Acclaimed photographers James and Karla Murray invite readers inside 30 of Manhattan’s most iconic and best-loved eateries, celebrating their history, culture, and design.Counter Culture delivers an affectionate portrait of 30 diners and luncheonettes across Manhattan’s neighbourhoods. James and Karla Murray showcase 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. Further insight from the establishment’s owners reveals the reality and romance of running these iconic monuments to American gastronomy.
In a city defined by motion, few places hold steady like these open, familiar, and enduring counters. They are a place where time slows down — just enough for a plate and to listen to a memory, a story, or more.
- Photographs catch the glow, grit, and small rituals of everyday New York City life.
- Detailed profiles by journalist Emma Orlow uncover the stories behind each location.
- Includes classic establishments such as B&H Dairy, Waverly Diner, and EJ’s Luncheonette.
- Features contemporary twists like Ukrainian eatery Veselka and Cuban-inspired Coppelia.
- A detailed map at the back offers an invitation to experience these iconic spaces firsthand.
Explore Manhattan comfortably at home or use this handsome book to plan where to have one of the most iconic American experiences anyone can enjoy.
