In this guide to the history, culture, and design of 30 of Manhattan’s best-loved diners and luncheonettes, acclaimed photographers James and Karla Murray invite readers inside hallowed eateries where the city slows down just long enough for a plate and a story.
Brimming with photographs that catch the glow, grit, and small rituals of everyday New York life, Counter Culture delivers an affectionate portrait of 30 diners and luncheonettes across Manhattan’s neighborhoods. Crisp, new images by James and Karla Murray bring forward the atmospheres and personalities that give these businesses their singular presences. Formica counters, chrome stools, flickering neon, revolving cake stands, wall menus, and early-morning light assemble into a broader picture of a community shaped by routine, memory, and reinvention. The book covers classic establishments such as Lexington Candy Shop, Tom’s Restaurant, B&H Dairy, the Waverly Diner, and EJ’s Luncheonette, as well as places that put cultural twists on this tradition, such as Ukrainian eatery Veselka, Thai Diner, and the Cuban-inspired Coppelia. Detailed profiles penned by journalist Emma Orlow uncover the stories behind each location, with insights from the owners. A map at the back offers an invitation to experience these iconic spaces firsthand—affirming that, in a city defined by motion, few places hold steady like these open, familiar, and enduring counters.
Biography
James & Karla Murray
James and Karla Murray are husband-and-wife architectural and interior photographers based in Manhattan’s East Village. Their books include VINYL NYC, Great Bars of New York City, and Store Front NYC, all published by Prestel. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, and the New Yorker.
Emma Orlow
EMMA ORLOW is a food and culture journalist based in Brooklyn. A former editor at Eater, she has written for the New York Times, New York magazine, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Vogue, and other publications.
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