Diners are an American original. Culturally a symbol of American optimism, they’ve been featured prominently in arts, movies, and culture for over a hundred years. Today, great American diners can still play an important role in society. Not only do they serve mouthwatering, homey food, but they provide a meeting spot—for everyone. Here are 10 of the best diners in Virginia.
The Blue Moon Diner is a fun, family-friendly spot in Charlottesville, Virginia. They serve all your diner-food favorites, including sandwiches, breakfast, and burgers. Breakfast is served all day and they have live music on weeknights.
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The Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge can’t be missed. If you somehow don’t see the actual pink Cadillac parked out front, then you’re sure to find the massive, pink-colored building just behind it. This 1950s-style diner has a family-friendly environment and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Metro 29 Diner Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, has been featured on “Diner, Drive-In’s, and Dives,” as well as the Washington Post. They serve vice-presidents as well as every-day folk with steaks, salads, Italian food, and homemade desserts. The menu is huge and they’re open late, giving you plenty of time to sample everything.
The Virginia Diner styles itself “a legend in a nutshell since 1929.” For over 85 years, they’ve provided southern-comfort food at a reasonable price. They’re known for their incredible peanuts, used in their desserts as well as sold by the fistful.
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Pop’s Diner Co. has three locations in Virginia, one in Chesapeake and two in Virginia Beach. They’ve been voted “Best of the Beach” and have a “kid’s eat free” policy. For the last 13 years, Pops’ Diner has focused on delivering solid, unpretentious food in a place where everyone’s welcome.
The City Diner Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia, is known for their assortment of dishes and great service. This humble diner sticks to serving simple food done right. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with American classics or Greek and Italian flavors.
Bob and Edith’s Diner has locations in Springfield, Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. This 24-hour cozy diner prides itself on serving exceptional, classic diner food in a “familiar diner setting.” Come in for breakfast or lunch.
A little town on the Eastern Shore, Exmore, Virginia is home to the fabulous Exmore Diner. They’ve been in business for over 50 years and still known almost every local visitor well enough to celebrate special occasions with them as well as serve them delicious home-style cooking. What more could you ask for in a local spot?
The 29 Diner in Fairfax, Virginia, shares more than a name with the Metro 29 Diner above on this list: they both offer delicious food with wonderful service. Opened in 1947, the diner has been declared a Historic Site, called “a rare survivor among the once-numerous streamlined Moderns diners that operated in the United states.” The diner is open 24-hours a day, except on Monday.
You can’t eat in a more authentically Americana spot than the Frost Diner. This silver-tin can of a restaurant has been in service for over 50 years. Sitting at one of their booths or counter-side chairs feels like stepping into a time capsule. Enjoy generous portions and great service at this cash-only restaurant.