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Golden Diner

4.3 (1.1k reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

Order Golden Diner Takeout or Delivery

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GOLDEN DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Golden Diner

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They are fluffy and jiggly
Sawsan W.

Were these amazing pancakes? YES! Would I wait 2 hours to have them again? Probably not. While the pancakes were very delicious, I find the wait time too extreme, it does discourage me from coming again. We were told that our wait time would be between 2-2:15 hours, but we were seating 1 hour and 40 minutes later. We chose to sit outside because it was a beautiful day, but I would like to point out that when the train passes overhead, it is very loud. Now to the star of the show, the pancakes! We got a double stack and I have to say that it is a little too big. I also don't think anyone would be able to finish the whole thing if they ordered other food with it. One funny issue I had was that the table was tilted my way, so all the honey was pooled on one side of the plate, but we asked for more honey and they brought us some. I appreciated that it was real honey and not the cheap and ultra processed syrup.

Hot coffee
Francis V.

The hype is real, the hype is real, the hype is REAL! When it comes to the pancakes....the hype is real. This was one of my bucket list of places to go after seeing it on social media and I must say I was not let down. Of course I didn't have reservations, so I tried to come early but the wait was 1.5 hours at 9:15 am. That was ok because it gave us time to walk down to canal street to do some shopping. We ordered the pancakes, eggs, bacon, home fries and wings. I had to take small bites of my pancake in order to savor the flavor because my pancake was quickly coming to an end. The diner is really small but they have setups outside for some extra space. We sat outside because inside was another 30 minute wait. Sitting outside can be noisy because of the train that passes above and it literally shakes the ground. But it wasn't as bad as it may sound after sitting out there I quickly got used to it and just paused the conversation until it passed. Met some nice folks that sat around us - really can't help being friendly because the tables are so close. Again not a bad thing. The sever was really nice and the food came out quick. Highly recommended spot.

Yuzuade
Maria R.

Went early during the week and didnt have a long wait maybe 10 to 15 minutes. The service was not great from the host to servers they had bad attitudes and weren't welcoming. The yuzu drink was really good the burger was pretty great it had great flavor and was cooked well the salad didnt have much taste but looked pretty and the pancakes were the star. I also ordered delivery after visiting since I enjoyed the drink and burger but it doesnt taste the same when you get it delivered and I wouldn't recommend delivery.

Tasha H.

Worth the hype! Extremely small space that definitely requires a reservation. Staff was so nice, helpful, and attentive. We had already had a day full of food adventures, so we stuck with the viral pancakes, and yummm. They are fluffy and light but dense at the same time. I wasn't able to finish mine. Also had a yummy passion fruit drink that had orange sake. If love to come back and try more items...or to get those pancakes again!

Inside
Chris A.

Went on a cold winter day and I was so lucky that I scored a reservation. I had to sit at the counter, which was fine. When you walk in, it's very cozy! Honey Butter Pancakes brought me here, they were everything I imagined and more. Light, fluffy, sweet, savory, and so very filling. Drink of choice was a very refreshing Yuzu Ade. Grabbed some Korean Fried Chicken Wings as a side . They were also delicious, crispy, and seasoned with a slight spiciness to it. The shareable has plenty, I had to take some to go. Would not hesitate to return!

Honey Butter Pancake - Single Stack Lemongrass Avocado Toast Vegan Kimchi 16oz
Hannah J.

Food: Incredible! The avo toast is packed with flavors and beautifully presented. High in processed for portion size. Honey butter pancake was rightfully hyped (if you plan to eat the pancake as a dessert i recommend waiting to order when you're ready since it gets cold quick & the syrup thickens), the kimchi was absolutely delicious (highly recommend!) Service: Host was welcoming & friendly. Server gave bare minimum energy and was hard to flag down (even though this space is tiny) Ambiance: we were at a two top outdoor table, average ambience.

Honey Butter Pancakes
Emily X.

FANTASTIC. I'm obsessed with the pancakes here -- they taste just as incredible as they look. Perfectly fluffy, slightly caramelized on the outside, and not overly sweet. Easily the star of the table. We also tried the katsu, which was solid and well-executed, but nothing comes close to those pancakes. Be prepared for a wait (we waited about 2.5 hours), but if you're a pancake person, it's absolutely worth it. I'd come back again just for that plate alone.

Honey Butter Pancakes
Rochelle N.

We came here on a Thursday night with four people and didn't have to wait for seating outside. We shared everything and got the pancakes, chicken wings, and the chicken katsu club. Everything was good. The chicken in the katsu club was perfect and the sauce brought the sandwich together. The chicken wings had a korean sticky sauce that was addicting. The pancakes were good but go in with the expectation that it's more cake like. It needed maybe slightly more syrup. I think it was good but I personally wouldn't wait hours to get in.

Gerry S.

If you're in Chinatown and craving the ultimate diner experience, do yourself a favor and visit Golden Diner. This place absolutely nails that awesome old-school diner ambience while sitting right in the heart of Chinatown. It's cozy, lively, and just has that perfect neighborhood energy the moment you walk in. But the real star? The pancakes. Hands down the best pancakes I've ever had in my life--perfectly fluffy, rich, and unforgettable. Every bite was incredible. Amazing vibe, incredible food, and a spot that totally lives up to the hype. I'll be thinking about those pancakes for a long time. Highly recommend

Menu
Chris P.

The viral honey butter pancakes So let's talk about this whole experience. This was one of the places on my New York trip that I had to come that has been all over my social media the past two years. These pancakes, I have seen in video after video on my TikTok and Instagram page even to the point where people were doing mock recipes to make these pancakes at home. I always held back cause I knew one day that I would actually get them and here we are. I was first in line on a Sunday and I showed up around 45 minutes before they opened. I did not have a reservation and by the time that they were opening, the line was around the block. Since I was the first one in line they sat me right away even without a reservation, which was awesome! The entire establishment filled up within two minutes, and the place was jumping right at 9 AM. The restaurant is set up like a cute little old school coffee shop, where they have counter seating and little tables. Staff was very nice and they let me take my time ordering to figure out what I needed. I did not feel rushed at all. I ordered the pancakes of course, and the chicken Katsu club. My review on the pancakes is a 10 out of 10 possibly one of the best pancakes I've ever had in my life. They were unbelievably fluffy, but dense at the same time where they were very filling. The honey butter was so tasty and made every bite so enjoyable where it just like melted in my mouth. I'm glad that I did not get the single because these were so good. I would've been upset if I had to order it again and I think price wise it made more sense to just get the full stack which is 2. The chicken Katsu club sandwich was really good too, even though I enjoyed it for breakfast! It had a really good fresh taste with the slaw that was on there and gave it a really nice crunch. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and fried really thin, which was so nice and pleasant for this club sandwich. I would wait in line here for these pancakes again I really want to try their wings so if anybody goes, definitely get the wings if you're feeling up for it. I don't know if I would wait you know two or three hours in line so I would just suggest arriving before opening and waiting it out and then I think you will have a great experience. I visited here before going to the Statue of Liberty and it was a perfect place to grab breakfast before going there. Since it was located on the same side of town.

Honey Butter Pancake - Single Stack
Pawan S.

This place was 1000% worth it. You do need to a reservation or you have to wait for a while but it's so good. The service was amazing even though they were busy. The pancakes omg the pancakes are not overated at all. They are heavenly. Wish I got a stack of 3. The wings are also super bomb just a little too much skin on them for me but other than that they are good.

The pancakes!!
Amy M.

The famous Honey Butter Pancakes definitely lived up to the hype--the lemon flavor in them is really what makes the dish for me. That said, they are incredibly rich; you only need a few bites so definitely get an order to share. We also tried the Chicken Katsu Club and fries, which were just okay. While the pancakes are a standout, I don't think I need to come back since they're really the only must-have item. Pro-tip: Get there early. We arrived at 8:30 am and were 20th in line; by the 9 am opening, the line was 40 deep. On the plus side, the coffee is great and they are excellent with refills!

Honey Butter Pancakes (Dinner)
Gloria L.

I came one Sunday early in the morning and the wait was 3 hours long. Tried again Saturday night around 830 and the wait was 30-45 minutes long Everyone raves about the honey butter pancakes but I'm honestly not sure what the hype is about and I would definitely not wait 3 hours?? The pancakes are fluffy, yes, but otherwise, not the most mind blowing pancakes I've ever had. Definitely underwhelming and did not meet my expectations The vegan grilled and kimchi tomato soup on the other hand... this I would wait 3 hours for. The crispiness of the bread, with the melty cheese, dipped into the kimchi tomato soup is just the most perfect combination. The kimchi tomato soup is more like kimchi jiggage with a hint of tomato. But sooooooo soo so good and I would come back here in a heart beat for this My server was very nice and the inside is very old school diner vibes which is super cute!

Korean Fried Chicken Wings

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1 month ago

Simply amazing everything is great especially the honey butter pancakes and the chicken wings

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Golden Diner Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Golden Diner

Is the wait time shorter at dinner time?

Probably they're most known for their brunch

Does golden diner mean everything is cooked to a perfect golden color?

Not necessarily but it's great!

Can you go in person and order takeout?

Yes

Do they have gluten free options?

they have gluten free bread! So all of the breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese, etc. can be made gluten free

How busy is this place normally?

Depends when you go. Its small so weekends you might wait a little longer. I never waited longer than 15 minutes though. Once my mom and I just at the counter when the wait for a little longer.

Does anyone come here for Happy Hour?

Yes, it is good for drinks and finger food to share.

Are the home fries gluten free?

No why would they be.

Do they still have that breakfast sandwich? i don't see it on the menu pics

Yes, they have it as a daily special. Not listed on the menu.

Do they take reservations?

Yea for outdoor dining only right now.

Do they have take out?

Yup

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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((4.5 stars)) Sunny…read moreand Annie's is very much a 24/7 neighborhood gem of a corner store and deli. it's packed with packaged foods--candy, chips, cookies, ice cream, soft drinks, beer, and a lot more plus the deli counter serves ups an endless list of creative sandwiches. i am not going to say this place is cramped but it kinda is. for example, if people stand in the wrong areas of the store, it will cause a complete standstill of a traffic jam in the store. my advice: order from the deli (and stand somewhere people aren't trying to get to) or grab whatever you need, pay, and leave. this place is not a place to linger. keep it moving. anyway, the obvious draw of Sunny & Annie's is the endless list of sandwiches that are handwritten cards that are stuck outside glass of the deli counter. there is literally something for the pickiest eaters--from hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, wraps, and more. some sandwiches are named celebrities, politicians, etc. i have ordered a bunch of different sandwiches and have not made it through much of the menu. you can also create your own Frankenstein monster of a sandwich. while the sandwiches are a big part of the draw, the insane amount of snack foods crammed into the store is quite remarkable from the large stand of Doritos, Takis, Cheetos and other popular branded snack foods in the front to the separate stand of Wise snacks to an entire back corner of the store filled with all kinds of chips, popcorn, etc. imo, Sunny's has the freshest-tasting Smartfood Cheddar Popcorn. i know an insane take consider it's a packaged popcorn snack from a megacorp (PepsiCo), but i'll die on this hill. maybe it's cause Sunny's sells a lot of Smartfood popcorn so it gets refreshed often, maybe they have a secret in/pipelinbe from the factory, or it's just magic/alchemy. i don't know, but the Smartfood Cheddar Popcorn never tastes stale-ish like it does at grocery stores, the bags never feel deflated because they have been on shelf long, and the popcorn never has that soft mouthy feel but still has the crunch to it. maybe it's just me, but Sunny's serves a great list of sandwiches...AND the freshest Smartfood Cheddar Popcorn. beyond the snacks, the service from the deli to cashier is upbeat and friendly. in all seriousness, Sunny and Annie's is an Avenue B institution at this point and remains a charming family-owned store--and is NOT a sterile modern clone of a neighborhood business.

Always passing by but never realized how many variety of sandwiches this place has. Was kinda hard…read moreto choose. Ended up with the Jackie Chan which was bulgogi which was marinated well, cilantro, avocado, lettuce, jalapeños and onions. Just an explosion of flavors. Can get on a roll or hero. Sandwich was made quickly and no line when I went. There's pictures of celebrities who have visited the deli. Prices are high for a sandwich, but it's some place that I have been wanting to try.

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Came by Pisillos since I was craving a sandwich while in NY!…read more What a HUGE portion!!! The service was also amazing. The workers were so friendly and chatted with us to help us pick the perfect options for us. 2 sandwiches lasted me and my husband multiple meals. The sandwich ingredients seemed really fresh! Didn't blow me away, but overall a good sandwich and a good experience!

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I can't believe I didn't realize Thanksgiving sandwiches are actually a thing until this year. A…read morefriend told me that Sandwell sells them before Thanksgiving, so I decided to come here and order one for dinner. They call it the "Ross sandwich" as a homage to the Friends tv show where one episode features a Thanksgiving sandwich Monica had made for Ross that got eaten by someone else. There is also a "Rachel sandwich" but I'm not sure the origin of that one. The sandwich comes sliced in half and it's very easy to eat (you won't have stuff falling out). There are a handful of tables indoors and outdoors which is great since you can enjoy your warm sandwich immediately. I looooved the Ross sandwich--it came with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing all in a delicious semolina sub roll. I also got a bottle of the ginger lemonade which was good. We ordered the pesto chicken salad as well which was alright, but I definitely preferred the sandwich. I wanted to order another one immediately!

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Parisi Bakery - The Dennis

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If you want a sandwich that earns your loyalty over decades, Parisi Bakery & Deli is that place…read more I've been eating sandwiches here for as long as I can remember, and the remarkable thing is how nothing has slipped--not the quality, not the care, not the magic. Every visit reminds you why Parisi has survived since 1903 while trends and neighbors came and went. Let's talk about The Dennis--the undisputed star and a true signature sandwich. This thing is a monster, built on Parisi's legendary fresh-baked bread that somehow stays crisp, chewy, and perfect no matter how much goodness gets piled inside. You get a crispy breaded chicken cutlet layered with thin-sliced prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and (if you know what you're doing) roasted red peppers. It's all brought together with their house balsamic blend and basil herb spread/pesto--bright, savory, and completely addictive. I cannot confirm or deny that the sandwich is named after me, but I can confirm it's flawless. Pro tips: * Cash only, old-school rules apply. * Come hungry or plan ahead--this sandwich is big enough to share or save half for later, and it still eats beautifully round two. * Tip the sandwich makers. These folks are artists, and the tip box deserves some love. Beyond the food, Parisi is living New York history. From its origins as an Italian bakery on Mott Street, to feeding generations of locals, to being famously beloved by Frank Sinatra (yes, the bread was shipped to California), this place is woven into the fabric of Little Italy/Nolita. Legends like De Niro and Scorsese are fans, and you can still feel that old-world soul--right down to the original brick oven relic resting in the basement. Parisi isn't just a deli. It's continuity. It's tradition. It's proof that when you do one thing incredibly well for over a century, people keep coming back. And once you've had The Dennis, you will too.

Are you f'n kidding? Wow. blown away. Best sandwich I've had in Manhattan!…read more Get the Dennis. It's everything you want in your life. See my review on IG or TikTok @wouldmattlikeit

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Golden Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

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