Midnight Diner is a beloved Charlotte destination where classic diner tradition meets the comfort of scratch-made food served around the clock. Located at 420 E Trade St in Charlotte, NC 28202, this distinctive railroad car-style restaurant offers the kind of welcoming atmosphere people seek when they want a satisfying meal at any hour.
Whether guests are stopping in for an early breakfast, a late-night bite, or a relaxed dinner with friends, Midnight Diner delivers the timeless appeal of a diner with the quality and care that keeps customers coming back again and again.
With a strong 4.40-star rating based on 10,116 reviews, it is clear that this spot has earned a loyal following for both its food and its dependable service.
What sets Midnight Diner apart is its commitment to variety, convenience, and comfort. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, takeaway, delivery, no-contact delivery, and on-site service options, making it easy to experience the menu in the way that works best for them.
The kitchen serves a wide selection of comfort food and quick bites, along with small plates, vegetarian options, local specialties, and all-day favorites like breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, and catering.
From great coffee and dessert to alcohol, beer, and late-night food, the menu is designed to satisfy everything from a casual solo meal to a lively group gathering. Fast service, a cozy fireplace, and a lively yet trendy atmosphere add to the experience, creating a place that feels both energetic and inviting.
Midnight Diner also makes accessibility a priority, with wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restrooms, as well as an assistive hearing loop to help ensure a more comfortable visit for all guests.
The restaurant accepts reservations, though it is also known for having a wait, a sign of its popularity and the high demand for its consistently satisfying food and atmosphere. Payment is simple and convenient, with credit cards and debit cards accepted.
For those seeking a dependable place that combines classic diner charm, broad menu appeal, and welcoming service, Midnight Diner offers the kind of experience that turns a meal into a favorite routine. Call +1 980-207-3641 to plan your visit and enjoy one of Charlotte’s most iconic dining experiences.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Midnight Diner
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Whole natural jumbo chicken wings marinated in chef lee's special marinade and coated with his secret flour mix, then fried to a perfect crisp. Served with our golden brown Belgium waffle. breakfast, lunch, or dinner - it will satisfy your taste buds! Try it with French toast instead of a waffle for an additional charge. Additional wings may be added for an additional charge.
Whole natural jumbo chicken wings marinated in chef lee's special marinade and coated with his secret flour mix, then fried to a perfect crisp. Served with our golden brown Belgium waffle. breakfast, lunch, or dinner - it will satisfy your taste buds! Try it with French toast instead of a waffle for an additional charge. Additional wings may be added for an additional charge.
Scattered, smothered and chunked.
Two eggs any style, hash browns, creamy grits or fruit and your choice of applewood bacon, sausage patties or links, turkey bacon or sausage, and two buttermilk pancakes, a waffle or 2 slices of French toast may be substituted for the pancakes for an additional charge-no other substitutions please.
Add a meat-applewood bacon (3), sausage patties (2), sausage links (3), turkey bacon (3), turkey sausage patties (2), Neese's livermush, city ham for an additional charge.
Three buttermilk pancakes, choice of breakfast meat, and two eggs any style.
three buttermilk pancakes. Add a meat applewood bacon (3), sausage patties (2), sausage links (3), turkey bacon (3), turkey sausage patties (2), Neese's livermush, city ham for an additional charge.
Montreal seasoning and bleu cheese crumbles.
applewood bacon and choice of cheese.
provolone, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle aioli with fries or fresh fruit.
provolone, bacon, and avocado.
On a toasted bun with Secret Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles and Onions
provolone, lettuce, and tomato with fries or fresh fruit.
chili, coleslaw, onions, and your choice of cheese.
pepper jack cheese and jalapeños.
Our signature burger is a true taste sensation, comes loaded with tomato, onion, lettuce, pickle, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup served with fries.
your choice of American, Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack.
bacon, egg, and cheese. Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
a hearty 8oz seasoned and breaded steak smothered with our homemade sausage gravy served with two sides and a biscuit
These aren't just plain ole fried chicken, these are hand-selected by chef lee himself and marinated overnight. Then they are hand-breaded in his secret flour recipe and fried until they are golden crispy outside and tender and juicy on the inside. a breast, wing, thigh, and leg served with a biscuit and two sides.
hand-cut, 8oz choice steak served with a biscuit and two sides. Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
These aren't just plain ole fried chicken, these are hand-selected by chef lee himself and marinated overnight. Then they are hand-breaded in his secret flour recipe and fried until they are golden crispy outside and tender and juicy on the inside. 2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, and 2 legs served with four buttermilk biscuits and two sides.
8oz of Angus beef topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, and our homemade gravy served with a biscuit and two sides.
Six never frozen chicken breast tenders marinated then hand-battered and fried to a perfect crisp. Served with a side of our season fries and our house sauce for dipping.
a big bowl of spaghetti in our flavorful homemade meaty sauce topped with parmesan cheese served with garlic toast and a house salad.
These aren't just plain ole fried chicken, these are hand-selected by chef lee himself and marinated overnight. Then they are hand-breaded in his secret flour recipe and fried until they are golden crispy outside and tender and juicy on the inside. 2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, and 2 legs served with four buttermilk biscuits.
These aren't just plain ole fried chicken, these are hand-selected by chef lee himself and marinated overnight. Then they are hand-breaded in his secret flour recipe and fried until they are golden crispy outside and tender and juicy on the inside. a breast and wing served with a biscuit and two sides.
These aren't just plain ole fried chicken, these are hand-selected by chef lee himself and marinated overnight. Then they are hand-breaded in his secret flour recipe and fried until they are golden crispy outside and tender and juicy on the inside. a thigh and leg served with a biscuit and two sides.
Add a meat-applewood bacon (3), sausage patties (2), sausage links (3), turkey bacon (3), turkey sausage patties (2), Neese's livermush, city ham, and add a center-cut country ham for an additional charge.
a hearty 8oz seasoned and breaded steak smothered in our homemade sausage gravy served with two eggs and toast or biscuit
Our famous buttermilk biscuit open-faced with cheddar scrambled eggs and then smothered with our homemade sausage gravy. Served with your choice of bacon, sausage, turkey bacon or sausage patties or links or city ham and your choice of hash browns, creamy grits, or fruit. Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
add ketchup, mustard, slaw, onion or relish at no charge - add cheese or chili and add our fries or onion rings for an additional charge.
lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and cheese with your choice of dressing.
Our season fries - so good they can be served by themselves but if you prefer, you can add chili. Chili and cheese or get it loaded (chili, cheese, bacon, and jalapeños) for an additional charge.
Four never been frozen chicken tenders, hand-breaded and fried to perfection - served with our house sauce.
Angus beef patty atop our fresh baked roll, secret sauce, grilled onions, American cheese, pickle, and a side of fries-get an extra slider for an additional charge.
Cup/bowl.
grilled marinated chicken breast placed atop our fresh baked roll, grilled onions, provolone cheese, mayo, and a side of fries - get an extra slider for an additional charge.
Twelve shrimp hand-breaded, fried and tossed in our own sweet and spicy firecracker sauce served with our homemade ranch dressing dip.
fresh onions, each individually hand-battered in our secret batter mix - served with our house sauce for dipping.
Two thick slices of our challah bread, dipped in our special mix and coated in our Mackinaw city mixture of a tasty crunch sensation and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Two thick slices of our challah bread, dipped in our special mix and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Lettuce tomatoes cucumbers carrots and cheese with your choice of dressing.
Fresh onions each individually hand-battered in our secret batter mix - served with our house sauce for dipping.
Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons
Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, shredded cheese, and our breaded shrimp tossed in our firecracker sauce
Romaine, sliced fuji apples, walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles and dried cranberries. Recommended with Red wine vinaigrette
Iceberg wedge, diced tomatoes, bacon and bleu cheese crumbles
Lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and shredded cheese.
Lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, kalamata olives, pepperoncini peppers and feta cheese
Lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, eggs and bacon. Topped with handmade breaded chicken tenders
Whole natural jumbo chicken wings marinated in chef lee's special marinade and coated with his secret flour mix then fried to a perfect crisp. Served with a golden brown Belgian waffle.
Golden waffle and your choice of 2 meat.
Whole natural jumbo chicken wings marinated in chef lee's special marinade and coated with his secret flour mix then fried to a perfect crisp. Served with a golden brown Belgian waffle.
Add strawberry or blueberry compote and chocolate chips for an additional charge.
Golden waffle and your choice of 1 meat.
Add strawberry or blueberry compote and chocolate chips for an additional charge.
Golden waffle, choice of breakfast side, and two eggs any style.
Golden waffle and cheddar scrambled eggs.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Our buttermilk biscuit with two marinated chicken tenders, hand breaded and fried to perfection.
Egg any style on a buttermilk biscuit Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Biscuit sandwich with a choice of breakfast meat
Egg any style on your choice of toast. Add cheese for an additional charge.
Breakfast Sandwich on your choice of toast and your choice of breakfast meat.
8 oz New York strip, two eggs, hash browns or creamy grits, buttermilk biscuit or toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Corn beef hash, two eggs, buttermilk biscuit or toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Our most popular dish consists of a delicious combination of our famous creamy grits with eight shrimp and veggies pan sautéed in our homemade creole sauce - each one is made by order and served with a buttermilk biscuit.
a delicious combination of our hand-battered fried fish and shrimp served with fries, coleslaw, homemade tartar and cocktail sauce, and a buttermilk biscuit.
two pieces of mild white fish hand-breaded then fried golden brown and served with our fries, coleslaw, homemade tartar sauce, and a buttermilk biscuit.
twelve shrimp hand-breaded then fried golden brown and served with our fries, coleslaw, cocktail sauce, and a buttermilk biscuit.
our spicy and flavorful shrimp hand-battered, fried, and tossed in our own firecracker sauce - a little sweetness with some bite - served with fries, coleslaw, and a buttermilk biscuit.
Spinach, onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Spinach, onion, mushroom, and cheddar cheese.
Chicken, avocado, pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese.
Fresh broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese.
Your choice of American, Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack cheese.
Diced ham, peppers, onions, and cheddar cheese.
Applewood bacon, sausage, ham, and cheddar cheese.
White, wheat or rye
Consuming raw or undercooked meats or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
regular or decaf.
Regular or chocolate milk 12 oz.
IBC in the bottle
regular or sugar free.
Iced Tea or Hot Tea.
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, and Club Soda.
Deer Park.
orange, apple, cranberry, tomato and pineapple.
vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.
vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.
your choice of ice cream and IBC Root Beer or Coca-Cola.
Chef Lee's famous family recipe - fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and whip creme.
a dessert for two freshly baked Ghirardelli triple chocolate "a dessert for two" brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
Charlotte's Best Chocolate Cake.
Blackened grilled shrimp laid atop shredded cabbage and topped with our secret chipotle cheese aioli sauce on two soft flour tortillas served with a side of pico de gallo and sour cream.
an old family recipe passed down from generations, made fresh daily on white or wheat bread.
turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on white or wheat.
applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on white or wheat.
marinated grilled chicken breast served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
seasoned grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and our homemade ranch dressing.
an 8-inch hoagie loaded with chopped grilled steak, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and melted provolone cheese - also available with a grilled chicken breast instead of steak.
seasoned fried chicken breast tossed in our buffalo sauce, topped with bleu cheese crumbles, lettuce, and tomato.
seasoned fried chicken breast tossed in our flavorful firecracker sauce with lettuce and tomato.
your choice of American, Swiss, cheddar, or provolone on white or wheat bread - add tomato for an additional charge or applewood bacon or ham for an additional charge.
a mild white fish fried golden brown, stacked on a toasted sesame seed bun, with our homemade tartar sauce and American cheese.
Blackened grilled fish laid atop shredded cabbage and topped with our secret chipotle cheese aioli sauce on two soft flour tortillas served with a side of pico de gallo and sour cream.
Hear from our valued guests
Large menu. If you can't find something to eat here, your not hungry. The food is good. The death by chocolate is huge. It's definitely enough for 2 people. The service was excellent. Nia was wonderful. She sold me on the desert. Excellent recommendation.
The only problem with Midnight Diner is that it isn’t where I live. We stopped there for breakfast this morning and it was an 100/10 experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is equal parts retro, homey and welcoming. Our server Nacaska was an angel… she was so kind with the best vibes, made great recommendations on the menu and took great care of us while providing great conversation as well. I had the midnight special and every part of it was delicious, but the grits were the standout. I didn’t know grits could be that good. A must-visit if you’re in the Charlotte area, will definitely be going back anytime I’m in town!
After a night of meeting up with family, we walked to Midnight Diner for a quick bite. I was staying at the Moxy which is right next to the restaurant. There was a small wait to get in, but the food made it all worth it.
My wife and I were staying one night in Charlotte at the AC Marriott and needed a breakfast place in the morning. The Midnight Diner was a short walk from our hotel. We were immediately seated upon arrival on a Thursday morning. I ordered the Greek Omelette, a side of fruit, and Wheat Toast. I was hoping for some Sourdough, but they did not have any. The Wheat Toast however hit the spot. My omelette was filled with fresh vegetables and feta. I would order this again. My wife ordered the Sausage, Gravy, and Biscuits with a side of scrambled eggs. She described the biscuits as being soft like cake - in a good way. Our server was quick through the entire meal, and she offered us coffee to go. We were happy we chose Midnight Diner and will definitely go back when we return to Charlotte.
First visit today and we had breakfast for dinner. One of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time. The western omelette was perfectly cooked with plenty of ham and cheese. The homemade biscuit was served piping hot. The star of the meal was the grits. They were creamy and a great portion came with my meal.
We took a step back into the 50s. Our waitress was absolutely amazing. We got the best food ever. In fact one of our party members is the most pickiest person ever and she gave the place her blessing. The Philly cheesesteak was delicious, their fries were seasoned well,one of our group members ordered fish and said that it was delicious as well. Not a single complaint, it was fast and reasonably priced.
We’re are here visiting for a concert over the weekend from Tennessee and decided to try this place and we are so happy we did because this is by far one of the best restaurants we have tried in a long time. The food is packed with flavor and the portions you get are amazing! Our waitress Kei was nothing but amazing she stood on business she is constantly moving and helping out all of the customers!! She was ready to give us all of her recommendations and what the top choices were! She definitely needs some Recognition and a raise! You go girl!
My husband and I went here and it was absolutely amazing I take five stars seriously so if I'm leaving five stars it was well worth it and this place got five stars all the way around for every category. You are not wasting your time going here The food is amazing. The atmosphere is amazing. The waitresses were fabulous. We had a great time. Thanks honey! 😀
Went here Sunday a little after 8:30 pm for dinner. No wait time and immediately had our orders taken upon sitting down. Staff were all friendly. Loved the retro decor and setup inside.
Everything was great, I have no complaints. Usually restaurant mac and cheese isn’t good, but this one was great. I love sides and had the mac and cheese and collard greens, and both were really good.
Common questions about Midnight Diner
Midnight Diner is located at 420 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States.
You can reach Midnight Diner by calling +1 980-207-3641.
Midnight Diner has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 10116 customer reviews.
Midnight Diner features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Assistive hearing loop.
Midnight Diner features the following service options: No-contact delivery, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Midnight Diner features the following highlights: Fast service, Fireplace, Great coffee, Great dessert, Serves local specialty.
Midnight Diner features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Midnight Diner features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Coffee, Comfort food, Late-night food, Quick bite, Small plates, Vegetarian options.
Midnight Diner features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert.
Midnight Diner features the following amenities: Restroom.
Midnight Diner features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Lively, Trendy.
Midnight Diner features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, University students.
Midnight Diner features the following planning: Usually a wait, Accepts reservations.
Midnight Diner features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards.
Midnight Diner features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Midnight Diner features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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