Connecticut Diners
It's fair to assume that basic diner food is the same across the United States. Burgers, waffles, coffee and sundaes are untouchable classics, right? (Even though the names for them surely differ from place to place.) Even so, a diner is a place where you can eat predictable food but also get a taste of local traditions. That is, road dining can be safe and adventurous at the same time. In Connecticut, which prides itself on its original pizzas, you might find pizza-influenced dishes along with local produce in season.
Notable Diners in Connecticut
Guilford, CT
Shoreline Diner
345 Boston Post Road 203-458-7380Hours: Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It sounds odd, but this diner/restaurant is a haven for people seeking healthy food, including vegan and gluten-free options. But – hold onto your prejudices here – the food is good. And meat is definitely available for carnivores. The menu changes each season, and processed ingredients are replacing them with natural alternatives at every opportunity. The kitchen staff is trained and monitored to ensure our vegan and gluten free dishes are not compromised. Try the butternut squash hash – it’s delicious!
Dayville, CT
Zip's Dining Car
Corner of Route 12 and 101 at exit 93 off I-395 860-774-6335Hours: Open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Zip's is a legendary dining car serving up the area's finest meals since 1954. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served by a very friendly wait staff. A belly-buster three-egg omelette, chicken fried steak, and homemade strawberry shortcake are just few delicious favorites. Zip's is centrally located between Hartford, Providence, and Worcester.
Enfield, CT
The Country Diner
111 Hazard Avenue 860-763-5338Hours: Monday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Comfort foods, barbeque, and more. Breakfast is renowned county wide and served all day. This is an authentic American diner experience with great food as you like it. The wait staff is friendly and the menu is huge, with lots of choices. If you can’t find something to eat on this menu, you’re probably not hungry.
Groton, CT
Norm's Diner
171 Bridge Street 860-405-8383Hours: Opens daily at 5 a.m.
This classic greasy spoon is housed in an iconic dining car, complete with counter stools, mint-green decor and a friendly chef who always works the night shift. Try the Sailor's Delight breakfast (it comes with beans). The Patty Melt and other hot sandwiches are classic. Short hours during the week but open ‘round the clock on the weekends. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee.
Middletown, CT
O’Rourke’s Diner
728 Main Street 860-346-6101Hours: Daily, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Diner does not serve dinner.
The menu offers quite a variety, featuring dishes with traditional American classics and a strong Irish influence in specialties like Dubliner Omelet, corned beef hash, and Irish Soda Bread (all baked on the property). Daily breakfast and lunch specials show off the creative expertise of the kitchen. Special dishes are the steamed cheeseburger — a Connecticut passion — 3-way chili “Seeley style” (named for the diner’s most devoted patron), and a tuna smelt.
Newington, CT
Olympia Diner
3413 Berlin Tpke. 860-666-9948Hours: Daily 6 a.m.-midnight
Olympia diner is a true American road food classic. Whether you’re cruising across the country or you live just down the road, you’ll find hospitality and quality food in a clean and comfortable atmosphere. Serving local diners and travelers for over 50 years. Guests will find daily lunch and dinner specials, jukeboxes in every booth and free Wi-Fi, counter service, wine, beer, and cocktails. Call ahead for take-out orders.
Newtown, CT
Blue Colony Diner
Exit 10 off I-84 East and West 203-426-0745Hours: Daily 6 a.m.-midnight
A classic diner on the outside has been freshened up on the inside with lots of table service in addition to counter service. Serving home-made bakery goods, desserts, steaks, chops, fresh seafood, beer, wine, and cocktails. Take-out service; buses are welcome.
North Canaan, CT
Collin’s Diner
Routes 44 and 7 203-426-0745Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesday, 5:30 am-1 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for extended summer hours
Established in 1941, this is a classic diner in every best way possible. Named one of New England’s top diners by the New York Times. “Best Blue Plate” – says Connecticut Magazine. Occasional art shows and poetry nights.
North Windham, CT
Aero Diner
361 Boston Post Road 860-450-1959Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Classic ‘50s-style diner in very good condition with friendly and helpful waitresses. Standard good diner food (the club sandwiches are good & huge; thick shakes; hand-cut French fries) and children’s menu. Customers go back again and again.
Southbury, CT
Laurel Diner
544 South Main Street 203-264-8218Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
This is a traditional, small, busy hometown diner that is clearly a local favorite. Corned beef hash is the signature dish at this understated Connecticut diner. For lunch, customers favor the BBQ bacon and onion ring burger. Vegetarian choices include the Laurel Omelet, with spinach, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and feta cheese.
Vernon, CT
Vernon Diner
453 Hartford Tpke. 860-875-8812Hours: Open 24 hours a day; seven days a week.
Daily soups and specials, home-made desserts, outdoor patio dining. Very large portions of hearty diner food. Great breakfast, especially the challah French toast. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
West Haven, CT
Georgie's Diner
427 Elm Street 203-933-1000Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Georgie’s Diner is classic 1950s in style, with excellent and well-loved dishes like home-style meatloaf and poached eggs. The diner offers a full range of specialty dishes including pork chops, roasted chicken, chicken Parmigiana, and chicken Tuscany. Georgie’s also caters to people on a limited diet, in particular offering vegan and gluten-free dishes (a separate fryer is used for these orders). Vegan dishes include tempeh Reuben, falafels, and organic malibu burgers. Georgie’s Diner was built in 1956 in New York. Its first stop was in Stratford, CT where it was named Duchess Diner until 1967. It was then moved to its current location in West Haven and was renamed Elm Diner. Through the decades, the diner has been a meeting place in the community and a little piece of West Haven history. It fell into disrepair, but in the summer of 2009, the building was completely restored and its doors were reopened on September 24.
Woodbury, CT
Dottie’s Diner
740 Main Street South - Middle Quarter Mall 203-263-2516Hours: Monday and Saturday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Waterbury, CT
Dottie’s Diner #2
146 Grand Street 475-235-2482Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Welcome to Dottie’s Diner, the deluxe destination for delicious donuts, serving made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. This family-friendly atmosphere is inspired by images of the 1950s. Best bets include coffee cake, chicken pot pie, meat loaf, and lemon meringue pie. Connecticut Magazine has called these the state’s best donuts. Open daily at the Woodbury location and weekdays at the Waterbury location.