What can I say, it's probably the best quality/price diner in the area. And considering it's the UES, that says a lot. The burgers are delicious, specially with their sweet potato fries.

👍🏻

Extraordinary juicy burger Exemplary joe refills Excellent jam donuts. I was hungry when I got there so may have over ordered. All round terrific experience. Crowds waiting are always a good sign- excellent diner food with super service.

I love to come to EJ’s for dinner. They have a great menu, think classic dinner slightly elevated. I love the turkey club and hot honey fried chicken sandwich. Great staff, great atmosphere!

We recently moved to the upper Eastside and I’m delighted to report that we now have a wonderful restaurant where we can enjoy, breakfasts, lunches , dinners and order meals delivered to our home! We had a wonderful waitress,Sofia, who provided excellent service and was so charming and professional that I would have happily ordered more food to just continue to enjoy the ambiance of E.J.’s lovely restaurant. We both had omelettes. My friend had lox( white only) eggs and onions with challah toast and home fries and I ordered an omelette with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella! This was the best omelette I’ve had since moving into Manhattan!

+2

Okay...we had to find someone to sell us some coffee but once we were found all went well. Hearty classic American grub....perfect for comfort and fueling.

Packed during the weekends, but good for breakfast.

Special NY diner with fantastic milk shakes and big portion breakfast. This diner is a local favorite on Upper East for a long time.

We sat at the bar and were served by Kazi. He couldn’t have been friendlier and we had the most delicious meal. He was so nice and we had fantastic service. Thank you Kazi!

My bf and I went here for lunch a couple of days ago, they had a very nice outdoor setup with heaters by each table, the staff were very friendly and the food was tasty and quick to arrive at the table, I had cheesy southern grits as my side..... delicious! Worth a visit!

EJ’s is that neighborhood diner that everybody runs to for brunch, lunch, an after school snack, and even dinner on the Upper East Side. The perfect comfort diner food with both healthy and unhealthy options that can please everybody. Thanks to Covid, their capacity has expanded by way of 2 large, covered, open-air seating areas, but you’ll likely still have a ~10-15 minute wait if you go for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The wait will be worth it and usually ends up being shorter than what they tell you! For drinks, the coffee is great (of course, free refills!) and the Bloody Mary is one of my favorites in NYC. For food, the omelettes, crab cake eggs benedict, and bagel + lox platter are a few of my favorites. You can make your own omelette, and the bagels are now from Ess-a-Bagel, which are some of the best in the city. The sweet potato fries are amazing, and you definitely can’t go wrong with their incredible chocolate chip pancakes. If you’re gluten-free, they have GF cinnamon pancakes that are awesome too. I’ve never had their salads, but I always eye them because they look so good and hearty. If you’re in the mood for a milkshake, this is a great place to get one!

Went to this place after going to the Met Museums. This place is very good. Food tasted fresh and homemade. Chicken noodle soup was amazingly fresh. Beef dip was great and the au jus sauce was the best I've ever tasted. Everything tasted so fresh. I will definitely be back. I highly recommend this place for lunch and breakfast.

Great food and service. We enjoyed it 😋

I love EJ’s, it’s a great classic diner and a mainstay of the neighborhood. You can rely on them to have the classic diner food, give good prompt service and have a that quintessential diner atmosphere.

+2

An UES staple. Highly, highly recommend having breakfast here for good food and a great vibe. We’ve brought all of our out of town friends to EJs and it’s a fan favorite! A few things are must-haves: the crunchy french toast sticks, the hot chocolate in winter, and the churro pancakes (no longer on the menu but they’ll make them anyway). Enjoy!

Cute spot if you’re in the mood for a diner experience! Staff were fantastic

Classic diner atmosphere, good coffee, French toast was insane. Very busy when we went but still got great, fast service

Delicious food that came very fast! The portions are huge, such as in the photo I have attached. I ordered a kids chocolate chip pancakes since I wasn’t too hungry yet still ended up with leftovers and was very pleased with the prices too!

Went there for a breakfast / brunch. The place was busy but we got a place quite quickly. Nice fruit juices and food. Pancakes were big and my son could not finish those. The southern breakfast was uncommon to me but good. Coffee on free refill is a plus

EJ’s is my go to always! Whether by myself or with friends, family etc. doesn’t matter. Service is always wonderful, staff is friendly and warm, great atmosphere and delicious food. Also prices are very well priced. Highly recommend

Venerable diner with really good food and attentive staff. Prices are (by NYC standards) quite reasonable given the quantity and quality of the food

One of our new favourite diners in Manhattan! It was quite packed on a Saturday morning but they have lots of seating indoor and outdoor. Expect a wait if you arrive at brunch hours. The food was super excellent and I especially loved the crab cake eggs Benedict. Excited to come back and try other items!

Delicious hamburgers in an "old fashion" diner I loved it!

We ordered Thanksgiving dinner and it was delicious! Arrived a bit early with juicy turkey and delicious sides. The stuffing was amazing + the pumpkin pie was huge. High quality, great price!

EJs is a favorite spot for people in the area who want to enjoy breakfast or brunch on the weekends. You really can’t make a bad choice with any of their menu items, all served in a classic diner atmosphere. It's a wonderful way to kick off your day!

Such a nice spot for some great diner food. They do breakfast lunch and dinner options. The staff are lovely and the atmosphere is relaxed. You'll probably spend between $10-20 if you get food but it's well worth it! Highly recommend!

Have eaten here a lot and realize a good review is overdue! Elchin’s service today inspired it. Nothing but great vibes in here and great, consistent food and pleasant times. Especially for brunch! Neighborhood staple.

Ejs is a classic New York City diner. I go here all the time and the food is great. If you go at a peak time like in the weekend, expect a crowd and expect to wait. Weekdays for lunch you can walk right in. I have a gluten allergy and they are very knowledgeable and accommodating. Lots of options!

Tri Tran

I stopped by for a quick breakfast (and forgot to take a photo because I was in a rush). The service was fast and the food was solid. It’s a classic no-frills New York diner that does exactly what you want for breakfast.

Vyacheslav “Slava” D.

For sure I will visit this place one more time! Charming atmosphere and big choices in menu! Our pancakes and quesadilla were delicious

+3

Cliff Miller

Great salads and very large. We had a Cobb and a salad with salmon. Sat in a glassed in side room with a good view of the street life. Also has outdoor sidewalk tables. Cute diner inside.

Kajal

EJ Luncheonette’s is hands down one of my favorite spots in the city. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual brunch, a solo breakfast, or a cozy meal with friends, this place always delivers. I usually switch between the avocado toast and the quesadillas, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. The avocado toast is fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The quesadillas are cheesy, crisp, and comforting — exactly what you want when you’re craving something savory and satisfying. But let’s talk about the real game-changer: the French toast sticks. They are an absolute must. Golden, crispy, and dusted in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar, they hit that perfect balance of crunchy and soft. I dream about them. They’re the kind of thing you order “for the table” and end up eating most of yourself. What really sets EJ Luncheonette’s apart, though, is the vibe. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, and the service is consistently quick and attentive without ever feeling rushed. The space feels homey and relaxed, like the kind of neighborhood spot you can return to again and again. Whether I’m grabbing a coffee and a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal, I always leave happy and full. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. EJ Luncheonette’s has become a staple in my rotation and I can’t recommend it enough. Come hungry — and don’t skip the French toast sticks!

Sharon M

The bbq chicken salad looks ordinary but it's so delicious. Had an ice coffee which was very good too. This is a quality diner, great staff there too.

Olivia Wong

This was the cutest and most nostalgic diner! The ambiance was amazing and they had the cutest Christmas decorations. The food was absolutely delicious and reasonably priced, at around $25 per meal. The desserts were even better! I would recommend the carrot cake.

Helča Ondřejová

Best meal we’ve had in NY. Great service, we waited a bit longer for the food after ordering and the waiter offered we only have to pay for one meal. The food was delicious, very well seasoned and made out of fresh components. Would definitely come back!

Matt van orden

A NYC staple. This diner is incredible. My wife and I have gone here after every baby appointment over the last few months and they never miss! We love their omelettes and as you can tell from the pics, clean plate clubs all around. The staff gets you your meal efficiently and are very welcoming. I enjoy building my own omelette whereas my wife gets the Greek omelette. She gets the everything bagel and I get the challah toast which is better imo. The atmosphere is very cool and super positive which I’m a fan of. They never rush you and they always leave you with a smile and full belly! We’re looking forward to taking our son there soon.

KATE

THE BRUNCH IS SCRUMPTIOUS EJ’s has the best eggs Benedict I have ever had. This could quite possibly be the BEST diner in Manhattan- weekends tend to be more crowded. Service was fast and consistent- I’ve been several times and have always been treated courteously. Atmosphere- Casual diner. Prices are as high as the law will allow🤣…if only there was a law against high priced restaurants in Manhattan- I highly recommend at least one trip to EJ’s . Refinance your house if you need to.

Stephen Lavin

This place has been awesome for years and a neighborhood favorite. I am pretty sure they were busy through the entire pandemic and for good reason; they have great dine in, takeout, and do a ton of deliveries. The menu is diner safe, all good things that you will recognize, quality of the food is very good. EJ's is predictable which is what you want in a place that's good; they won't let you down. Staff is also good from the door to the back of the kitchen. The kitchen is exposed, everyone at their stations and well orchestrated. EJ's is clean and it appears everyone is always having a good time. Five stars for me because it's a great diner with awesome comfort foods. There are tables, banquets, and of course you can eat at the counter. Seating is in three main areas; the counter and enclosed dining room, a peripheral seating area towards the side street but still building attached and glass enclosed, and then a side street and a third avenue outdoor space in the streets. Plywood gourmet-type seating courtesy of NYC for restaurants during the pandemic. The bathrooms are downstairs (2 of them for guests) and the stairs are a bit narrow and steep, just hold the railing and all will be just fine. There is wheelchair access but the bathrooms will be a challenge. EJ's is a great place, eat here.

The food was delicious! I ordered the French toast with homemade blueberry composte. Staff was okay, they were busy so not much to say.

A pretty decent diner

+3

Standard breakfast/brunch/lunch food at a reasonable price. I had the flap jacks with bacon and maple syrup along with a chocolate milkshake (because I am a kid at heart). It was seriously filling. Will most likely have to wait on the weekend for a table, it gets busy!

Love the food, coffee not so much (tasteless).

+1

Traditional diner, crowded place for lunch (20-30 min que). Food was alright/good.

Really solid comfort food, good ambiance, just pretty expensive for what it is. Great for a cozy morning

Came for a spontaneous breakfast. It seemed pretty busy so im sure they're well liked in their neighborhood. The food was delicious and the portions were pretty big too.

Cool breakfast/lunch place, better than most generic diners in NYC, especially as a tourist. The waiter was friendly and very to-the-point. In New York, staff are always very friendly, I'm guessing for tips? I wouldn't call him a friend but an acquaintance, a bit of banter would've been good but sure, it's New York! Order a salad and a soup - it was fantastic. The rest had breakfast food and it looked divine! Two bathrooms - One not working which was shite. The people we met waiting for the bathroom were so lovely though! So I'd say its a great place if those kind of people are eating there.

It was pretty ok. We were walking looking for a place to have dinner and most places were already closing. The food was good and the price was ok too

Food was good, nothing spectacular but good. The place has a nice vibe though, cozy. Pastrami was solid, a subtler taste and great pickles.

+2

Classic ham and egg place. Clean, wide variety of diner plates, good service and also parking across the street if needed. Prices are NYC typical.

I went there for a breakfast. Ordered some sandwiches and hot chocolate. The food was good, nothing exceptional. The place was crowded and popular in the neighborhood. The service was fast and quick.

Came here for brunch. Ordered their country breakfast with a side of cheesy grits. The grits were pretty bland and the turkey sausage wasn’t that great. Their eggs, coffee, biscuit & gravy were pretty great! They have a nice layout and buzzy vibe. Their outdoor seating is also really nice.

Had our dog here at the outdoor seating area and the service was great! The burger salad was delicious and fresh, and the fries were also great. The open faced Reuben had waaaaaay too much cheese. It wasn't knock-my-socks-off food but it was a great place for diner food where we could eat with our dog and hang out!

Stopped by for a late breakfast after having to fast for a medical procedure nearby. This is a typical old-school New York City diner with all the classics on the menu. All I wanted was an omelette with a bagel and coffee and it really hit the spot. We had a lovely waitress, very attentive and efficient. My only issue is the prices, kind of eye popping, but I guess they can get away with it on the upper East side. I think my omelette was $22.

+4

EJ’s Luncheonette Est. 1992 Layout/atmosphere *Merchandise by host stand; 10 seat wraparound counter with TV; booths; side room (booths, tables) with full length windows/open view of street Food/drink *Orange juice (with pulp) - good *Belgian Waffle with Homemade Blueberry Compote - solid; the blueberries made the dish *Greek Omelette (Spinach, Tomato & Feta) with home fries & white toast - Good; home fries were seasoned potatoes

Went on a Monday for a late lunch by myself. I was promptly seated at a table near the window. Service was attentive but not over bearing. I ordered the Greek chicken salad w a beer. There was a generous amount of chicken. The chicken was fresh, grilled and seasoned perfectly. The place was a little run down but it added charm. The people who work here seem to like their job - says a lot without saying anything, abt the mgt. I would definitely go back.

+2

A great classic diner in the UES! It won’t blow you away, but you’ll definitely leave satisfied. Their Challah French toast was delicious. Highly recommend! The breakfast sampler was also good. They have heaters in their outdoor seating and the service was fast and friendly.

Another great diner. Old style, love it. Food is great and big portions. Good coffee and very friendly staff.

+2

EJ’s Luncheonette, a beloved Upper East Side institution since 1992, is the perfect spot to refuel after a day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We arrived just in time to snag a table before the crowd rolled in, and I was relieved to find the booths spacious enough for my family. The menu, featuring nostalgic blue plate specials, was a delightful throwback. The friendly staff quickly took our orders, and I was thrilled to see cream soda on the menu—an NYC classic. I went for the meatloaf with a Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach. My sister enjoyed matzoh ball soup and eggs Benedict, while my brother-in-law opted for the same meatloaf. The kids chose chicken and waffles and chicken tenders. As we laughed and savored our meals, it became clear that places like EJ’s are what make New York’s culinary scene so special. We left full and happy, already planning our next visit. If you’re in the area, EJ’s is a must for classic comfort food.

Good place for a delicious and filling meal. Best sweat potatoes fried had for a while.

Stephen Morton

This was my second visit. I really want to give this place a five because the hostess and atmosphere was marvelous. The decor is fun, the bathroom was clean. My only issue was the service just seemed a little too rushed. NOt unfriendly, but rushed. When you are paying these kind of prices, I want service to be a little more on the upside. Never came by and asked how everything was, forgot my coffee I ordered (was not on the bill, though.) Overall, a nice place and I will go back again.

M. H.

A great choice to enjoy breakfast in the Upper East Side, where you can enjoy tasty Eggs Benedict and a delicious extra crispy French Toast. The waitstaff are friendly in a very casual setting.

+2

Jeff Rocco

A classic, NYC diner experience. Is it overpriced - a little, but the service is top notch, the portions are big, and the coffee is free flowing! Its got all of the diner plates you'd expect like omelets, burgers, sandwiches and the like. The servers were attentive, professional, and not overbearing. The GF pancakes were dry and crumbly, i used a half a bottle of the syrup they gave me and they were still dry. The bacon was cooked perfectly though. Also, heavy and fancy coffee mugs! You'll spend a little more than you want to, but it's eating out in NYC so you should expect that.

They don’t open till 8 AM Don’t even try to arrive earlier - they’ll scold you repeatedly “we don’t open till 8! We don’t open till 8!” I’ve been before and the food is ok. Basic diner breakfast. I tolerated the rude staff (mostly a bunch of grumpy older guys) before but I’m done. It isn’t worth enduring the rudeness so early. Try Silver Star a few blocks away.

Ordered EJ's Special Breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, 'southern grits', and challah bread. This breakfast gave me all the feels of a Holiday Inn continental breakfast buffet. Plastic eggs, paper bacon, and watery grits that have clearly never traveled farther south than Jersey. The third star is for nostalgia. It took me back to the roadtrips from my childhood. But, at $18, this was a 2-star fail.

The place is nice but the outside is a little dirty, papers and other stuff in the floor. The food is tasty and not too spicy. We order 2 chicken with cheese quesadillas a beer and a coffee with milk. Total amount with tax and tip 58 usd

Portions were good, service was fantastic. However the food lacked flavor and were not worth the price. For example the Mac and cheese (shown in the picture) as an appetizer cost 12 dollars but looked and tasted worse than Kraft's Mac and cheese.

The place is expensive for what you get. Service is good. Food is big. Pancakes are good. Coffee is burnt. You can find better places near.

Great food, but please use paper/compostable packaging instead of the thick plastic boxes.

UES institution. While the service is very friendly, attentive and patient and the excellent upbeat atmosphere inside and outside delivers, unfortunately the food seemed underwhelming, maybe average so just manage your expectations! I'm still happy to support a local business and there is a very broad menu for any picker eaters. Also it is nice that this local place accommodates big groups.

It's so nice to still be able to go to a diner in NYC. This place is great - they seat you fast and bring your food pretty quickly. The waitress was efficient but also patient- we placed one order but couldn't decide on the second order and she was kind enough to just come back 5 minutes later. The lemonade was delicious! The Greek salad was very good and filling and the lox omelette was good too. The drawback was the price - but that's UES for you I guess.

+3

Their thanksgiving plate was nearly $50 and so mediocre for the price.

I was meeting up with a friend, and we were looking for a diner. She found this location and when we arrived it was crowded and no tables were available. We had to sit on the countertop, which had stools. The location is not disability friendly because you have to go down these steep stairs to have access to the bathroom. They serve alcohol

The food is good quality and taste, but the wait is awful. We went at 130 on a Saturday, not the rushiest of rush hours, wait was 30 minutes. But the wait for our food was 1 hour after ordering! Also would never have gone if if realized the one meal would take the entire afternoon. Didn't even ever get a refill on coffee. I think upper east side is just too tight on places to eat relative to local population, so everything is packed everywhere. As a result, there aren't many places you would go out of your way to go to, this place being no exception.

Evelyn Maria Gonzalez

EJ’s — Staff is great. Please do not blame this for this review! Corporate needs to stop thinking about expansion and focus a bit more on quality control of food preparation. Today’s takeout food: stale desserts; award- winning meatloaf is now tasteless. Excellent mashed potatoes, tho! I spent $140.00 on a huge takeout order , but that is too much money for excellent mashed potatoes! Unfortunately, I will need to look elsewhere for food for my elderly housebound mom. However, we are rooting for you! You can improve with a tweak here and there on the food preparation and I hope to return in a few months with my mom and her walker!

jkaw

Average diner food at fair prices, with a few unique creations on the menu. Very popular on weekends.

LoMo Phillips

Waited over 30 minutes for a table for 2 on a Sunday at around 1pm. It gave modern diner vibes, and it was a lil loud and crowded for my taste. It also didn’t help that we were seated close to the bathroom, so people were going back and forth by our table the whole time 😅 I saw they had a “famous” crunchy french toast, that included crushed corn flakes and slivered almonds. Thank god I ordered it with the homemade blueberry compote, because the toast was bizarrely flavorless, not even maple syrup saved it. I also thought the corn flakes and almonds would be crumbled on top, but instead it comes “battered” in that, creating a weird texture. I didn’t finish it, nor did I take it home. The service was good though! Nice, fast, and attentive.

Don’t get the gluten free waffle. I realize it’s gluten free but it doesn’t have to be completely tasteless. Just a waffle on a plate. Also service was non-existent - no coffee refills, never checked on whether our food was OK (it wasn’t). Avoid the outside shed. So no, not great.

No. Not worth the time. The chicken soup was short of expectation on every level. Quality of meat the amount of meat quality of noodle the amount of noodle the broth was water.

Place is too crowded. Was constantly getting bumped into. But the worst part was the chicken and waffles portions. The amount of chicken is enough for a toddler. Not worth the price or the experience. Service was only bad because it seemed the waiter had too many tables to cover.

Elizabeth Sara Ross

The gluten free pancakes were so dry and crumbly they were nearly inedible. The sausage links were good and the home fries were decent. I would not go out of my way to dine here again.

Jan Capek (JC)

We’ve been coming here since the early 2000s — first as tourists, now as NYC locals. Back then, it felt like a real New York experience: big portions, fair prices, friendly service. Now? Prices are up, portions are down — fine. What isn't fine is that the old atmosphere of "good-eggishness" is dead. The service, especially from female staff, is cold, distant, and disengaged. Not rude — just entirely uninterested, like the tip is owed regardless. In contrast, the male servers are consistently warm and attentive. How sad that every time we visit we hope for a male server. And what a strange sentiment to be bringing to a restaurant! (And, naturally, there is one male server per 5 female ones.) There's also an older, officious-looking guy (never serves tables, possibly the manager) who’s just as cold — maybe he sets the tone. Whatever the reason, the place now feels indifferent and tired. We still come by, rarely, out of nostalgia. But each visit just reminds us of how far it’s fallen. My "EJ's Luncheonette" mug, which I bought some time ago, is a sad mug.

This is my grilled cheese sandwich. Where the heck is the cheese?! And those giant milkshakes you get in person? You get a tiny little cup for the same price. Unbelievable.

It’s a tight space, and they charge 35 dollars for a mooshy lumpy omlette with 4 pieces for bacon. Service was ok, they were polite but very rushed understandably. Bland food, +rushed service+ expensive, this is why the ues has a terrible food reputation.

You guys really don’t give a damn about your customers, do you? It’s VERY clear and trust me MESSAGE RECEIVED! You go into the restaurant and you guys are rude. You order on UBER or Grubhub and there are missing items and it’s packed like you don’t give a damn. I’m sick of giving so much money to people who don’t care about their customer experience or the quality of their work. I can’t wait until something else opens up in their neighborhood that doesn’t treat people like crap and puts you out of business.

My husband and I sat in EJ's waiting to be served for 45 minutes. We asked the waitress several times where our food was. She said oer and over with a scowl on her face, "It's coming." It never came. The tables all around us were served. We were not. We were regulars who won't soon be back.

My second time in ej's to get takeaway.. but today was very dissappointing. I wanted to get a freshly squeeze orange juice for my sick friend who i will be visiting in the nursing center in 79st close to ej's and they are advertising and posting in their menu thats its fresh when i was at the diner it was just a bottled orange juice If you say freshly squeeze orange Juice,it should be a fresh orange fruit squeeze in a juicemaker put in your glass/take away cup and serve Please dont post such if it is not what you are serving,try to correct your menu. Its not good and its deceiving the customers.

Lamb/gyro special today was dry, old and lukewarm. Waitstaff was rude including host. Requested water 3 times before it was brought to the table. Air conditioning fan was beyond loud and we could not hold a conversation without shouting. A complete waste of $100+ for 3 people at noon. We will never return- don’t waste your money. There is NOTHING good about this restaurant

Great place 12 years ago, now they are just trying to be a over glamorous hip dinner with high prices small portions and bland food. I knew it was over as soon as I was served a soda in a mason jar.

Gavin Rogers

I was there after a doctors visit and a waitress accidentally broke my cane walking by. She tried to fix it with masking tape. I was not worried about it but after the accident they never asked how they could help getting out or assisting with exit. The manager avoided the situation the entire time. I never went up to them for help or complained but their avoidance was very clear. Had to change my mode of transportation and wait for driver at their establishment for quite sometime. Will never return

Maru Stern

The only positive about the food was the size of the portion. Soup was not good (not tasty and I could tell the chicken was super old, reheated). Pastrami tasted like anything but pastrami, it was sweet somehow and I could swear this had butter in the meat or the bread because of the consequences after, having clarified I am lactose intolerant (the server certainly did clarify as it was even specified in the check but kitchen must’ve ignored it). Place is nice, the server too but certainly won’t come again.