Park Slope is Brooklyn’s Best Neighborhood for Diners
Rich with options, there’s a neighborhood spot for everyone.
Brianna Plaza is a food writer based in Park Slope. Her newsletter takes readers behind the scenes of the food and drink world and she occasionally hosts pop-ups. Follow her on Instagram @briannaplaza or on her Substack at:
It’s impossible to rank the top diners in New York City and I firmly believe that the best diner is the one that is closest to you. But in a city where diners are becoming a rare breed, Park Slope stands out as Brooklyn’s best neighborhood for diners. With nearly a dozen options — serving classic diner fair to Mexican and Greek-inspired dishes — there’s a joint for everyone.
Diners mean different things to different people, but I think a few things have to be true to be a diner: all-day breakfast, unlimited black coffee, and a menu so big I can flip through it like a story book. Some are still open 24-hours, many have tightly-packed booth seating, and you can still get a fairly affordable meal in an increasingly expensive city. I want to be able to order an omelet, a plate of pasta, and a burrito all at the same time if I want to.
But perhaps more importantly, diners are community foundations. A place where you can run into friends and chat with the staff. A place where everyone is welcome. Nick Kolosakas, owner of Park Slope’s Little Purity likens his diner to the local watering hole. “This is basically my living room and people come here to hang out,” he told me recently while I sat at the counter. “People that come here all the time now know each other. I’ve created so many bridges with people.”
Diners are a dying breed so we’re particularly lucky that in Park Slope, we still have a lot of options to choose from. When I chatted with Riley Arthur of @DinersofNYC, she said New York diners face a lot of challenges in staying open. “Gentrification, aging owners, changing tastes, and shrinking profit margins can all contribute to a diner closing,” she said. “A large number of closings in recent years aren’t because a business wasn’t successful, but because of an increase in costs.”
New York City is constantly changing, and it can feel like a losing battle trying to save your favorite restaurants. Usually, the best thing you can do is to go there to eat and spend money. Pay a visit to your favorite diner this weekend and to help keep these neighborhood watering holes open forever.
Windsor Diner
220 Prospect Park W
The lone diner on Prospect Park West, locals say they “don’t skimp on portions” and love the eggs Benedict.
Purity Diner
289 7th Ave
Purity Diner has been serving Park Slope locals and nearby hospital workers for nearly 100 years. People really love the French toast, friendly staff, and New York memorabilia.
7th Ave Donuts & Diner
324 7th Ave
A rare diner that’s open 24hrs a day, this spot also churns out a big selection of fresh donuts all day and serves curly fries! “The Platonic ideal of an NYC diner.”
Little Purity
390 7th Ave
All diners in Park Slope are packed on the weekend, but in my biased opinion, Little Purty is the hottest ticket in town. They excel at diner classics, but have an eclectic menu of sandwiches and burgers, and have excellent house-made salsa and jam.
Grand Canyon Diner
179 7th Ave
Serving the neighborhood since 1986, head here for Mexican breakfast classics like chilaquiles (I am partial to verde), breakfast burritos, and huevos rancheros. The team that runs Grand Canyon also runs Terrace Restaurant and a few spots just out of the neighborhood.
Terrace Restaurant
280 5th Ave
A diner with great drink specials, you can expect excellent Mexican options (like their mole enchiladas) plus highly-rated chicken and waffles. Get the huevos rancheros topped with chorizo to make it “illegally good.”
Daisy’s Diner
452 5th Ave
Open 24hrs, locals like that they have a full bar.
Fifth Ave Diner
432 5th Ave
Another long-standing neighborhood joint, Fifth Ave Diner is known for their diner classics and Greek specialities. They have a real old school vibe and people seem to like their milkshakes.
Union St. Cafe
568 Union St
On the border with Gowanus, Union St Cafe is cash only and prices offer an insane bang for your buck. The corned beef hash is highly-rated and the vibe is very non-touristy (in the best way).
Honorable Mentions
Terrace Coffee Shop
598 19th St (Windsor Terrace)
Sunrise Espresso Bar
652 5th Ave Apt 2
Both Terrace Coffee Shop and Sunrise Espresso Bar are run by the team behind Grand Canyon and Terrace Restaurant, and like them, they have excellent Mexican breakfast options. Get the breakfast tacos at Sunrise Espresso Bar!
Gone but not forgotten
A beloved Park Slope eatery, Dizzy’s closed its doors in October 2020 after a 22-year run at the corner of 9th St & 8th Ave. The spot served as a local hub where neighbors gathered throughout the day.