Best Diner in Every New England State
Down-home cooking with a side of classic atmosphere is on the menu at these favorite New England eateries.

Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanNew England isn’t just the birthplace of the diner — it’s at the very center of the diner universe. The earliest versions of these beloved greasy spoons opened their doors here, and many of the iconic metal lunch cars that define a certain kind of Americana were manufactured here too: in Worcester, Massachusetts, to be precise. Today, more than a century after diners first began welcoming customers with the promise of a hearty, inexpensive meal served quickly, New England is still home to many revered examples of these breakfast and lunch joints.
But which is the best diner in every state? Read on to discover our favorites.
Best Diner in Every New England State

Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Best Diner in Rhode Island:
Modern Diner, Pawtucket
Simultaneously a trailblazer and one of the last of its kind, this zippy-looking Sterling Streamliner diner has been a community hub and source of pride since 1941. The “Modern” name may seem oxymoronic for a cash-only, all-day-breakfast spot with a perfectly retro interior, a nostalgic soup-to-meatloaf menu, and National Register of Historic Places status. But wait till you see the playful specials concocted in chef Nick Demou’s scratch kitchen — linguica hash omelets, lobster grits, butterscotch coconut almond pancakes, bacon-garnished breakfast cocktails — each one a visual and gustatory treat that explains the out-the-door lines. Named a 2019 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Diner.”
Best Diner in Connecticut:
Zip’s Diner, Dayville
The towering neon “EAT” sign rising above Zip’s Diner calls like a siren song to hungry travelers in Connecticut’s otherwise Quiet Corner. Inside the vintage O’Mahony diner car, the counter is lined with red vinyl-covered stools, and each booth is graced with an old-school consolette jukebox. With unfailingly friendly service, Zip’s serves diner staples with a side of nostalgia: Yes, there are pancakes, omelets, and corned beef hash, but you’ll also find Yankee pot roast, chicken-fried steak, and baked puddings, as well as Italian-accented specials like osso bucco and chicken parm. Stephen King fans, take note: Zip’s was featured in his novel 11/22/63.

Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Best Diner in Maine:
A1 Diner, Gardiner
Perched on metal stilts on a hillside some 20 feet above a parking lot, the A1’s precarious position in the world belies its reputation as the most gourmet of the best diners in New England. The past and current owners have been consistently innovative in the kitchen of this 1940s Worcester diner car, coming up with such dishes as Syrian cod cakes in a spiced tomato sauce; lamb with eggplant curry; and spinach with dates, red onions, and sumac-smoked pita. You may also enjoy regular diner food, such as a plate of beans and franks or the A1’s famous fresh-ground beef burger with hand-cut fries. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Diner.”
Best Diner in Vermont:
Miss Lyndonville Diner, Lyndonville
If it’s a Sunday morning, good luck getting a table here, as folks queue up for short-order eggs and cream pies and a homey atmosphere (the coffeepot-toting servers might just call you “hon”). Look for specialties such as French toast stuffed with marmalade and cream cheese; skillet breakfasts of bacon, home fries, and eggs blanketed in sausage gravy; and buttery blueberry pancakes as big as your face. Named a 2018 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Diner.”

Photo Credit : Ethomsen / CC BY-SA 3.0
Best Diner in Massachusetts:
Agawam Diner, Rowley
Known for fruit, cream, and angel pies — and also upside-down chicken pies mountain-topped with mashed potatoes — this stainless steel classic built by the Fodero Dining Car Company in 1954 is kept humming by a family whose diner-owning roots run deep in Massachusetts. Bring cash and your biggest appetite: First-rate fried seafood and all-day breakfast favorites such as the homemade hash omelet would tempt you even if the prices weren’t so reasonable. Named a 2019 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Diner.”
Best Diner in New Hampshire:
The Hungry Diner, Walpole
This is no down-and-dirty greasy spoon. The dishes here are literally pasture-to-table, as the meat used in the stellar tacos, hot wings, and burgers is sourced from the Hungry Diner’s sister business, Walpole Family Farms, located a mere five miles down the road. Take your plate outside to a dog-friendly front yard where you can play a round of cornhole or hang at a picnic table, sipping one of more than a dozen craft beers on tap (from of-the-moment breweries such as Kelsen, Banded Brewing, and Springdale) or a maple milkshake. Named a 2019 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Diner.”
This post was first published in 2020 and has been updated.
VT.choice is accurate. It’s a great place for residents and visitors alike.Come hungry and you won’t be disappointed !
The Littleton Diner in Littleton New Hampshire is pretty darn good too. Homemade corned beef hash. Yum
To me a diner has breakfast food. It may have other food also, but without breakfast food it should not be called a diner. By my definition The Hungry Diner in Walpole NH does not qualify. I believe the diner in the name refers to the person not the establishment. It may be good but it’s not a diner.
Coffee Pot in Littleton NH is the best small diner with wicked awesome staff, amazing food, and a killer petite counter. Hot sauce caddy to boot.
I must strongly disagree with your pick for Maine! When I go to a diner I am not looking for gourmet food. I am hoping for the best, most consistently delicious down home food. For me, Moody’s in Waldoboro is the greatest! Many types of homemade pie every day. Enormous cream puffs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner … consistently good food with large portions and waitresses that are glad to see you.
Monody’s is amazing! Love it!
Went to the Maine Diner two years ago and got the most awful waitress, told us if we didn’t like it we could leave and it is extremely over priced.
That’s highly unusual for the Maine Diner to have any one rude like that. All the girls are very cordial and nice. I’m sure the boss wouldn’t like to hear that if it’s true!
My pick for the best down east is of course the Maine Diner.
We .like that diner too, but haven’t been for 15 years or so. If it’s still as good then it’s a great diner to eat at.
We like JIGGERS in East Greenwich!
It is over 100 years old and sits on Main Street. Wonderful service and food is GREAT.
Beckys Diner in Portland is great. Huge menu, fantastic good and fast service to keep the line moving. What a diner is supposed to be!
As a native born Rhode Islander, Modern Diner cannot be beat – from his special french toast breakfast to the best Olympic Gold Winning Comfort Food!
We live in Mass. but we get to The Hungry Diner often. The food is GREAT!
O’Rourkes in Middletown Ct has absolutely no parking unless you want to walk among heavy traffic. When the local college is in session, you can’ get a seat in such a small diner. Mystic Diner is so much better.
Becky’s Diner in Portland, Maine is a Commercial Street, waterfront location that is always busy and for good reason. Great choices of food fare, tasty Maine seafood prepared with eye-catching appeal! NOT TO BE MISSED IF VISITING THE PINE TREE STATE!!!!
Okay when we go back to Maine this summer…from Kansas we will try Becky’s. I cannot wait….WE loved A1 when we went there this last summer for our first visit to the NE…
Love this state
Been to A1 Diner many times; always
great food & service.
Lou Roc’s in Worcester is still the best diner we have ever been to, homemade hash, banana bread French toast, but we will take a drive to try these out. Can’t wait we love trying new places.
Don’t forget The Peterborough Diner in NH. It’s a classic!
Dave’s Diner in Middleboro Ma has great food esp seafood in the summer time. chicken pie is tops ! If your on rte 495 stop by
Always a no-win list! Everyone has their fav, but this is a good list. Love the Agawam, in particular. And I agree that while the A1 is great, it’s leaning toward “cuisine” instead of just “diner food” would push me towards Moody’s as well!
We always stop at Moodys in Waldoboro. Great food and people.
O’Roukes Diner was an absolute staple in my husband and my 20’s. Have since moved to Cape Cod and thought they had closed. Definitely worth a road trip home for the best steamed cheeseburgers on the planet.
The Palace Diner in Biddeford is truly amazing. Best pancakes ever.
My comment above mistakenly includes a receipt. I meant only to say:
The Peterborough Diner in NH is great!
Joey’s Diner in Amherst Nh and the Shirley Diner are both good. And I agree with Sharon I. that is very unusual for the Maine Diner been going there for years and never had anyone like that before.
The Country Girl Diner in Chester, VT is a treasured landmark. The service and the food is amazing!
Thanx!!
we use to love the stoughton diner in mass. we now live in goodyear arizona and as far as I know there are no diners in arizona
I know this is not New England, but close, drove to Philly from Montreal this Christmas and found Ambrosia Diner in Catskill fabulous and the Ugly Rooster in Malta. Amazing breakfast at Ambrosia and club sandwich to die for at the Ugly Rooster.
The Miss Worcester Diner is directly across from the site where it was built.
We walked into the Hungry Diner in Walpole, NH and found it to be a bar that serves food. There is a country mile’s difference between a restaurant that serves alcohol and a bar that serves food. We walked out. We went to the pizza place next door instead and weren’t disappointed.
The Hungry Diner is awesome! Fresh, organic, healthy; delicious, creative specials; great drinks and wide variety of beers. Super friendly staff. Welcoming outdoor space with picnic tables, dogs invited, often live music in summer. Love this place!!