Critic Rating: 9/10⭐️

A dying breed of restaurants in New York City is the humble diner. Once a staple of Northeastern life, these railcar inspired factory-built restaurants have become less prevalent throughout the city as the years have passed.

One of the new places trying to revive the modern diner image from more than simply a cheap place to get eggs and bacon is Empire Diner in Chelsea. This renovated diner features a gorgeous modern art decorated entryway, and a modern, cozy, luxurious atmosphere.

Iced Latte

The espresso was of good quality, with the right milk to espresso ratio, filled in an appealing glass. 

Apricot Ginger Scone 

This pastry of heaven was absolutely everything I wanted in the morning. It was absolutely piping hot and fresh from the oven. It was super moist, bordering on cakey, but had a lovely crumb to it. The apricot contained just the right amount of sweetness, and the ginger was subtle, yet added a really fresh earthy flavor to complement the apricot. It’s a must try for people with a sweet tooth.

Rye Pancakes with Apple Compote and Maple Syrup

These are empire diner’s take on classic American diner pancakes. They were a little less sweet, and cakey than traditionally found, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The apple compote was delicious, and worked really well with the maple syrup. The only complaint would be the lack of compote, with not enough in every bite. This pastry of heaven was absolutely everything I wanted in the morning. It was absolutely piping hot and fresh from the oven. It was super moist, bordering on cakey, but had a lovely crumb to it. The apricot contained just the right amount of sweetness, and the ginger was subtle, yet added a really fresh earthy flavor to complement the apricot. It’s a must try for people with a sweet tooth.

Empire Omelette with Boursin 

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is boursin cheese with crackers, so I was expecting to like this. However, the Borusin in the omelet blew me away. The eggs were fluffy and decadent, but the sharp cheese added a delightful punch that cut through the rich egg, an amazing combination. The toast and mixed greens were fine, and the jam was tasty. The fingerling potatoes left a little to be desired. They weren’t that crunchy, lacked salt and seasoning, however were fluffy.  

Chicken and Waffles with Bacon and Poached Eggs 

Empire Diner’s waffles were satisfactory, perfectly fluffy and tasty, but nothing to write home about. However, the chicken was quite good. It was crunchy, well seasoned, and extremely tender. The batter was very light, and it didn’t feel terrible three bites in. Topped with maple syrup, and the meal is a match made in heaven. The poached eggs are worthy of a mention, as they were cooked to perfection, super runny, and the chili flakes added a nice pop of color and kick. 

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the Empire Diner. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was pleasant and definitely makes for a unique and fascinating experience. It’s absolutely amazing as a quick meal to eat heading for the High Line, Chelsea Market, the Whitney, or Little Island, all of which are under 10 minutes away. It’s definitely worth a visit if you are in the area!