Empire Diner Introduce
In a city that loves its diners, few are as iconic and enduring as the Empire Diner. This historic landmark, with its distinct Art Deco style and classic railcar design, has been a staple in the Chelsea neighborhood since 1976. But Empire Diner is not just a relic of the past; it's a beautifully reimagined establishment that offers a modern, upscale take on traditional American comfort food. It expertly blends nostalgic charm with a fresh, contemporary feel, making it a destination for locals and tourists alike.
The diner's elegant yet casual atmosphere is a key part of its appeal. It's a place where you can enjoy a comforting meal that feels both homemade and refined, as noted by enthusiastic customers. The menu is a delightful mix of classic diner fare and thoughtfully crafted new American dishes, ensuring there's something for every palate. Whether you're craving a juicy burger, a hearty breakfast, or an expertly mixed cocktail, Empire Diner delivers on all fronts. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to this New York institution, highlighting its unique features, services, and what makes it a truly special place to dine.
The Empire Diner is located at 210 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA, a prime spot in the bustling West Chelsea arts district. Its distinctive exterior is a landmark in itself, easily recognizable and a popular subject for photographers. The location is ideal for a meal before or after visiting nearby attractions like the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, or Little Island.
The diner is committed to being accessible to all guests, with a **wheelchair accessible entrance**, **wheelchair accessible restroom**, and **wheelchair accessible seating**. For those driving, **free street parking** is available in the vicinity. For pet owners, dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area, making it a friendly stop for a casual meal with your furry friend.
Empire Diner provides a variety of services to ensure a flexible and enjoyable dining experience for all.
Dine-in: The classic dine-in experience is at the heart of the Empire Diner. The interior is bright, cozy, and trendy, providing a comfortable space with booth and table seating. Reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for dinner, to ensure you get a spot at this popular establishment.
Outdoor Seating: On nice days, guests can enjoy their meal at the outdoor seating area, which provides a lovely view of the surrounding neighborhood and a pleasant al fresco dining option.
Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy their food at home or on the go, Empire Diner offers both **takeout** and **delivery** services, making it easy to get their delicious comfort food wherever you are.
What truly sets Empire Diner apart is its unique blend of classic charm and modern quality.
Historic Charm, Modern Feel: The diner maintains its iconic exterior while offering a fresh, bright, and trendy interior. It has the "closeness of a diner but not cramped," creating a cozy yet open atmosphere that’s perfect for groups or solo diners. The bar onsite and gender-neutral restrooms add to its contemporary amenities.
Great Coffee and Desserts: The diner is celebrated for its **great coffee** and **great desserts**. The menu includes a variety of coffee drinks, from espresso to cold brew, and a selection of cakes and pies that are perfect for a sweet finish to any meal.
Versatile Menu: The menu spans a wide range of offerings, from breakfast classics served all day to small plates, salads, and hearty mains. This versatility makes it a perfect spot for any meal or craving, whether it's a **quick bite** or a full dinner.
Exceptional Service: Customers consistently praise the staff for being "fun and friendly" and for providing "fast service." This welcoming hospitality is a significant part of the positive dining experience.
Great Cocktails and Bar: The onsite bar is a major highlight, with a selection of **beer**, **wine**, and **hard liquor**. A reviewer raved about the "insane" Rose Margarita, noting it was both "beautiful and really good," a testament to the quality of their expertly crafted cocktails.
For reservations, inquiries, or to place an order, you can contact Empire Diner using the information below.
Address: 210 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Phone: (212) 335-2277
The Empire Diner's menu is expansive, offering something for every taste and time of day. Here are some of the standout dishes and categories that are highly recommended.
Breakfast: The breakfast menu is available all day and features some of the diner's best offerings. The **Buttermilk Waffle** and **Rye pancakes** are particularly praised by customers. For a more savory option, the **Breakfast Sandwich** and **Steak + Eggs** are hearty and delicious choices.
Mains: The **Empire Special Blend Burger** is a top choice, known for its high-quality ingredients and great flavor. The **New York Pastrami Sandwich** is a classic diner staple executed with perfection. For something truly indulgent, the **Fried Chicken & Waffle** is a popular and satisfying dish. Health-conscious diners will appreciate the fresh and varied ingredients in the **Poke Bowl**.
Desserts: The desserts are a must-try. The **Coconut Cake** and **Cheesecake** are perfect for those with a sweet tooth. The **Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies** offer a unique and interesting twist on a classic treat.
Drinks: In addition to their great coffee, be sure to try the cocktails. The **Rose Margarita** is a customer favorite and a perfect example of their creative bar offerings. For non-alcoholic options, the fresh juices and housemade smoothies are great choices.
With its blend of classic charm, modern menu, and friendly service, the Empire Diner has cemented its status as a must-visit spot in New York City. Whether you're a local looking for your next go-to spot or a tourist wanting a genuine taste of New York, this iconic diner is a worthy destination.
Empire Diner Menu
SMALL PLATES.
- Blistered Shishitos $13.00
citrus sea salt
- Crispy Artichokes $15.00
house white anchovy aioli
- Mac & Cheese $18.00
black diamond cheddar, smoked olive oil, parmesan breadcrumbs
- Beets $15.00
honey roasted red beets, labneh, pistachio, orange, tuxedo sesame seeds, beet vinaigrette
- Beef Carpaccio $22.00
horseradish cream, shaved shallots, crispy capers, grilled sourdough
- Melon Gazpacho $16.00
Yellow tomato, melon, lump crab meat, basil oil, chili, lime
- Burrata $20.00
Local burrata, heirloom tomatoes, basil oil, saba, fennel pollen, toasted filone, micro greens
SALADS.
- Wedge Salad $18.00
tomato, bacon, avocado, pickled onions, blue cheese, croutons
- Kale Caesar $18.00
garlic lemon breadcrumbs, pecorino, elephant garlic chips
- Butter Lettuce Salad $15.00
flambo radish, herbs, champagne vinaigrette
- Waldorf Salad $20.00
granny smith apples, moon drop grapes, candied walnuts, mizuna, arugula, radicchio, gorgonzola, green goddess dressing, champagne vinaigrette
MAINS.
- Empire Special Blend Burger $26.00
double patty, american cheese, house dill pickles, aioli, herb fries
- Impossible Burger $26.00
american cheese, house dill pickles, aioli, herb fries
- Crispy Chicken Thigh Sandwich $22.00
dill pickles, buttermilk ranch dressing, hot honey, brioche bun
- New York Pastrami Sandwich $30.00
melted swiss, coleslaw, marble rye, herb fries
- RIBEYE $42.00
green peppercorn bordelaise, roasted garlic, herb fries
- Soup & Sandwich $22.00
tomato soup, grilled cheese, gruyere, white cheddar, balsamic apple chutney on toasted filone
- Roast Chicken $30.00
arugula, parmesan, lemon vinaigrette
- BLAT $20.00
nueskes bacon, arugula, avocado, heirloom tomato, herbed aioli, pizza bianca
- Poke Bowl $24.00
Salmon, avocado, toasted quinoa, pickled onions, daikon, ginger, salted cucumber, chili aioli, yuzu white ponzu
- Cavatelli $28.00
cavatelli, truffle butter, broccolini walnut pesto, 18 month aged parmesan
ALL DAY SIDES.
- Grilled Broccolini $11.00
garlic confit, calabrian chili
- Herb Fries $11.00
- Sauteed Spinach $11.00
garlic, olive oil
- Truffle Parmesan Fries $13.00
DESSERTS.
- Coconut Cake $13.00
coconut buttercream, caramelized pineapple
- Salted Chocolate Layer Cake $15.00
chocolate ganache, chantilly cream
- Cheesecake $15.00
basque cheesecake with brandied cherries, orange oil, citrus zest
- Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies $15.00
miso salted chocolate chip cookies
- Key Lime Pie $13.00
graham cracker crust, whipped cream
BREAKFAST.
- Avocado Toast $16.00
sourdough filone, radish, cilantro, chili
- Breakfast Sandwich $20.00
soft scramble, aged cheddar, homemade sausage, broccoli rabe, avocado, habanero sauce
- Eggs Any Style $20.00
nueske’s bacon or homemade sausage, fingerling potatoes, multi-grain toast
- Empire Omelette $20.00
fine herbs, boursin cheese, fingerling potatoes, multi-grain toast
- Steak + Eggs $26.00
Ribeye steak, two eggs, salsa verde, breakfast potatoes
- Housemade Granola $13.00
organic yogurt, blueberries, local honey
- Cacio E Pepe $20.00
parmesan, cracked black pepper, speck
- Buttermilk Waffle $19.00
buttermilk waffle, strawberries, toasted feuillentine, whipped mascarpone, maple syrup
- Smothered Chicken And Waffle $26.00
crispy chicken, buttermilk waffle, sausage gravy, pickles, crispy sage
- Eggs Benedict $22.00
Poached eggs, lemon hollandaise, speck ham, English muffin, breakfast potatoes
FRESH BAKED.
- Buttermilk Biscuits $4.00
whipped butter, housemade jam
- Blueberry Muffin $6.00
- Peach Ginger Scone $5.00
BREAKFAST SIDES.
- Seasonal Fruit Bowl $13.00
- Neuske's Bacon $10.00
- Homemade Sausage $9.00
- Two Eggs Any Style $6.00
- Crispy Fingerling Potatoes $8.00
- Potato Rosti Side $12.00
chives, sour cream
- Smoothie $11.00
matcha, banana, medjool dates, apple, oat milk
BAR SNACKS.
- Blistered Shishitos $13.00
citrus sea salt
SMALL PLATES.
- Crispy Artichokes $15.00
house white anchovy aioli
- Mac & Cheese $18.00
black diamond cheddar, smoked olive oil, parmesan breadcrumbs
- Roasted Cauliflower $18.00
roasted cauliflower with whipped garlic, roasted grapes, lemon tahini and herb vinaigrette
- Beef Carpaccio $22.00
horseradish cream, shaved shallots, crispy capers, grilled sourdough
- Beets $15.00
honey roasted red beets, labneh, pistachio, orange, tuxedo sesame seeds, beet vinaigrette
- Garlic Shrimp $24.00
sautéed shrimp, chopped artichoke, olive oil, parsley, calabrian chili, toasted sourdough
- Melon Gazpacho $16.00
Yellow tomato, melon, lump crab meat, basil oil, chili, lime
- Burrata $20.00
Local burrata, heirloom tomatoes, basil oil, saba, fennel pollen, toasted filone, micro greens
- Prosciutto & Melon $22.00
!8 month San Daniele prosciutto, cantaloupe, parmesan crisps, arugula
MAINS.
- Empire Special Blend Burger $26.00
double patty, american cheese, house dill pickles, aioli, herb fries
- Fried Chicken & Waffle $34.00
roasted garlic, crisp herbs, lemon, habanero hot sauce, braised collards
- Impossible Burger $26.00
american cheese, house dill pickles, aioli, herb fries
- Meatloaf $33.00
yukon gold mashed potatoes, baby carrots, turnip, tomato glaze
- Roast Chicken $32.00
roasted 1/2 chicken with cauliflower puree, fresh herbs, lemon, natural jus
- New York Pastrami Sandwich $30.00
melted swiss, coleslaw, marble rye, herb fries
- RIBEYE $42.00
green peppercorn bordelaise, roasted garlic, herb fries
- Branzino $34.00
White asparagus, lemon olive oil, salsa verde
- SALMON $33.00
King salmon, swiss chard, blistered tomatoes, dill watercress sauce
- Baked Eggplant $28.00
roasted tomato sauce, burrata, grana padano, basil oil
- Short Rib $37.00
red wine braised beef short rib, corn polenta, miso butter onions, baby carrots, natural jus
- Pork Chop $35.00
Smoked Berkshire pork chop, braised collard greens, creamed corn, thyme jus
- Risotto $28.00
Sautéed artichokes, saffron, grana padano, black pepper, 24 karat lemon oil
- Spaghetti $35.00
Fresh pasta, crab, sungold tomatoes, chilis, basil, lemon breadcrumb
DINNER SIDES.
- Grilled Broccolini $11.00
garlic confit, calabrian chili
- Herb Fries $11.00
- Sauteed Spinach $11.00
garlic, olive oil
- Side 2 Biscuits $4.00
buttermilk biscuits
- Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes $11.00
maldon salt
- Truffle Parmesan Fries $13.00
- Fire Roasted Corn $13.00
- Side White Asparagus $13.00
Sautéed asparagus, olive oil, bread crumbs, lemon
DESSERTS.
- Coconut Cake $13.00
coconut buttercream, caramelized pineapple
- Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies $15.00
miso salted chocolate chip cookies
- Cheesecake $15.00
basque cheesecake with brandied cherries, orange oil, citrus zest
- Key Lime Pie $13.00
graham cracker crust, whipped cream
N/A Beverages*
- Sparkling Water Bottle $9.00
- Still Water Bottle $9.00
- Ginger Palmer $10.00
- Coke $4.00
- Diet Coke $4.00
- Ginger Ale $4.00
- Sprite $4.00
- Club Soda $4.00
- Tonic $4.00
- Shirley Temple $4.00
- Iced Tea $4.50
- Lemonade $6.00
- Arnold Palmer $6.00
- Orange Juice $5.00
- Cranberry Juice $5.00
- Grapefruit Juice $5.00
- PIneapple Juice $5.00
Coffee/Tea*
- Iced Tea $4.50
- Espresso $4.50
- Decaf Espresso $4.00
- Dbl Espresso $6.50
- Dbl Decaf Espresso $6.50
- Latte $5.00
- Decaf Latte $5.00
- Iced Latte $5.00
- Flat White $6.50
- Cappuccino $5.00
- Decaf Cappuccino $5.00
- Iced Cappuccino $5.00
- Cafe Au Lait $4.50
- Macchiato $5.00
- Americano $4.50
- Decaf Americano $4.50
- Cold Brew $5.00
Empire Diner Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Empire Diner Photos










Empire Diner Location
Empire Diner Reviews
brunchcocktailspastrami sandwichavocado toastcacio e pepeartichokeschelseawedge saladpoke bowldeviled eggs
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Very pleased with the service and the food!!! My husband and I absolutely loved the breakfast. The Rye pancakes and the waffle are 10/10!! The staff were so fun and friendly and the food came out quick. The Rose Margarita was insane. The drink was beautiful and really good. I had to go back and get another one because it was delicious. My husband and I will definitely be back when we visit NY again.
August 24 · David Emery-NemethGosh I have missed a diner experience! No wait (came on a holiday weekend) and sat inside. Fresh, bright feel with the closeness of a diner but not cramped. Enjoyed the poke bowl (all fresh and varied ingredients), an aperol spritz, and burger between some friends. Loved the poke bowl and environment. Would definitely recommend for a lunch stop.
August 13 · Kayla ValenciaEmpire Diner connects both an elevated American cuisine with casual diner vibes. Food was really good, the presentation was well thought out and the service was timely and friendly.It was easy to get a last minute reservation through Resy for a weekend evening.We sat inside but since it was summer it felt like both inside and outside. The interior is beautifully decorated with modern finishes with the layout of a diner.Overall, we loved it! Totally recommend it for a casual dinner in the Chelsea area!
August 03 · Selin GRandom brunch walk-in with a 10 mins wait on Sat and this place is deceptively big. Sadly, big enough to have an impact on their service, which looked like a one time issue.Joshua took our order and we placed our entire order which included the green ($9) pressed juice which was refreshing, a $14 avocado toast which was consistent with one should expect, and $20 crispy chicken sandwich which was okay.Service was extremely slow unfortunately, and the place did not look like it was at capacity. The manager/owner however was personally visiting tables to apologize for the delay stating space issues in the kitchen.Ambiance looked pretty refreshing on the ground floor, and noise levels on the average end. Friendly servers, competitively priced menu, but sadly both, food and service failed to impress us during our visit. Will give it another try!
May 07 · Ameya BhakayAn excellent upscale "diner" that is a must visit in NYC. Service was friendly as you get greeted coming through the door. Cocktails were fresh and inventive. Food was good but some flavor profiles could match better. The ingredients were fresh and appeared local. Well behaved family friendly. Prices are as expected. Parking limited. I'll stop by again for sure.
April 08 · Matthew Krunglevich
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