Mel's Diner

Great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Our group was around 13 people and there were lots of space early in the morning when it first opens (it does get quite busy later in the day and in the evenings/nights). The ambiance is bright with retro designs and very aesthetic. The food itself is good. Got the Lobster Benedict - the poached egg was cooked well but the fries were a bit on the drier side. Mel’s is also known for its milkshake so those are a must try! Overall great diner to try if in the area!

This is a classic breakfast spot near campus. Just go with some friends and grab a booth. The food isn't anything special to be honest, but the vibes are good. I'd recommend their Chicken Waffle Benny and I'd probably steer clear of the Buffalo Chicken Poutine. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't enjoyable to eat in terms of texture and flavour.

We went for a brunch and was not disappointed by the ambience (each table had a retro movie poster which I loved) and the staff and the food! Super fast and kind service. We tried a variety of breakfast options and all of them had good portions and super tasty. Will definitely come again whenever visiting waterloo.

Mel’s was once my top brunch spot, a place I held dearly with a special place of my heart. The last two times I was there though, I think things have changed and there wasn’t too much special in their food. The portions were smaller than I remembered, and the actual food wasn’t outstanding. I still love the vibe but I think I’d only come here for the atmosphere and with friends, instead of for the food.

While I used to love coming to Mels in first year, unfortunately their quality has become inconsistent. It has become a very hit or miss location these days. Today, we ordered a McFly and buffalo chicken poutine. The sandwich and poutine were both just okay. Their service was quick despite the place being fairly busy. Mel’s will always be known as the diner that’s right next to the university where students can enjoy a great vibe and a milkshake.

Mels diner is the perfect hangout spot for the days you're not sure where to eat at. From the jukebox to the diner-style décor, everything is so aesthetic at Mels. We ordered 3 dishes, the Bang Bang Chicken for appetizers, Spaghetti and BLT sandwich for the main dishes. The food portions were also really good and not too pricey either, it was definitely value for your money. Although all three dishes were absolutely delicious, if I were to recommend one dish as a must-try it would be their Bang Bang Chicken. Their bang bang chicken consisted of chicken bites tossed in Thai chili sauce. The chicken bites themselves were so tender and the green onion garnish paired with the sauce made the dish mouthwatering and so yummy! So if you're ever in UW Plaza looking for a chill place to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, definitely check out Mels Diner!