There’s no need to travel far for a one-of-a-kind experience that makes you feel like you're a world away. From restaurants with niche food themes and tropical tiki bars that whisk you to Polynesia to classic 1950s diners and speakeasies that transport you back in time to the Roaring Twenties, these themed restaurants serve up excellent food with a side order of escapism. Due to COVID-19, it’s best to check state travel advisories and individual restaurant websites before visiting.
Tucked underneath a huge hanging rock and accessed through swinging doors, Rattlesnake Saloon is a restaurant with live music and plenty of outdoor seating. The menu has a Wild West theme, with cowboy buttons (golden deep-fried mushrooms) and a cheese and bacon burger with ‘snake eyes’ (fried jalapeños). This isn’t fine dining, but people come here for the fun atmosphere and experience rather than the food – the decent burgers are just a bonus.
Sami’s City Diner has all the fixtures and fittings of a 1950s diner. Throw in era-appropriate music and you might wonder if you’ve travelled back in time. The large menu features the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner staples, with favourites including the French dip and the Monte Cristo sandwich – filled with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese and Cheddar, and served with a strawberry and rhubarb preserve. There are also reindeer sausages for those hankering after a true taste of Alaska.
Let yourself be transported to the Wild West as you swing through the doors of Pinnacle Peak, which looks like it has sauntered straight out of a cowboy film. Opened in 1962, the restaurant focuses on meaty cuisine with dishes including a mesquite-flamed cowboy steak, filet mignon and roasted green chillies topped with slow-cooked beef and cheese. And don’t wear a tie, unless you want to add to the wall art. An old tradition means the end will be cut off and added to the display.
This diner’s theme is simple: the colour purple. Each restaurant in the Arkansas chain, with locations in Little Rock, Conway and Hot Springs, is fashioned like a classic 1950s diner with a retro soda fountain and plenty of neon. The menu is mainly burgers, toasted sandwiches, shakes and signature purple desserts like ice cream pie and vanilla sundaes. It’s worth popping in just for a purple milkshake.
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A tiki-themed lounge and restaurant in San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar first opened in 1945. The theme was created by a Hollywood set designer and it exudes a nostalgic tropical feel, with tables around a central lagoon and regulated simulated rainstorms with thunder and lightning. People come here mostly for the fun vibes and strong drinks, though Hawaiian-inspired dishes like grilled miso salmon and house-made ‘Spam’ also garner praise.
A 1953-built Boeing KC-97 tanker is the centrepiece and main attraction at The Airplane Restaurant. After a career refuelling aircraft around the world, the fully intact plane retired here in 2002 for a new life as a restaurant. The best seats in the house are onboard the plane, though there are also tables inside the main building, and memorabilia, photos and artefacts are on display throughout. The food is typical diner-style fare but that hardly matters in such a unique setting.
This restaurant describes itself as "the place where mac met cheese", though you could also say this is where mac ’n’ cheese met pretty much every other ingredient known to man. Delicious twists on the comfort food favourite include the buffalo mac, with fried chicken, buffalo sauce and Cheddar topped with celery and a blue cheese crumble. Another favourite is the backyard BBQ – a bowl of mac ’n’ cheese with pulled pork, three cheeses and homemade BBQ sauce. There are also hot dogs topped with mac 'n' cheese, mac 'n' cheese salads and chilli mac spring rolls.
Housed in a building dating back to 1674, Jessop's Tavern takes diners back to the same period. Customers sit surrounded by old fireplaces, model ships and antique oil paintings while eating from metal plates, just as they would have done back in the day. Staff are dressed in costumes and the menu is also inspired by the cultural influences of the era with oven-baked pot pies, shepherd's pie and Dutch pot roast. People say it’s hearty and delicious.
Kids will adore this over-the-top steampunk and confectionary themed restaurant in Universal CityWalk. Servers, dressed in Victorian-inspired costumes, bring all sorts of sweet and savoury treats from the kitchen, such as chocolate-loaded drinks and shakes and classics like French onion soup, meatloaf and delicious fries. This might just be as close as you’ll get to Willy Wonka's factory.
Not all themes spring straight from a restaurateur’s imagination. The Pirates’ House, opened in 1753 as an inn for seafarers, was once frequented by actual pirates. Today the pirate theme is all for fun and, while the restaurant is rather touristy, it’s also just a great place to go for a lively family meal. Young kids particularly will adore the memorabilia, while the excellent Southern cooking should please everyone.
Located within the Sea Life Park on the island of Oahu, this oceanfront, open-air dinner show takes diners on a journey through Ka Moana (the ocean) and Polynesia with dances and chants. Before dining, guests at Ka Moana Lūʻau can try activities like lei (Hawaii flower wreath) making, ukulele playing and coconut headband weaving. The buffet-style dinner showcases local cuisine including kalua pork cooked in an umu (above-ground oven), fresh seafood and locally grown fruit.
Based on the Old West and looking very much like a film set, Pioneer Saloon first opened in the 1940s as a casino, and is now filled with Wild West posters, deer and bison heads and antique bullet boards. There’s also an interesting collection of Ernest Hemingway memorabilia, including one of the author’s guns. The food isn’t secondary to the theme, though. The prime rib comes highly recommended and – as this is Idaho – the baked potato is a must.
Fiesta is the theme at Carnivale, a Latin American–inspired restaurant in Chicago’s central West Loop. It’s a riot of bold, bright, eye-popping colours and the atmosphere, while always party ready, gets even livelier when there’s a live performance, from dancers to a Mariachi band. The menu draws from the flavours of Mexico and Central and South American countries, with dishes like fish tacos and steak with herb-packed chimichurri as vibrant as the decor.
This huge building looks more like a factory than a restaurant. It’s edged with steel girders and has statues of workers enjoying their lunch up on the roof, evoking the famous photograph of the Empire State Building’s construction. Themed around the Industrial Revolution, the eatery serves American favourites like fried pickles, pizza, pot roast, burgers and mac 'n' cheese. Diners are equally impressed with the food and the historic theme.
Zombie Burger, with two restaurants in Des Moines, serves tasty food in what it describes as a “post-apocalyptic chic” setting. The names of the burgers stay on theme, with top choices including Planet Terror (barbecue sauce, bacon, Cheddar, caramelised onions and ranch dressing) and the Undead Elvis (peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, American cheese, mayo and an optional fried egg). The quality ingredients, top-notch service, tasty shakes and general quirkiness make this a must-visit.
Back when the original Fritz’s opened on Kansas City’s North 18th Street in the 1950s, founder Fritz invented a mini train to carry burgers, fries and shakes around his restaurant due to staff shortages and the contraption hasn't changed for decades. Today, the three restaurants (all in Kansas City, with one over the state line in Missouri) feature train memorabilia like wooden train sets and crossroad signs. There’s nowhere else quite like it.
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The concept of this casual breakfast and brunch chain is simple – bake incredible biscuits and pile almost anything on and in between them. With three locations in Louisville and one in Lexington, Biscuit Belly often has a line of people waiting to tuck into delicious dishes like the biscuit benny, a twist on eggs Benedict. Sweet options include the love shack, heaped with brie, smoked honey, berry jam and candied pecans. There’s also a location in Evansville, Indiana.
Dining at the Vampire Café is basically carte blanche to go wild with the puns. Those who’ve been say that the food is to die for, with no boring options on the menu. Options to sink your teeth into include the Dracula burger, devilled eggs and ‘stake’ tartare. Round off the meal with a blood orange creme brûlée and perhaps a ‘blood type’ cocktail. Even the wine is vampire-themed.
Seafood is a big deal in Maine and few places do it better than Eventide. The restaurant, designed to be a modern take on old-school oyster bars, offers an extensive menu with shellfish from the state and further afield. Diners love the signature lobster roll made with brown butter, the New England clam chowder and the Maine lobster stew. There’s a second location in Boston, Massachusetts.
Formerly Mutiny Pirate Bar, this restaurant's fun and quirky theme is obvious from the start. Serving classic bar food with a Caribbean twist in a pirate ship-themed setting, Mutiny Scratch Kitchen has a huge rum selection and a great happy hour with deals on sharing plates, signature cocktails and beer flights. The food, meanwhile, is delicious, well-seasoned and reasonably priced.
Little has changed in this Boston spot since it opened in 1826. One of the oldest operating restaurants in America, Union Oyster House has connections to American statesman Daniel Webster, a regular patron, and Louis Philippe, King of France. JFK also frequented the restaurant before running for president, with his favourite booth now a coveted spot. The decor and menu stay true to its past with New England clam chowder and other regional specialities including fresh oysters and clams served with homemade cocktail sauce.
One of Michigan’s most famous and unusual restaurants is the Bavarian Inn, whose menu focuses on the southeast German state. Opened in 1888 in the Bavarian-style town Frankenmuth, the venue specialises in all-you-can-eat, family-style German meals. Mains like schnitzels and smoked meats come with an array of sides including noodles, potato cheese puffs, navy bean salad and sauerkraut. Customers praise the inn’s old-world charm and tasty food.
Psycho Suzi’s has a Polynesian theme from its tiki-style decor to its cocktails, and sprawls over several floors with multiple bars, a main lounge and a tree-filled riverside patio. The menu is mainly pizzas, burgers and the best deep-fried cheese curds, though most people are drawn in by the quirky atmosphere, entertainment (there are regular movie screenings and drag shows) and colourful themed cocktails.
As themes go, breakfast may not be the most unusual – but this café’s dedication to the most important meal of the day is admirable. Big Bad Breakfast serves everything from biscuits and eggs any style to its signature plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, Cheddar, onions and hash browns. Whatever you order, make sure it’s slathered in tomato gravy – an incredibly delicious regional alternative to the usual sausage. There are also locations in other Southern states including Alabama and Tennessee.
A word of warning: you might come here for a coffee and a cupcake, but there’s a chance you might leave with a cat. That’s the clever concept behind this feline-filled bakery, which is home to a couple of resident cats and many more that are eligible for adoption. Mauhaus works to re-home cats from Stray Haven Rescue, while also serving a range of hot drinks and delicious biscotti, cookies, cakes and scones.
If there is another bar where mermaids dance in a pool while people sip neon cocktails from fishbowls and dine on pub-style food, then we certainly haven’t heard of it. Mythical undersea creatures are of course the theme at Sip ‘n Dip Lounge, where glass behind the tiki-style bar showcases the mermaids (and mermen). First opened in 1962, the spot is a real favourite thanks to the kitsch entertainment, with the all-you-can-eat brunch especially popular.
Designed to resemble a Spanish monastery, Brother Sebastian's is described as a beautiful, relaxing environment where guests dine surrounded by flickering candles, leather-bound books and religious icons. Orders are taken by staff dressed in monks’ robes and you'll dine to a soundtrack of choral singing. The food, and particularly the prime rib, also happens to be spot-on, as does the selection of wine from the impressive cellar (pictured).
Seafood lovers, this one's for you. Featuring an extensive menu and all-you-can-eat sushi, Oceano dishes up seafood classics like clam chowder, lobster bisque and lobster rolls. The interior matches the menu too: an underwater vibe is created with pearlescent shades of blue and green, while huge LCD screens depict scenes from the ocean. Customers love the atmosphere and say the quality food is good value for money too.
Bookstore is the theme at Portsmouth Book & Bar, where tables are surrounded by shelves of new and used volumes for sale. This cool and cosy spot is a café and bar with coffee, cocktails, beer and wine. It also offers a full menu of house-made soups, salads, sandwiches and small plates designed for sharing. Customers love the location, inside the city’s 1860-built former Custom House and Post Office, and amazing food.
Jousting, knights, royalty and falconry come together in this epic medieval-themed theatrical dinner show in New Jersey. Guests at Medieval Times are seated around a huge arena and served a simple yet flavour-packed feast as real-life horses and actors re-enact a jousting tournament. The four-course meal, served without cutlery, includes garlic bread, a cup of tomato bisque, roasted chicken, buttered corn, potatoes and dessert. There's also a vegetarian option.
A slice of British culture found in the unlikeliest of places, The St. James Tearoom offers a Victorian-themed afternoon tea experience complete with traditional scones, clotted cream and finger sandwiches. It's an excellent spot for a special occasion, with a menu that changes every month and ‘nooks' named after historical or literary places. Customers praise the faultless service and the generous amount of food and tea served.
Dedicated to “all things dark and lovely", Beetle House is inspired by the works of authors and filmmakers such as Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allan Poe. Beginning life as a pop-up, this glorious ode to all things Gothic is praised for its intimate and quirky atmosphere and creative food and drinks. Darkly themed dishes include a burger tribute to Burton’s 1990 film Edward Scissorhands and a steak inspired by Sweeney Todd (pictured). There’s a second, bigger location in Los Angeles too.
With several levels crammed with car racing memorabilia and decor, Lancaster’s BBQ is one for petrol heads and anyone who just loves a fun theme. There’s a second restaurant in Huntersville but it’s the original Mooresville that really takes the theme to full throttle, a nod to the city’s association with NASCAR. The menu features slow-smoked barbecue classics, burgers, wraps, salads and perfectly spiced fried chicken.
Space Aliens offers an out-of-this-world dining experience at its two North Dakota locations. Each has a bright green martian welcoming diners in while the restaurants are decorated with aliens, spaceships, rockets and planets. There are old-fashioned arcade games to entertain the whole family and the food is crowd-pleasing too: think pizzas, burgers and snacks with fun names like space dust pickle spears and martian munchies. There’s a third location in Albertville, Minnesota.
This former schoolhouse takes diners back to the classroom, though this time around all you have to do is relax and enjoy your meal. Tables at Schoolhouse Restaurant are in an 1860s-built classroom and reflects the theme and era with gingham tablecloths, old photographs on the walls and a menu scrawled on the original blackboard. The menu is suitably old-school too with classics like meatloaf, roast beef and incredible fried chicken, all served family-style on a lazy Susan.
A little different to your usual bistro, Shuffles is ideal for those who want some good old geeky fun over a game of Clue or Catan. Here every night is game night and, although there’s nothing fancy about the menu, people love the food here too. Tasty bites like fried pickles, crispy Brussels sprouts, vegan burgers and tempura broccoli are great for munching on while you’re waiting your turn.
Hale Pele is a go-to spot for a laid-back night out with great cocktails and reliably tasty food. The Hawaiian-themed tiki bar goes the extra mile with simulated thunderstorms, volcanic eruptions and a fog machine. In keeping with the theme, the restaurant’s most popular drink is the volcano bowl. Robust with rum, citrus, pineapple and a secret blend of tropical spices, the sharing drink goes well with the foodie favourites here – taro chips and lumpia (spring rolls with pork and veg).
Umami is styled like a traditional Japanese pub – known as an izakaya – with a cosy, low-lit cocktail bar downstairs and an upstairs dining space serving incredible sushi and robatayaki, the latter involves Wagyu beef, pork belly and tofu cooked over charcoal and served with dipping sauces. People love the lively atmosphere and on-point food and drinks.
Kitsch indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant Ogie's is designed like a vintage trailer park, and people love the cool yet unpretentious atmosphere. There are several themed trailers here including Granny Boo's Kitchen, with its 1970s-style decor, and the Tiki Bar, complete with a thatched roof and tropical cocktails. The menu features good vegetarian options plus favourites with a twist, with the mac 'n' cheese croquettes and veggie burgers among popular orders.
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Edgar Allan Poe spent a few years in the army and was stationed on Sullivan's Island. Commemorating his time here, Poe's Tavern is decorated with quotes from the Gothic author's works and has several portraits of the writer on the walls. The menu also pays tribute with delicious food options like the raven (a plain burger named after Poe’s most famous poem) and a ‘Poeloma’, a twist on a paloma cocktail. There are two other locations, at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina and Atlantic Beach, Florida.
It's no surprise that South Dakota is home to a cowboy-themed restaurant honouring the state's colourful history. Desperados dates back to the 1880s and sticks to its theme from the exterior to the menu. Popular orders here include the highly rated buffalo burger, the buffalo steak and the signature Desperado burger, made from a blend of buffalo and elk meats and topped with bacon and mild Cheddar cheese.
The cutest tables at The Beauty Shop, in Memphis’ cool Cooper Young district, have chairs underneath vintage hair-dryers (not turned on, thankfully). This hip, much-loved spot was previously a beauty parlour frequented by Priscilla Presley. It still has an aura of glamour, along with a wonderfully whimsical feel and delicious dishes packed with zingy, seasonal flavours. Weekend brunch, with Southern favourites like shrimp ’n’ grits and cocktails, is also wonderful.
The theme of this restaurant might not be immediately clear, but you'll figure it out upon a closer look at the menu. Calling itself "a salon de soufflé", rise is all about sweet and savoury versions of the French classic. Many of the non-soufflé dishes – like the customer-favourite marshmallow soup, made with savoury goats' cheese – feature a ‘rising’ element too, while the chocolate soufflé always rises to the occasion.
At Prairie Schooner, you can dine in a covered wagon next to an open fire under the stars, just like the Mormon pioneers who settled here years ago. It’s an unusual experience and one unique to the Beehive State. Predominately a steak house, the restaurant also serves chicken and seafood dishes. Customers love the fun, friendly atmosphere, while the au gratin potatoes also deserve a special mention.
This train-themed restaurant is a brilliant stop after a day spent in the great outdoors. Named after a railroad engineer who died while saving passengers on a crashed train in 1900, Casey’s Caboose operates out of a train car and railroad snowplow, each decorated with memorabilia and photographs. The novelty factor obviously draws people in, though the food keeps them coming back. Menu highlights include lobster rolls, creamy mac 'n' cheese, juicy burgers and sticky toffee pudding.
A fine dining spot since 1770 that’s hosted George Washington and John Adams, Gadsby's Tavern transports you back to the past. Customers dine in elegant rooms, lit by candles and decorated with chandeliers, oil paintings and drapes. The menu is a combination of contemporary and old-fashioned dishes, like George Washington's favourite (grilled duck breast with potatoes and corn pudding) and gentleman's pye (a pie filled with lamb and beef in red wine stew). Customers love the historical setting and outstanding food.
Step back in time at the dimly lit Bors Hede Inne, where guests (or 'noble travellers’) are greeted by an innkeeper and treated to a 14th-century style banquet of medieval-inspired dishes. Feast on fenberry pye (pork, chicken and cranberry pie), bourblier de sangle (roast pork) and sanc dragon (cinnamon and almond chicken), but don't expect to be given a fork. Set in Camlann Medieval Village, it’s a dinner theatre where the food and ambience are equally wonderful.
This quirky spot by the banks of the Ohio River is signposted by a giant roadside hot dog and decorated with road signs, licence plates, statues and sculptures. You’ll find old yellow school buses for dining rooms and a Hillbilly Weenie Weddin' Chapel – but it's the food people stick around for. Choose from all kinds of toppings or take up the challenge of the ‘homewrecker’, an enormous beef dog heaped with jalapeños, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheese and all kinds of sauces.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to have drinks and dinner in Milwaukee’s unique spy-themed restaurant and bar. A meal at SafeHouse comes complete with pre-dinner scavenger huts, hidden clues, sliding bookcases and spy cameras. You even need a password to enter. The inventive menu includes aptly named dishes like the mission impossible burger. Fans say it’s one of the coolest places to go in town, and the food is great too.
Head for the wide open skies of Wyoming to live like a cowboy at the Cavalryman Steakhouse. Set on the parade grounds of 1866-established Fort Sanders, the restaurant features old wagons, wood-panelled walls and old photos. Unsurprisingly, steak is the top choice here. The menu features everything from an excellent rib-eye to tenderloin and even local bison. Look out for the ruins of the fort’s powder keg on your way out.
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