Some of the most memorable moments in American film history have taken place in diners. Movies like Heat, Pulp Fiction and Grease all feature famous scenes in diners, consolidating them as iconic institutions in American culture.

They’re known for large menus that often include eggs, burgers, soups, salads and more, and design features like big booths, art deco typography and globe lights. The American diner has been replicated around the world – including here in Melbourne.

From a Sydney Road spot with griddled pancakes to a Collingwood joint with ketchup-red walls and a Pascoe Vale South spot that marries a classic American diner with a roadside taco stand, here are three of our favourite spots for brewed coffee, sweet pies and other classic dishes.

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Walrus

This Brunswick cafe with a diner theme is more intimate than most of its US counterparts. The space features a handful of cosy wooden booths, wipe-down Laminex tables and a curved counter. Dark tiles, naked lightbulbs, thrifted artwork and a handwritten specials board finish the lo-fi fit-out.

You’ll find good old-fashioned filter coffee brewed using a vintage Coffee Queen machine and old-school American staples that are served all day and might include crisp bacon made from fatty pork belly or French toast and a bowl of fruit salad on the side.
Eggs come fried or scrambled, and omelettes include a Mexican-inspired number with queso fresco and house-made salsa. Pancakes are cooked on a flat-top griddle, triple-stacked to resemble an emoji and served with plenty of maple syrup and whipped butter, and can be topped off with bacon for the full salty-sweet US diner experience.

Jollygood Diner

This new Collingwood spot from Raphael Exton Pery (also behind Jollygood Junior), marries the Melbourne wine bar with the American diner.

There’s a long bar where you can watch the kitchen crew at work and chat with staff as they pour you a mug of batch brew. The bar area is lined with white subway tiles; ketchup-coloured walls run throughout the space; and globe lights fill the room.

If you want to get some work done, smaller tables and window seating run along one side, and classic diner booths with surf-green seating run along the other.

During the day, you can expect classics including buttermilk pancakes with maple-glazed bacon, opt to build your own breakfast sandwiches or grab a slice of key lime pie alongside other pastries, and a jumbo pretzel to snack on.

Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, go for a cheeseburger, a New York deli sandwich or a fresh wedge salad.

Bar Tobala

Bar Tobala co-owner Anthony Jayasekera told Broadsheet last year the spot is, “American diner meets roadside taco stand”.

The Mexican influence on the drinks, food and decor means the Pascoe Vale South spot is more reminiscent of a Californian, Texan or New Mexican diner than a New Jersey joint. The venue has pool-table-green walls crowded with pieces from Mexican artists, combined with high-top window seating, teal booths and tables.

Dishes include charred elote (corn); escabeche (pickles) and a selection of tacos, such as pollo verde (chicken in green salsa); chorizo, potato and quesillo (Oaxacan cheese); and jackfruit in a spicy tomato sauce. The dessert offering is cinnamon pie with carrots cooked in sherry, evaporated milk and piloncillo (cane sugar) with a brûléed orange custard and Cointreau whipped cream on top.