Carnegie Diner & Cafe

We visited this restaurant today and had a lovely experience! I ordered the avocado toast with poached eggs — it was good, but I think it could be even better if they used a different kind of toast. The orange juice was fresh and delicious. My kids had the lollipop pancakes, and they really enjoyed them. Overall, it was a nice spot for breakfast with the family!

Dropped by for dinner with a friend on a whim - we were walking in the area and had an urge for diner food. We got there around 7pm and it was quite busy, but there were still a handful of open tables (turnover was pretty fast so l don't think I saw people having to queue in general, even though there was a pretty continual flow of people in and out). I ordered the smoked turkey triple decker, which was really delicious. The turkey and bacon were surprisingly flavourful and not too oily, and the mayo and whatever other sauce they add fit really well. The bread was really oily, but this was more of an inconvenience in terms of holding the sandwich rather than the flavour profile. My friend had the symphony breakfast with scrambled eggs. Overall, it was fine, but nothing particularly stood out. The eggs and hash browns were pretty meh, but the fresh fruit were a nice touch. We also had an order of the caramel French toast to share. The toast itself was really yummy, but the sliced apples on top were bland (if not sour), which unfortunately did not serve to balance how sweet everything else was (incl the massive dollop of mascarpone haha). Portion sizes, as one would expect of classic Americana, were quite massive, and I only ate half of my sandwich. We managed to get through most(?) of the french toast and my friend did finish his breakfast plate. Price point was a bit high but not crazy for the amount of food and the location. I'd probably be keen to come back again, their menu definitely had a lot of good options. (I'll have to make sure to order a more reasonable amount of food so I don't walk away feeling like l'm about to explore haha)

First up the service is impeccable, front of house, waiters and all the staff are friendly and lovely people ❤️ Food looks amazing, French toast, pancakes and waffles on point. My only note is the fried chicken is a bit dry and lacking "southern fried" seasoning. But would highly recommend, oh and coffee is awesome too

The experience is enough in itself by the time you pass the host stand with the incredible person that is THE HOST of this place. WHAT?! I worked in the restaurant business forever and my first thought was WHY IS THIS PERSON NOT BEING POACHED BY EVERY EXEC AROUND? He is everything and I will return to this place often for many reasons, but he will always be the most memorable one of them all. I also LOVE that he told me how much he loved my energy when I was leaving and there was nothing more amazing than his incredible energy! The food.... a 15/10. Gimme more and I will eat it and I never finish meals. I got the house special, basically, the Pastrami Sandwich. Ridiculously perfect and the sides, fries, everything that went along, including my mimosa... Perfection. "They" also say there is "always" a line at these places. There was no line. I did wait, y'all. I waited five minutes. In fact, I wish I had a longer wait, so I could have spent more time watching the incredible host in action.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Carnegie Diner is a gem! This is my third time visiting, and every visit has been wonderful — especially because of Nick, our amazing server. Nick is consistently friendly, approachable, and attentive without ever being intrusive. His great social cues and excellent service always make our experience feel extra special. He even suggests desserts that are spot-on delicious every time! This visit, I ordered the lobster roll, and wow — it was HUGE! It easily filled me up. The lobster was fresh and generously portioned, mixed with a flavorful herb mayo. Normally, I prefer a classic butter sauce, but this version was still absolutely delicious — creamy, savory, and perfectly balanced, allowing the sweetness of the lobster to shine through. Every bite was satisfying and memorable! And don’t miss out on dessert — Carnegie Diner has a huge selection, from pastries to cakes to milkshakes. Everything looks (and tastes) irresistible, so make sure to save some room after your meal. Highly recommend Carnegie Diner — and if you’re lucky enough to have Nick as your server, you’re in for an even better experience!

This restaurant is a classic spot for traditional American cuisine, offering many of the familiar, comforting dishes you'd expect. It's a great place to experience this style of cooking. However, it's also extremely popular and often has long lines. If there isn’t a crowd, it’s definitely worth trying — but if the wait is over 30 minutes, it may not be worth it.

We went to have a quick dinner after going to Central Park. They seated us right away and took our order. Food came out very fast and top notch. Only down side is the price. Midtown north in a tourist central. so I blame them? No.

Absolutely fantastic food and large portions. Servers re super friendly and helpful. The manager was fantastic in helping me wrap some cheesecake in needed to bring my father in a nursing home over two hours away with traffic and stops. He and the server packed it in a box filled with ice and aluminum foil ti prevent leaking. This Jersey location is a must go to diner and it will always be on my list.