Highland Park Diner
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Highland Park Diner

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Step back in time at Highland Park Diner, a 1940s rail car eatery serving classic American fare and legendary milkshakes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Highland Park Diner

Highland Park Diner

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at Highland Park Diner, a 1940s rail car eatery serving classic American fare and legendary milkshakes.

"A true Rochester gem with a charming vintage vibe and surprisingly good eats!"

TIP

Visit Early

Arrive early, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times as it gets very busy.

Try Seasonal Specials

Ask about seasonal specials for unique dishes that are a must-try when available.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 8AM

Cuisine

American Diner

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(585) 461-5040

Address

960 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Vintage Rail Car Ambiance

Vintage Rail Car Ambiance

Dine in a charming 1940s-era boxcar diner, a registered architectural gem with a unique retro vibe.

TikTokHotspots & BEST Things to do in Rochester, NY (Weekend Getaway Guide)How to spend the perfect weekend in Rochester
Hand-Dipped Milkshakes

Hand-Dipped Milkshakes

Indulge in thick, creamy hand-dipped milkshakes with a variety of classic and specialty flavors.

These 15 Rochester Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth
Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Nutella Stuffed French Toast

A decadent breakfast treat featuring warm French toast stuffed with Nutella, topped with fruits.

How to spend the perfect weekend in RochesterWhere to Eat in Rochester, NYGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Are you in the market for rich history, delicious food, and immaculate vibes? Then let us introduce you (or re-introduce you) to Highland Park Diner in Rochester, NY! 🥞☕ 🍳Originally constructed in 1948, the building is a train car-style diner originally built in Orleans County before delivery to its current location in Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood. 🍳The building functioned as a diner u...
@visitrochester
165 likes • 5.9K views

Visit Early

Arrive early, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times as it gets very busy.

Try Seasonal Specials

Ask about seasonal specials for unique dishes that are a must-try when available.

Highland Park Diner Rochester, NY #food #rochesterny #resturant #fyp #breakfast
@theofficialbuji
299 likes • 3.6K views
Humble brag: Rochester, NY has some of the best diners around. Don’t believe us? Try these great spots for yourself! 📍Highland Park Diner: 960 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 📍Jines Restaurant: 658 Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14607 📍Mel’s Diner: 3579 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14616 📍The Peppermill Restaurant: 1776 Dewey Ave., Rochester, NY 14615 📍Original Steve’s Diner (Penfield): 1694 Penfi...
@visitrochester
2.7K likes • 47.5K views

Brunch Options

Consider their extensive brunch menu, including popular items like eggs Benedict and skillets.

Sweet Tooth Delight

Save room for homemade desserts, especially the hand-dipped milkshakes.

Highland park diner 10/10 food was on point 🥹✨#momof3 #momlife #HomeschoolLife #family
@ya.girl.k.love
15 likes • 2.8K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit Early

Arrive early, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times as it gets very busy.

Try Seasonal Specials

Ask about seasonal specials for unique dishes that are a must-try when available.

Brunch Options

Consider their extensive brunch menu, including popular items like eggs Benedict and skillets.

Sweet Tooth Delight

Save room for homemade desserts, especially the hand-dipped milkshakes.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Highland Park Diner offers a classic diner experience with many appreciating the vintage ambiance and a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options. While some rave about the milkshakes, French toast, and specific sandwiches, others have noted inconsistencies in food quality, such as dry pancakes or unseasoned dishes. Service is generally described as friendly, though some recent reviews indicate a decline in overall quality.

"Went for brunch today to this very classical diner. The servers are very friendly and approachable. Summer, our server, was great.
The food was excellent. I world recommend the shakes and the western sandwich, but everything that we ordered was flavorful regardless.
The atmosphere was friendly and vibrant. I will return here for a meal when I visit Rochester next."

Neehar Arya

"I had high hopes, but in the end, i was drastically disappointed. We went in as a group of 5 and only 1 of us had an enticing meal. The chocolate chip pancakes: dry and bland batter. The side for those pancakes were turkey sausages for $5.99… more like two mini pinky toe sausages… so not worth it, they were tasteless. The chicken and waffles: small, cheap chicken (they were chicken tenders) and one dry, bland waffle… for $16… what a joke. The highland skillet: the seasoning didn’t exist… salt and pepper doesn’t come to mind at this diner i guess, and the gravy was flavored so peculiar. The steak and egg sandwich: also unseasoned, but once it was drowned in ketchup it was edible. the breakfast burger: the only meal worth the price and was moderately seasoned. Overall the food was just underwhelming, but let’s get to the drinks… the milk was in a smaller cup and was priced at $3.99 and i didn’t even get a refill. the iced coffee, which was in a larger cup, was priced at $3… and the milk was barely cold. I was crying inside. I left still hungry and sad… I expected more. See pictures as proof."

Jason Hyde

"All around excellent diner! So many choices and the food was delicious! The owner very gracious and our server was so nice too!!"

Elizabeth Gagne

What People Like

Authentic vintage train car atmosphere
Delicious hand-dipped milkshakes
Creative and flavorful breakfast dishes like Nutella French toast

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality and seasoning
Dry or bland baked goods
Long wait times during peak hours

Frequently Asked Questions

To avoid long waits, it's best to visit early in the morning or on weekdays. Weekends can be very busy.

The diner does not explicitly mention taking reservations. It's advisable to arrive early or be prepared for a wait.

Signature dishes include the Nutella Stuffed French Toast, hand-dipped milkshakes, and various breakfast skillets.

These 15 Rochester Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your MouthHow to spend the perfect weekend in RochesterGoogle Review

Yes, the diner is known for its all-day breakfast options, including wraps and pancakes.

These 15 Rochester Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth

The restaurant has a unique, retro ambiance as it's housed in a beautifully restored 1940s-era rail car.

TikTokHotspots & BEST Things to do in Rochester, NY (Weekend Getaway Guide)

The diner often features seasonal specials, which are highly recommended by visitors.

Rochester's 20 Best Delivery and Takeout Places

The diner is typically open for breakfast and lunch, often closing in the mid-afternoon.

Google Review

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These 15 Rochester Restaurants Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth

Highland Park Diner 960 Clinton Avenue South, Rochester, NY 14619 (585) 461-5040 Yelp: 3.5 stars, 56 reviews The feel of Highland Park Diner might be old-fashioned, with its rail car frame and traditional menu selections, but that’s not a reflection on the food. All-day breakfasts are always a favorite of the diner crowds, and Highland is no exception. You won't be disappointed with any of their breakfast wraps or pancakes, but the reason reason to eat at Highland is for their hand dipped milkshakes.

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The upscale and retro Highland Park Diner is a perfect spot to enjoy some traditional American breakfast and brunch items with your favorite milkshakes and homemade desserts. The bustling ambiance is well balanced with its period-designed interiors to give it a vintage vibe. The brunch items include standard morning fare along with sandwiches, wraps, hamburgers, and a variety of egg preparations.

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This classic diner will take you back in time with its vintage feel in a trailer setting. While most people come for brunch because of their outrageous number of brunch options, especially their eggs Benedict and skillets, they have a huge selection of great sandwiches and burgers as well. #SpoonTip: Depending on the day you come, they may also have seasonal specials that are must-haves.

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We are huge fans of old-school diners, and Upstate New York is full of them. Before leaving from your weekend in Rochester don’t miss having a meal at Highland Park Diner set in a 1940s-era Orleans Company box car!. Not to mention the diner is on the Rochester Landmark Society’s list of architectural gems too, as it’s the only box car made by that company still in existence.

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What’s your favorite brunch spot? : Rochester

Highland Diner, Strathallen, Honeoye Falls Distillery, Blue Wolf Bistro, Voulas, Nosh, James browns place, Mad hatters, Trata, Roam cafe, Durfs, Label 7, Revelry, Ale house, Jines, Jim’s on main, Gatehouse, Schmegs (Gates), Butapub, The Owl House, Aladdin’s natural eatery, ORBS, Brown Hound Downtown, Cure, Roux, Patti’s pantry, Village bakery & cafe, Genesee Brew House.

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How to spend the perfect weekend in Rochester

Rochester has a lot of diners to choose from, my favorite being the Highland Park Diner, a 1950s-era train car diner that is listed as an architectural gem by the Rochester Landmark Society. I always get the Nutella stuffed french toast that comes with sliced bananas and strawberries on top, but you have to really have a sweet tooth to not get overwhelmed.

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Set in a beautifully restored 1948 Orleans diner car, this local favorite serves generous portions of American classics. Must-try dishes include their crispy home fries with onions, fluffy chocolate chip pancakes, and the renowned homemade corned beef hash. Their Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream draw weekend crowds.

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Rochester NY's Irresistible Brunch Spots: A Culinary Adventure for Weekend Warriors

Highland Park Diner in Rochester, NY offers a great classic diner experience with delicious breakfast food, plenty of options, and a cozy atmosphere. The Gyro Skillet and the two egg combo were both excellent, and the coffee was hot and tasty. The wait times can be long, but it's worth it for the old-time feel and the delicious food.

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You can’t miss the retro-styled trailer is considered one of Rochester’s Landmark Society architectural gems. Serving fluffy pancakes (order the banana Nutella, you’ll thank me later) and bottomless coffee, this local favorite should be on your places to eat in Rochester, NY list.

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960 Clinton Avenue SRochester, NY 14620(585) 461-5040 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Highland Park Diner is a bustling, retro-style boxcar eatery serving various morning meal standards, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, homemade desserts, and delicious shakes.

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Rochester Foodie

Highland Park Diner is the quintessential 1940's boxcar diner experience. Breakfast and lunch served all day, large portions, giant milkshakes, and a classic diner-era atmosphere. It's a Rochester icon, so make sure to give it a try while you're here.

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he Highland Park Diner is recognized by the Rochester Landmark Society as a building of significant architectural interest, being one of a few retro diners still in operation. Serving breakfast-goers since 1948, the diner offers all the classics.

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Highest-rated Brunch Restaurants in Rochester, According to Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (221 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Diner- Price: $- Address: 960 Clinton Ave S, Rochester, NY 14620-2023- Read more on Tripadvisor

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960 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620585-461-5040 Visit Website. With neon 1950s-style signage, customers can’t miss the Highland Park Diner. In the Swillburg neighborhood, the diner has been serving hot breakfast plates since 1948.

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Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in Rochester, according to Tripadvisor

– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (219 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Category: American, Diner– Price: $– Address: 960 Clinton Ave S, Rochester, NY 14620-2023– Read more on Tripadvisor

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Best Cooking Class: Rochester Brainery | Best of Rochester

Housed inside the iconic 1948 dining-car at the corner of South Goodman Street and South Clinton Avenue, the Highland transports diners back in time.

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Highland Park Diner - Rochester Wiki

Highland Park Diner is a famous diner on the corner of Clinton and Goodman in Swillburg, across Clinton from The Cinema.

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