Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Penn Yan Diner

    4.5 (186 reviews)

    Order Penn Yan Diner Takeout or Delivery

    Penn Yan Diner Photos

    PENN YAN DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Penn Yan Diner

    Recommended Reviews - Penn Yan Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Penn Yan Diner

    Nikki G.

    What a find this place was! My mom, aunt and I enjoyed breakfast here on Mother's Day when we were visiting Keuka Lake to celebrate. The outside is charming, there is street parking, and the inside will blow you away. They have mugs with advertisements on them and a variety of gluten free items, which filled my heart with so much love for this place. When we visited, they offered both Jamaica Me Crazy coffee, which is one of my favorites, and regular. The coffee was flavorful. I ordered the Shawn, gluten free, which was way too much food, but I wanted a bite of everything. It was gluten free pancakes, eggs, ham, crispy home fries, and gluten free toast. Everything was eggsellent. I ended up taking food home for Cooper and he enjoyed it as well. My mom and aunt had the Uncle Terry and the eggs benedict and they both enjoyed what they ordered. Be sure to walk behind the diner and check out the mills with that essential Penn Yan picture.

    Egg salad on multigrain toast
    Cynthia F.

    Tiny, popular diner. Very few tables. I suspect it's popular with the locals because of the low prices. Good, quick service. I enjoyed my egg salad sandwich. Their recipe of homemade egg salad is tasty; lots of celery. Enjoyed the multigrain toast. I was surprised by the size of the sandwich. In most restaurants, the portions are too large for me. Not here; the sandwich was the right size for me, which means it might be too skimpy for some other folks. I saw "peach pie" listed on the black board, and was surprised when the waitress handed us our bill without asking if we wanted dessert. She actually did me a favor; I've been trying to get used to not having sweets after every meal. If I'm in the mood for their egg salad sandwich again, I will order it for takeout instead of dining in.

    Solange S.

    Family owned little diner. My experience here was fantastic. Everyone was super polite and lets not talk about the food. I wish i had found this place sooner during my vacation to the finger lakes. Everything was absolutely delicious! We were 4 and ordered different things we were all very happy with our food. They brought out a hot sauce called Curlys (i think hahah) that was OMG delicious. We ended up buying some bottles to bring home with us. Again everything was great!

    The Sean + added blueberries on top of pancakes - one sweet cream pancake and one buckwheat !
    Rachel A.

    My boyfriend and I bought an air bnb for a nice little getaway for a few days and I had looked up the best food places in the area. Came across this cute 1920s trolly car Penn Yan diner and let me tell you, this place lives up to its reviews on Yelp ! The food was absolutely fantastic ! It was made fresh right in front of you ! Hands down the cutest tiny diner I've ever came across so far ! Inside is adorable ! Our waitress was really great and took good care of us ! I'm sorry I didn't get her name but she had dark black hair and I'm guessing she was the owner, not sure but she was super sweet! We will definitely be back to visit this diner in the spring or summer when we come back to the Finger Lakes! Highly recommend anyone who comes to the Finger Lakes to try out this trolly car diner !

    Jessica M.

    Highly recommend if you are looking for authentic diner experience. We had the biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, French toast and a classic eggs and bacon meal. It didn't disappoint or miss a beat! So much flavor and the staff was incredibly welcoming!

    The counter
    Bo S.

    "It has been remarked by some that Penn Yan residents' only real passion is for food" - an anonymous damn genius If you have a free morning, day, or weekend, you might decide to take the high road south from Rochester into Ontario County and towards That Which Lies Beyond. Taking a few twists and turns (sometimes known as the "go-south-when-you-can, go-east-when-you-can" algorithm), you'll eventually come out of the beauteous and bountiful farm land and will enter the Village of Penn Yan. At the village's incorporation, half of the populace was from Pennsylvania, and half from New England (i.e., Jankes, or "yankees"). Thus, the village devoted half of its name to the Penns, and half of its name to the Yans. Through the main traffic light and you'll go down a slight hill. Oh, and you'll probably see lots of pickup trucks. Just downhill from the old Masonic hall is a little rail car that has been converted into an eatery. The Penn Yan Diner. NewYorkUpstate.com rated it the best diner in Upstate New York in 2017. Some who come here are regulars. Some who come here are one-timers, or at least they think of themselves as such. But their "one" meal at this quaint, lovely, friendly, and homey (not to mention delicious) establishment will continue to play itself again and again in their minds, making them regulars a la nostalgia. The interior of the diner is comfortable and Hobbit-esque. Some nifty ceramic mugs are for sale at the counter. We were immediately seated and handed menus (the wait staff places orders on nifty-looking iPad-like devices). Dave was tempted by the special: loaded tater tots. "Tell me about the loaded tater tots," he said to our waitress. "I think you'll like them," she replied enthusiastically. Dave was sold. Bo ordered pancakes with real maple syrup. He received sweet cream, which the waitress compared to birthday cake, but he was also given a Birkett Mills Buckwheat pancake in light of his ambivalence when ordering. While we waited, Dave remarked that he liked that the diner painted the tube that was carrying the wires up to the air conditioner. "That's how you know they're the real deal." Also, for you summer lake people, FYI, there was like an air conditioner above each table! Dave also liked the color scheme here: yellow, yellow, yellow, and some green. "Reminds me of Dick Tracy," Bo remarked. "Me too!" said Dave. The food arrived. The sweet cream pancakes were aptly named! Not too sure about the birthday cake analogy, but they sure were sweet. They were almost as sweet, and as delicious, as the "best pancakes [Dave has] ever had" from the B'Ville Diner. The buckwheat pancakes were also delicious, and incredibly dense (it split in half under the force of its own weight when Bo tried to put it in a to-go container (there was a lot of it!)), Bo remarked that eating the buckwheat pancakes was "like eating a piece of Penn Yan!" But, it is clear why the sweet cream pancakes are more popular. The loaded tater tots had eggs, cheese, and bacon atop and amongst. It was super savory - it was a man's man's breakfast - it was, in other words, a Dave breakfast. The thick and rich yolk was the perfect addition to the salted and dense (read: not from your 3rd grade cafeteria) tots. The bacon bits/pieces gave a playful hint of salt and butter and spice. The cheese was mandatory. Bo snuck in a quick bite while Dave's arms churned into the meal like a paddle wheel powers through the Mississippi on a fully-laden casino boat, calm river, moon overhead, guy plucking a banjo at his shack off on the shore. After mere moments, Dave's plate was clean. There was also a piece of toast with vanilla icing on top; we ordered it to share. We are glad to have experimented (and I can't believe I'm about to type this), but it was almost too sweet. Try it! The meal was reasonable. You order at the table but you pay at the counter. And of course, we went on a little stroll through the four corners and down main street afterwards, just to check out the picturesque row buildings. The Penn Yan Diner must not be missed. Add it to your Finger Lakes itinerary! Don't Miss: The pancakes with real maple syrup (either variety). But really, just don't miss this diner! Pro Tip: There is real syrup, but you might want to augment it with your own! (from your Xonuts-brand Syrup Holster™, of course).

    Outside view
    Sonia P.

    Looks super cute but unfortunately closed. The building looks like the original diner and they have a table for outdoor seating with umbrellas.

    Tables in the caboose
    Linda S.

    O.M.G. Full vegan breakfast menu. And Breakfast Served All Day! This is a Beautiful place that offers amazing vegan food - pancakes, Belgian waffles, Beyond sausage patties, Just eggs, hash potatoes, vegan butter, great coffee, all in a super cute historic diner (built in 1925) made from a trolly car and a caboose. The friendly staff and locals make this a must go to place. Prices were completely reasonable. And the place is locally owned. Love Love Love this place! (And yes, they have non-veg as well)

    Diner counter

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ward J.
    2
    102
    7

    20 days ago

    Good Food, Good Portions, Good Service on a busy weekend!!! Im sure it's the best in this area!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Closed due to a fire when stopped by on July 4 2025. Sympathetic 5 star. Yelp said it was open.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Good food and service very nice! Ladies were friendly & efficient. Cute place in the heart of pleasant Penn Ysn

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nikki G.
    197
    1094
    3983

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bo S.
    276
    128
    1478

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sonia P.
    13
    149
    549

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jan K.
    0
    43
    2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Great place! We had breakfast and it was awesome! The waitress was sweet and loved the old town diner feel!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Fantastic food and service. Try the tater tot plate.... an excellent twist on eggs Benedict

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Great family run diner. Service was excellent. Diner food just how you want it. Would highly recommend.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jnj G.
    1
    15
    32

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Penn Yan Diner

    You might also consider

    18th Amendment

    18th Amendment

    4.2
    (47 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    18th Amendment was a fantastic choice for a memorable dinner while visiting the area with family…read more Our group included three senior citizens, a baby, and three adults, and we were looking for a legitimate dining experience - it is vacation, after all! I had walked past 18th Amendment earlier in the week and thought it looked worth checking out - just peering in the window, it had a great atmosphere and inviting vibe. When I requested an online reservation I received a prompt and friendly callback - and when we arrived the next night, they had a highchair set up and waiting for us. The cocktails were excellent. I don't mind paying almost city prices when drinks are thoughtfully crafted, balanced, and unique - these absolutely delivered. Our server was wonderful. We asked whether the chef could prepare something for the baby and she quickly returned with several options. Since it was his first birthday, we let him splurge and ordered a filet with risotto. The kitchen sent it out right away, which helped avoid an imminent pre-bedtime meltdown. Dad tax applied--the baby's dinner was delicious! The bartender even sent over a small mocktail for him to try - a thoughtful touch. Every entrée at the table was phenomenal and everyone cleaned their plates. The ingredients were fresh, the portions were generous, and the quality was evident throughout the meal. Great food paired with outstanding service made it easy to justify the price, which again, was not extraordinarily high, all things considered. I highly recommend 18th Amendment if you're looking for a dining experience that's a step above the ordinary.

    TL/DR: My friends and I made reservations here for a celebratory dinner, but we wouldn't recommend…read morethis place for anything other than grabbing a drink. Pros: -The cocktails were lovely, very inventive, and delicious. Loved that they used fresh local strawberries! -The appetizers were also creative and tasty. We got the chef eggs and the cremini mushrooms. However for the price the apps were tiny -My entree (the Pasture - souvlaki with Israeli couscous and cucumber salad) was delicious, well seasoned and balanced Cons: -Service was shockingly slow. We had a 7:30 reservation and didn't get our entrees until 9pm. For almost every element we ordered (bread service, apps, entrees) we had to follow up with the waitress to see what the ETA would be. She apologized several times, but a manager got defensive and said that there was only one chef. It was a Saturday night and there were only 2 other small tables in the place, and maybe 3 people at the bar, so no clear reason why everything was so slow. At these prices, especially in Penn Yan, you would expect better service. -Most of our party ordered the Bucher. I understand it can be tricky to plate 5 burgers at once, but for this price, you'd expect the burgers to not come out soggy on the bottom. With the fried egg, gravy, and melted cheese the burgers only had one texture (mushy) and a one-note, overly rich flavor. Really needs a fresh or acidic element to add textural contrast and cut through the fat. The fries lacked seasoning, we needed to add more salt. -There was a surprise $15 credit card charge, which was not posted on their website or menus. We only saw it when it appeared on the final bill. While credit card surcharges aren't unheard of, in NY state they need to be posted ahead of time. Legality aside, hitting customers with a surprise charge at an upscale place like this is honestly tacky.

    Photos
    Classy interior
    Classy interior
    Seared salmon, house-made garlic cream sauce, with fresh fettuccini pasta.
    Seared salmon, house-made garlic cream sauce, with fresh fettuccini pasta.
    Banana old fashioned and brown butter manhattan

    See all

    Banana old fashioned and brown butter manhattan
    Main Deck

    Main Deck

    3.2
    (145 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    But of a wait for food, French onion soup not great, waitress did not ask how we were doing, ,…read moreentree was good Lovely place on the water, we sat inside but flies Were buzzing around our food

    We were excited to try this restaurant after the remodeling. We had been to the previous one (Top…read moreof the Lake) and it was terrible. So, seeing the updated decor and menu, had me thinking that the new owners are really serious about providing a fine dining experience to Kueka Lake. Evidently NOT. We went on a Tuesday at 6PM for our Anniversary and despite that being in our reservation notes twice, it was never acknowledged. Our water tender filled our glasses after 15 minutes of sitting and waiting with no greeting after the hostess stand. We asked her what the soup of the day was and she didn't know. Our server Riley B. Had no personality or personal skills. She did not offer any suggestions on drinks, meals, appetizers, etc. also failed to acknowledge our anniversary. She did inform us that they were out of the short rib. We ordered the crab fritters, mussels, and French onion soup for appetizers. 35 minutes for appetizers to arrive and the mussels were ice cold, shells were all cracked. It was terrible, ate about 2 each and sent them back. Crab fritters were ok, still undercooked in the middle, but we were so hungry we ate those. Onion soup came out about 10 minutes after and that was the ONLY item of quality. Our entrees were the Steak Frites and Alfredo pasta with chicken. Those arrived about 1 1/2 hours after we were seated. Service was terribly slow all night, as well as zero follow up, despite the restaurant being about a quarter full. Entrees did arrive hot, so that was appreciated. Pasta dish was not an Alfredo, more of light tomato pepper cream sauce. Steak was prepared as ordered, however about halfway through eating, I enjoyed a piece of jagged plastic that poked my mouth. That was the final straw. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the foreign object. Saved you a lawsuit, you're welcome! The new decorations were made less enjoyable by the constant onslaught of flies in the dining room, which we discovered was caused by your staff keeping the door to the deck wide open. The irony is there was no patrons on the deck, so that was an unnecessary waste of AC and failed sanitation practice. Our view of the lake would have also been better if you can manage to clean the windows once in awhile. Of course I was prepared to address all of these issues with the manager, but after asking for the manager and two servers searching for about 10 minutes, we were informed he went home for the day and the person in charge was the chef. In summary, the Main Deck is a pig in a pretty dress. Food is inconsistent, mediocre at best, service and training of the staff is lacking and poor. Standards in the back of the house are also missing, as evidenced by cold appetizers, slow arrival times, foreign objects in the food, and out of stock items. Would enjoy the owner contacting me, but I won't hold my breath. Do not waste your time or money at this establishment!

    Photos
    Our beautiful Main Deck Bar
    Our beautiful Main Deck Bar
    Fish Fry platter with fries + tartar sauce. Served all day from 11am to 10pm.
    Fish Fry platter with fries + tartar sauce. Served all day from 11am to 10pm.
    Main Deck

    See all

    Main Deck

    Penn Yan Diner - diners - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...