Montague Diner would really like to be an old-school diner, with red booths and sugar dispensers—and in many ways it isn't too different from Happy Days, the diner that used to be at this street-level Brooklyn Heights spot. There’s an early bird special, two eggs any style, and watery coffee that's refilled before you can even think about it. In the era of fancy luncheonettes, we respect Montague for sticking to the basics. And as at most diners, those basics won't be particularly memorable—though the complimentary bowl of chips they serve, even with breakfast, will be. The fact is Montague opened in 2024, and it also has orange wine and a grain bowl on the menu. But if you live in the neighborhood, this could easily be your go-to spot for a BEC in the mornings, or $42 steak frites on a lazy evening.
photo credit: Willa Moore
Food Rundown
Latkes
Good for sharing if you come with a group. The latkes are on the thicker side, so don’t expect wildly crispy edges. But if more diners served latkes, they’d be high in our diner order rotation.
Bacon Egg and Cheese
A fine option for a quick solo meal here. The eggs are soft and fluffy, the potato bun is a nice substitute for a roll at the deli, and it costs less than $10.
Corned Beef Hash
The diner that opened in 2024 appears to use canned corned beef. We prefer fresh, but props to them for committing to the bit.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Here’s how ordering pancakes usually goes: you want the chocolate chip, but you end up ordering the plain. Why? Why do you do that? Get the chocolate chip. They’re crispy on the edges, soft in the middle, and generally great.
Tuna Melt
There’s a lot going right in this tuna melt—smooth tuna, cheese blanket, breaded fries, a pickle—but the sourdough it’s served on isn’t optimal. It’s a bit fancy-feeling for a diner tuna melt—and a bit stale, too.
