There’s no need to travel far for a one-of-a-kind foodie experience that makes you feel like you're a world away from home. From classic 1950s-style diners and restaurants with niche food themes to tropical tiki bars that whisk you to the beaches of Polynesia, these restaurants serve up excellent food with a side order of escapism.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best themed restaurant in every US state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Tucked underneath a huge hanging rock and accessed via batwing doors, Rattlesnake Saloon is a restaurant set in a cave – with live music and plenty of outdoor seating. The menu has a Wild West theme, featuring the likes of Cowboy Buttons (golden deep-fried mushrooms), a Saloon Salad (with a choice of meat), and a Rustler beef burger topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle. This isn’t fine dining, but people come here for the fun atmosphere and overall experience rather than the food. The tasty burgers are just a bonus!
Sami’s City Diner has all the fixtures and fittings you'd expect from a 1950s diner, plus era-appropriate music that'll have you wondering if you’ve traveled back in time. The large menu features all the usual breakfast, lunch, and dinner staples, but a customer favorite is the Monte Cristo: a sandwich filled with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and Cheddar, served with a strawberry and rhubarb preserve. There are also reindeer sausages for those hankering after a true taste of Alaska.
Step back in time to the Wild West as you swing through the doors of Pinnacle Peak, a steakhouse that looks like it's sauntered straight out of a cowboy movie. Open since 1962, the restaurant focuses on meaty cuisine; dishes include a mesquite-flamed cowboy steak, filet mignon (served with salad, ranch beans, and bread), and barbecue baby back ribs. 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 color purple. Each one of the Arkansas chain's five restaurants is fashioned like a classic 1950s diner, with an old-school soda fountain and plenty of neon. The menu consists mainly of burgers, toasted and grilled sandwiches, shakes, and signature desserts like purple ice cream pie. It’s worth visiting just to try the chain's famous purple vanilla milkshake.
A tiki-themed lounge and restaurant in San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar – the brainchild of a Hollywood set designer – first opened in 1945. The place exudes a nostalgic tropical feel, with tables around a central lagoon. There are even regulated simulated rainstorms, complete with thunder and lightning. People come here mostly for the fun vibes and strong drinks, though the Asian fusion menu (which features dishes such as coconut curry seafood, and grilled miso salmon) also comes highly recommended.
Dining at this Alice in Wonderland–themed joint is a fantastical experience from beginning to end. Accessed via a set of subway steps, the underground restaurant is decorated with twinkling string lights and cool artwork inspired by the popular fairy tale. Customers say the upscale eatery is a hidden gem and rave about its cocktails, including the White Rabbit: a Martini made with vanilla vodka, coconut rum, cream, and a flaming marshmallow. The food also gets great reviews; popular dishes include rabbit meatloaf, truffle mac 'n' cheese, and carrot cake.
This restaurant describes itself as 'the place where mac met cheese' – though you could also say it's where mac 'n' cheese met pretty much every other ingredient known to man. Delicious twists on the classic comfort food include the Buffalo Mac (with fried chicken, Buffalo sauce, Cheddar, and a celery and blue cheese crumble topping) and the Backyard BBQ Mac, with pulled pork, three cheeses, and homemade BBQ sauce. Want even more mac 'n' cheese goodness? There are also mac-topped hot dogs, mac 'n' cheese salads, and chili mac spring rolls to wrap your taste buds around.
Jessop's Tavern is housed in a building that dates back to 1674 – and when you step inside, you'll be transported back to the same period. Staff dress in costumes, and 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. Not only that, but the menu is also inspired by the era, featuring the likes of oven-baked pot pies, shepherd's pie, and Dutch pot roasts. People say the food is hearty and delicious.
Kids will adore this steampunk confectionery-themed restaurant in Orlando's Universal CityWalk entertainment complex. Servers, dressed in quirky Victorian-inspired costumes, bring all sorts of sweet and savory treats from the kitchen – including chocolate-loaded drinks and shakes, and classic steak and seafood entrées. This is close as you’ll get to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory in real life.
Not all themes spring straight from a restaurateur’s imagination. The Pirates’ House, which 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 in particular will adore the memorabilia, while the excellent Southern cooking should please just about everybody.
Located within the Sea Life Park on the island of Oahu, this open-air dinner show takes diners on a journey through Ka Moana (the ocean) and Polynesia via dances and chants. Before dining, guests at Ka Moana Luau can try activities like lei (Hawaiian flower wreath) making, ukulele playing, and coconut headband weaving. The buffet-style dinner showcases the island's sumptuous cuisine; expect to try the likes of kalua pork cooked in an umu (above-ground oven), fresh seafood, and locally grown fruit.
With an Old West theme (and looking very much like a movie set), Pioneer Saloon first opened in the 1940s as a casino – but these days, it's a restaurant filled with Wild West posters, deer and bison heads, and antique bullet boards. There’s also an interesting collection of Ernest Hemingway memorabilia. The food isn’t secondary to the theme, though; the prime rib is highly recommended, and, as this is Idaho, the baked potato is a must-try.
Fiesta is the theme at Carnivale, a Latin American–inspired restaurant in Chicago’s central West Loop neighborhood. It’s a riot of bold, bright, eye-popping colors, and the atmosphere, while always party-ready, gets even livelier when there’s a live performance (expect anything from dancers to Mariachi bands). The menu draws from the flavors of Mexico and Central and South American countries, and dishes like ceviche, paella, and steak with herb-packed chimichurri are 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 favorites like fried pickles, pizza, pot roasts, burgers, and mac 'n' cheese. Diners are equally as impressed by the food as they are by 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; top choices include the Undead Elvis (with peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, American cheese, mayo, and an optional fried egg), and the Planet Terror (with barbecue sauce, bacon, Cheddar, caramelized onions, and ranch dressing). The quality ingredients, top-notch service, tasty shakes, and general quirkiness make this place 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 (two in Kansas City and one in Shawnee) feature train memorabilia like wooden train sets and crossroad signs. There’s nowhere else quite like them.
The ethos of this casual breakfast and brunch chain is simple – bake incredible biscuits, then pile almost anything on and in between them. Biscuit Belly, which has three locations in Louisville and three in Lexington, often boasts a line of people waiting to tuck into delicious dishes like the Biscuit Bennie, a twist on eggs Benedict made with smoked brisket. There’s also a location in Evansville, Indiana.
Dining at the Vampire Café gives you carte blanche to go wild with the vampire puns. Those who’ve visited say that the food here is to die for, with no boring options on the menu. Tempting dishes to sink your teeth into include the Dracula burger, deviled eggs, and 'stake' and eggs. Round off the meal with a Death by Chocolate cake, and perhaps a Blood Bag cocktail, made with 'Fangria' (vampire sangria). 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 an old-school oyster bar, offers an extensive menu, featuring shellfish both from the state and from further afield. Diners love the signature brown butter lobster roll, the New England clam chowder, and the Maine lobster stew. Can't make it to Portland? There’s a second location in Boston, Massachusetts.
Customers love the kitsch decor and fun atmosphere at boat-shaped restaurant Captain James. As you'd expect, seafood is the main feature of the menu; highlights include the crab cake sandwich, scallops and grits, and the shrimp, scallop, and lobster pasta alfredo. If you want to get your hands on even more seafood deliciousness, there's also a crab shack next door.
Little has changed at 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, who was a regular patron, and Louis Philippe, France's penultimate monarch. JFK also frequented the restaurant before running for president, and his favorite booth is now a coveted spot. The decor and menu stay true to the restaurant's past; expect the likes of New England clam chowder, and fresh oysters and clams served with house-made cocktail sauce.
One of Michigan’s most famous and unusual restaurants is the Bavarian Inn, whose menu is inspired by the traditional cuisine of the southeast German state. Opened in 1888 in the Bavarian-style town of Frankenmuth, the venue specializes in all-you-can-eat, family-style German meals. Customers praise the inn’s old-world charm and tasty food; entrées like schnitzel and smoked meats come with an array of delicious sides including noodles, potato cheese puffs, navy bean salad, and sauerkraut.
With over 50 drag shows a week, Roxy's Cabaret is the place to go for a side of entertainment with your meal. The glamorous neon-lit venue hosts everything from Disney-themed brunches to bingo and movie nights – and there's an all-day breakfast and brunch menu as well as a range of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Customers rave about the fun atmosphere and love the cocktails, which are served in leg-shaped glasses.
As restaurant 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 a plate piled high 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 version. 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 rehome cats from Stray Haven Rescue, while also serving a range of hot drinks and delicious biscotti, cookies, cakes, and scones.
If there's another bar where mermaids dance in a pool while people sip neon cocktails from fishbowls, 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 swimming mermaids (and mermen). First opened in 1962, the spot is a real favorite thanks to its kitsch entertainment – and its all-you-can-eat brunch is especially popular with diners.
Designed to resemble a Spanish monastery, Brother Sebastian's is a beautiful, relaxing restaurant 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, particularly the prime rib, also happens to be delicious – and the selection of wine from the impressive cellar is excellent, too.
Seafood lovers, this one's for you. Oceano has an extensive menu filled with seafood classics like clam chowder, lobster bisque, and lobster rolls, plus all-you-can-eat sushi. The interior matches the menu, too: pearlescent shades of blue and green create an underwater vibe, while huge LCD screens depict scenes from the ocean. Customers love the atmosphere and say the quality food is great value for money.
Housed in a stunning repurposed church from the late 1800s – complete with pews, stained-glass windows, and wood carvings – Holy Grail serves 'divine food and heavenly spirits.' As well as salads, burgers, and sandwiches, the family-run restaurant serves classic Irish comfort food including Guinness beef stew, sausages and colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage, scallions, and spices), and corned beef with vegetables and potatoes. Customers also rate the Holy Grail Ale.
Jousting, knights, royalty, and falconry come together in this epic medieval-themed theatrical dinner show in New Jersey. Guests at Medieval Times take their seats around a huge arena for a simple yet flavor-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 cozy ‘nooks' named after historical or literary places, and a menu that changes every month. Customers praise the faultless service, and the generous amount of food and tea served.
Dedicated to 'all things dark and lovely,' Beetle House started out as a pop-up, inspired by the works of authors and filmmakers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Tim Burton, and Alfred Hitchcock. 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.
Featuring several floors 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 location in Mooresville – a city famous for its association with NASCAR – that really takes the theme to full throttle. 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 that welcomes diners, and is 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'll have to do is relax and enjoy your meal. Tables at The Schoolhouse Restaurant are located in an 1860s-built classroom complete with gingham tablecloths, old photographs on the walls, and a menu scrawled on the original blackboard. The menu is suitably old-school too, featuring classics like meatloaf, roast beef, and incredible fried chicken, all served family-style on a lazy Susan.
A little different from your usual bistro, Shuffles is ideal for those who want to geek out 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 snacking 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 favorites here – taro chips and lumpia (spring rolls with pork and vegetables).
Umami is styled like a traditional Japanese pub – known as an izakaya – with a cozy, low-lit cocktail bar downstairs, and an upstairs dining space serving incredible sushi and robatayaki. The latter involves Wagyu beef, pork belly, and tofu, all of which are 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 its 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 favorites with a twist. The mac 'n' cheese croquettes and veggie burgers are among the most popular orders.
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 several portraits of the writer hang 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 the Poeloma, a twist on a Paloma cocktail. There are three other locations: one in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, one in Savannah, Georgia, and one in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Serving burgers, sandwiches, and a 'world famous steak tip dinner,' the Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis is located on land that once belonged to the town’s namesake, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis. Steeped in history, the biker bar is filled with antiques and Sturgis memorabilia. Customers can't get enough of the live music, great atmosphere, and delicious food.
The cutest tables at The Beauty Shop, located in Memphis’ cool Cooper Young district, have chairs underneath vintage hairdryers (which, thankfully, aren't turned on). This hip, much-loved spot was previously a beauty parlor frequented by Priscilla Presley. It still has an aura of glamour, along with a wonderfully whimsical feel and delicious dishes packed with zingy seasonal flavors. The weekend brunch, featuring cocktails and Southern favorites like shrimp ’n’ grits, is also wonderful.
The theme of this restaurant might not be immediately clear, but you'll figure it out upon taking a closer look at the menu. Calling itself a 'salon de soufflé,' Rise is all about sweet and savory takes on the classic French dish. Many of the non-soufflé dishes – like the customer-favorite marshmallow soup, made with savory goats' cheese – feature a ‘rising’ element too, while the chocolate soufflé always rises to the occasion. There are four locations.
At The 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 that's unique to the Beehive State. Predominately a steak house, the restaurant also serves chicken and seafood dishes – and the delicious au gratin potatoes deserve a special mention. Customers love the fun, friendly atmosphere.
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 racks of ribs, creamy mac 'n' cheese, juicy burgers, and fish tacos.
Open since 1770, this fine-dining spot has hosted famous patrons like George Washington and John Adams. Gadsby's Tavern has the power to transport you back to the past; customers dine in elegant rooms that are lit by candles and decorated with chandeliers, oil paintings, and drapes. The menu is a combination of contemporary and old-fashioned dishes like jumbo lump crab cakes. You can also try George Washington's favorite meal, grilled duck breast with potatoes and corn pudding. Customers love the historical setting and the outstanding food.
Step back in time at the dimly lit Bors Hede Inne, where guests (or 'noble travelers’) 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. Located 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, license plates, statues, and sculptures. You’ll find old yellow school buses for dining rooms, not to mention a Hillbilly Weenie Weddin' Chapel – but it's the food people stick around for. 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 hunts, 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 Fort Sanders (established in 1866), the restaurant features old wagons, wood-paneled walls, and historic photos. Unsurprisingly, steak is the top choice here. The menu features everything from 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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Last updated by Jessica Morris.