A unique spirit fills these diners with more than just the smell of good home cooking. It’s about attitude… and most often includes a good sense of humor and positive outlook on life. Diners don’t take life too seriously. But they do take the experience of dining out seriously. If you want to try a memorable meal where every detail is part of the experience, step back in time and try one of these fun diners found around the Pacific Northwest.
The Dutch Mill Diner
206 Main Ave, Tillamook, OR
A classic 1950s diner with checkerboard floor, red vinyl booths, and classic burgers and shakes found right in the heart of downtown Tillamook. If you love old cars and a fun fifties vibe, this is your place on the coast!
59er Diner
15361 Hwy 2, Leavenworth WA
As if you stepped back to your childhood kitchen, or your grandmother’s kitchen, this diner feels straight out of an “I Love Lucy” episode. It will leave you feeling nostalgic for the fifties, formica, and the simple beauty of red check curtains. Browse their antique shop while there and find a piece of the past to take home with you.
The Green Light Diner
18820 Front St NE Poulsbo, WA
A brightly colored checkerboard floor greets you in this fun and friendly diner. Located in the charming town of Poulsbo, the home-town feel will leave you with perhaps a new appreciation for community, for vintage cars, and a feeling that perhaps you need to add some more color in your life.
Addi’s Diner
207 S. A Street, Springfield, OR
This small little diner in Springfield offers personality on a big scale. If you are a lover of collecting, enjoy a bit of kitschy humor, and gigantic pancakes, you need to visit Addi’s. Their over-the-top decor matches their over-the-top portions – especially when you order their pizza-sized pancake. You won’t go hungry and you won’t be without conversation starters as you look around this unique diner with its slogan “Peace, Love, and Pancakes.”
Luna Park Cafe
2918 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA
In West Seattle is a colorful diner with all day breakfast. The love of 50s graphic design seems evident with fun 50s images and bright colors to cheer your day. Eat inside or head outside on a nice Seattle morning and enjoy great diner food in this bad-mood-busting, happy little diner.
Blue Moon Diner
20167 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy, Beaverton, OR
This diner has a vintage airstream look and blue, white, and chrome interior that harkens right back to the thirties or forties. You too can be a time traveler and enjoy traditional dining food in a sparkling and inviting diner just east of Portland. Well known for their fabulous breakfasts, Blue Moon can start your day off in style.
Madison Diner
305 Madison Avenue N., Bainbridge Island, WA
The former 1948 Willow Grove, PA diner found new life after being relocated to its home on Bainbridge Island by owners who just love old dining cars. Now a local’s favorite, you can step back in time into the cozy club-car like interior, grab a booth or a seat at the counter, and enjoy one of the best breakfasts around.
Stardust Diner
1110 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver, WA
The Stardust Diner is like stepping back in time. The shiny exterior, walls covered with interesting framed newspaper clippings and magazine images, and mini jukeboxes in the booths all help make this diner a fun experience. Big portions and a fun time for all!
Mel’s Cafe
314 N. First St., Yakima, WA
Mel’s Cafe in Yakima has all the happy vibe and colorful atmosphere of a 50s bowling alley, diner right out of the movie “Grease”, and rail car all rolled into one. It has a real flair for the joy of dining with colorful vinyl booths, a long counter, and couches made from upcycled vinyl bench car seats. If you love old 50s cars, this is the diner for you.
The Diner
203 W. Third St., Moscow, Idaho
This 50s diner takes its food seriously. A diner that specializes in freshly baked desserts? Yes please. They take diner food to a new level with Finnish pancakes, huckleberry cinnamon rolls, tuxedo cake, and so much more. You can still get plenty of great diner foods for lunch and dinner, but they had me at the baked goods. Where fun, upbeat, and sweet go hand in hand.
