19 Best Diners In New Jersey, Ranked

Diners are defined as small, owner-operated eateries with wide-ranging menus that typically feature affordable American fares like hamburgers, sandwiches, fries, and every type of omelet under the sun. There's something for everyone, whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast, a quick lunch, or a simple cup of coffee.

More broadly, though, diners can be defined as a New Jersey staple. The Garden State is widely considered the diner capital of the world, boasting more than 500 within its borders. The very concept began in the town of Bayonne, where businessman Jerry O'Mahony founded a company that built more than 2,000 readymade diners in the years between World Wars I and II. Other diner manufacturers followed suit, taking advantage of New Jersey's infrastructure and dense population to build customer bases, and many mirrored O'Mahony's signature metallic railroad car design.

While many diners have changed with the times, several of New Jersey's classic spots still sport that recognizable look today, complete with neon signage that hearkens back to mid-century America. Some are still open 24 hours a day, too. Whether you're staying for a while or just passing through, these are the places you'll want to hit for that authentic New Jersey diner experience.

If Jackson Hole looks familiar, it might be because its sister diner in Astoria, Queens landed on our list of the best diners in America. That one might have "Goodfellas" bonafide, but the New Jersey iteration is no slouch, complete with its nostalgia-inducing metallic exterior and neon signage. Each booth has its own tabletop jukebox packed with classic and contemporary hits, so don't forget to bring quarters.

The omelet selection at Jackson Hole is fantastic, but the diner's calling card is its massive burgers that are so big you'll probably need a knife and fork to finish them. No shame, though — these are not for the faint of heart. Order one with fries, top it with house-made pickle chips and wash it down with a root beer for maximum effect. This is a great diner overall, but it gets some points off for having three other locations — all of which are in New York. Not exactly pure Jersey diner tradition.

The Red Lion Diner & Bakery has been a Southampton Township institution since 1973. Customers are greeted by a friendly staff and a surprisingly large restaurant interior, the size of which is only matched by the restaurant's portions. Expect the Red Lion to be packed any time of day or night, but especially around breakfast time. We're keen on the breakfast special pancakes, one of which comes with Greek yogurt and honey that makes for the perfect not-too-sweet breakfast.

The menu is substantial but not immense and features plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Highlights include an eggless veggie breakfast sandwich and seitan marsala. And if you're in need of a last-minute pie or cake, Red Lion's dessert case will make you understand why it's got "bakery" in its name. We love this diner, but it's almost too big, and that takes away some of the cozy diner feel we expect with a plate of eggs and a piping cup of joe.

Deepwater Diner is another South Jersey staple just across the river from Wilmington, Delaware. Its neon sign isn't the flashiest, but you'll be able to spot its big red letters from far away. When you arrive, you'll surely be greeted by friendly staff and eat amongst regulars who can't get enough of the restaurant's homemade soups, which are usually offered on special rotation and worth the trip alone.

Broiled and fried seafood get their own separate sections on this classic no-frills diner menu, but you can't go wrong with a simple Western omelet here. Expect quality food no matter what time you end up stopping in, because this place is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the diner gods intended. We love how straightforward this place is, but there's a certain panache missing that you'll find in some of our higher-ranked diners.

The Golden Pigeon Diner has that quintessential New Jersey diner look and the hours (open 24/7) to match it. The exterior is a mix of metallic siding and cobblestone walls that feel in many ways like a blast from the not-too-distant past. Rotating lunch and dinner specials are all the rage here, and the prices are extremely reasonable — three eggs with your choice of meat clocks in at under $10.

The service here is quick and friendly, and the complimentary bread is a nice touch that you don't commonly find at diners. Sometimes a local restaurant feels elemental, as much a part of a given place as native trees or a body of water. The Golden Pigeon feels that way. It's a very good diner, but not a transcendent one.

Salem Oak Diner looks every bit the part with its vintage, worn exterior featuring metallic siding and a red neon leaf. Inside, the service is fast and friendly, and the prices are reasonable, especially for the amount of food you get. The omelets are massive, as are the portions for the diner's signature salad with chicken. Check with your server for rotating daily specials and don't be afraid to try a local recommendation.

Salem Oak is as simple as it gets, and that's part of the reason why it sits at about the halfway point in this ranking. But simple certainly isn't a bad thing. It's part of what makes this the kind of place you want to pull over for, even if it's just to drink a cheap cup of coffee and share some conversation with friendly servers or regulars.

The Chit Chat Diner is so good that we're grateful it has two locations. And the folks in Hackensack and West Orange (and the surrounding areas) are also pretty thankful for it.

The booths are a bit more spaced out and the entire restaurant takes on more of a modern feel than some on this list, which makes sense for a diner founded in 2009. Even still, you probably won't forget you're in a true blue New Jersey diner — and just in case you do, the menu will remind you all over again. Choose from a dizzying variety of egg scrambles and specialties like the El Camino (poached eggs and pulled pork carnitas served with fried tortillas). Chit Chat West Orange is open until 9 p.m., while the Hackensack location stays open 24 hours.

Angelo's Glassboro Diner checks all the essential New Jersey diner boxes. The space is quaint and warm. The service is speedy and friendly. The food is delicious and affordable. Breakfast is what Angelo's is all about, as the pancakes, scrambled eggs, and breakfast potatoes are all local favorites. The sandwich selection is worth checking out, too, whether for breakfast or lunch.

More than food, though, Angelo's the kind of diner that leaves its mark on you, nestling itself in your subconscious without you even noticing. Then one day, maybe years since you've been there, you wake up with a hankering for it, and not just the food — you crave the smell of fresh bacon and the sound of spatulas smacking against a hot griddle. We can think of no higher praise.

When you think of a picturesque roadside diner, your mind likely conjures up something that looks an awful lot like the Bendix Diner. It's been a filming site for plenty of television shows and movies, including "Jersey Girl" and most recently "The Many Saints of Newark." Its shimmering metallic siding and bright pink signage attract drivers from both sides of Route 17 and is regularly flanked by truck trailers. Inside, you'll be greeted with impeccable service from a staff that includes John Diakakis, a waiter who has become as much of an icon as the diner itself.

Eating at a place like the Bendix is more about the ambiance and history rather than the food, which is part of the reason we've slotted it fourth in this ranking. But there's plenty of deliciousness to be had here, as well. We recommend the French toast or a Greek omelet if you're in a breakfast mood, and the cheesesteak is a perfect filling lunch option. Perhaps no other diner on this list will make you feel more like you're the main character of a Scorsese film, and we love that.

Simply put, the Tick Tock Diner is a New Jersey original. It's attracted hungry locals and travelers of all stripes since 1948. If you're driving along Route 3 at night, you can spot its neon illumination from half a mile down the road. Perhaps its most famous feature, at least on the outside, is the "Eat Heavy" sign, and that slogan isn't taken lightly here — the portions are appropriately massive. By now you surely realize breakfast is a good bet at any given diner, and the same is true here, but we also can't resist the cheeseburgers.

When you're this high up on the list, there's usually a good reason for it. Tick Tock isn't just a restaurant, it's an institution. Virtually any person who grew up in and around North Jersey has likely eaten here at least once, whether they stopped in for a wholesome breakfast or to chow down on some late-night grub. If you're ever passing by, don't think twice — pull in, grab a seat, and eat heavy.