Savor Classic American Fare at Rhode Island's Top Diners

With at least three diners on the Historic Register, the Ocean State knows a thing or two about slinging up good American eats, like bacon and eggs, omelets, burgers, hot dogs, and more. With booth seating and made-from-scratch items, these Streamliners and famous all-day breakfast haunts will fill you up for the right price. So whether you are looking for a Greek breakfast, excellent weekly specials, or good old American soul food, you’ve come to the right state. Here are the best diners in Rhode Island to find out more.

Patriots Diner, Woonsocket, RI

Patriots Diner offers home-style American dishes that will stick to your ribs, including sandwiches and all-day breakfast in a typical 1950s diner setting. Everything is home-cooked and served in a casual and a relaxed atmosphere. Offering all of the favorites, like corned beef hash, waffles, eggs, French toast, muffins, sausage and gravy, Eggs Benedict, and more.

The Middle of Nowhere Diner, Exeter, RI

If ever there was a reason to head into the middle of nowhere, this is it. Get heaping portions of “boiled, broiled, baked, barbecued, braised, potted, roasted, poached, pickled, fried, fricasseed, stewed” food. With traditional booth seating, you find breakfast sandwiches piled high, four-egg omelets, Belgian waffles, pancakes, and more.

The Olde Theater Diner, Coventry, RI

The vision of local businessman, Louie Zarakostas, the Olde Theatre Diner is classy without being pretentious. It is the kind of place you can take a date to or dine out as a family. Set up in an old theater, this diner serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. It also has a lounge and a pizza parlor and offers loads of live entertainment at night.

Modern Diner, Pawtucket, RI

At Modern Diner you will find classic American fare and an ever-changing 30-item breakfast specials list. Dine in a custom-built Sterling Streamliner (1930-1940) that has been accepted to the National Register of Historic Places. Of course, you can get eggs, pancakes, French toast, or waffles, but there are also some unique menu items, like jalapeno bacon and Linguica hash.

Blue Plate Diner, Middletown, RI

This traditional diner offers both booths and counters as well as classic American dishes. Everything here is made from scratch, and their eggs come from local farms. The seafood they serve, too, is locally sourced, which makes Blue Plate a little different than the other diners we have features. Here you can get a little seafood in your omelet.

Olneyville New York System, Cranston and Providence, RI

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Pick one thing and do it well. That might well describe Olneyville, serving classic American food including hot dogs, burgers, and fries, this place was the winner of the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2014. And using only natural casing wieners and their own signature hot wiener sauce, by all accounts, Olneyville offers the best dog in town.

West Side Diner, Providence, RI

Serving breakfast and lunch West Side is prefabricated diner car built by the Kullman Dining Car Company of Harrison, New Jersey. Featuring an Art Deco interior, you will find lots of chrome and glass in the diner recently named to the National Register of Historic Places. Offering all of the classics, like eggs, French toast, and buttermilk pancakes, you can also get veal parmesan, turkey dinner, and burgers.

Jigger’s Diner, Greenwich, RI

Established in 1917, Jigger’s has a long and sorted history, including multiple owners and more than a few venue changes. Today, the small, “old-school dining car–style restaurant” serves both breakfast & lunch. With six egg benedict variations to choose from and more than 10 types of omelets, Jigger’s has the breakfast basics covered. But you can also find specials like Johnny cakes, raspberry-stuffed French toast, and a barbecue pulled pork omelet.

Cindy’s, North Scituate, RI

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Built in the 1950s, Cindy’s is family owned and operated by the daughter of the original owners. Serving breakfast all day long, Cindy’s also dishes up lunch and dinner. Everything here is made fresh daily, folks rave about the corned beef hash. Find excellent service and American soul food at Cindy’s.

Key Insights at a Glance

Patriots Diner, Woonsocket - Classic 1950s diner serving home-cooked American favorites like corned beef hash, waffles, eggs, and French toast in a casual setting with all-day breakfast.

The Middle of Nowhere Diner, Exeter - Generous portions of hearty American dishes including breakfast sandwiches, four-egg omelets, Belgian waffles, and pancakes, with traditional booth seating.

The Olde Theater Diner, Coventry - Housed in an old theater, this diner offers a range of meals from breakfast to dinner, live entertainment, and a separate pizza lounge.

Modern Diner, Pawtucket - Located in a Sterling Streamliner and on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring American breakfast staples and unique items like jalapeno bacon and Linguica hash.

Blue Plate Diner, Middletown - A classic diner with locally-sourced ingredients, serving traditional American fare with a seafood twist, including seafood omelets and farm-fresh eggs.

Olneyville New York System, Cranston & Providence - Known for its award-winning hot dogs with natural casing and signature hot wiener sauce, celebrated for simple yet excellent classic American fast food.

West Side Diner, Providence - Art Deco-style diner car serving breakfast and lunch, with classics like buttermilk pancakes and more substantial offerings like veal parmesan and turkey dinners.

Jigger’s Diner, Greenwich - Established in 1917, this diner serves breakfast and lunch with unique options like Johnny cakes, raspberry-stuffed French toast, and a BBQ pulled pork omelet.

Cindy’s, North Scituate - Family-owned since the 1950s, offering all-day breakfast and lunch with highly-rated corned beef hash, made-from-scratch dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere.