All-Night Eats: Best 24-Hour Diners from Coast to Coast

You're up all night. You're starved. And you're looking for a bite that's a little more local and a little more exotic than Denny's or Waffle House. Look no further. We've rounded up the best places around the country that are dishing up food, 24-7. Now that's what we call service.

Featured on the Travel Channel, the Food Network, and The Learning Channel, Beth's Café was voted "best place to cure a hangover" by Seattle Magazine. Patrons flock to it not only for its hearty American fare, but also for the huge portions, which makes it perfect for both late-night drinkers and families earlier in the evening, too.

Specialty: 12-egg omelet and all-you-can-eat hash browns.

7311 Aurora Ave N; (206) 782-5588 bethscafe.com

Restaurant, bakery, and deli all in one, Canter's has sold millions of pounds of lox, corned beef, matzo balls, bagels, and chicken soup over the years. Family-run since 1931, this business also boasts a full bar and cocktail lounge, and was voted Best Deli in the "Best of LA's Hotlist" contest.

Specialties: Meat and fish platters. Try the chicken in a pot or short ribs in a pot.

419 North Fairfax Avenue; (323) 651-2030 cantersdeli.com

If you're looking for classic Hollywood charm, look no further than this retro-kitsch diner. Menu options range from old-school ice cream fountain drinks to classic diner breakfasts and spicy Thai-style noodles. Known for its diverse clientele, Fred 62 draws a pretty serious after-hours bar crowd whose ranks have included celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Drew Barrymore, Mike D., Naomi Watts, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Mandy Moore, and Heather Graham.

Specialty: Bearded Mr. Frenchy, a corn flake–crusted French toast that made a name for itself in the Los Angeles City Beat newspaper

1850 North Vermont Avenue; (323) 667-0062 fred62.com

In true Las Vegas style, this eatery is comfortably located within a casino. Its extensive menu includes diner classics, low-fat options, and South of the Border specialties. Portions are big and the price is right.

Specialties: Prime rib with horseradish, potato or full ear of corn, and fresh homemade bread. Also known for its enormous $5 eclairs.

Inside Jerry’s Nugget Casino. 1821 North Las Vegas Blvd.; (702) 399-3000 jerrysnugget.com

Magnolia's tagline says it all: "Everybody knows. Everybody goes." Austin's undisputed night-noshing hotspot, Magnolia keeps diners coming back with a Tex-Mex–heavy menu that's a step above typical diner fare.

Specialties: Try one of their Mag-Mex breakfasts, like Love Migas: eggs scrambled in fresh garlic-serrano "love butter" with peppers, tortilla chips, and Jack cheese, plus a side of black beans. Other popular standards include gingerbread pancakes and breakfast burritos. And, of course, no meal in Austin is complete without an order of queso, y'all.

2304 Lake Austin Blvd.; (512) 478-8645 themagnoliacafe.com

Spanish Flowers has offered "a taste of Mexico 24 hours a day" since 1979. Whether you're craving authentic Mexican cuisine or a little Tex-Mex action, this restaurant is sure to please. It's won all sorts of awards, such as "Best Late Night Restaurant" and "Best Nachos" from the Houston Press.

Specialty: Try the pollo en mole, a traditional Mexican dish of chicken covered in a rich chile sauce with a hint of sweet chocolate. And, of course, the chips and salsa.

4701 North Main; (713) 869-1706

Get your 4 a.m. omelet served with a side of sass at this Big Easy fixture located in the heart of the French Quarter's gay section. If the staff's swagger doesn't tip you off to the diner's character, the menu certainly will. (One line advises: "If you're not served in 5 minutes, it may be another 5. Relax. This isn't New York City." Another proclaims: "Everyone brings happiness into this business: some when they come in, others when they leave.") Lines can be long — there are only 11 retro bar stools and a few tables, after all — but the waiting crowds know that eating at Clover isn't an end to the night, but another stop on the adventure.

Specialties: Three-egg omelets served with hasbrowns or grits, plus half-pound beef burgers cooked under a hubcap. And, according to the menu: "Our chili speaks for itself ... sooner or later."

900 Bourbon St.; (504) 598-1010

You'll get plenty of food plus a lot of local character at this beloved Atlanta landmark, which has been offering "food that pleases" since 1929. The late-night Friday and Saturday crowds are hopping, though restaurant patrons enjoy Majestic's breakfast at all hours of the day. In true Southern style, all egg and omelette dishes are served with grits and toast, and their Blue Plate specials come with a choice of two sides, such as collard greens, mashed potatoes, and fried okra. Quesadillas and Southwestern egg dishes complement Greek options like chicken gyros and a baklava sundae.

Specialty: The gyro omelet: cooked with a mixture of veggies and feta cheese and topped with tzatziki

1031 Ponce De Leon Avenue; (404) 875-0276 majesticdiner.com

Whether you're staying at The Peabody Hotel or just looking for a midnight snack, the B-Line Diner is open for business 24 hours a day. With an all-day breakfast and brunch menu, plus diner standards served with a touch of class, B-Line aims to feed.

Specialty: Named the nation's best by the Food Network, the B-Line's Chicken Pot Pie is touted to be "as good as Grandma's."

9801 International Drive; (407) 352-4000 peabodyorlando.com

A favorite among greasy-spoon aficionados, Juanita's Burger Boy boasts an old-school counter, a jukebox, and a sunflower field planted by the owner just across the street. Aside from its fresh and made-to-order food, Juanita's is best known for its friendly staff and crowd of regulars. Customers often opt for the breakfast for lunch and dinner, and, best of all, most items cost under $4.

Specialty: If you're not in a breakfast mood, try the Burger Boy Double Decker with cheese & sauce, a guaranteed hunger-buster for under $2.

1450 South Brook Street; (502) 635-7410 juanitasdiner.com

The perfect place for after-party meals and midnight cravings, this greasy spoon serves up some of the simplest but most delicious meals. With its old-school charm and understated menu, this place hits the spot after a long day — or night.

Specialty: Try the veggie-stuffed Hippie Hash topped with melted feta cheese.

300 S. Ashley St.; (734) 995-5502 annarbor.com/restaurants/fleetwood-diner/

Tucked away on a seemingly forgotten block in downtown Cleveland, Steve's Lunch only seats about eight people, but its fame far exceeds its humble size. Cops, eccentric regulars, and wayward party-goers all vouch for the hot dogs at this 24-hour joint, whose exterior has a cameo in the opening credits of the now-defunct Drew Carey Show. The extensive menu covers all the breakfast standards, but their all-beef skinless franks — topped with either chili and cheese or coleslaw, fries, and bbq sauce — are the most popular orders.

Specialty: The chili-cheese dogs, of course. Due to their affordable price tag, customers often order these in multiples.

5004 Lorain Ave; (216) 961-1460

Open since 1935, Tastee Diner's three locations serve diner standards in a retro atmosphere. Plus, the service is fast and the staff waiters and waitresses are friendly and quirky — sometimes challenging customers to an arm wrestle for the tab. If you want a good time with family and friends, Tastee Diner is the place for you.

Specialty: If you're trying to figure out what to get with your burger, add order Tastee's popular fries with gravy.

7731 Woodmont Ave; (301) 652-3970 tasteediner.com

Though you can order sides of fries and coleslaw at Primanti's, you really don't need to. All sandwiches come topped with both. Owner of the bragging rights for #1 Sandwich in America, bestowed by the Travel Channel, Primanti Bros. has been featured on countless TV shows, including Man vs. Food, Food Paradise, and 101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown.

Specialty: The Pitts-Burgher Cheese Steak (topped with the signature coleslaw and fries) is the #2 best seller. (Number one is beer, naturally).

2 Market Square; (412) 261-1599 primantibros.com

When in Philly, do as the Philadelphians do, and finish off your night with cheese steaks. What better place than Pat's King of Steaks, which lays claim to inventing the iconic sandwich? According to legend, in 1930 founder Pat Olivieri grilled himself a concoction of chopped steak and onions on an Italian roll for lunch while working his hot dog stand. A regular customer insisted Pat make him the same. And it's been brotherly love ever since. This Philly hot spot has been visited by countless celebrities — even President Obama himself.

Specialty: Cheese steaks, of course! But be sure to heed the ordering instructions on the building. Improper orders may be ignored!

1237 E Passyunk Ave; (215) 468-1546 patskingofsteaks.com

"Eat Heavy" is the motto for this diner, and they mean it, offering a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers, from classic to "designer" (think Canadian bacon and barbecue sauce–topped Rodeo Burger).

Specialty: Disco fries, or French fries topped with cheese and gravy, fortify many a night owl.

281 Allwood Road; (973) 777-0511 theticktockdiner.com

An East Village institution in its 50th year, Veselka started as a candy counter and newsstand founded by Ukrainian refugee Wolodymyr Darmochwal to help support the Ukrainian Youth Organization in New York. After several expansions over the years, the late-night standby's menu still reflects its roots, serving a mix of Ukrainian specialties and classic American diner fare. Whether you come for the Old World atmosphere, the affordable prices, or fresh out-of-the-ordinary eats, you'll definitely leave satisfied.

Specialties: Handmade varenyky (Ukrainian dumplings similar to pierogi), borscht, goulash, and blintzes.

144 2nd Ave at 9th St.; (212) 228-9682 veselka.com

This New York icon has powered many Columbia students through sleepless study sessions, as well as actors and politicians visiting the Big Apple. Tom's Restaurant, the inspiration for the fictional Monk's Café from Seinfeld, not only attracts tons of tourists, but serves locals in droves by keeping its original charm, speedy service, and great food.

Specialty: For a sweet and savory treat any time of the day, get an order of fries with their Giant Malted Milkshake to satisfy all your junk-food cravings.

2880 Broadway; (212) 864-6137 tomsrestaurant.net

Thanks to consistently well-prepared food, friendly staff, and affordable prices, Red Arrow has been packing in the customers since 1922. The whimsical menu leans heavily towards classic comfort food, but if you're feeling a little adventurous, try the American Chop Suey or Dinah Fingers — homemade Twinkies!

Specialty: Breakfast chili omelet. Red Arrow knows eggs. They sell over 13,000 of them each week.

61 Lowell Street, Manchester; (603) 626-1118

63 Union Square, Milford; (603) 249-9222 redarrowdiner.com