New York’s dining scene already owns the spotlight, but a handful of spots featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives manage to break the internet again and again. From Brooklyn comfort food to Queens delicatessen classics, these restaurants pair crowd-pleasing flavors with the kind of photogenic personality that fuels endless reposts. Plot out an edible walking tour—or simply bookmark for future cravings—with these “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”-endorsed restaurants primed for your next viral post.

1. Defonte’s Sandwich Shop — Red Hook, Brooklyn

Operating since 1922, Defonte’s is a living, breathing slice of New York sandwich history. Its massive heroes—built on crusty loaves delivered throughout the day—turn heads the moment they hit the counter, making them instant social-media bait. “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” highlighted the shop’s old-school dedication to house-made ingredients, and that same attention to detail keeps locals and food tourists clogging the narrow Red Hook sidewalk for a taste (and a photo).

Why We Like Defonte’s Sandwich Shop

We love Defonte’s for its towering, overstuffed Italian sandwiches that are a visual feast, practically begging to be snapped before you take that first satisfying bite. The signature hero, piled high with layers of fresh meats, cheeses, and house-made sauces on perfectly crusty bread, makes every sandwich a masterpiece of flavor and texture. It’s the kind of place where your Instagram feed gets a serious upgrade, and your appetite gets fully satisfied.

2. Pies ‘n’ Thighs — Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Southern comfort meets Brooklyn cool at Pies ‘n’ Thighs, the cozy spot where comfort-food cravings go to be satisfied in the most Instagrammable way possible. The dining room feels like grandma’s kitchen—if grandma played vinyl and baked award-winning pies. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives showcased the joints’ from-scratch ethos, and the towering platters of fried chicken and buttery pastry still flood social feeds whenever someone discovers the tiny corner storefront.

3. Mama’s Empanadas — Jackson Heights, Queens

Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, and Mama’s Empanadas captures that melting-pot spirit in handheld form. The shop offers dozens of fillings, folding them into flaky pockets that Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives called out for both creativity and tradition. Because each order comes out piping hot and perfectly photogenic, patrons can’t resist breaking one open for the camera before taking the first bite, earning the brand countless reposts across every platform.

Why We Like Mama’s Empanadas

Mama’s Empanadas delivers perfectly golden, flaky pockets stuffed with vibrant fillings like spicy beef and cheesy spinach, each one looking like a little work of art ready for your next foodie shot. The variety of flavors and crisp, well-seasoned crusts make for eye-catching plates that taste as good as they look. For authentic, colorful bites that brighten both your feed and your palate, Mama’s is a must-visit.

4. John’s of 12th Street — East Village, Manhattan

Opened in 1908, John’s of 12th Street looks much the same as it did a century ago—tin ceilings, black-and-white floors, and walls lined with framed family photos. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives highlighted the restaurant’s ability to honor Italian-American traditions while still welcoming modern diners with vegan versions of red-sauce classics. It’s the sort of timeless spot where a flickering votive and a mountain of pasta create an effortless, moody snapshot worthy of any feed.

5. Hometown Bar-B-Que — Red Hook, Brooklyn

Set inside a cavernous former warehouse, Hometown Bar-B-Que channels Texas pit mastery through a New York lens. While the smokehouse vibe and live music stage draw crowds, it’s the hulking cuts of meat—carved to order in full view—that keep phones pointed at the counter. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for its multicultural seasoning approach, the restaurant continues to inspire mouth-watering posts that travel well beyond city limits.