Tom's Restaurant
American restaurant · Morningside Heights ·
Classic diner with Seinfeld memorabilia and all-day breakfast
Classic diner with Seinfeld memorabilia and all-day breakfast
"We can't imagine a more New York City diner experience: the neon red wraparound sign at 112th Street and Broadway is unmissable, and while Tom's isn't for foodies, its rolodex menu (cheeseburgers, shish kebabs, broiled salmon) and affably gruff service make you feel like you've stepped into a '90s time capsule — no wonder it's a long-running Seinfeld pilgrimage spot that still makes you feel like a local once you're parked in a vinyl booth." - Madison Flager, Kat Chen
"They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s also the one meal we could easily eat all day, everyday. Especially if it were at Tom’s. Established circa 1936, this American style eatery effortlessly captures nostalgia in a way that’s not your everyday kitsch. In fact, we’d say they kinda nailed it. It’s crowded and fast-paced, with flowing coffee and constant orders — and it’s completely exciting. If you’re not awake when you walk in, you will be in minutes. It’s practically a breakfast adventure and a uniquely memorable way to start your morning. Make sure to try their Blueberry Pancakes, Pumpkin-Walnut Waffle, or their World’s Best Crab Cakes. And while you’re at it, if you’ve never had an egg cream, you can try the Brooklyn staple here. There’s always a line so get there early." - Aki Carpenter & Chris Huban
"The original Tom’s is an old-school diner in Prospect Heights, and it’s mostly known for brunch. But at the Coney Island location, you can drink a frozen margarita on a second-story rooftop overlooking the boardwalk. There’s also a big dining room where you can get many different varieties of pancakes or a burger for lunch. The food isn’t anything fancy, but this is a nice place to sit for a few minutes while you eat something with a side of fries." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, will hartman, neha talreja, kenny yang, matt tervooren
"There’s more to this classic diner than its feature in Seinfeld, even though the walls are covered with Kramer cutouts and other memorabilia. Since the ’40s, it’s been a quiet corner retreat for students and neighborhood folks, with high-backed red vinyl booths and $7 mimosas (or house wine). The affordable diner food usually hits the spot, and there are often just-exciting-enough weekly specials like roast leg of lamb. It’s a perfect place to sit at the counter with a book, get distracted by SVU on the TV, and drink endless coffee refills." - willa moore, sonal shah, neha talreja, will hartman
"Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more pancakes. That’s what you’ll find at Tom’s, a classic diner in Prospect Heights. This place has been around for decades, and it still gets packed at brunch—but they serve breakfast all day, so you can stop by anytime and pretend it’s 8am. Get some crab cakes, an omelet, or one of the roughly 15 kinds of pancakes (which taste like better versions of whatever you try to make at home). If you come here at brunch, you’ll probably encounter a wait, but just think of this as an opportunity to cool off and do some stretches." - bryan kim