Whether you're seeking out a good dose of rockabilly or simply want a steaming hot pot of filter coffee and a stack of pancakes piled to the sky, these are the diner's bound to deliver one or the other. Some are purely for gimmicks sake, while others will have you convinced that you've caught a flight across the Pacific and landed in a Hopper painting.
Below, find the diners in Sydney dishing up the best elements of American culture, one milkshake and cheeseburger at a time.
Valentina's Sydney
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Of all the diners on this list, it's the neighbourhood cafe in Marrickville that holds true to the charming atmosphere of a run-of-the-mill US diner. From the deep green decor to the terrazzo two-seaters where hot sauce is at home next to salt, pepper and a jug of maple syrup. Pots of black coffee make the rounds and steam rises off the top of white stackable mugs. Walk over to the counter and you'll find it stuffed with rounds of blueberry pie and pink frosted Grumpy Donuts, ready to takeaway in the signature pinstriped paper bags. There's a lot to love.
Order the 'Tina Classic', a plate loaded with crispy fried potato, bacon, scrambled eggs and a cheeky hotcake to soothe your hangover blues. Or opt for the biscuits and gravy, even the ultra classic bacon, egg and cheese. There's no wrong turn here at Valentina's, where the nicest people really do serve the nicest food.
Happyfield Haberfield
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Few are immune to the instant cheer of Happyfield. Yes, the yellow theme is a bit on the nose but how many of us can resist the urge to revert back to our childhood selves when a stack of pancakes piled to the heavens comes out with rounds of Pepe Saya delicately balanced on top? Not I. But it's not all golden stacks dripping with maple syrup, lunch makes an appearance here too. Find the staple cafe avocado dish, alongside falafel and southern-inspired hash.
Dean's Diner
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When it's time to call it quits and head home after a night out, if you're in the inner west a classic pitt stop on your way home is through the hallowed doors of Dean's Diner. It may not look like much, but Maria and the bonds chesty-wearing Steve sure know how to bring that classic milk bar burger to life. Which incidentally is the key to reviving your crusty body after a few tinnies. Order the double fantasy, I dare ya.
Soda Factory
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Late night American diners are hard to come by in Sydney, except for Surry Hills institution The Soda Factory. Pin up and rockabilly lovers can feel right at home within these poster-lined walls. Wander over on a Tuesday night and find yourself stuffing more $1 hot dogs into your gob than you initially thought possible.
Karen's Diner
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Some of us don't need to pay to be treated badly, the world sees to that itself. But for the masochists among us, or those craving a side dish of discomfort to pair with their cheeseburger, head on over to Karen's Diner where the key tenets of service are modelled off, you guessed it, the "Karen" archetype. Were they incredibly rude back in the dawn of diners?
Skyline Drive-in and Diner
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We're just going to come out and say it. You're probably not going to order much at the Skyline Drive-in Diner save for a bucket of buttery popcorn and a large coca cola, maybe a chocolate milkshake if you feel like branching out. But you're not coming here for the food. It's all about the hyper-retro fit out with its checkerboard linoleum flooring, neon lighting and vinyl booths, a nostalgic refuge while you wait for the film to begin someplace other than your Toyota Corolla.
