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Nickel Diner

(Now Closed)

Diner, Bakery, and Breakfast Spot$$$$

Central City East, Los Angeles

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Nickel Diner

The experts at Food Network and Eater recommend this place

179 Tips and reviews

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ℳ𝒶𝓎♍August 3, 2015
This historic restaurant opened well over 50 years. The ambience is definitely a 50's style diner. Food here is beyond delicious and the service is quite courteous and timely. An ideal breakfast spot
EaterAugust 4, 2016
This new-school diner in Downtown is known for their bacon doughnut, but they also make blueberry pancakes, ham & leek egg scrambles, huevos rancheros, and a hangover helper. Read more
LA WeeklySeptember 18, 2014
Serving up hearty comfort food, like beef stew and catfish with corn cakes, this downtown destination combines amazing flavors with a laid-back atmosphere sure to put any paranoid patron at ease. Read more
LA WeeklyJanuary 30, 2013
The BLTs come with arugula; the hash is made with spicy pulled pork instead of canned corned beef; and all the toast, including the cinnamon-dusted Nickel Bag, is made with bread baked fresh in-house! Read more
EaterAugust 18, 2016
Nickel Diner represents a sea change for the diner concept as a whole. Relying on upgraded ingredients and a throwback-hip vibe, the restaurant has become a vital part of the city. Read more
Food NetworkAugust 4, 2014
The menu boasts a cozy mix of comfort food from homemade pop tarts to specialty burgers, all of which go best with a side of Smac and Cheese. Read more
Heba-I-amSeptember 2, 2017
Look at this gorgeous donut! It's the coffee one and it was mouthwatering. The filling is dangerous. Oh, don't expect to look sexy while eating it because this is gonna be messy 😂 so worth a try
Jen SanchezNovember 21, 2013
Cute little diner with pretty solid service. The owner made sure we were taken care of. Right before we paid, she gave eat of us one of their Maple Bacon donuts on he house!
Linda ElleNovember 13, 2015
From hangover omelette, huevos ranchero, to the dessert menu... Even the friendly welcoming atmosphere... This was a great place. Will definitely go again 😍😍😍
LAistAugust 1, 2014
The dessert platter is the main draw and includes the (rightfully) famous maple bacon donut and home-made versions of junk-food classics, like Pop Tarts and Ding Dongs. Read more
Nick CampbellAugust 6, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Specials are almost always the best idea when you come here. If the crowd waiting in line is intimidating, head to Semi Sweet Bakery around the corner for a coffee and pastry while you wait.
Jan TomešMay 16, 2015
The best place for breakfast I've visited so far in Los Angeles! I love their crumbled eggs with bacon and the selection of donuts is just unbelievable.
LAistAugust 1, 2014
Let's talk about the delicious food: we like the pulled pork hash with poached eggs and also the catfish with corn cakes and pecan sauce. Read more
Rachel LucianoMarch 16, 2014
Get the #5 Scrambled (zucchini, tomato, mozzarella, leeks) with the Italian version of grits (super creamy like cream of wheat) & the 5cent bag (Brioche) and the house made jam. Yum!!
Food NetworkAugust 4, 2014
A 1940's restaurant brought back to life by a chef doing mac and cheese, fried catfish and classic donuts. Read more
W FrankensteinMay 26, 2013
Delicious food. If you're wondering what the 'car bomb' doughnut is, it's a Guinness infused doughnut with English cream. If you like doughnuts with a little heft, this is for you.
Los Angeles TimesAugust 3, 2014
Pancakes and thick-cut bacon, fried catfish and corn cakes, Lowrider burgers and onion rings — that's why you go to the Nickel. Read more
Daniel L.April 26, 2013
Can't go wrong with anything on this awesome greasy spoon's menu. Go for the spicy chicken hash if you're really hungry. It's a hefty portion of meat and potatoes!
Ilusha ZaritskiyOctober 9, 2014
The Bacon Maple doughnut is a must have, ask for it warmed. Poached eggs over pulled pork for breakfast
Jeremy Michael CohenApril 20, 2013
The pulled pork sandwich was wonderful. The biscuit was the best I've ever had -- bigger and fluffier than traditional -- phenomenal with their homemade honey butter and jams.
Mike ChauFebruary 17, 2013
Try the Chocolate Peanut Butter And Potato Chip Cake - It was only 9 AM, but I couldn't pass up the chance to try this. Awesome. Cake for breakfast is nice.
Ricky SherrillMay 6, 2016
They have you covered for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner with top notch comfort food along with some modern spins on classics.
Heather MacKenzieApril 27, 2016
Amazing breakfasts! Polenta & smoky greens on the special were fabulous.
Jenny TranAugust 17, 2013
Smac and Cheese is AMAZING. Instead of a dessert menu, they brought out a platter so we could actually look at the selection (but then you have to ask the waitress about prices).
Los AngelesNovember 18, 2013
The 5th and Main, named for the diner's address, features spicy BBQ pork hash topped with a pair of poached eggs. Save room for a signature maple bacon donut.
SarahSeptember 14, 2014
Maple glazed bacon donut is as good as they say! Service and music were excellent too.
Paul GheduzziJune 21, 2013
If you order dinner, try the Bacon-Avo Burger! Amazing flavors blend nicely together between the bacon, sliced avocado and cheddar cheese.
Sam FitzMay 6, 2014
The highly acclaimed bacon donut is great. But the one I personally recommend is the strawberry crumb donut. Absolutely divine!
AlharithJuly 22, 2016
The strawberry donut was to die for, so was their homemade jam & their pancakes.
Nicole LingnerSeptember 11, 2015
Must have the side of Polenta and really delicious Huevos Ranchero & 5th and Main is Sooo good!!
M GonzalezMarch 6, 2018
good sandwiches, ok vibe, not my favorite diner, but worth checking out if you're in the area
Sandi SartiniJune 9, 2012
They only serve biscuits and gravy on the weekends, but worth the trip just for that!!! You also can't go wrong with any of the donuts!
Serious EatsAugust 25, 2011
Order the BLTA - crisp bacon, earthy, crunchy green arugula. A ripe, ruby red tomato and half an avocado, with a fried egg on crunchy sourdough toast. The yolk adds a creamy, velvety richness. Read more
Jerica GuidryMarch 19, 2013
Smac and cheese is amazing as well as the Double stuffed chicken! So good and very nice people, it has the home town feeling.
Helen MowersMarch 14, 2014
Food is so good and just a fun place to eat. Be prepared for a wait--there's usually a line.
Amanda NatividadOctober 28, 2013
Biscuits & Gravy are kind of sweet. Donuts are delicious and dense - get Nutella and strawberry ones!
Ro TowersJanuary 23, 2018
Bacon, applewood chicken sausage, jam, maple bacon doughnut, can’t go wrong with these.
Chris CooksonMarch 26, 2015
Home made pop tarts!! Also you might get a sample of their jam while waiting outside in line
Sam WingSeptember 22, 2015
The donuts are 500% legit. 5th and Main (pulled pork hash) doesn't let you down either
Larry PerraultSeptember 28, 2013
Loved the Dutch Baby. Thin and tasty. Gladbit wasn't too heavy. The baked apple on it were delicious.
Lux LaCroixSeptember 7, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Sunday brunch and The Nickel is kind of mandatory. Make sure you save room for the donuts.
Leury HidalgoApril 18, 2015
They serve a mean huevos rancheros. Try the bacon donut. It's like heaven in your mouth.
Alexandra LehSeptember 21, 2010
Been here 10+ times
everyone talks about their bacon doughnut and the cakes and such...but when you want to be good to yourself without being bad, order up the house salad. seriously. crunchy-fresh and satisfying.
Osahon TongoDecember 7, 2012
Try the Puppy Pile - Amazing! Apple chicken sausage. Sweet cinnamon pancakes and crispy egg! #pancakecollection #dopeness
Josh MartinAugust 18, 2019
Wonderful service, great waitresses. Be sure to get that giant bacon donut!
Miki ReynoldsSeptember 17, 2012
Get the donuts. Please just get the donuts. At $2.50, get all of them.
ChrisAugust 23, 2014
Red velvet cake has crunchy chocolate morsels nested inside
Carmen KhanDecember 5, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Delicious biscuits on the weekend. Get the polenta with your eggs!
DowntownLA.comAugust 31, 2012
"We are serious about dessert. We savor the selections at several bakeries including Bottega Louie, Nickel Diner, Babycakes, & Semi-Sweet." – Rob & Janene @ www.ThisIsMyDowntown.com/Rob-Janene
Thom RiveraOctober 18, 2013
Great breakfast! Get the Maple Bacon Doughnut.

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