Golden Diner
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Golden Diner is an absolute must if you visit Chinatown. I had a short work trip and met up with my team here for dinner and absolutely loved the experience. Thankfully, a coworker who lives in NYC got us a reservation because this place was slammed and deservedly so. There were nearly a dozen of us so we shared a bunch of things but I was only able to get photos from my side of the table. I started with a drink the server recommended which is one of the Golden Diner's signature cocktails: the Golden Punch. It was a very easy drinker and a delicious way to start out the night. We followed that up with some shared plates: the Caesar salad, the Korean Fried Chicken Wings, and the popular Chicken Katsu Club. That all led up to the true star of the experience: the Honey Butter Pancakes. The picture doesn't do this thing justice - it's so simple but I can't stop raving/thinking about it. This thing is fluffy and not too heavy, though a double stack honestly filled me up. The butter and honey must have something else magical going on because my honey and butter do not taste like that haha I loved it so much that I went back 2 days later on my own to grab lunch and just got the pancakes and some bacon. I would absolutely do it again too. All in all, it's a delicious experience and absolutely see myself going back again on my next trip to New York City. Highly recommend, just make sure you get a reservation or dine solo at the counter if you want to take your changes just walking in without a rezzy.
Golden Diner is worth the hype! We showed up around 8:45 on a Wednesday and there was already a line down the block. Luckily, we were able to get seated shortly after they opened. The interior was cozy and old-school with beautiful stained glass pendant lamps. They didn't have specialty coffee drinks, so I just got a Cold Brew with oat milk. The three of us ordered a bunch of food to share - the Honey Butter Pancakes, Sam's Tuna Melt, Matzoh Ball Soup, and a side of Crispy Chicken. The famous pancakes really were delicious! I loved the lemon zest and fluffy texture. But the Tuna Melt honestly stole the show for me! It was easily the best Tuna Melt of my life, and normally I never crave them. This one was just so well-crafted and I loved the crunchy salt & vinegar chips inside. The Matzoh Ball Soup was also solid and the Crispy Chicken was juicy and well-seasoned. We definitely over-ordered when it came down to quantity, but the meal was fantastic!
Best egg sandwich I've tried Best pancakes I've ever had. Little zest from the syrup, fluffy not dry at all. Wings - best I had but I'm not sanding person and could live without. Stood out that it was very crispy and lot of meat.
Honey butter pancakes were decadent, rich, and very sweet. One pancake would be enough for me to split with another person. I think their entrees shine more. Kimchi tomato soup was delicious! Grilled cheese was ooey gooey too even though it was vegan. Would come back to try more dishes. It was a 2 hour quoted wait but only ended up being 1.5 hours and they give you 10 minutes grace to book it back so don't go far, but there's plenty to explore in the area.
Totally understand the viral hype for sure! Lovely retro diner vibe, we did not have a resy on a Saturday afternoon, wait was ~90mins for a table. 5/5 Wings -- some of the best wings of recent memory!! so crispy yet moist, the gochujang based sauce is so flavorful! 5/5 Katsu Sandwich -- the ratios of this sandwich are just perfect, the crisp lettuce, bacon, katsu! 4.5/5 Honey Butter Pancakes with Berry Compote -- fluffiest pancakes ever, loved the freshness of the berries with the indulgent butter topping -- overall did not feel too heavy!
Brunch was amazing at the spot! Surprisingly the pancakes weren't my favorite dish, but maybe a pancake lover would think differently. They were amazingly soft and deliciously sweet. I got the fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious. It was also massive. They were nice and cut it up into fourths with skewers. If you want to come, definitely try to get a reservation. This place is difficult to get a reservation for. I saw a very long line waiting to walk in even though it was raining. Interior is small and cramped. They also have outdoor dining.
The food is okay and pricey. Come to try the pancakes, but that's really it. I had their mushroom quesadilla and I didn't love the flavors together or felt that what I got was worth the price. Even if it was a difference in taste, it was a bit oily. The pancakes are decent, though, with a perfect fluff inside and crisp on the outside. The lemon zest adds a bit of tang and flavor to the honey butter's sweetness, which I love. It isn't the best pancake in the world for me, and I'm a little underwhelmed given the hype for this. But I think if I ignored the hype, it's still a solid pancake. It isn't anything crazy to me, though. I wouldn't wait hours in line for this, but if you're a pancake fiend, definitely go here! Service was very efficient and attentive. They were very kind and food came out very promptly. Also, there isn't much seating inside, and there's only one bathroom. If you want to try the pancakes without much wait, then go on a weekday that isn't breakfast or early lunch.
I fear the pancakes are worth the hype I was able to get last min reservation and of course I was getting the pancakes. And they indeed live up to the hype. I would go again for a stack... Also tried the egg and cheese sandwich and the wings why were alright, as well as the mixed drinks. The star was definitely the honey butter pancakes though!!! The place is small and the servers try to get you in and out as fast as possible bc of the amount of people they have going in but they were still kind and attentive.
Five stars and totally worth the wait! I have traveled this world from Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and let me tell y'all, I have never ever had pancakes like this before. It's clearly evident why the pancakes at the Gold Diner are famous, viral, and most talked about. My husband and I were obsessed with the lemon zest on the butter. I have never tasted a syrup like theirs before. It was fluffy and was giving a bit of mochi consistency (which I'm obsessed with mochi lol). Although the pancakes are the star of the show, the fried chicken is out of this world amazing too bursting with the greatest flavors. Enough about the food, service is straight up top notch! Everyone who works there is passionate about being a member of the Golden Diner. They work as fast and efficiently as possible to get everyone in their doors. Thank you so much for welcoming us with arms wide open and for the best service. You guys are awesome!
I had reservations for 10am on a Saturday and was seated within 5 minutes. The place is small and cozy and the service was great. I was so excited to finally try the pancakes. What I did not expect was for the pancakes to be more like mochi pancakes and not a traditional cake like pancake. I will say I was a bit disappointed. The mochi pancakes tasted very good and cooked perfectly but just not what I was expecting. The chicken wings were absolutely incredible. They had a great flavor and so crispy. The wings are a must try.
Golden Diner is an Asian-fusion restaurant in Chinatown that reimagines classic American diner food with Asian influences. It is EXTREMELY popular like you need to book a reservation when they open (a month in advance). I tried booking at midnight and the spots filled up so fast. We had to wait in line in the morning which still took up to 3 hours for a Saturday morning. When we got seated, it was outdoors under a fan which was nice with the heat. Service was good! We ordered the Homemade Granola & Yogurt, Korean Fried Chicken Wings, and Honey Butter Pancakes. So this spot is super known for their Honey Butter Pancakes. But I was not a fan. The pancake was drenched in syrup and incredibly rich and sweet. We ordered the berry compote to go along with the pancake which was nice to have. The Korean Fried Chicken Wings were not it for me. The taste of the meat was a bit off and the sauce was more sweet than savory. I tried my friend's Homemade Granola & Yogurt and the yogurt was very watery. She was unable to finish the meal... Overall, I was disappointed by the food. It did not live up to the hype for me. I also do not think it is worth that long of a wait. Would I come back in the future? Possibly to try their other foods.
Greatest pancakes i had by far to say the least. A line was forming before the place even opened which let me know their food is above par. I look forward to try more of their menu items but they had me at pancakes. classy Diner vibes inside but settled for quick seating outside.
The food is satisfactory! I'd love to see more options on the menu. The service was above and beyond in accommodating my group! My only note is to skip on outdoor dining. This restaurant is right underneath the Manhattan bridge, so the passing trains makes it very difficult to hear one another.
Super popular for a reason, but oh so very difficult to get a reservation. Earliest spot we were able to secure was for a 2pm brunch. We got the pancakes and breakfast sandwich. The pancakes are some of the best I've ever had. So fluffy and light soaked in the sweet butter syrup. To die for. I felt like the breakfast sandwich was kind of a flop, I felt like it was missing a sauce to it and it just felt like items smacked together, nothing innovative. Overall crowded and busy for such a tiny space, but I still love coming here. read more
I'm a little late to the party, but for those of you like me who like to jump on a trend six or seven years after it gets going...you're going to love Golden Diner. Evidently they are famed far and wide for their pancakes, which are quite delicious. I actually prefer more texture in mine, with a bit of crisp from the butter/griddle, but you will not be sad about eating these. That said, I truly enjoyed almost everything else more. This is not a knock on them in any way, but a compliment to their kitchen that all their food is interesting and delicious. To wit: The Thai Cobb salad has the base of a classic, but with the heat and the acid of a proper som tum. The KFC wings are everything I wanted them to be. I ate way too many. The Mushroom Reuben Quesadilla (pastrami-spiced portobello!) actually evokes the flavors of a reuben, and may just have been my favorite bite of the evening. I rolled with a katsu club sandwich for my main, and it was outstanding, although I may even have liked the tuna melt more. I was too full for dessert, but I think everyone around the table enjoyed theirs. The staff is uniformly friendly, welcoming, on top of their shit, and honestly, just so cool. They made us feel at home, and got us everything we needed and more. This is a gem. Maybe I won't wait seven years to try the next trendy spot. read more
Really enjoyed brunch at Golden Diner! The lines are long so if you manage to get a reservation in advance, it can go a long way to avoid waiting too long to be seated. The ambiance is young and energetic and the service was very efficient. I tried the pancakes, which definitely made the experience worth it for me and the veggie omelette, which was good but nothing too special. Also, definitely order the hash browns, they hit the spot! read more
20 days ago
Golden Diner is an absolute must if you visit Chinatown. I had a short work trip and met up with my team here for dinner and absolutely loved the experience. Thankfully, a coworker who lives in NYC got us a reservation because this place was slammed and deservedly so. There were nearly a dozen of us so we shared a bunch of things but I was only able to get photos from my side of the table. I started with a drink the server recommended which is one of the Golden Diner's signature cocktails: the Golden Punch. It was a very easy drinker and a delicious way to start out the night. We followed that up with some shared plates: the Caesar salad, the Korean Fried Chicken Wings, and the popular Chicken Katsu Club. That all led up to the true star of the experience: the Honey Butter Pancakes. The picture doesn't do this thing justice - it's so simple but I can't stop raving/thinking about it. This thing is fluffy and not too heavy, though a double stack honestly filled me up. The butter and honey must have something else magical going on because my honey and butter do not taste like that haha I loved it so much that I went back 2 days later on my own to grab lunch and just got the pancakes and some bacon. I would absolutely do it again too. All in all, it's a delicious experience and absolutely see myself going back again on my next trip to New York City. Highly recommend, just make sure you get a reservation or dine solo at the counter if you want to take your changes just walking in without a rezzy. read more
Golden Diner is worth the hype! We showed up around 8:45 on a Wednesday and there was already a line down the block. Luckily, we were able to get seated shortly after they opened. The interior was cozy and old-school with beautiful stained glass pendant lamps. They didn't have specialty coffee drinks, so I just got a Cold Brew with oat milk. The three of us ordered a bunch of food to share - the Honey Butter Pancakes, Sam's Tuna Melt, Matzoh Ball Soup, and a side of Crispy Chicken. The famous pancakes really were delicious! I loved the lemon zest and fluffy texture. But the Tuna Melt honestly stole the show for me! It was easily the best Tuna Melt of my life, and normally I never crave them. This one was just so well-crafted and I loved the crunchy salt & vinegar chips inside. The Matzoh Ball Soup was also solid and the Crispy Chicken was juicy and well-seasoned. We definitely over-ordered when it came down to quantity, but the meal was fantastic! read more
Best egg sandwich I've tried Best pancakes I've ever had. Little zest from the syrup, fluffy not dry at all. Wings - best I had but I'm not sanding person and could live without. Stood out that it was very crispy and lot of meat. read more
Honey butter pancakes were decadent, rich, and very sweet. One pancake would be enough for me to split with another person. I think their entrees shine more. Kimchi tomato soup was delicious! Grilled cheese was ooey gooey too even though it was vegan. Would come back to try more dishes. It was a 2 hour quoted wait but only ended up being 1.5 hours and they give you 10 minutes grace to book it back so don't go far, but there's plenty to explore in the area. read more
1 month ago
Totally understand the viral hype for sure! Lovely retro diner vibe, we did not have a resy on a Saturday afternoon, wait was ~90mins for a table. 5/5 Wings -- some of the best wings of recent memory!! so crispy yet moist, the gochujang based sauce is so flavorful! 5/5 Katsu Sandwich -- the ratios of this sandwich are just perfect, the crisp lettuce, bacon, katsu! 4.5/5 Honey Butter Pancakes with Berry Compote -- fluffiest pancakes ever, loved the freshness of the berries with the indulgent butter topping -- overall did not feel too heavy! read more
Brunch was amazing at the spot! Surprisingly the pancakes weren't my favorite dish, but maybe a pancake lover would think differently. They were amazingly soft and deliciously sweet. I got the fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious. It was also massive. They were nice and cut it up into fourths with skewers. If you want to come, definitely try to get a reservation. This place is difficult to get a reservation for. I saw a very long line waiting to walk in even though it was raining. Interior is small and cramped. They also have outdoor dining. read more
1 month ago
The food is okay and pricey. Come to try the pancakes, but that's really it. I had their mushroom quesadilla and I didn't love the flavors together or felt that what I got was worth the price. Even if it was a difference in taste, it was a bit oily. The pancakes are decent, though, with a perfect fluff inside and crisp on the outside. The lemon zest adds a bit of tang and flavor to the honey butter's sweetness, which I love. It isn't the best pancake in the world for me, and I'm a little underwhelmed given the hype for this. But I think if I ignored the hype, it's still a solid pancake. It isn't anything crazy to me, though. I wouldn't wait hours in line for this, but if you're a pancake fiend, definitely go here! Service was very efficient and attentive. They were very kind and food came out very promptly. Also, there isn't much seating inside, and there's only one bathroom. If you want to try the pancakes without much wait, then go on a weekday that isn't breakfast or early lunch. read more
2 months ago
I fear the pancakes are worth the hype I was able to get last min reservation and of course I was getting the pancakes. And they indeed live up to the hype. I would go again for a stack... Also tried the egg and cheese sandwich and the wings why were alright, as well as the mixed drinks. The star was definitely the honey butter pancakes though!!! The place is small and the servers try to get you in and out as fast as possible bc of the amount of people they have going in but they were still kind and attentive. read more
Five stars and totally worth the wait! I have traveled this world from Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and let me tell y'all, I have never ever had pancakes like this before. It's clearly evident why the pancakes at the Gold Diner are famous, viral, and most talked about. My husband and I were obsessed with the lemon zest on the butter. I have never tasted a syrup like theirs before. It was fluffy and was giving a bit of mochi consistency (which I'm obsessed with mochi lol). Although the pancakes are the star of the show, the fried chicken is out of this world amazing too bursting with the greatest flavors. Enough about the food, service is straight up top notch! Everyone who works there is passionate about being a member of the Golden Diner. They work as fast and efficiently as possible to get everyone in their doors. Thank you so much for welcoming us with arms wide open and for the best service. You guys are awesome! read more
I had reservations for 10am on a Saturday and was seated within 5 minutes. The place is small and cozy and the service was great. I was so excited to finally try the pancakes. What I did not expect was for the pancakes to be more like mochi pancakes and not a traditional cake like pancake. I will say I was a bit disappointed. The mochi pancakes tasted very good and cooked perfectly but just not what I was expecting. The chicken wings were absolutely incredible. They had a great flavor and so crispy. The wings are a must try. read more
2 months ago
Golden Diner is an Asian-fusion restaurant in Chinatown that reimagines classic American diner food with Asian influences. It is EXTREMELY popular like you need to book a reservation when they open (a month in advance). I tried booking at midnight and the spots filled up so fast. We had to wait in line in the morning which still took up to 3 hours for a Saturday morning. When we got seated, it was outdoors under a fan which was nice with the heat. Service was good! We ordered the Homemade Granola & Yogurt, Korean Fried Chicken Wings, and Honey Butter Pancakes. So this spot is super known for their Honey Butter Pancakes. But I was not a fan. The pancake was drenched in syrup and incredibly rich and sweet. We ordered the berry compote to go along with the pancake which was nice to have. The Korean Fried Chicken Wings were not it for me. The taste of the meat was a bit off and the sauce was more sweet than savory. I tried my friend's Homemade Granola & Yogurt and the yogurt was very watery. She was unable to finish the meal... Overall, I was disappointed by the food. It did not live up to the hype for me. I also do not think it is worth that long of a wait. Would I come back in the future? Possibly to try their other foods. read more
1 day ago
Greatest pancakes i had by far to say the least. A line was forming before the place even opened which let me know their food is above par. I look forward to try more of their menu items but they had me at pancakes. classy Diner vibes inside but settled for quick seating outside. read more
21 hours ago
The food is satisfactory! I'd love to see more options on the menu. The service was above and beyond in accommodating my group! My only note is to skip on outdoor dining. This restaurant is right underneath the Manhattan bridge, so the passing trains makes it very difficult to hear one another. read more
I came to try the viral pancakes and these definitely do stand out. They are incredibly rich and sweet! I'm not sure that's a great thing though. For me after two delicious bites, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the flavor. There was too much syrup, so I recommend ordering it with your syrup on the side. Nonetheless I cannot deny the outstanding flavor and execution of the pancake! The staff were very friendly and pleasant. It felt like an actual diner inside. I love the simple environment. read more
I saw this place on Tik Tok and when I was in New York I knew I had to stop by. When I landed I was hungry so this was the first place I went to. When I arrived there was a few people waiting. When I walked up the lady at the hostess stand let me know that the wait was about an hour an a half. I decided to wait at the resturant. We were seated inside which is really small especially since I had my luggage as well. I had one server at the beginning and then when I was done I had a different server I ordered the Honey Butter Pancakes and Scrambeled Eggs with Cheese. The Honey Butter Pancakes were so good and I know why they are known for them. When I received the scrambeled eggs they didn't have cheese and weren't that good either. Pricing was good. The Pancakes were good even the next day as I had leftovers. The wait was the biggest problem I had. read more
{Overall: 4.5; Food: 4.5} Ambiance: 4; Service: 3.5 I stopped by Golden Diner on a weekday as a solo diner and didn't have to wait. I was seated at the counter, and it was fun watching the cooks prepping dishes. The food here is rich and filling. I highly recommend sharing. *Honey Butter Pancake (with berry compote on the side): This is one of the most decadent sweet dishes I've had. The pancake was incredibly fluffy and moist, soaking up the syrup perfectly. The syrup had a rich honey butter flavor with a hint of saltiness (perfect for a pancake!). This is one of the few things I've eaten that definitely lived up to the hype. *Chinatown Egg & Cheese Sando (with sausage): A very solid breakfast sandwich. The highlight was the sesame scallion milk bun, which was nice and soft, with a subtle sweetness. The sandwich was very filling. Service was fine. The food took a little while to come out. The ambiance is a fun throwback to an old-school New York diner. It's a small space. read more
3 months ago
Golden Diner is a perfect example of why some restaurants become New York institutions. Blending the nostalgia of a classic American diner with Korean and Japanese influences, it's easy to see why this small Chinatown spot has earned such a loyal following. Reservation is highly recommended. After stalking their website a month out for a reservation for six, with no luck. I was able to email the restaurant and got a 4 pm reservation. Despite the steady crowd, the service was warm, efficient, and welcoming. As for the food, everything we ordered was excellent. The famous Honey Butter Pancakes absolutely deserve their reputation. It's light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet. The Korean wings were crispy with just the right amount of heat and sweetness. The katsu chicken sandwich was crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and incredibly satisfying. Even the tuna melt, a diner classic, was perfectly toasted. Golden Diner proves that comfort food can still surprise you. Great service, an electric atmosphere, and a menu that honors diner traditions while adding its own unique personality. It's easy to understand why people are willing to wait for a table, and it's definitely a place we'll return to on our next visit to New York. read more
Wow, I can definitely see why the pancakes are worth all the hype! We came on a Saturday right before opening, and the line was already more than half a block long. Surprisingly, we only waited about 30-40 minutes. Service was efficient, and we felt like we were in and out. Had your typically diner vibes. We ordered the pancakes, chicken wings, and the katsu chicken sandwich. The only thing I'd probably skip next time is the chicken wings. They had a great crispy crunch, but I thought they were a little too sweet. The pancakes are an absolute must-order. They were incredibly soft, fluffy, and moist, unlike any pancake I've had before. The katsu chicken sandwich was also delicious, with all the toppings and flavors coming together perfectly. Overall, it's a great spot for classic diner food and definitely worth checking out if you're in the city! read more
26 days ago
Had a reservation for this place at 9am on a Thursday, was really excited due to the hype. Got there around 8:50am and there was a huge line at the door with no proper delineation or signage of how someone with a reservation should approach the staff or form a line or anything. Was very confusing and didn't make sense to stand in the huge line if you have a reservation. I walked in (the door was open and a few employees were standing around). I approached someone holding an iPad who looked like the host and asked what I was supposed to do. They said to stand in the long line. I mentioned I had a reservation, but they insisted I should stand in the long line. I was worried standing in the line was going to be a mistake because once the clock strikes 9am and they start letting people in we'd be all the way at the back of the line and get missed or not hear any announcements about people with reservations (it's very loud in the area, especially due to a train passing by every few minutes). So I make my wife stand in the line just in case and I stand near the front in case they make an announcement for people with reservations. Guess what, the clock strikes 9am and they make no announcement or anything. They just start taking people waiting in line (who don't have a reservation) with no regard for people who made a reservation. I had to interrupt the host at the podium for them to even notice me standing nearby and mention I had a reservation. The host then kind of had some attitude, but we were seated. I was so surprised that after being open for so long now and being so hype they don't know how to properly manage their reservations. Or maybe they just don't care?? Well if I listened to the employee that told me to wait in the line, I would have totally missed the boat and been disappointed. They would have just let in all the people waiting in line and the restaurant would have been full by the time I got to the front. I'm glad I had a backup plan in this case, but I was so disappointed in their way of handling the situation. Basically if you have a reservation, especially at 9am when they open, DON'T wait in the long line and miss your reservation. Wait by the podium and interrupt them when they start taking people from the line and mention you have a reservation. Unfortunately they didn't do a good job of having a proper process for reservations :( Super sad especially because of all the hoops you have to jump through to even get lucky enough to make a reservation via RESY. Once we sat down, the waitstaff there was not very friendly or welcoming either. The guy that took our order was the one that have me the wrong information to stand in line. He even had attitude while taking our order and we felt rushed. As for the food, of course we wanted to try the famous pancakes. I will say, for the novelty they are worth trying, especially if you like the honey flavor. I personally like the maple syrup flavor more. The texture of the pancake is super unique, it's dense and fluffy, but the edges have a nice crisp. Was happy that they served it hot and fresh. But they are inconsistent on how much syrup they put on the pancake. Mine was swimming in syrup and my wife's had a moderate amount. I would have preferred less syrup as it was way too much the way they served it to me. Overall, not my favorite pancake ever, but I understand why people may enjoy it. 3/5 stars. The egg sandwich we got was pretty pathetic though. The flavors were super basic and it just felt clumpy and heavy. 2/5 stars. We also got brewed coffee and asked for half and half, but were given milk instead. Coffee ultimately didn't taste good at all. What diner doesn't have half and half for their coffee?? 1/5 stars. Overall, I'd say there are better places for breakfast in NYC with better service. Come here to try the pancake if you must, but beware they don't really care about you as a customer. read more
3 months ago
We did a walk up on a Friday morning and got there around 10:30, which gave us a 90 min wait. We were fine to wait, and walked around china town to kill time. You will get a text when the table is ready with 10 min to get there. It is a very small diner, with a cool vibe. You're there for the food, nothing fancy. The staff were very kind, and quick with our requests. We came for the pancakes, and they were absolutely worth the hype. Hands down the BEST pancakes we've ever had in life. 1 plate comes with 2 pancakes and are enough to share. But not too much if you're only getting pancakes for a solo serving, you'll be able to finish. We shared the pancakes and also got a breakfast sandwich. read more
I went here because one of my friends REALLY wanted to try it because apparently it went viral. I had no idea what was so great about these pancakes but we made it happen. It didn't open until 9am, but by the time we came around at 830am..the line was ALREADY poppin' lol. I was like okay...maybe it is really good. We got lucky as we were able to be seated in the first rounds of the tables that they had outside. We ordered the pancakes, wings and thai tea dessert. UNFORTUNATELY, for me, this place is OVERHYPED. Sure, the pancakes were soft and soaked with honey butter...but its really NOT THAT GOOD. I would never wait in line for this place. The wings were just meh...not really crispy, wasn't great as other korean wings I've had. The dessert was recommended and it was my least liked item ordered lol. All three items for a whooping $70. NO THANKS read more
OMG the pancakes. Literally to die for and worth the hype. Golden Diner has been on my list for a really long time and we finally got to go! We snagged a weeknight reservation. The inside is super cute. It's got the feel of a classic diner but a contemporary take on it. Everything we had was tasty. The wings are great. The sandwich was surprisingly good. We split a bottle of champagne which was lovely. They brought out a candle for my friend's birthday, unprompted. Loved our dinner here! read more
Everybody knows they'll have to wait since there's so much hype and attention around the pancakes which to me is just a huge turn off. Last time it was about a four hour wait so I left - this time I planned in advance to walk around Chinatown after I put my name down. They do let you walk away and will text you and you can return within 10 minutes so just plan to wander the neighborhood and you'll be fine. It took two hours before a bar seat was available. I ordered the egg sandwich which was very good. I don't like American cheese but the bun was delicious and soft and sweet and the sausage and egg was tasty. I'm skeptical about hashbrowns and sandwiches but this one was round which I appreciate and very crispy which I appreciate even more! The pancakes were fantastic but I don't know if I'd wait hours and hours again for them - but they were very good and unique. Fluffy and moist with a good amount of honey and butter. The drip coffee was decent and there was just a good old small diner feel about the whole place. I do recommend it if you want the experience but just be prepared to wait. Fun fact- there's a private pool room right across the street you can book an hour and play a game while you wait!! read more
I feel conflicted, giving it four stars but that's how I feel. It was delicious. It was so fun to try. So fun to try something so viral. It's incredibly fluffy. The honey around it is so tasty. About halfway through I felt it was very dry, there wasn't enough, honey or syrup, and it just ended up being a lot of the same. Maybe if I've gotten a single stack it'd be more well balanced. I got a side of bacon and eggs. Bacon was cooked really well. Eggs were completely plain. Two hour wait, which is better than six hours which was a couple years ago. It was so fun to finally get in. read more
pancakes for dinner, how did I get so lucky - I have literally been bombarded with content of these pancakes, so if they didn't live up to the hype, I was gonna literally throw my phone into the Hudson - & I'm obviously posting right now so clearly I didn't do that. these are best described as cross between a sponge cake & a pancake. they are so so light + fluffy. & thank God they're so light because they are absolutely soaked in honey butter. every bite of pancake is drowned in the rich salty butter, thinned honey sweetness, & lemon zest. I thought they were very lemon forward but my dining mates disagreed so idk what to tell you there! - after shedding a real tear over my gorgeous ~dessert for dinner meets breakfast for dinner~ moment, I turned to the less famed menu items - the chicken katsu sandwich is well done. the chicken is magically thick & juicy while still having such a hard outer fried shell. there is a ton of cabbage slaw & every ingredient was fresh, but the dish all together didn't wow any of us - the Reuben mushroom quesadilla definitely gets points for creativity. the thick horseradish Russian dressing was fabulous & I loved how the texture was almost like a coleslaw. the seasoning was reminiscent of a real pastrami Reuben but the quesadilla was mostly tortilla with minimal filling read more
5/27/2026 What could I say about this place that everyone doesn't know about..... absolutely nothing lol. Always recommend getting a reservation weather calling or walking to the booth. Our wait was at least an hour and a half and were texted when our table was ready. They have indoor and outdoor seating with one bathroom for all to use. We got the viral pancakes and they were everything you'd dream they be and then some for sure very filling and buttery. I got a "pick me up" and it was perfect gave me a beautiful caffeine kick to start the day I recommend for sure. Weather you come for the viral moment this feels like a solid staple in the community with bright music playing everyone kind of everywhere and just a relaxed feel that you can't wait to enjoy after you get seated. Bathroom rating 5/5 very clean for how busy the place is :) read more
21 hours ago
Based on reviews, this place has a long wait on weekends. Lucky for me, we went on a Tuesday and the wait wasn't too long. Everything was so good! I decided on the Golden Omlette. You can choose 3 toppings, I went with cheddar cheese, spinach, and sausage. Bomb! Oh and the little square tater tots (home fries) were aaamazing lol. My friends and I got a stack of pancakes to share and they were GOLDEN Buttered, fluffy, and delish! Can't wait to visit again. read more
The first few bites were absolutely amazing. It was soft, fluffy, buttery, with a nice hint of lemon and plenty of honey maple butter soaked into every bite. Unfortunately, the richness quickly became overwhelming as I ate one pancake solo. After a while, every bite tasted more or less the same with overwhelming butter, and the sheer amount of it left me feeling nauseous trying to finish it solo. Definitely a dish I'd recommend sharing rather than ordering for yourself! Note that this place is very lively and packed even early on a weekday, so definitely prepare for a wait. read more
12 days ago
The food at Golden Diner was good, but it's not something that I would personally go out of my way to have. Overall, the prices are reasonable and the service is quick. It's worth trying this place once if you like pancakes. read more
5 months ago
Luckily I had the freedom to come in at an odd hour on the weekday and only had to wait 30 min vs their typical 1-2 hour waits. I have to say this is one of the few places that is worth the wait. That first bite into their famous pancakes (5/5) has me kicking my feet. It's insanely fluffy and light and that honey lemony syrup is liquid gold I swear. Pairing that sweet with a savory, I got their chicken katsu club (4/5) which was delicious. The chicken was moist and well-battered with a Japanese style milk bread. The korean fried chicken is on the sweeter side, just a tad too sweet for my taste, but it's a sticky lovely bite. Finished the meal with the green tea coffee cake (3/5) which tasted exactly like matcha and hochija. I love matcha and hochija together and separately but was not a fan of the drier texture. Anyways I love love love this place read more
Snagged a 9am rez for 3 on a random night a few weeks ago when I was still up at midnight. It's a small space, which explains why a reservation is hard to come by, and why walk-ins have to wait hours to be seated. Before we even ordered our food, a cup of coffee was a must. Let me just say that the coffee in any diner is a pretty good indicator, to any true New Yorker, of how good the food will be, and this coffee did not disappoint! For food, we tried the pancakes with berries and extra lemon zest on the side (so good,) the omelette with mushrooms, peppers, and sausage, and the Egg Sandwich. All of the items were really good, with the pancakes being the well deserved standout. The fluffiness of the pancakes reminded me of former Le Barricou's, but the lighter texture, and buttery flavor/pop of lemon of Golden Diner's, definitely takes the win. Service was super fast and efficient, and while we didn't feel rushed, they turned our table within just under an hour. Just something to think about if you don't have a rez, and end up waiting longer than your anticipated dining time there. read more
2 months ago
I am one of many who first heard of Golden Diner from my doomscrolling, but it was very much worth the hype and the wait. We arrived ~30 mins after opening and there was a short line to put my name down. From there, it was an hour 45 minute wait, so we strolled through Chinatown to kill time and enjoy the neighborhood. If you don't want to wait, get there early! We were seated in the lovely car park patio and from there, the ordering process, service, and whole process was quick but not rushed. There aren't a crazy number of tables, so it actually feels like you have room to yourself. The food itself was amazing. The breakfast sandwich was great for something heartier and of course, the pancakes were amazing. We also had to try the Thai tres leches since you don't see that everyday. Overall, a great experience! I'll be back! read more
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More info about Golden Diner
123 Madison St
New York, NY 10002
Two Bridges
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(917) 472-7800
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http://goldendinerny.com
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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!
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.
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.
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