Serving up classic American fare at good prices, the Diner brings a big fat slice of the States to Camden.

The Venue
Funnily enough, the venue feels exactly like an American diner, with big red leather booths, bar seating, movie posters and a distinctly ‘50s, retro feel. In keeping with its location though, it’s got a beautiful terrace area at the top that ensures it feels very Camden, allowing diners to look out across the hustle and bustle of Jamestown Street and beyond whilst tucking into a taste of the US. This decked area is a fantastic place for summer dining and drinking but if you want to keep things authentic you’re better off with the well achieved themed area downstairs.

The Atmosphere
Being Camden, you can expect a real mix of visitors, with anything from tourists, families, trendies and emos all settling down for a bite to eat. The nature of the place means it’s a pleasant and informal atmosphere with an emphasis on enjoying some well done fast food in a relaxed environment. It’s not sophisticated by any stretch of the imagination but it’s stylishly and authentically done, with a good bunch of workers smiling their way through service.

The Food
It’s American staples and little else, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. What they do they do well, and for the price you’re paying it certainly represents good value for money. Burgers are pretty good but you might be advised to go for the traditional beef burgers as whilst they’re plump, juicy and made from some good quality beef, other options like the Cajun chicken burger don’t quite hit the same high standards. Salads are good too, so don’t think you have to eat big and unhealthily just because of the theme – a very tasty Cobb salad benefits from succulent chicken, well done, crispy bacon, loads of fresh avocado and some deliciously tangy blue cheese. Sides are numerous and inexpensive, with the barbecue beans and Cajun chips being particularly tasty, and authentic.

The Drink
With such good cocktails, The Diner could easily become a viable watering hole for Camdenites to head to, as again, they offer excellent value for money. Of particular note is the Caipirinha that, refreshingly, uses good quality cachaca. While the generous levels of lime may make it too sour for some, it’s well balanced by plenty of brown sugar. The Cuba Libre is also pretty good, with loads of freshly cut lime complementing the coke and dark rum nicely. There are plenty of bottled beers available though in a nice recognition of the location they’ve decided to put Red Stripe on draught, and you don’t get much more Camden than that. It’s well kept, lively and a good option if you’re not a cocktail fan.

Milkshakes, happily, are as good as you’d expect from an American themed restaurant with the chocolate version being deliciously sweet, suitably thick and devilishly moreish. If you want to go for a milkshake but don’t want to miss out on your alcohol hit then fret not, you can go for one of the hard shakes – delicious cocktail milkshake concoctions. Of these, the Choconaut is perhaps the best, an immaculate yet sickeningly sweet mix of spiced rum, dark chocolate liqueur and chocolate ice cream.

The Last Word
A well priced, tasty chunk of America transported to Camden, The Diner is a worthy addition to Camden’s catholic eateries. And if you’re not hungry? Grab a cocktail, head to the terrace and observe the hordes.

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