Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast after a late night out, want to dine in a casual atmosphere, or like paying a cashier instead of your server (hey, it’s possible!), eating at a diner may be the right choice. While some people enjoy the home cooking and traditional American fare, others come for the unpretentious atmosphere and, at many restaurants, waitstaff that have worked there for years. If you’re in the mood for an unfussy experience with down-home cooking and a “come-as-you-are” atmosphere, here are some of your choices in Fort Lauderdale.

The Floridian Restaurant – Downtown Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of The Floridian Diner

Anyone who’s ever reveled to the wee hours in the bars on Las Olas in Downtown Fort Lauderdale has likely eaten at The Floridian at least once. Voted “Best Hangover Spot” by the Sun-Sentinel in 2014 (yes, that’s really an award), this diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has been a staple of Las Olas Boulevard for over 70 years. As one of the oldest restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, this diner attracts its fair share of late-night visitors, but it also attracts a steady stream of regular customers who can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items at all hours.

Andrews Diner – Wilton Manors

Courtesy of the Epicurean Explorer

Quick, cheap, and comfortable may not be the adjectives that draw customers to all dining venues, but that’s how many visitors describe the Wilton Manors  diner—and those are compliments. The wait staff is friendly (but don’t give them any BS) and the food is just plain good. Be forewarned, though: if you order a water with lemon, the wait staff will yell to the kitchen that they need a “Boca,” as in Boca Raton (Locals will understand why). And former New Englanders will love that scrod is always on the menu on Friday.

Lester’s Diner – River Oaks

Courtesy of Lester's Diner

Although it has four locations in Broward County—River Oaks in Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Creek, Sunrise, and Pompano Beach—Lester’s Diner doesn’t feel like a “chain” and, in fact, it isn’t. It’s been a family-owned establishment for over 50 years, opening its first location in Fort Lauderdale in 1967. Located on State Road 84, Lester’s is a classic diner complete with wait staff and regular customers that have known one another for years. Serving iconic American food along with a selection of Greek favorites, Lester’s likely won’t set any culinary trends, but that’s just fine by its loyal customers, who often call it “an institution.”

Peter Pan Diner – Oakland Park

Courtesy of Peter Pan Diner

If you’ve ever driven down Oakland Park Boulevard, you’ve probably noticed the Peter Pan Diner  sign—with, you guessed it, a giant picture of Peter Pan in his iconic green suit and orange hat. Opened in Oakland Park in 1979 and family-owned since, the menu is inspired by the family’s Greek heritage and offers perennial favorites such as moussaka and pastichio, along with traditional American comfort food. It’s open 24/7 and has plenty of parking spaces in the rear lot.

Moonlite Diner – North Andrews Gardens

Courtesy of Moonlite Diner

This 1950s-style diner, located at the front of a strip mall off Cypress Creek Road in North Andrews Gardens, offers the type of old-fashioned decor that brings back memories of years ago, complete with black-and-white checkered floors and neon signs. If you like restaurants with menus that read like short books and getting an entire pot of coffee instead of just a mug, then this is your place. The portions are generous, the wait staff is friendly, and breakfast is served all day.

Duffy’s Diner – North Andrews Gardens

Courtesy of Duffy's Diner

Located on Cypress Creek Road near a large corporate park and several large hotels, Duffy’s Diner attracts people who work and live in the neighborhood. Though it only serves breakfast and lunch and closes by 3 p.m. on weekdays (earlier on the weekends), Duffy’s still offers the type of food and service that keeps customers coming back. The wait staff is friendly, polite, and make a point of calling you by your first name if you’re a regular customer. Your coffee is topped off before you even have the chance to get halfway through the cup, and food is served quickly.