One of the best – and oftentimes overwhelming – thing about living in NYC, especially the East Village, is the seemingly endless variety of top-notch restaurants to choose from. You could eat out every night in this city and never hit the same spot (or eat the same dish) twice. From impeccably plated omakase to dripping birria tacos, every meal can be a culinary adventure. Sometimes, however, you’re just in the mood for comfort food—for a familiar, unadventurous, but thoroughly satisfying meal. You want a diner. We’ve rounded up the five best diners near Kips Bay Court.
- Orion Diner & Grill Located on 2nd Ave, Orion serves up quality diner food 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means, whatever the hour, you can expect heaping portions of filling foods from an extensive menu of eats that includes more than 50 (!) signature burgers, a wide variety of classic breakfast dishes, an impressive array of deli sandwiches, and a lengthy dessert list from decadent ice cream sundaes to sugar-free apple pie. Don’t feel like eating in? They offer free delivery!
- Joe Jr. Restaurant Slightly farther afield, just west of Stuyvesant Square Park in Gramercy, Joe’s is a snug little spot recognizable by its vintage storefront signage. Inside, patrons can choose between a handful of booths or snag one of the retro stools at the counter for a truly old-school diner experience. The menu of diner staples is served hot and fast, including a burger dubbed “New York City’s Best Burger” by Eater in 2015—a controversial title in a city rife with excellent burgers, to be sure, but one worth taste-testing for yourself.
- Veselka This Ukrainian diner in nearby East Village opened as a small coffee shop in 1954 and has since become one of the most popular spots to score authentic Ukrainian fare (think: pierogis, goulash, and latkes) in the city. So popular, in fact, that lines are known to queue up outside the 24/7 eatery from morning to night. So, be prepared to wait…but know that it’s worth it.
- Cooper Town Diner Boasting a menu perhaps even more extensive than Orion’s, Cooper Town patrons can order up everything from a French toast sundae, lox benedict, and silver dollar pancakes to an open turkey meatloaf sandwich, lasagna, and a fried seafood platter. They’ve also got a solid menu of milkshakes and smoothies and, like any diner worth its salt (and pepper), strawberry Jell-O.
- Diner 24 Inspired by NYC's iconic 24-hour diner culture, this establishment brings classic comfort food to Gramercy Park. Co-founded by Stratis Morfogen and Philippe Olivier Bondon, the restaurant offers a diverse menu, including all-day breakfast and Greek desserts, in a modern, timeless setting. Having just opened in April 2024, Diner24 revives the spirit of round-the-clock dining in the city that never sleeps.
Written by Alexandra Cavallo
