8 Best Mom and Pop Restaurants in New York!

As the backbone of local communities, mom and pop restaurants are the perfect place to go for a down-home meal. Not only are you supporting local small businesses, but you’re treated to a meal that tastes like home. From comfort food hot spots to quintessential diners, here are the 8 best mom and pop restaurants in New York State.   

Hungry Bear, Plattsburgh, NY

Heaping portions, cheap prices, and a homey vibe characterize the Hungry Bear, one of Plattsburgh’s most popular family diners. Try the homemade soups or flapjacks with real maple syrup—breakfast is served all day!

George’s Place, Carmel, NY

With scenic lake views, cozy seating, and all the classic, no-frills diner fare you’d expect from a mom and pop restaurant, it’s no wonder George’s Place was voted one of the best diners in the Hudson Valley.

Eveready Diner, Hyde Park, NY

Old-fashioned chrome and neon accents plus all the delicious, greasy-good diner favorites you could wish for are what characterize this cousin-run diner chain in the Hudson Valley. 

Veselka, New York, NY

This East Village landmark restaurant is cheap and open 24 hours a day, and since the 1950s, it has offered a decadent assortment of Ukrainian specialties like borscht and pierogis.

Candy Kitchen, Bridgehampton, NY

This iconic diner is a must-stop in the Hamptons, and it’s been around for decades. Fans of this mom and pop restaurant love it for its adorable interior, traditional diner fare, and homemade ice cream, which is always in high demand.

Walt’s Diner, Old Forge, NY

Small-town diner classics like pancakes and omelets have been pleasing Adirondack-area palates for decades at Walt’s Diner. Walt and Lesa ran the restaurant for 20 years, contributing to its family-friendly appeal.

A post shared by Sam Burns (@thefatchef228) on

Tom’s Restaurant, New York, NY

Not every mom and pop restaurant has such a famous façade. Tom’s Restaurant, in New York City’s Morningside Heights, is also known as the exterior of Monk’s—the go-to diner in Seinfeld. Expect classic Greek-American diner fare, plus Seinfeld fanfare.

Tanzy’s, Hudson, NY

Tanzy’s is a quintessential small-town breakfast and lunch place located in the heart of Hudson, now a destination for weekenders escaping New York City. It’s run by a pair of sisters who named it after their father, Tanzy.

Share your favorites!
New York Search
Find Mom & Pop Restaurants Near You
Select a New York town to find
the Best Things-To-Do and Places To Go around you
Bronx County
New York County
Richmond County