Tops Diner in East Newark is embarking on a new chapter following a massive multimillion-dollar reconstruction that takes New Jersey’s diner concept to the next level.

New Jersey is regarded as the “diner capital of the world” and for good reason. Among the most iconic of these eateries is Tops Diner in East Newark, a destination dining experience that has become a statewide legend and garnered national recognition as one of the top diners in the country.

The Hudson County institution is embarking on a new chapter following a massive multimillion-dollar reconstruction that takes New Jersey’s diner concept to the next level. The original 5,000-square-foot diner was torn down and replaced at the same 500 Passaic Ave. address with the new Tops Diner, which celebrated its reopening last fall. At 15,000 square feet, it is three times larger than the original with seating for about 400 customers.

Although the aesthetics have changed, the high-quality food and service for which Tops Diner is known remains. “A diner is a place for people to relax, enjoy great food and feel comfortable. That was the atmosphere at the ‘old’ Tops Diner, and it remains in our new space,” said Jim Golemis, who owns and operates Tops Diner with his brothers, Van and John. The brothers inherited the restaurant from their father, George, who purchased it in 1972.

Golemis said plans for the diner’s rebuild have been in the pipeline for about a decade. “We collaborated with a world-renowned team of architects and designers to create an ambiance that instills the classic feel of a diner that has been here since the 1940s but with a modern twist. Tops Diner represents what a diner is in 2022. Although this is a state-of-the-art building with a completely different ambiance, we have maintained the integrity of the original restaurant in its design, menu and level of hospitality.”

Although the aesthetics have changed, the high-quality food and service for which Tops Diner is known remains.

The diner’s interior boasts an 18-stool counter adorned with black marble and serving a full selection of cocktails, beer, wine and spirits. Other features include a world-class kitchen, outdoor patio-style dining, an open-concept bakery, a Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine and coffee/espresso and ice cream stations.

Tops Diner’s elevated menu transcends “typical” diner fare and has kept patrons coming back for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks for decades. The diner’s supplier of meat and fish, along with all the other products and ingredients are carefully chosen for quality, freshness and flavor. The massive menu includes milkshakes and smoothies, appetizers, handcrafted burgers, soup and salads, sandwiches, pasta, chicken, steaks and seafood, house favorite entrees and more.

Customer favorites include “George’s Special,” farm fresh eggs, hash browns, two buttermilk pancakes, bacon and sausage; and “Big‘s Chicken & Waffles,” a half chicken fried in house, giant Belgian waffles and Mike’s hot honey.

“We serve more than 15,000 hungry customers every week,” Golemis said. “People are amazed at how many meals we serve and how many customers we take care of in an efficient manner — without sacrificing quality.”

Diner patrons enjoy live music from an in-house DJ Wednesday through Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. “You could hear anything from ‘80s music to rock or jazz. We are always trying to evolve and elevate the experience for customers,” Golemis concluded.

Tops Diner is open daily, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Takeout and delivery are available.

Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are encouraged via the Tops Diner website at www.thetopsdiner.com.