The Ritz Diner New York City was an Upper East Side institution — a 24-hour Greek diner at 1133 1st Avenue that served omelettes, burgers, and milkshakes around the clock for nearly nine decades. Important: the Ritz Diner permanently closed its doors in November 2025, with operations merging into the owner’s Tramway Diner nearby. This guide covers the diner’s history, its menu and prices from the last published listings, and where to go now. If you enjoy this kind of restaurant deep-dive, see our The Grill on the Alley menu guide for another classic American restaurant profile.
What Happened to Ritz Diner?
After decades as a 24-hour stalwart on the Upper East Side, the Ritz Diner at 1133 First Avenue (corner of East 62nd Street) closed on Sunday, November 1, 2025. Owner George Kalogerakos — who had run the diner since 1999 — posted a sign in the window directing customers to his Tramway Diner at 1079 First Avenue (corner of 59th Street), with the move taking effect November 2, 2025, right after the NYC Marathon.
The closure was part of a broader consolidation by Kalogerakos, who had closed his George Southern Greek restaurant at 1144 First Avenue in September 2025 and merged it into Tramway Diner as well. Tramway Diner — opened in 2024 and named for the iconic Roosevelt Island tram — now carries the combined menus and traditions of his former establishments. The diner even had a brush with film history: it was the real-life stand-in for the “Melody Diner” in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Ritz Diner New York City: Location & History
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1133 1st Avenue (at East 62nd St), New York, NY 10065 |
| Neighborhood | Upper East Side / Midtown East, Manhattan |
| Phone | (212) 319-4993 |
| Hours (historic) | 24 hours, every day (12:00 AM – 11:59 PM) |
| Founded | Late 1930s |
| Owner (1999–2025) | George Kalogerakos |
| Cuisine | American, Greek diner, breakfast, burgers, seafood |
| Price range | $ (diner pricing) |
| Status (2026) | Closed November 2025; merged into Tramway Diner, 1079 1st Ave at 59th St |
A note on the address: some delivery apps and aggregators (Postmates, DoorDash, menupages) list “Ritz Diner” at 1079 1st Avenue — but that is actually the Tramway Diner’s address at 59th Street, a few blocks away. The historic Ritz Diner building was at 1133 1st Avenue at 62nd Street.
Ritz Diner Menu & Prices
The Ritz was famous for an enormous, 24-hour menu — omelettes to steaks, burgers to Greek specialties, and classic diner shakes. Below are representative menu items with prices from the most recent published aggregator listings. (Prices were pulled from online listings and may have been adjusted before the closure.)
| Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 Eggs Any Style | $13.25 |
| Eggs Benedict | $20.95 |
| Western Omelette | $18.95 |
| Angus NY Steak and Eggs | $29.95 |
| 16 oz. Broiled NY Cut Boneless Sirloin Steak | $43.95 |
| London Broil | $32.95 |
| Baked Meatloaf | $28.95 |
| Chicken Parmigiana | $29.25 |
| Homemade Italian Style Lasagna | $26.25 |
| Atlantic Salmon Filet | $31.95 |
| Roast Half Chicken | $28.45 |
| Soup du Jour / Matzoh Ball Soup / French Onion Soup | $9.75 |
| Healthy Shakes (Banana, Orange, Nutella Dream) | $11.75 |
| Thanksgiving Day Dinner Special | $35.95 |
Reviewers consistently praised the omelettes, the Derby Style Burger Deluxe, and the old-school Greek-diner feel — big portions, reasonable Manhattan prices, and friendly late-night service. On review sites it held a 4.1 rating from 437+ Tripadvisor reviews and a 4.2 from 423 restaurantji ratings.
Where to Go Now: Alternatives Near the Old Ritz Diner
The direct successor is Tramway Diner at 1079 First Avenue (corner of 59th Street) — run by the same owner and staff, serving the combined menus of Ritz Diner, George Southern Greek, and the original Tramway. It is only a few blocks south of the old Ritz location, making it the natural replacement for anyone hunting “ritz diner 1st ave nyc” or the “best upper east side diners.”
For more high-end Manhattan dining profiles, our JW Steakhouse menu guide covers another classic steakhouse experience (Dallas edition).
FAQs: Ritz Diner New York City
Is Ritz Diner open 24 hours?
The Ritz Diner operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for most of its history — one of the last true round-the-clock diners in Manhattan. It permanently closed in November 2025, so it is no longer open. Its successor, Tramway Diner at 1079 1st Ave (59th St), continues under the same owner.
What happened to Ritz Diner?
Ritz Diner closed on November 1, 2025, after owner George Kalogerakos (who had run it since 1999) consolidated his restaurants. The diner’s window sign directed customers to Tramway Diner at 1079 First Avenue at 59th Street, which now serves the combined menus and traditions of the Ritz, George Southern Greek, and Tramway.
Where was Ritz Diner located?
Ritz Diner was at 1133 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10065 — the corner of East 62nd Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Note that some apps list a “Ritz Diner” at 1079 1st Avenue; that is the Tramway Diner’s address at 59th Street, not the historic Ritz building.
Did Ritz Diner deliver?
Yes — Ritz Diner was listed on Postmates, DoorDash, and similar delivery platforms for both delivery and pickup before its closure. Postmates listed it with a 4.7 rating from 6,000+ reviews and showed it open 24 hours daily.
