten cake. Plus, the neighbors sitting next to us were so sweet. A wonderful spot with a fun vibe!

    Came on a busy Thursday morning at nine am. Got a decaf iced vanilla latte and a nova Benny and the…read moreMac and cheese. And lemme just say the food came out sooo quick. The Benedict was so delicious. I've never had it on a crispy hash brown type before. It was good and a massive portion. Mac and cheese was alright, though I would probably opt out of it next time. I was so full I totally forgot to drink my latte but the latte was good too. Ambiance was nice clean and very busy.

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    Tara Rose

    Tara Rose

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a place not to far from our hotel to have a couple drinks before we met up…read morefriends and we found this place. The inside looked really nice with some nice pictures on the wall and lots of space for seating. They also have a downstairs that has a bar and plenty of seating. We just ordered a few Aperol Spritz and chilled at the bar. The drinks tasted really good. Hard to mess that up but you never know. They had music playing from something in the background which was really good. The bartenders were alway asking if we needed anything so that was good. We didn't order any food but the plates that we saw looked really good. Definitely a place you need to check out if your looking for a cool spot to drink and get some bites to eat. They also have a good happy hour and from the looks of it a nice brunch with bottomless mimosas. Have to come check out this place if your in town or live near the area.

    My objective was to find a bar for happy hour in Midtown East. In my rarely treading over to the…read moreeast side these days and wanting to avoid Grand Central I searched a little through google maps what was nearby Murray Bro Hill/Kips Bay area and this spot popped up and I remembered wanting to check out their brunch but never did. It's $25 for unlimited drinks plus food by the way. Which is sad is a deal these days. Anyway, their happy hour is solid enough for a Monday and was meeting up with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year. Place is actually very cute. There are no tvs which I appreciate and the paneling of the walls and decor with all the flowers is quite tasteful. Happy hour deals 4-7pm Mon-Fri & all night Thursday apparently: Aperol Spritz $8, Hugo Spritz $9, Paloma $10, Mules $9, Draft Beers (except Guinness) $7, House Wine $9. As well as 2 Appetizer Bites for $19.95. Not the best but not the worst. I'm normally not a Spritz kind of gal. I think watering down prosecco or wine is heinous. But it was a Monday and I didn't exactly feel like powering down into happy hour so Aperol Spritz it was which switched to a Modelo later. It was the perfect drink situation on a god awful hot as hell day. We also ordered the fish tacos and what initially were the curry fries but they brought out the Greek fries. I wasn't mad about it. Honestly was torn between the two and I don't send food back unless something really bad happened. But it was essentially a side of Caesar salad dressing with feta cheese and generous amount of herbs on a very sparse and frugal amount of crispy standard cut fries. Now I know why it's a 2 for $20 deal. The tacos were 3 in an order which I guess is typical. They weren't bad but nothing stood out to me. I'd come for the drinks or try something else on the menu.

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    The bar
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    Chicken and Waffles and a bloody mary, available during our boozy bottomless brunch.

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    Chicken and Waffles and a bloody mary, available during our boozy bottomless brunch.
    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    We arrived at our midtown NYC hotel on a Saturday night around 7pm. We saw social media influencers…read moresaying this place was as good if not better than Katz. So, it was our first stop given the hour and proximity to our hotel. Note - I have been to Katz before. We arrived and were seated immediately. The place was not very full so it was fairly quiet. I am guessing Katz at 7 on a Saturday night would be packed. Our server could not have been more friendly. She was awesome. She's worked there for 7 years. I ordered the pastrami sandwich with French fries. It also came with Coleslaw and pickles. My wife got 1/2 a Reuben with vegetable soup and coleslaw and pickles. The fries and coleslaw were excellent. The sandwiches were very good but a notch below Katz. I do recommend giving them a shot. The place exudes character and history.

    An extra star since the last review! Sarge's half sandwich with a bowl of soup and a side of…read morepickles & slaw is my idea of a near-perfect meal. It's not just a little cup of soup that most places serve. A bowl so big I asked our waitress if that's what comes with the combo. Both the mushroom barley and matzoh ball have improved since last time. As far as the sandwich, listen to me: get pastrami. It's delicious. The way I see it, most diners serve corned beef, but few places have pastrami. And Sarge's does it right. (My husband, btw did not listen. He had corned beef and loved it.) My cousin asked why I don't go to Katz's. I'm not waiting on line -- sometimes it's pretty long -- their dining room gets noisy and frankly, I'm happy here!

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    Bacon Cheeseburger on Bun Sweet Potato Fries
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    Combination Hot Corned Beef & Hot Pastrami Platter

    Golden Diner - diners - Updated August 2026

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