The Strangest Themed Restaurants and Where They Are Now

Food travel is a growing trend, with some tourists choosing to explore the world by seeking out unique places to eat.

A few of these unique spots are themed restaurants, known for their interesting decor, food, and drinks. Many even have shows to draw extra interest.

Are you ready to learn about places where you can dine with dinosaurs or in a rainforest? What about a restaurant where you're dangling 150 feet in the air or shivering surrounded by ice? Follow along for strange, but interesting themed restaurants all over the world. To find these places, 24/7 Tempo reviewed each restaurant and looked through reviews, social media posts, and official websites.

One of the more well-known, strange-themed restaurants is the Rainforest Cafe. It's exactly what it sounds like, a restaurant themed like you're eating in a rainforest. It's a lot more immersive than you'd think. Every few minutes, a thunderstorm starts, where animals make noise and move around. While each Rainforest Cafe is slightly different, they all have fake plants, animals, and typically a waterfall.

Okay, so maybe you aren't into rainforests, then what about dinosaurs? The T-Rex Cafe in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is known for being an immersive prehistoric experience as you eat. You feast on meatballs, beef nachos, pastas, and burgers while surrounded by dinosaurs and rocks.

"Forrest Gump" was a powerful movie. From this film, we got the iconic Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. It was founded just two years after the film's release and now has 33 restaurants across the world. You can find the restaurants in high tourist areas, like in Orlando, Florida (Universal City Walk).

This might be a cheat since Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament isn't just a restaurant. Instead, it's an entire experience and show with dinner given. Still, it's odd enough to include. How many times are you going to get the chance to watch a medieval jousting show live while eating? As of mid-2025, 10 Medieval Times exist in the United States and Canada. The oldest one is in Kissimmee, Florida, by Disney World.

If you don't like rainforests, dinosaurs, or medieval jousting, what about pirates? Another themed restaurant that you can also find in Florida is the Pirates Dinner Adventure. During this experience, you get to eat while watching a pirate show in the center of a room with a real ship. General entrance includes a 90-minute show and a three-course meal.

Do we have any American Girl fans? Adults and kids alike love these dolls that tell the story of American life. Well, the company has launched a few cafes where you can enjoy tea time and treats. A popular experience by the American Girls Cafe is the teatime, where you can enjoy desserts, tea, and sandwiches alongside your doll and a fun craft activity.

You'll have to save a pretty penny to go to Space 220, one of Disney's newest restaurants. It's themed like you are eating from outer space, and it really looks like it, as the walls are 'windows' showing outer space and Earth from above. The entire thing is a strange but fun experience as you start by entering a special space elevator.

Have you heard of the Magic Time Machine? While not as large as the chain Rainforest Cafe, it's worth a visit if you're traveling to San Antonio or Dallas. The restaurant has an interesting theme, as every seating area is a different adventure. It's a whimsical spot with costumes and unique decor that you'll just have to see to believe.

Any Tim Burton fans? If yes, you might want to check out the Beetle House in Los Angeles and New York. It's a Tim Burton-themed restaurant and dinner show experience with vibrant decor, delicious food, and themed drinks. This is a spot where it's Halloween every day.

Mexican restaurants are everywhere, so what's the big deal with Casa Bonita in Colorado? Well, it's a wild place with shows, food, and great drinks. The shows are large, with some even featuring divers diving into a 30-foot waterfall and pool. How many restaurants have that feature? Overall, the interior is also just stunning. You won't know where to look.

Have you heard of the Vampire Cafe in New Orleans? It's exactly what it sounds like. The cafe is vampire/spooky themed and has some excellent vampire cocktails and meals. It's different and fun. Just take a look at the menu, you'll want to visit immediately.

The Heart Attack Grill in downtown Las Vegas went viral a few years ago for its interesting theme. The theme and idea of the restaurant surround unhealthy food. Staff members even wear hospital-themed uniforms. You can also weigh yourself before entering, and anyone above 350 pounds can eat for free.

Would you eat dinner hundreds of feet in the air with your feet dangling? It's not for everyone, but the experience is unique enough to look into. Dinner in the Sky is available worldwide, although it is a Belgium-based company. Basically, a crane lifts you, other diners, the table, and wait staff about 150 feet in the air.

There is a restaurant and an experience for everything, including dining underwater. You can do this at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives. The restaurant is about five meters underwater and provides 180 degrees of stunning views. While eating at this fine dining establishment, you can see sharks, fish, and manta rays.

Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant isn't necessarily a themed restaurant, but an interesting location. Because of that, we thought we'd mention it. The restaurant is in Kenya and is in the middle of a natural cave. You can see cave rocks from the entrance to the dining room, where it opens up to natural lighting. The cave is super impressive as it's 120,000 to 180,000 years old. Even if you can't make the trip there, you should explore the tour virtually, which is available on the restaurant's website.

Typically, restaurant staff are friendly and accommodating, but one chain expects the opposite. When eating at Dick's Last Resort, know that the staff is allowed to be rude and angry. It's part of the experience! Although founded in Dallas in 1985, there are now 13 stores across the United States. A big thing Dick's Last Resort is known for is their hand-made paper hats with insults on them. They are given to diners to wear during their stay.

Also on our list is the strange Modern Toilet Restaurant. Would you be able to stomach eating at a restaurant where almost everything is served in a toilet bowl? Even if it's clean, that's a hard one to get behind. This restaurant in Taiwan is super popular. The space and decor are also themed after bathrooms and bath accessories.

Would you visit the Chillout Ice Lounge in Dubai? It's a lounge and restaurant sculpted of ice and known for being very cold. It's so cold inside that you are provided with warmed-up coats and hot chocolate. It's a fun way to beat the heat and look at incredible ice sculptures.

Last but not least is El Avión, a restaurant in Costa Rica made from an old plane. It's themed around the plane but is really known for its stunning views. You could spend all day just enjoying the scenery. People really recommend staying to catch a sunset.