New York never serves up a dull meal. You can be munching on a Boogie’s Braised Bacon while watching performers from Tim Burton-inspired Creatures of the Night. Or getting served specialty cocktails in a roller disco-inspired bar as throwback music blasts in the background. With an abundance of themed restaurants in NYC, the city serves up a feast that is not just for your tastebuds but fuels your imagination too. At these themed restaurants, the meals can be something spooky, sometimes funky, but they definitely cater to everyone who is looking for a whimsical experience when dining.
So, whether you are fond of monastery themed bars or love playing with dolls and accessories as you indulge in glittery beverages and cotton candy milkshakes, these best New York themed restaurants promise to serve meals that are more than just eating. Let’s spread our napkins for a memorable dining experience.
World Of Gothic Horror – Beetle House
Address: 308 E 6th Street, New York, NY 10003, United States
At Beetle House, you get to be a part of Tim Burton’s goth culture. This themed restaurant in NYC gives you the chance to hangout in a cool ambiance with Tim Burton’s characteristic blue and red lights and black and white striped patterns. And not only is it home to frizzled hair, gangly limbed, and baggy-eyed bartenders and performers, but the food and drinks menu also sports a variety of dark and edgy options like FRITES & Frights, The Edward Burger Hands, and Willy Wonka Vanilla Sundae.
Christmas All Year Round – Rolf’s
Address: 281 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States
One of the most surreal themed restaurants in New York is Rolf’s. Bathed in Christmas festivities all year long, you do not need a reason to wait for December to enjoy strung lights, ornaments, and icicles. And no, the festive bits do not end here. The artificial fir trees, ribbons, garlands, and porcelain dolls dotted throughout the restaurant make the Bavarian or Southern German cuisine feel like a royal experience. Their special dishes include apple strudel and Wiener Schnitzel, and don’t forget to try out the Christmas smoothie cocktails and Meletti Choccolato Liqueur.
1950s Theme – Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Address: 1650 Bdwy., New York, NY 10019, United States
The dining experience at Ellen’s Stardust Diner transports you back to the 1950s retro-themed ambiance with singing wait staff, but that’s not the only thing that offers a memorable experience at this multi-level diner. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is one of those New York themed restaurants that remembers the past Miss Subways and contains a Predicta television from the 1950s, an indoor train, a drive-in theater, and other performances offering a blast from the past. Enjoy an all-day breakfast with showstopper eggs and bacon, Belgian waffles, heart and healthy avocado toasts, and Canal Street bagels.
Skates And Throwback Music – All Night Skate
Address: 54 Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233, United States
All Night Skate doesn’t have a roller rink, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from bringing your own skates to celebrate specialty cocktails like Star Power, Green Light Go, Prom Night, and Best Day in Paradise. This themed restaurant in New York City is the highlight of the town, with its roller disco-inspired ambiance and delicious Mexican street food sourced from Mr. Taco. Here, take a look at their menu – Grilled Shrimptaco, Grilled Steak Nachos, Ms. Quesa with mozzarella and Queso Blanco, and Chorizo Bowl. Street corn, Chips & Guacamole, and many other delicious extras are available to make your meals even more memorable.
Beach Calling – Surf Bar
Address: 139 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
When you visit a beach themed restaurant such as Surf Bar, be prepared for lots of seafood, ocean-inspired décor, frozen mojitos, and clam chowders. The floors of this themed restaurant in NYC are covered with sand – yes, that is how much this place loves the shores. There isn’t any other place where your meals are served on a surfboard or where the shrimp sliders and burgers are so delicious that you will definitely order a second plate. Surf Bar has a really fun outdoor atmosphere that makes you feel as if you were walking on warm sands under the sun when, in reality, you are sitting in the heart of Brooklyn.
Classic Bar and Basement Space – The Flower Shop
Address: 107 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
You might be thinking, “What’s a flower shop doing among these themed restaurants in NYC?” Well, this one is a bit different. It’s your local pub, decorated with an overfamiliar Australian décor, with the charm of American diners, and the cheeky allure of finished basements and classic bars. This might be a hidden gem in New York City, once that is now rapidly gaining popularity among tourists and locals. Enjoy comfort food of your choice on the ground floor, or explore the basement where a pool table and fireplace welcome you in a cozy 70s-style ambiance.
All About Cats – Koneko
Address: 26 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
Taking inspiration from its name, Koneko (kitten in Japanese) is celebrating the love of cats and offering even more fun with delicious Japanese foods and beverages. This pretty cat themed restaurant in NYC is filled with friendly feline company and cat-centric spaces such as the warm and sunny Upper Cattery, coziest Lower Cattery, and an outdoor Catio. As soon as you enter, you are at a high risk of a feline love overdose. Take a look at their menu, which includes made-in-house pastries and Japanese Izakaya snacks, coffee sourced from Portland, and a selection of tea, beverages, and wines that give tough competition to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Time To Get Dolled Up – American Girl Place New York
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza Floor 1, New York, NY 10019, United States
American Girl Place is a friendly doll store and café that is as much a hangout place for girls as it is for their doll friends. Their all-day brunch is available on Saturdays and on Sundays, too, starting in July. Bring your dolls and their accessories to this glittering themed restaurant in New York, where a delicious menu awaits with Kit’s Old fashioned Cherry Soda, Fancy Bow-Tie Pasta, Nanea’s Very Blue Berry Smoothie, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Trio. The doll café is as sparkly and pink as you would expect from such a place – your little girls will surely love being here with their friends.
The Beauty Of Caves – La Caverna
Address: 122 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
How would you like to be in a place where Stalactites hang from the ceiling of a cave-like basement lounge? La Caverna stays true to its name and offers an exhilarating Mexican dining experience in the heart of Lower Manhattan. This themed restaurant in NYC is a cave of wonders where even the air feels extra cool and saturated. The basement lounge is decorated in beautiful gemstone-colored lights, and the dim and secluded tables scattered throughout give an otherworldly experience that deserves a place on the gram. Don’t forget to check out the classic Mexican delights like Jalapeno burgers, imported beers, and the special La Caverna Salad.
Frozen Hot Chocolate From The RomCom – Serendipity 3
Address: 225 E 60th Street, New York, NY 10022, United States
Fans of the 2001 rom-com Serendipity will love to have the same frozen hot chocolate that Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack had. Serendipity 3 might be a small themed restaurant – an old-school eatery in New York City, but it still brings in tons of guests who want to get a scoop of their delicious ice creams and sundaes. The sweets and frozen hot chocolate might be a specialty of this restaurant, but savory items like the classic footlong hot dog and The Ultimate B.L.T sandwiches are also worth ordering. Take a seat in the pretty ambiance that looks like Madhatter’s tea party and watch how dramatically it puts a smile on your face.
Cool and Breezy – Beach Cafe
Address: 1326 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10021, United States
Beach Café, the cute neighborhood eatery on the Upper East Side, has everything that you need to relax. Being one of the best sea-inspired themed restaurants in New York City, it has suitable outdoor and indoor dining spaces, American comfort food to keep you company, and many gluten-free options to suit everybody. Watch out for their brunch menu, where you can get an entrée + three drinks, all for just $35. Sounds breezy, right?
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