Restaurants We Know You Want to Put on Your Radar: Thai Diner

Diners are having a moment, which you should know because we told you this was a trend for 2020 and have already featured the shmancy SoHo Diner in this weekly column since 2020 kicked off. Not that they ever went out of fashion to begin with. They’ve always been a place where people can unwind. Whether it’s the 24 hour service or the sight of eggs benedict along with gyros getting along just fine at a table, diners are one of the few food institutions where the opinion of food critics and drunkards hold equal weight. But now chefs and restaurant owners have found a way to give life to this old school concept, and we’re happy to see that even Michelin starred chefs are getting in on the fun. If you’ve never been to Uncle Boons in Nolita, you are missing out on some legitimately unique (and spicy) Thai food. And if you’ve been meaning to go, well you might as well know that the team behind Uncle Boons, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, is behind the newly opened Thai Diner.

Obviously there’s an egg sandwich here.

Currently open for breakfast and lunch with dinner to debut eventually, Thai Diner is focused on reinterpreting classic American diner foods with Thai ingredients. There’s a crumb cake here made with guava, and the egg sandwich is served on roti and features a type of Thai sausage. Coconut custard, a Thai take on mussels and frites, and a dirty martini made with shrimp infused vodka, in case you like that I just got a mouth full of ocean water sensation (kidding, we have no idea what it tastes like but it sounds intriguing). Thai Diner is located at 186 Mott Street at the corner of Kenmare, and is open from 7:30 AM to 11 AM for breakfast, with lunch hours running from 11 AM to 4 pm Tuesday through Friday. On the weekend, hours run from 8:30 to 4 pm and the restaurant is closed on Mondays because that day is terrible. Here’s a sneak peak at the dishes you’ll want to fill your table.

When it comes to eating at a diner, you’re going to want to make sure your table is full

Steamed fish curry

A look inside Thai Diner.