The best 24-hour restaurants in NYC

What is it? A local Colombian chain that churns out empanadas every hour of the day. 

Why we love it: Empanada Mama peddles more than 40 varieties of the main attraction, perfectly portable for on-the-go snacking. Fillings range from basic (plain cheese or rice and beans) to ultra creative (ham, cheese and pineapple) and sweetly addictive (banana and Belgian chocolate, or figs, caramel and cheese). It's just the fried sustenance you'll need after a night of drinking (or even if you're stone-cold sober).

Time Out tip: The Viagra is billed to cure what ails you, but only in the hunger department. The puffed pastry is filled with fresh tiger shrimp and crab meat. 

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

What is it? A 1928 diner is alive once again in Williamsburg.

Why we love it: One of our best restaurants of 2024, Jackie Carnesi's diner cooks up Texas-Mex classics any time of day. First meal of the day stans can find solitude with all-day breakfast, including the delectably shreddy Guajillo Braised Short Rib Hash or the Texas French Toast, a massive deep-fried portion that bears the weight of a sweetened cream cheese whip and fruit jam. But if you need more heft, whether that's a late-night dinner or something to soak up all that alcohol, there's Chicken Fried Steaks, dry-aged burgers and enchiladas that are guaranteed to fix you right up. 

Address: 518 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Time Out tip: Regardless of the time of day, you should certainly pick one of the desserts found in the old-school case on the counter. 

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

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What is it? An all-day operation that serves a fusion of Cuban and Dominican eats. 

Why we love it: Late night or early morning, Cuban breakfast always hits. Grab an order of sweet pan dulce, an omelet topped with ham and cheese or French toast smothered with banana, nuts and gooey peach jam. With a stubbornly affordable menu and always-open hours, the place is usually packed with local regulars for you to rub shoulders with.

Time Out tip: They’re known for their sandwiches, too, with a solid Cubano that rings up at just $6 (a total bargain, as the line will prove) along with mofongo served with shrimp, chicharrón and other proteins.

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: 24/7

What is it? One of "the" halls to all things pastrami in NYC, is open 24/7 on the weekends.

Why we love it: This historic Jewish deli has been a centerpiece of New York food and culture since 1888. Open 24 hours on weekends, find the perfect end (or beginning) to your evening with a crisp-skinned, all-beef hot dog and, of course, one of their legendary sandwiches. The thick-cut pastrami stacked high between slices of rye will be the highlight of your night.

Time Out tip: Morning calls for the Pastrami Omelette, which comes chock-full of strips of the stuff. 

Address: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am–11pm; Fri–Sun 8am—11pm

What is it? One of the newer 24-hour diners that made its debut a little over a year ago. 

Why we love it: At 22nd Street and Third Avenue, Diner24 shares many characteristics with other diners in New York City: customers can have breakfast for dinner; the waiters are in dress-shirt-bow-tie getups; the tile floor is black and white; and the tables have shiny, metal striations around them that may have been considered “Space Age” in the 1950s.

Time Out tip: We scoped out the nightlife scene at this diner, if you need the full rundown. 

Address: 283 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

What is it? A Long Island City staple since 1946. 

Why we love it: Court Square Diner still reminds us that a part of old New York will never truly leave us. The retro-style brings us back to simpler times when the diner coffee is hot and the menu reads like a chapter book. So don't mind us while we bookmark chicken tenders, disco fries and one of the many grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Time Out tip: Desserts include an old fashioned Egg Cream. So don't leave without one.

Address: 45-30 23rd St New York 11101

Opening hours: Daily, 24/7