The best classic diners in Canada: Globe readers share their picks

We asked Globe and Mail readers to share their go-to diner, luncheonette or casse-croûte. From the East Coast to the Prairies to Vancouver Island, our readers suggested hidden gems such as Evelyn’s Memory Lane Diner in High River, Alta., which made a TV appearance in the first episode of The Last of Us and serves up homemade ice cream, or Wilensky’s in Montreal, which has been in operation for 91 years – and even one that’s received a Michelin nod.

Thanks to Canadians’ sustained craving for local neighbourhood eateries, these 32 classic spots have managed to stand the test of time, or make the most of a recent retro resurgence.

Long live the diner: Why the greasy spoon and luncheonettes are surging in popularity

Central Canada

White Lily Diner

Opened in 2016 in Toronto, White Lily was awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2023.

It used to be a hidden gem – now it’s become so popular that they have a waitlist app. They have exemplary service and fabulous food, much of which is grown on the owners’ organic farm.

What to eat: Their Buttermilk Griddle pancakes.

– Marilyn Boltman

Patrician Grill

Opened in 1967 in Toronto, now owned by Terry Papas and Chris Slifkas

Terry is a mixture of Don Rickles and Jerry Stiller – quick with a joke and an insult. If you dare ask for egg whites, a cappuccino, or tuna on a Saturday, he will easily tell you to go eat somewhere else. What to eat: His omelettes, peameal bacon sandwiches and roasted turkey clubs are the best in the city. – Barry Avrich

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The Senator

Opened in 1948 in Toronto

I have been going to Senator since I was a student 40 years ago at a nearby university. There used to be a jazz club upstairs that I frequented. The old-world cozy booths and a confident, cool present-day vibe create a unique ambience. I live outside of the city now, but keep going back to the tried and very true Senator.

What to eat: For breakfast, the Challah French toast, hands down.

– Karen Bochmann

Creme de la Creme Café

Opened in 2000 in Toronto

Creme de la Creme is an absolute gem of a neighbourhood place with no pretensions or attitude, just good food delivered with a smile.

What to eat: Three-egg omelette with a whole host of fillings, served with toast, fabulous hash browns and peameal bacon.

– Tim Broughton

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The Broadview Diner

Opened in 2022 in Toronto, this is a sister location of the Donlands Diner in East York, which was established in 1955

Picture this: No lines for Sunday brunch in Toronto. That’s what I always get at the Broadview Diner. Having recently moved back to the east side, I was happy to learn about this old-school style place where the prices are comparatively cheap to other breakfast spots in the city. It’s also in a perfect location, near Riverdale Park and the Danforth.

What to eat: I’m a fan of their milkshakes and the breakfast platter.

– Danya Elsayed

New Sarum Diner

Originally built in the 1930s as a corncob pipe factory, it was converted to a diner in 1943 on the highway between Aylmer and St. Thomas, Ont.

The front section of New Sarum is the original restored 1950s diner, complete with original bench booths, counter service on swivel stools and an array of fifties-style food-prep machines.

What to eat: They have old triple milkshake machines with metal shakers that are still used to serve what my 11-year-old granddaughter calls “the best milkshakes in the world.”

– Frank Boussen

Cippy’s Place

Opened in 1963

I went to Niagara Falls for the first time last year with my wife, and across the street from our no-frills motel was Cippy’s. It was love at first sight. There were about six breakfast items on the menu (all under $8) and the portions were large and delicious. The walls of the diner were adorned with photos of celebrities like Frank Sinatra, who thanked Cippy for the experience. One of their regular customers helped clear the tables and top up the coffees. Cippy’s was my favourite memory of Niagara Falls.

– Christopher Keough

Orchard Family Restaurant

Opened in 1966 in Mississauga

It is like home. Other places may be fancier, however the service and the food at the Orchard are excellent.

What to eat: Macaroni soup, served on Thursdays.

– Mary Schmid

Hoagie’s Diner

Opened in 1978 in North Bay, Ont.

Hoagie’s has a great diner vibe, amazing staff, and it’s always busy.

What to eat: The burgers and kick-butt fries are so good we never get past that to the rest of their wide menu (except once, for an amazing Reuben).

– Kathleen Kilburn

Melina’s Family Restaurant

Opened in the early 2000s in Port Colborne, Ont.

At Melina’s, the hot, delicious and generous portions come to your table minutes after you order. The staff are friendly and remember who takes tea and who takes coffee. Everyone in town comes here to chat and feel comfortable.

What to eat: The toasted peameal, lettuce and tomato sandwich, which is stacked so high you can barely get your mouth around it. I get it with mustard and mayo.

– Heather McArdle

John’s Family Diner

Opened in 1974 in Ottawa

John is an elderly Lebanese immigrant who opened a small diner in Wellington Village as a young man. I started going there more than 20 years ago, and as Ottawa’s expansion overtook the outskirts, the area became a gathering place for the upwardly mobile. Today, John’s Diner is a mecca in its own right. It has become the beating heart of the west end as it comes to life each morning. John’s likeness decorates the outside of the building in a mural, a testament to his place in the life of a growing city.

What to eat: The Poor Man’s breakfast.

– Phil Gibson

Mello’s Coffee Shop

Opened in 1942 in Ottawa

The food is better than any of the retro-inspired diners I have tried. The prices are fair, and it has a refreshing honesty that faux table jukeboxes and modern neon lights just can’t match. It’s perfect for a completely unpretentious cheat meal.

What to eat: The honey fried chicken, if you are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

– Tom Bimson

Bagel Etc

Leonard Cohen would frequently visit this diner, which has been operating since the forties, and opened as Montreal’s Bagel Etc in 1984.

I go at least once a week. It’s one of the diners that opens the earliest in the area, at 7:30 a.m. It has old-world feels, fun decor, an awesome selection of hot sauces, and huge helpings.

What to eat: The Monte Cristo sandwich (made with Challah French toast, ham and cheese, which you then dip in maple syrup before each bite) is to die for. So is the Russian bread (a beautiful dark loaf) lox sandwich.

– Sophie Le Blanc

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Wilensky’s Light Lunch

Opened in 1932 in Montreal

I have been going there since 1976. Famous for being a central setting in both the novel and the film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Wilensky’s is a small corner place with nine old wood spools to sit on, and a very limited menu. It’s an experience worth enjoying!

What to eat: An English muffin steamed on a hot press with slices of bologna and other meats, mustard and an option of cheese. Served with a cherry Coke out of a fountain makes it very special indeed.

– Cliff Murphy

West Coast

Mom’s Café

Opened in 1963 in Sooke, Vancouver Island

Despite having been “modernized” recently, Mom’s Café has that retro look, and the menu is the same old burgers ‘n’ fries or fish ‘n’ chips.

What to eat: The lemon meringue pie.

– Liz Pogue

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Arbutus Café

Opened in 1983 in Duncan, B.C.

Arbutus really hasn’t changed much in 40 years. The counter and booths are still there, as is the quality food.

What to eat: Battered and deep-fried chicken on homemade french fries, with lashings of curry sauce. And the butter tarts – the best I have ever had.

– Noel Fowles

Granville’s Coffee

Quesnel, B.C.

It is impossible to be lonely at Granville’s. It’s so obviously a community hub. I used to travel for work all over B.C. and always looked for the diners and “greasy spoons” – Granville’s is right up at the top of my list.

What to eat: Their tuna sandwich is one of the best in the province, and they have excellent Belgian waffles.

– Doug Baker

Red Wagon Café

Opened in 2010 in Vancouver

Red Wagon is our family’s go-to breakfast spot. Everything is made from scratch and they smoke all their meats in-house.

What to eat: Pulled-pork pancakes with spiked maple syrup. They have an amazing tofu scramble as well.

– Charlotte Dauphinee

Northern Café

Opened in 1949 in Vancouver

This improbably located café is up rickety, steep steps, above a hardware store and lumber yard. With handwritten testimonials taped to the walls, red vinyl booths, and fifties and sixties music playing, Northern Café is as popular for the warmth of the Mah family, who make you feel like one of their own, as it is for the really good, well-priced, scratch-made western and Chinese food.

What to eat: The bacon cheeseburger. They grind the beef in-house, so it’s always fresh and perfectly seasoned.

– Patricia and Robert Docking

Dog House

Opened in 1954 in Duncan, B.C.

The Dog House has a huge menu, large-sized servings, a coffee flask on your table so you never run out. The walls are adorned with art of the renowned artist Ted Hughes, who always ate there.

What to eat: The turkey dinner with trimmings.

– Sandra-Faye Nagy

The Prairies

Garwood Grill

This Winnipeg diner on Pembina Highway always closes for the summer and reopens in the fall

Serving diner fare as well as some Greek-inspired dishes, the Garwood Grill attracts hungry customers with fresh ingredients, generous portions and cheerful and efficient service.

What to eat: Cheese and mushroom omelette, homemade coleslaw and the incredible clubhouse sandwich.

– Donald Teel

The Nook

Opened in 1986 in Winnipeg

It is a Winnipeg institution. Most of the furnishings look like they date back to 70 years ago. They provide good value for money – I’m not sure if the owners have heard of inflation. Once someone goes to the Nook, they love it, no matter what their age group or social class is.

What to eat: The Saturday pickerel dinner special.

– Barbara Popel

Evelyn’s Memory Lane Diner

Opened in 1994 in High River, Alta., this fifties-style diner has been featured as a set on The Last of Us, and the CBC Television series Heartland films in its back alley

What to eat: Roast chicken sandwich and homemade ice cream.

– William Corbet

Glenn’s Restaurant

Opened in 1986 on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, south of Red Deer, Alta.

I first tried Glenn’s years ago because of the selection of teas they sell – 224 kinds of loose-leaf tea – one of the largest in North America.

What to eat: Liver and onions.

– Nancy Bain

Red’s Diner

Since 2010, Red’s has been expanding their business in Calgary

There are four locations, but my favourites are Ramsay and 4th Street. Ramsay has a great patio, which is lovely first thing in the morning between May and September.

What to eat: The vegetarian omelette and oatmeal.

– Robert Baldauf

Broadway Café

Opened more than 30 years ago in Saskatoon, this diner offers traditional breakfast for $9.95

The Broadway Café has the consummate chromed diner experience: brisk service, fantastic fries, eggs, grilled specials and shakes.

What to eat: The Toronto salad.

– Rod Salloum

East Coast

Carman’s Diner

Opened in 1963 in St. Stephen, N.B.

Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, I’ve visited many diners over the years, and I can personally attest to the authenticity of the ambience, food, staff and decor at Carman’s Diner.

What to eat: The hot turkey sandwich, which is great comfort food.

– Nick Antoncic

The Cabin

Operating for decades in Fredericton

The Cabin has served the same, ordinary food since well before I was born in 1953. My parents took us three young boys there often. This “ordinary” food is among my favourite memories, and we make sure to eat there every time we visit home.

What to eat: The hot chicken sandwich with all-white meat, the fish and chips, or the homemade, luscious pies and bread pudding with real whipped cream.

– Stephen Atkinson

Easy Street Diner

Opened in 2021 in Halifax

Easy Street offers all-day breakfast and has a strong commitment to sustainability, which I really admire: They don’t have any single-use plastic items for dine-in, and condiments such as jam are served in dishes.

What to eat: The breakfast scoff (eggs, toast, shredded hash browns and a choice of meat). It’s always fun to have a hearty breakfast meal in the middle of the day.

– Rebecca MacDonald

Pleasant St. Diner

Dartmouth

The Pleasant St. Diner serves some of the best fried seafood in the Maritimes, so it’s best to go in the off hours as there is often a lineup.

What to eat: The clams and fish and chips are wonderful.

– Martin Herschorn

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Great British Grub

Opened in 2016 in Truro, N.S.

It has a good selection of local beers, excellent coffee and tea, great service and friendly staff.

What to eat: Steak and kidney or steak and cheddar meat pies, or their bacon buttys.

– Alan Seager

Northern Canada

Gold Range Bistro

Opened in 1940 in Yellowknife

This Chinese-Canadian diner next to the famous Gold Range Hotel and Bar serves everything from bacon and eggs to liver and onions to chicken chow mein and ginger beef. The first thing you’ll notice is the papier mâché dragon on the ceiling. The bistro is usually filled with a collection of characters – old-timers joking about politics, xennials on their way to work, tourists, hippy-dippy artists and senior bureaucrats and politicians. It’s a place where literally every walk of life comes, and is a true Yellowknife treasure.

What to eat: The Giant Egg Roll, which is about the size of a very large burrito.

– Pat Kane

These quotes have been edited and condensed.