Golden Diner

Everyone comes here for the honey pancakes, and I completely understand why pancakes were very crispy on one side and soften the other, which is a unique style of cooking pancakes, downstairs, honey. We had to add the berry compte and the whipped butter. A solid 10/10 pancake. We also got the Yube sandwich called the vegitalian sub which was nice fresh ingredients and smoky yuba. The French fries were very average and not hot and crispy but that’s probably because we came before closing. Lastly got the vegan Caesar salad which was super average and tasted like a school lunch salad. Overall solid place and understand the hype. Spacious bathroom and limited seats on the counter and outside so you will have to wait.

Golden Diner delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. Our server, Johan, was attentive and impressively knowledgeable about both the menu and specials, setting the tone for a great meal. The chili crisp wedge salad was a standout—bright, savory, and layered with umami. The vegan bacon, which we learned takes two days to make, was a pleasant surprise: crisp, flavorful, and a perfect textural contrast to the greens. The Korean fried wings had a satisfying crunch and deep flavor, though the seasoning became a bit repetitive after a few pieces—thankfully, the pickled daikon offered a refreshing, palate-cleansing balance. The Chinatown egg and cheese sandwich was another highlight. The crispy hash brown tucked inside added just the right amount of crunch, and the eggs were some of the fluffiest I’ve ever had. The honey butter pancakes were pure comfort—light and airy with just the right richness, balanced beautifully by the tangy lemon butter so they never felt too heavy. I also tried the kimchi tomato soup, which was flavorful and well-seasoned without being overly salty. To finish, the Thai tea tres leches cake was an absolute must—moist, subtly sweet, and finished with a lovely hint of bitterness that kept each bite interesting. Overall, Golden Diner strikes a rare balance between creativity and comfort. With thoughtful dishes, smart flavor pairings, and excellent service, it’s a spot I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a meal that feels both familiar and fresh

Recommend making a reservation if you don't want to wait 45 min+ during busy times at this sought after brunch spot. The Thai cobb salad was one of the best. Perfectly round bounce pancakes are more of a dessert for me, a quarter of it is more than enough. Good wings, katsu, mushroom ques and desserts. Only downside of the place is it's a bit cramped, and service can be delayed when packed so prepare for a leisurely brunch.

I had been wanting to try Golden Diner since my previous trip to NYC, and this time we finally made it. We didn’t have a reservation, so we joined the waitlist in person. The wait ended up being almost two hours, but honestly, it was completely worth it. The famous pancakes were absolutely delicious, and the Chinatown Egg & Cheese Sando was amazing as well. Everything lived up to the hype. Definitely recommend this place if you’re visiting NYC, and definitely worth the wait.