5 Themed Dining Experiences That Inspire Fun and Flavor

Here are some reminders why it’s important to play with your food.

Some of my best memories were made at themed restaurants. Why? Because they’re fun. What’s fun for business owners: These restaurants make money.

Diners escape reality, stepping away from whatever is going on in their life into the adventures that await during two to three hours of mealtime. All while contributing $27 billion every year to the U.S. economy.

Playing pretend and having fun with servers is something all guests should experience at least once. It’s the easiest way to ensure a good mood for all.

There are certain aspects of themed restaurants that can work for any kind of dining zone, like food facilitators committing to service on another level. Often employees have more fun in this kind of atmosphere, as do the guests.

Decor also plays an important role in this kind of dining experience. In fact, the aesthetics are often the star attraction.

It doesn’t take a lot to raise service and settings to another level.

In my lifetime, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many palaces of sustenance. From dining with dinosaurs to getting trapped in the 1950s, there are experiences that stick out – and for good reason.

Here are my most epic-themed restaurant experiences, and some lessons other restaurants can learn from each of them.

1. The Caves

It’s not around anymore, but The Caves was fully committed to making guests believe they were in the Stone Age. Imagine if the Flintstones opened a restaurant, except they could cook well and they gave you utensils.

I was turning 12 years old and my parents took me there along with my two best friends. I remember it like it was yesterday: We sat inside a literal cave, with an opening just big enough for us to slide in and get comfortable. Our server was a lovely lady wearing a faux animal pelt, and she guided us through a rustic menu that offered large portions of meat at every corner of the page. The descriptions of meals were even drawn inside boulders, that’s how deep in the theme these guys were.

The best part about this experience was the vibe. That intimate cave felt like we were in another time and place, and because of the close proximity, my friends and parents talked the whole night. It was connection on another level

2. Rainforest Cafe

Although a more commercially popular choice, I still love this place. The food is not the star of the show here, but the fake foliage and tropical props are on another level.

My first time eating here was especially memorable because of the thunderstorm. Every hour or so, the lighting and sound effects created “lightning” and “thunder” throughout the space. All of the diners would look around, acknowledging the cheesiness of it all. But the kids loved it. I was older when I went, but it was not lost on me that we all had to stop eating so we could acknowledge the “tropical weather.”

The Rainforest Cafe stands the test of time because it’s so darn interesting to look at. Every nook and cranny has something to explore, and the gift shop with jungle items available for purchase, like stuffed animals and collector’s buttons, is a lesson in upselling.

3. T-Rex Cafe

What the Rainforest Cafe is to the jungle, the T-Rex Cafe is to the Mesozoic Era. It’s similar in style, but way more over-the-top in scale. From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, it’s an all-encompassing experience.

My cousin took me here when I was visiting her in Orlando. The whole time we were dining, it was hard for me to focus on eating at any point during my meal because I was so distracted by the soaring ceilings that had more detailed artwork even than the walls. The lighting was strategically designed to create “warm” areas with reds (think lava) and “icy” areas with blues. Dining sections were defined by these different climates the dinosaurs also had to deal with during their time.

My takeaway from T-Rex Cafe? Their bathrooms. Sounds weird, I know, but the element that stood out to me the most was their attention to style and environment EVEN IN THE POTTY. I went there multiple times throughout the evening just ‘cause.

4. Mai-Kai

Closed for now but set to open again soon, Mai-Kai is a dinner and show experience that dives into Polynesian culture circa 1950s. The show featuring authentic dancers and performers is special, but it’s their Happy Hour that I adore.

My friends and I would frequent this hot spot every Friday, and it was hard to get a spot at the bar if you didn’t get there early enough. The bartenders wore flower lei necklaces and bikinis, which angered my inner feminist but sat fine after three Barrel of Rum cocktails (served in actual mini barrels). And only for Happy Hour would they put out a beautiful spread of sushi, pineapple-glazed meats, and soft cheeses that were satisfying beyond compare.

The dark atmosphere, tiki torches, and wood accents galore made this a special place I would gladly stay in past closing time. The Happy Hour buffet and drink specials made the expensive accessible. Mai-Kai was a magical passport to another time and place.

5. 50’s Prime Time Café

Speaking of 1950’s nostalgia, no one does it better than Disney’s 50’s Prime Time Café. It’s like stepping onto the set of Leave It to Beaver or Happy Days. The food is amazing, the decor is incredible, and the staff is beyond comparison.

My first time dining here, I was shocked to sit down at the retro kitchen table and vinyl chairs only to be yelled at by our server! Yes, she yelled at me! And I loved it! She scolded me for not washing my hands and folding my napkin in my lap. I looked over at my aunt who was grinning widely, so I quickly caught on that this was part of the act. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I’ll do that right now!” Judy warned me that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t get dessert. We continued to laugh as we interacted with not only her but all of the servers and watched vintage TV shows on vintage TV sets.

By far my favorite themed restaurant ever, this café proves that you don’t need to spend a million dollars to feel like a million dollars. The food was really tasty, but all of the staff worked together to make each family feel special. We were all stars of the show.

Make play a priority

It doesn’t cost a lot to make guests feel special. But it does take commitment and attention to detail. Above that, restaurants need a sense of fun. Guests can seem impossible to please, but we are so much more forgiving if we’re given permission to play.

Imagination allows all food facilitators, from servers to cooks to managers to bussing staff, to feel like there’s a sense of escapism even for themselves.

Every themed restaurant I’ve been to is great because people can tell the real from the fake. I know when the staff is having a good time, and I know when they’re miserable. It’s much better for everyone to enjoy the experience together.

This emphasis on a good time also allows guests to be way more forgiving when things go awry, which happens even with the best intentions. Do I care about my slightly undercooked baked potato when my safari driver (a.k.a. server) is trying to save me from a hungry Velociraptor? Or will I tip Judy less because she forgot my ketchup even though she made me belly laugh for hours? I think not.

Food should be fun. Find ways to make every moment a chance to escape to a better place, and see the results for yourself.