Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine, a casual atmosphere, and, characteristically, a combination of booths served by a waitstaff and a long sit-down counter with direct service, in the smallest simply by a cook.

Diners across the U.S. have been serving classic comfort food for decades. We've picked our top seven UK options for a taste of Americana. Found in just about every big city and small town in the US, the diner is a beloved institution – and a veritable cultural icon.

Diners, which were originally referred to as "lunch cars," first emerged in the 1920s. By the '50s, they had grown in popularity due to their low prices, large menus, and extended hours.