22 Forgotten Theme Restaurants That Were a Little Too Gimmicky
Theme eateries once offered more than meals. They promised unforgettable experiences. From servers clad as medieval knights to dishes served in mock jail cells, these venues amplified the spectacle to make dining memorable. Some hit the mark perfectly while others, well, their absence speaks volumes.
All in all, these lost restaurants were bold, bizarre, and often overly theatrical for lasting success. It is definitely time to revisit some of the oddest tables in culinary history.
1. Mars 2112
In Times Square, Mars 2112 transported diners to a sci-fi Mars with a spaceship ride and alien actors. The decor screamed space fantasy, but the menu was grounded on Earth with burgers and chicken tenders.
Despite its cosmic charm, execution fell short, leading to its closure in 2012. The restaurant’s otherworldly concept couldn’t sustain it amidst the competitive dining scene.
2. The Magic Time Machine
At The Magic Time Machine, servers dressed as characters like Alice or Jack Sparrow, serving food in wildly themed booths. The experience was akin to stepping into a child’s imagination, delighting kids while bemusing parents.
Though a few spots survive, many faded with the nostalgia of the ’70s and ’80s. Despite the chaos, it was a place of innocent wonder and whimsy.
3. Jekyll & Hyde Club
Blending haunted house and dinner theater, Jekyll & Hyde Club delighted with spooky animatronics and eerie performers. Ghoulish dish names enhanced the macabre vibe. Yet, many felt the scares eclipsed the cuisine and service quality.
As the haunted charm faded, the once-lively spot became a ghost town, leaving a legacy of eerie meals.
4. Casa Bonita
Famous from South Park, Casa Bonita was more than enchiladas; it provided cliff diving, puppet shows, and cave explorations. Like a homespun Mexican Disneyland mixed with dinner theater, it survived criticism of its food thanks to its spectacle.
While closed for a time, it’s been revived, showcasing even kitschy places can have second chances. The unique blend of entertainment kept families returning.
5. Medieval Times
In Medieval Times, the thrill of eating a giant turkey leg while knights jousted was a dream come true. Dining without utensils was all part of the medieval charm. The battles were captivating, though the food was historically average.
A few locations endure, but the novelty has worn thin for many, leaving only memories of noble knights and hearty meals enjoyed barehanded.
6. Rainforest Café
Rainforest Café immersed patrons in a jungle ride, complete with animatronic creatures, thunderstorms, and lush foliage. Kids adored it, but adults found it overwhelming. A few tourist-area outposts remain, yet many closed as the wilderness appeal waned.
Still, it lingers as a cherished memory for families who navigated its vibrant chaos for a meal.
7. Planet Hollywood
Backed by celebrities like Bruce Willis, Planet Hollywood celebrated blockbuster movies with memorabilia-packed walls. Patrons dined on overpriced fare, reveling in the ’90s star power.
For a time, it was the trendy spot to be seen, but the glitz faded faster than a sun-drenched VHS, leading to closures. Its brief shine left behind tales of celebrity encounters and cinematic dining adventures.
8. Ninja New York
Ninja New York offered a stealthy dining thrill, with ninja staff escorting guests through trap-laden passages. The staff’s table-side magic tricks complemented the sushi offerings, creating an immersive, theatrical experience.
Though unforgettable, the ninja novelty eventually outpaced the food, leading to its closure. The concept embodied the unique, quirky charm of theme dining gone niche.
9. Dick’s Last Resort
Famed for cheeky service, Dick’s Last Resort featured brash staff, appealing to rowdy groups. The dishes were solid, but the vibe wasn’t for the sensitive. Some sites endure, but many shuttered as the humor grew stale.
Its irreverent shock value offered laughs with meals for those craving bold dining.
10. Dinner in the Sky
For those seeking thrills, Dinner in the Sky offered meals 150 feet up, providing a heart-stopping view for diners with sturdy nerves. The concept was thrilling but impractical for those afraid of heights or strong winds.
More spectacle than viable business, it never truly took off long-term. Despite this, it gave adventurous diners a memorable, albeit brief, taste of aerial dining adventure.
11. Ed Debevic’s
Ed Debevic’s was a ’50s diner with a twist: sassy waiters in retro attire, ready to quip at customers. The playful banter and cheeky service added to its charm. Loud and brash, it captured hearts for a while but eventually fizzled.
Most locations closed as the act grew old, leaving behind memories of a time when cheeky service was part of the dining show.
12. O’Natural
O’Natural stripped dining to its core: a clothes-free experience promoting body positivity. Intriguing yet awkward for many, it closed amid chilly interest and weather.
Its audacious concept, too niche for longevity, etched an odd page in culinary lore, remembered for its fearless approach.
13. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
In Fairmont Hotel’s basement, Tonga Room dazzled with tiki charm, featuring a central lagoon and periodic thunderstorms. Patrons enjoyed floating band shows and tropical cocktails, embodying mid-century Polynesian dreams. Its survival amid tiki decline owes much to loyal fans.
It remains a nostalgic relic, while others like it sank. Tonga’s enduring magic lies in its whimsical ambiance and devoted following.
14. The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater offered meals in vintage cars beneath a starry sky, with B-movie clips adding retro flair. It was a drive-in dinner minus the mosquitoes, complete with milkshakes and Americana.
As a Disney property, it survives, but similar ventures outside the park fizzled. It shows how some ideas only thrive with substantial backing. A nostalgic gem for those craving kitschy dining delights.
15. Robot Restaurant
Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant was a sensory overload, combining neon lights with robot battles and techno beats. Food was secondary to the elaborate show, captivating tourists but straining wallets. High costs and limited menu options dimmed its shine, leading to a temporary closure in 2020.
Despite this, it remains a symbol of Tokyo’s quirky dining scene, remembered for its vibrant, eccentric charm.
16. Beetle House
Beetle House brought Tim Burton’s cinematic world to life, with characters from Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands. Themed cocktails served by Jack Skellington drew Burton fans. As the gimmick faded, it persisted in limited form, while copies flopped.
Its eerie whimsy captured Burton’s spirit but struggled to endure.
17. Magic Castle Dinner Theater
Magic Castle Dinner Theater, known for magician members and secretive access, offered high-end dining paired with close-up illusions. While the original endures, imitators failed to replicate its mystique. Guests needed a secret word to enter, adding to the charm.
The unique blend of magic and gourmet dining set it apart, leaving many failed copies in its wake. It’s a magical dining experience reserved for those in the know.
18. Heart Attack Grill
Heart Attack Grill embraced shock value, serving calorie-laden burgers in a hospital-themed setting. Patrons wore hospital gowns, and waitresses dressed as nurses, adding to the kitschy, unapologetic scene. Free meals for those over 350 lbs added to the spectacle.
While still existing, its gimmick is more cautionary tale than sustainable model. The restaurant embodies indulgence without shame, though many view it as a stark reminder of dietary excess.
19. American Girl Café
American Girl Café let girls and dolls dine in matching chairs with tea sets, crafting a whimsical, pricey experience. It flourished during the brand’s peak, but many sites closed as doll mania faded.
Remaining locations blend retail with simpler dining. Its doll-centric fantasy remains a fond memory for fans.
20. Barbie Café
Barbie Café was a pink paradise with heart-shaped chairs and glittery menus, appealing to doll enthusiasts. The visual extravaganza generated buzz, but repeat customers were scarce beyond the selfie crowd.
Eventually, it closed quietly, proving even Barbie’s iconic brand couldn’t save it without substance. The café remains a vivid memory of vibrant, albeit short-lived, themed dining.
21. Ma Maison
Not a typical theme restaurant, Ma Maison epitomized Hollywood glamour with a celebrity clientele. It was the place to see and be seen in the late ’70s, with figures like Elton John gracing its tables.
Despite its allure, the restaurant’s lack of substance led to its decline, becoming a culinary footnote. Ma Maison represents a bygone era of excess and star-studded dining fantasies.
22. Safe House
Safe House immersed guests in espionage with secret codes and Cold War decor. Entry required passwords or missions, fueling intrigue. Though limited sites remain, most imitators lost the spark, closing quietly.
Its spy-thriller vibe left a legacy of adventurous dining, outlasting failed copies.