Restaurant in New York City, United States
No reservation needed. Grab and go.
Dig Inn in Flatiron is a fast-casual counter spot built around seasonal grain bowls and roasted vegetables. Walk-ins work almost always — no reservation needed. Best for solo diners and small groups looking for a quick, vegetable-forward meal on a weekday. Not a destination dinner, but a reliable option in the neighbourhood.
Dig Inn at 17 East 17th Street is a practical, counter-service lunch and dinner option in the Flatiron district. If you are already a regular, the move is to treat it as a reliable weekday reset rather than a destination meal. Booking difficulty is easy — walk-ins work most of the time, and the format does not require a reservation.
The format is fast-casual with a counter at the centre of the experience. You scan the line of seasonal grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and market proteins, then build your plate as you move along the counter. Visually, the produce does most of the work: the colour contrast of roasted root vegetables against grains and greens is the closest thing to a plating moment you will get here. That is not a criticism — the format is intentional and honest about what it is.
For a solo diner in Flatiron, this is one of the more direct options for a fast, filling meal that does not feel like a compromise. You are in and out in under twenty minutes if you need to be, or you can take a seat and slow down.
For groups, the counter format works well for parties of two to four who do not mind assembling their own plates. Larger groups should be aware that seating can be tight at peak lunch hours (roughly noon to 1:30 PM on weekdays). If you need a table for six or more with guaranteed seating, this is not the right format.
Dietary restrictions are handled better here than at most fast-casual spots. The counter layout means you can see exactly what goes into your bowl, and the menu skews vegetable-forward, so plant-based and gluten-aware diners have real options rather than afterthoughts. If you have a specific allergy, checking directly with staff at the counter is the most reliable approach given that no detailed allergen information was available at time of writing.
For context on where Dig Inn sits in the wider New York dining picture, see our full New York City restaurants guide. If you are planning a wider trip, our New York City hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide are good starting points.
No reservation is needed. Walk in, join the counter line, and you will have a plate in hand within a few minutes. The only exception is peak weekday lunch, when the line can stretch. Arriving before noon or after 1:30 PM avoids the main rush. There is no booking system to manage here , that is both the appeal and the ceiling of the experience.
| Detail | Dig Inn (Flatiron) | A fast-casual peer (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Booking required | No | No |
| Leading time to arrive | Before noon or after 1:30 PM | Varies |
| Solo dining | Well-suited | Varies |
| Group size (ideal) | 2–4 | 2–4 |
| Dietary flexibility | High (counter visibility) | Moderate |
| Dress code | None | None |
| Venue | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Dig Inn | — | |
| Le Bernardin | $$$$ | — |
| Atomix | $$$$ | — |
| Per Se | $$$$ | — |
| Masa | $$$$ | — |
| Eleven Madison Park | $$$$ | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
There is no traditional bar at Dig Inn's 17 East 17th Street location. The format is counter-service: you move along the line, assemble your bowl, and find a seat. It is eat-in or takeout, not a bar-dining experience.
The counter-service format works in your favour here. You select individual components, so avoiding gluten, meat, or dairy is straightforward. The menu centres on roasted vegetables, grains, and market proteins, giving most dietary needs a workable path without special requests.
No booking required at all. Dig Inn at 17 East 17th Street is walk-in only. The one timing caveat: peak weekday lunch hours can produce a queue, so arriving before noon or after 1:30pm keeps wait times short.
One of the better formats for solo diners in Flatiron. Counter service means no awkward table-for-one dynamics, no wait for a server, and a plate in hand within minutes. If you want a fast, low-friction solo lunch near Union Square, this is a practical pick.
Manageable for small groups of two to four who are comfortable with counter-service pacing. Larger groups will face a staggered queue, which makes coordinating orders and finding shared seating more effortful. For a group working lunch, a restaurant with table service will run more smoothly.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
