The 17 best diners in Chicago

Thinking of spending your Sunday morning at this classic Chicago diner? Better check the weather: The line snakes out the door and onto Lou Mitchell Way well into the afternoon. Customers are treated to fresh, sugar-dusted doughnut holes when they're seated, but the real feast starts after ordering. Stacks of “meltaway” pancakes are perfectly browned, omelettes come in hot skillets (try the sweet, rich apple-and-cheese variety) and juicy, gooey patty melts seem too big to finish. But as with the rest of the irresistible dishes, you’ll find a way.

There are no seats here—just stools. There’s barely a menu, either. The burgers are thin little things, but stacked up two or three on a bun, they’re exactly what you come to diners for: food that’s hot, greasy, cheesy and cheap. First-timers should order the famous slinger, which is a mess of hashbrowns, two cheeseburger patties and eggs all smothered in house-made chili. It's not pretty, but damn if it won't keep you full for days to come.

Although it relocated across the street in 2019, Daley's is one of the oldest restaurants in the city, having been in operation since 1892. But there’s no time for this homey diner to dwell on the past—the space bustles with a mix of Woodlawn locals and University of Chicago students, especially in the mornings, when they gather for the ethereal Belgian waffles (offered with a side of juicy chicken wings), hearty Denver omelettes and warm, buttery biscuits.

Hogsalt Hospitality’s vintage-yet-modern diner is one of the most popular spots in town. Folks wait in line for hours to try the ballyhooed burger, which lives up to the hype (make sure to order it with bacon), but don’t overlook the rest of the menu. The fried bologna sandwich is similarly satisfying, the fried chicken arrives covered in sweet and tangy “General Jane’s” sauce and the potato hash with duck heart gravy is well worth the calories.

Even carnivores know Chicago Diner. The vibe is normal, everyday diner, albeit with soy milk, tofu and tempeh on the giant menu. Waits for weekend brunch can get painful (even though the menu is served daily), but patient non-meat-eaters are rewarded with vegan cinnamon rolls. Of the non-brunch options, the tofu and veggie-packed soul bowl is a healthy pick, and if you still have room, try the carrot cake or the thick, perfect milkshakes for dessert.

The waitress calls you doll, hun or honey. You’ll let her call you whatever she wants if it means getting some of the best diner food in town. A scoop of soft butter and warm syrup transforms a stack of plain pancakes, and they’re flanked by the city’s only diner bacon worth its fat.

Omelets and club sandwiches will never go out of style, but a little variety never hurts. At this cozy Filipino kitchen in West Town, the focus is on homey Southeast Asian specialties. You’ll enjoy rice plates with proteins such as marinated skirt steak, bangus (marinated milkfish), longanisa (sweet sausage) and tocino (cured pork), as well as complimentary bowls of rice porridge. No worries if you just want some eggs and bacon, though—American breakfast options are available too.

This new-wave Wicker Park diner from One Off Hospitality offers southern-inspired Mexican eats in a groovy, ’70s-homaging space. There's almost always a wait list going at the front counter (especially on the weekends), but diner stools turn over quickly. No one leaves hungry with menu options like the burnt ends hash and the chicken fried chicken, and no meal is complete without the Back to Life Cocktail, which is filled with seafoody bits, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro.

Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard puts her gourmet spin on the old-school diner model with this sweet West Loop restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Dig into reimagined classics like the Bull's Eye French toast on sweet onion brioche with eggs, crispy chicken and barbecue maple syrup. Add on creamy grits, hash browns, milkshakes and more to complete your order. Groups can huddle together in the inviting, leather-lined booths, while solo diners will feel right at home at the traditional diner counter that overlooks the kitchen.

Owner Brad Rubin scoured the country to research this Jewish deli/diner. His pastrami is tender, fatty and full of flavor; the milkshakes are thick and oversized; matzo balls are enormous; and the brisket is good enough that any grandmother would want to claim it, Jewish or not.

Located near the University of Chicago, this breezy diner keeps hungry students and Hyde Park residents fueled up with a selection of Southern fare from Lillie’s Q chef Charlie McKenna. Drop in morning, day or night for comforting classics like biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, fried catfish and chicken fried steak. It’s counter-service so those in a rush needn’t worry about running late. If you do have some time to kill, though, Roux also offers a small list of alcoholic beverages.

A slightly menacing-looking fist clutching eating utensils sits above the entrance to this Lakeview spot. Fortunately, things are more pleasant in the perpetually busy dining room—a surefire sign that the cooking’s good. The extensive menu includes everything from stuffed French toast and skillets to meatloaf and giant quesadillas. You may be in a food coma at the end of your meal, but don’t go home without trying a marvelous shake or malt.

Even on non-game days, the Palace Grill feels like an offshoot of the United Center. The space is bedecked with Blackhawks paraphernalia and the patrons wear it as well (the place is open late on Blackhawks game nights). It's a classic diner, which means it serves all-day breakfast and a menu of sandwiches, salads and burgers, including a superlative patty melt, layered with grilled onions and cheese on rye.

Boasting three locations, Huck Finn has been a late-night staple on the South Side for decades. Due to the pandemic, only the Oak Lawn outpost is currently open 24/7 but you can still get breakfast for dinner as late as 10pm at the Chicago restaurants. For dessert, grab one of the humongous donuts to share (you can even get it topped with ice cream and whipped cream).

Born in 1995, this colorful, retro spot feeds hungry Wicker Parkers 365 days a year. Like many great diners, you can always order breakfast items such as crepes, skillets, pancakes and eggs. The rest of the menu covers serious ground with salads, steaks, seafood, sandos and so much more. It also has its own parking lot, a big plus considering the area.

Craving crepes? You got it. Pining for pancakes? Eggy's serves those, too. Hankering for something healthy? Choose from a Greek yogurt parfait or steel-cut oats. With Eggy's mile-long menu, we could go on for days, but here's one reason to really love this modern Loop diner: The kids' menu is packed with affordable choices for your little ones, including silver dollar pancakes, mini waffles and a melty grilled cheese.

People go to other diners for greasy bacon and eggs, fatty hamburgers and limp french fries. But they come to this one, a tiny charming room whose walls are covered with ’50s-era nostalgia, for food they can watch being made to order in the open kitchen. Sitting at the long counter, you can witness the eggs being cracked for your fluffy omelette, the batter being stirred for your thin and airy pancakes, and the shrimp being piled over creamy grits.