Dan's Diner

We stopped in at Dan's Diner for breakfast one morning, as we're staying in Chatham nearby. Wasn't expecting much and really just wanted classic diner food/breakfast. When I tell you it become our top breakfast spot during our trip is an understatement. As soon as you walk in, youre transported back in time. The ambience felt so comforting and as if you were walking in to your own neighborhood diner. The staff were attentive, friendly and they make you feel right at home, as if you are a regular. The food was hands down delicious. I ordered the Farmer's breakfast and my bf got the Mountain Man breakfast (forgot to get pics of the food, we were so hungry). Highly recommend getting the kielbasa as a side meat! I loved seeing some Polish options on the menu. We will definitley be back next time we are in the area!

A charming diner. The interior of the diner is cozy, and the food is delicious. Staff were friendly and the diner does get fairly busy. They had accidentally forgotten the chocolate chips on my pancakes, and were nice enough to give me a discount after recooking the pancakes which I was appreciative of 🙂. I want to come back, and check out their lunch options too!

I had a wonderful experience, and the food was amazing. I like the way the restaurant seems to be locked in its own time bubble, nestled away from all the modern rush. Seemingly calm yet buzzing with regulars. If you find this place, you should definitely go. Be mindful as there could be more like you just waiting to have some fun.

​​If you're looking for a reliable, classic dining spot in the area, Dan's Diner is worth a visit. The restaurant successfully maintains a classic, old-school feel, providing a comfortable and recognizable atmosphere that contributes significantly to its charm. ​The overall experience is consistently positive. The menu offers excellent food, delivering on the comforting diner staples you expect, and the staff provides great service, ensuring quick and attentive table service. ​A significant strength is the value; the menu is priced very fairly, offering a great price for the quality and reliable diner experience you receive. Dan's Diner is a highly recommended local visit for anyone seeking quality, value, and straightforward, classic charm.

This is a hidden gem of a place. Its on old 1930 diner trailer that was fully restored for current use. I stopped in a few Saturdays ago after a hunting trip. Great place to grab a bite after hunting, camping, hiking or whatever reason. All the food is made right in front of you. I had the cheese burger with French fries. Just classic diner fare. The place was packed so you know it's good. Most people were getting breakfast and no one leaves hungry. The food is very good and the 3 ladies working that day were really hustling. The woman doing all the cooking was 70 years old and was killing in the kitchen making everyone's meal. Kudos to those 3 employees. Dans dinner is the place to go in Chatham.

Dan’s Diner in Chatham feels like stepping back into a 1950s postcard — chrome gleaming, coffee pouring, and breakfast made to order just across a cool marble counter. The kind of place where service comes with a smile that’s real, not rehearsed, and the biscuits taste like someone still cares how they’re made. Best service. Best biscuits. Best wishes.

It was busy to the point I got the last stool.It is all cooked old school on the grill in front of you.Bring Patience!!They are friendly hard working polite people and that grill only cooks so much at once.We sat and had our coffees and whatever and when our orders were up the food was delicious.I thoroughly enjoyed my visit on Saturday 10/11/25 And thank you to the staff!!

My husband and I have drove past this place a couple of times driving into NY from MA and finally had time to stop in this morning for first time loved how old fashion it is inside (reminded me a lot of my grandma diner she worked at when I was little in NJ) it’s small but cozy perfect for a quick stop for breakfast or brunch, food was good had perfect flavor! They won me over with the corn beef hash having real corn beef in it! Definitely will be back when we have a chance again.

Perfect, amazing, fabulous. Food is quick and delicious with awesome service, very nice workers, good food, will be coming back 100% again and again

Best pancakes I've eaten in a long, long time. They're huge, but very light and fluffy--hard to see how big from the pictures. Tried the buttermilk chocolate chip this time, and the homemade hash and eggs, which was very good, too. Will have to come back for the Polish Omelette.

Another owner but still good food. I was at this diner pre covid so about 5-6 years ago and enjoyed it so on my day trip (staycation) I decided today I would come back. It's only counter service so the stools are not the most comfortable but the food is worth the stay. Service was good, not as quick as I may have liked but not horrible. Nice to see ladies dishing it up. We started with coffee while we waited for our meals to be cooked. We ran out of coffee quick, I think my friend finally got us some more. My biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon and sausage was delicious. I usually like a good homemade cornbeef hash which my friend got and I tried and was glad to settle for what I ordered. There are no bathrooms here so make sure you go before coming or somewhere off the beaten track afterwards, not that I had to go just giving out info. They have nice outdoor area for nice weather if it gets full inside. A local lady sells her jams inside and I bought a cilantro lime that caught my eye, can't wait to try it. If in the area it's a must try.

This is a hidden gem of a place. Its on old 1930 diner trailer that was fully restored for current use. I stopped in a few Saturdays ago after a hunting trip. Great place to grab a bite after hunting, camping, hiking or whatever reason. All the food is made right in front of you. I had the cheese burger with French fries. Just classic diner fare. The place was packed so you know it's good. Most people were getting breakfast and no one leaves hungry. The food is very good and the 3 ladies working that day were really hustling. The woman doing all the cooking was 70 years old and was killing in the kitchen making everyone's meal. Kudos to those 3 employees. Dans dinner is the place to go in Chatham.

Road hut. Waitresses yelling about "alimony payments"! 16 year old chef, complains how he orders dog food on Amazon. Isn't that just like lip-smacking food talk? It appears, said by the cook himself: that the ingredients of your food are from Walmart cans. Freezing shack with stale eggs. Review: 3

Dan's is worth the trip! It's a nostalgic throwback to a time when the staff knew their patrons, neighbors gossiped and visitors were greater like long lost friends. Did I mention that the menu had loads of options and the food was amazing.

We stopped by this diner on our way through to MA. The diner is in an old school railroad car with seating for about 20 people counter style, no booths or tables. We had breakfast on a Wednesday and the counter was full. The cook took our order (no need for wait staff) and cooked it in front of us and it was delicious. I highly recommend this charming diner.

Tourist review! This was one of two places my fiancé and I made a point to visit more than once (the other being Harvest Smokehouse). You've got to be early or lucky to get a seat at the counter -- it's a tiny trolley car -- but haha, we did just that! We came for breakfast both times, and everything was absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is amazing if you love historical decor -- and I don't mean kitschy decor, I mean faithful restoration and design choices to have verisimilitude with a bygone decade. I was so delighted by the fridge -- wooden front, many small doors like a cabinet. Someday... someday we shall return.

This is a tough one to write. On one hand, the two women behind the counter were hustling, Olympic-level multitasking. But despite their heroic efforts, we waited a full hour for our food to show up. Yep, 60 minutes. For lunch. At a diner. While we sat there trying to ignore our hunger pains, the friendly server was answering takeout calls and warning folks of a 45-minute wait. Thoughtful! But it made us wonder--shouldn't the same heads-up go to those actually sitting in the restaurant, drooling over the smell of pancakes and bacon? We ordered lunch-y items, rating about 3 stars. But it quickly became clear we'd made a rookie mistake. All the action was at the griddle, where the cook was churning out mountainous breakfast plates like it was 8 a.m., not 1 p.m. Chocolate-chip pancakes are obviously the regulars' favorite. Health-conscious diners, be warned: this is not your spot. The closest things to vegetables we saw were lettuce & tomatoes on the blt. And pickles on the side. Do pickles count? So here's the takeaway: come hungry, order breakfast, and don't expect a salad. Or fast service. Or fiber.

Just an amazing old diner incredibly well restored. Food is excellent. Only counter service with outdoor tables in the summer.

Great food, made in front of you. Friendly atmosphere. Counter seating only but that adds to the intimate atmosphere. Outside seating in warmer weather

Really great restored railroad car diner from 1925. Feels like entering a time capsule in terms of ambiance. Sometimes I worry that diner food isn't going to be as good as other breakfast places but Dan's food was stellar. Thick cut bacon was delicious and the home fries were perfectly crunchy and really well spiced. You can see the cook make all the food from scratch on the griddle. Next time I'm getting the french toast which looked incredible. I also got the fresh squeezed lemonade. It looks expensive but that is only because they give you a huge quantity. Could see them make that too. I think locals are trying to keep this place on the down low because it was packed but I couldn't find much about the place online. Menu is not extensive but diners are for the basics.

A genuine gem - think It Happened One Night - good food, more than reasonable prices and plenty of nostalgia. Highly recommend

This place was so cute! Really loved the interior design of the old train car and felt very homey. The diner had a variety of breakfast dishes, specials, juices, and lunch options, all for a very affordable price! My friends and I came in a Sunday morning around 10am and found seats for 5 along the counter after 10 minute. We had pancakes, French toast, eggs, ham, home fries, and omelets. All the food was solid and it came under $10 for each of us! Service and fast and we got to see Dan's son cook in front of us (who runs the diner now). Highly recommend!

The most adorable, kitchy place with fantastic food! Clean, comfortable and quaint.

Visiting family in Ghent. They recommended this diner as one of the local spots. Stopped in for breakfast on our first day. The pancakes were buttery, eggs & meat tasted fresh! We ended up going back for lunch later in the week. Got a simple grilled cheese and onion rings. Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned! There is only one chef who cooked each ticket individually - it did take a while, but the waiters were attentive and friendly! Charles was great!

This place is awesome. Great space and vibe. Excellent diner fare. Love it. Cool vintage cartoon drinking glasses too. Love the wood curved ceiling and old space.

Wonderful, quaint breakfast nook in what I guess used to be a trolley (?), with the the sliding doors and all. Got to enjoy breakfast with the regulars whilst traveling thru the 2022 blizzard; might pick up a t-shirt next time ( yes, they have souvenirs). Waitress Steph was great. So glad to have discovered this place; a once in a lifetime thing.

Very upsetting service here. Don't bother if there aren't any seats!! Arrived and all seats were full, but no one behind the counter acknowledged us. After about 15 minutes of standing behind everyone eating, we finally said something and asked to eat outside. The waitress told us we could order takeout and eat outside. We looked at the menus and decided but were never acknowledged again. After another 15 minutes of waiting we stormed out. Please improve your staff - just acknowledging someone would go a long way! It seems they just want people to leave if there are no seats. Huge shame because the food looked amazing.

Anyone who has given this place less than 5 stars is doing so in attempt to keep this gem hidden. Everything is always spectacular! The food is phenomenal and service is good. The atmosphere transports you back in time. I've noticed some other reviews complain about slow cook time. If you are in a rush maybe don't go to a place that's whole schtick is having one grill cook and one waitress? Even so, I thought everything always came out in a timely manner. I usually get the kielbasa sandwich, my siblings usually get the French toast and pancakes with fresh strawberries, and then we share it amongst ourselves. I wish I had photos but to be honest we usually inhale everything immediately. The fries are fresh cut, the pancakes are fluffy, and the glasses & plates are all vintage that Dan sourced from across the US. Selfishly I want to beg you not to come so that I have a stool open next time I stop in, but honestly you would be an idiot not to try it.

Amazing service, great value and made to order homestyle plates. Staged in a retired train dining car, it's really as unique as it gets. I'm a sucker for antiques so when I found Dan's on Yelp I knew we had to check it out. When we first stepped into the car our first impression was that that looks small but once we got settled it was really no issue at all. I had to get chocolate chip pancakes - there were two in a short stack and that was enough! They filled the plate and I could barely finish them. I had to force it not only because they were so delicious but I felt the guilt of turning in an unfinished plate to the woman who had made them directly in front of me. Do yourself a favor and check out Dan's Diner if you're in the mood for an old school treat. Can't wait to come back myself.

I love this place. The people are great and friendly and the food is outstanding. You know how no one can make a burger like the one you make at home well they can make a better one. It was special. I loved it. I also love the old dinning car style. It does not get cooler than that.

What a charming little restaurant. I came here with my family of four. We got an egg sandwich, made perfectly and only $2.50 due to the half-off special; two eggs with hash browns (homemade! We saw all the cut-up potatoes on the counter); French toast which was how my mom used to make it; and a seriously fabulous grilled cheese with tomato. They grilled the tomato, a sign of dedication to making it actually taste like it belongs in a grilled cheese. Definitely coming back.

Great local spot. Even better food made with love by Austin (had the breakfast). Great service. Great atmosphere. The entire place seats about 16 people which makes it feel super cozy.

This was a great place to stop!! It's tiny but so much better than a chain place I hope to make it back sometime!

Best breakfast I've had in a long time! Definitely worth going here when in town! They make you feel like family here!

Great food and what a cute setting! Great people serving and cooking. You'll love this place!

Nothing beats simple diner food and Dan's does it well. The space is small but the food is great. Always a family favorite.

Awesome atmosphere, the staff were super kind and the food was great! A definite gem to stumble upon!

Can't say enough about this charming place. Feels like eating with your family. The patrons and the owners are super friendly and the food is out of this world! We travel the country with a A Christmas Story, the Musical and have eaten all over the world. This is easily one of my top ten breakfast places, although the lunches look good too! Be sure to look through the photo album chronicling the restoration process. A true labor of love. We will be back every time we are through this way!

Show me another place as classic, yummy and friendly as Dan's in Spencertown, NY and I'll come a running. Dan himself is behind the one-counter-with-12 stools joint and he's as nice as can be. The chef is methodical behind the grill and the host is a'ready with the coffee pot once your cup is low. We tried two of their omelettes and gobbled them down, licking the plate soon after we finished. A highlight was the blackberry jam packet - a welcome sight from the usual boring grape and strawberry options. Why not 5-stars, you ask? To early to tell, is my answer. More visits are necessary.

Excellent place, worth a stop, about a mile from the highway. Was hunting for a new food stop after O's Eatery burned down, found Dan's and it's a hit. Our food was delicious, with reasonable sized portions. Charming service. Charming restored diner. It's not O's, or Roscoe Diner, or McDonalds, thank God, so don't go here expecting a ten minute stop or a 20-page menu. As a note, Waze tells you to go south on 203 from the Taconic (exit 99). While directionally technically correct, the highway signs refer to 203 EAST.

Couldn't say enough good things about the breakfast here. Charming location with an awesome chef making some of the best breakfast I've had in a long time. Pro tip, the biscuits and gravy are legit!

A great diner next to the Taconic Parkway. If you're driving by early, I highly recommend dropping in for some breakfast here. The diner is adorable and a must see. The menu is diverse and everything is great by dinner standards. I had biscuits and gravy and my wife had a croissant sandwich and it was quite tasty. I saw one reviewer had an issue with the portion sizes but I thought they were more than adequate. The service was spot on. Very attentive and pleasant servers. They always made sure we had what we needed and that our drinks were filled. All in all, I would highly recommend this little spot.

Oh my what a wonderful and lovely restaurant! We were passing through and looking for a quick place to grab a meal. Saw the many star reviews and this place did not disappoint! The service was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious. The 4 of us devoured our meals and enjoyed the fresh squeezed lemonade. This place will definitely be our go to stop on our way home from MA. Do yourself a favor and give this awesome place a try.

Old school diner, super friendly staff, good diner food, best pancakes in the area. Definitely worth the trip. And be sure to read the history of the diner on the back of the menu.

(Not) Dan's Diner is my favorite breakfast spot. A unique trolley car setting, with lots of quirky memorabilia, good food and great staff. What more could you want? Owner Austin (aka Not Dan), along with Stephanie and May are friendly and fun to talk with. Food is good standard breakfast fare (also lunch, but I'm usually there for breakfast). This is not a soy latte mocha oat milk place. Pancakes, eggs, French toast, etc. is what's on the menu. Prices are reasonable, and portions are generous.

As a child growing up my grandfather was a big fan of diners, and he knew just about all of them, but what I found interesting was he never referred to them as diners, they were always lunch wagons, and it wasn't until years after he passed away that I fully understood the difference between a lunch wagon and a diner, and my breakfast this morning was a prime example. This morning on my way home from Western Mass I read about a place for breakfast called Dan's Diner in Spencertown, New York, a real Lunch Wagon, just east of the Taconic Parkway. Dan's Diner is run by Dan Rundell and his wife, Christine who I had the pleasure of meeting when I was there. As Chris explained it, her husband purchased the 1925 18-seat Jerry O'Mahony diner, that was built in NJ but spent most of it's life in CT. Dan it brought up on a flat bed and put in a barn on his property, where he started to restore the diner with authentic materials. The food is great and while there are no tables, the counter is a perfect place to chat with the owners while chowing down on their great food...I had something called Hot Mess: Peppers, onions, ham, cheddar, home fries scrambled into two eggs. It was delicious! Next time your travels take you up to Albany or the Berkshires, leave time for Dan's Diner...it's worth the visit!

If you listen to Susan B. you'll miss out on a great experience. The meals are prepared with down-home love and the freshest ingredients. The rail car is absolutely charming and completed by Dan himself! Better that you follow the 4 and 5 star recommendations for a truly unique setting for a delicious meal.

Unbelievable find! We had a fabulous brunch at this tiny little converted train car restaurant. The corn-beef hash was delicious. The decadent Cinnabon french toast was rich and tasty. The pancakes were massive and filling. All the ingredients were fresh and delicious. Clearly a bunch of regulars frequent this diamond in the rough. Can't wait to visit again!

Wow. Best breakfast I've had in a long time. We were just passing through on the way home from Albany. I wish we had a place like this close to home. Staff was friendly and welcoming. The food came out fresh and fast. Home fries were crisp and the hash wasn't over salted.

Horrible experience at this diner, after a couple of mediocre experiences in the past. I write this as a big fan and frequent patron of diners, and one who actually grew up in a diner - our house was attached to it. I like a diner where I feel welcome when I walk in. Don't expect that here. Two teenagers behind the counter. One is grumpy and anything but welcoming. The other isn't focused. No offer to help us find seats together from the owner or staff - had to walk up the row of stools and work it out with the patrons themselves. Something like this would have made us feel very welcome, "Hi Folks. There are a few people just finishing up down this way. Give us just a couple of minutes..." After a few minutes seated, had to go out of my way to ask one of the teens for waters and coffee. That's not how a good diner runs. Only got one water. Big deal. But the tone was set and continued. Distracted teen missed my order of sausage. Food took longer than it should for the diner being only moderately full. Arrived without silverware. Food is fine. But not worth the poor overall experience. And DO NOT expect to use a bathroom when you're here. There's a bathroom in a separate building that is an auto shop or garage - so you can imagine how clean that is. No soap - dish detergent. Gross sink has two separate faucets: the cold doesn't work and the hot was too hot to use. So now we're stuck with dish soap on our hands. Look elsewhere for that old fashioned diner experience - including an experienced waitress who will call you "Honey" as soon as you walk in.

Best Homemade Hash I've had in forever. Small renovated (using 3 old Diner cars for parts) Classic Diner. If you love those type Diners you will want to check it out. The Hash and eggs were terrific. Hash fresh homemade, you'll be hard pressed to find better. Coffee very good. Friendly, personable service. Great prices. Only thing stopping me from giving 5 Stars is its all Counter Seating and the stools are not very comfortable. Still a great stop if driving on Taconic (easy few minute drive). Sure I will be back again.

Dan's Diner is cool all American railroad car diner. Everything is made fresh right in front of you. Only negatives to that is there's not that many seats. I ate with a party of four and everyone loved there food.

This is exactly where you want to stop when you need for an early morning stack of flapjacks & a side of bacon or a nice BLT for lunch while passing through Spencertown.

Awesome little place with lovely people and great menu! A hidden secret off the Taconic and kid friendly !! Thanks everyone for your lovely hospitality!

Pros: cool place - decent prices - interesting locals and tourist mix. The diner itself is worth seeing. The inside has been restored. Friendly service. Turkey was fresh. Lemonade is made fresh with real lemons. Coffee was excellent. I will try to post a description. Cons: very slow service. Two turkey sandwiches took about 20 minutes. Not crowded at all. Bread is packaged stuff so I think it's fair to say that some of the food is mediocre. Saw packages of instant oatmeal and Cheerios. Don't come here looking for healthy alternatives.

Great throwback roadside diner with out the indigestion. Great simple, fresh food, with a friendly staff and great decor. Stopped here for lunch with the family and it was great. I have to come back and try breakfast, I imagine it's awesome. Be back soon

All I need to say is Home made corned beef hash, but Yelp makes me feel bad if I don't add details. Not from a can! Made with red bliss potatoes and real corned beef. Go now. No not now. It's probably closed. Wake up extra early tomorrow and get there early, because this tiny diner just basically the counter stools and plenty of outdoor seating. The ladies running the joint are sweet and the food is made on the grill right in front of you. Charming would be the best word to describe the entire experience. The place feels like you have been transported to another time...a simpler time when a diner menu wasn't so massive