The best themed restaurants in the U.S.

What is it? The Mai-Kai opened in 1956 and is the longest-running Polynesian revue in the country. Diners from around the world come to transport themselves to the South Seas through cascading waterfalls and tropical gardens, feast on pupu platters and suckling pig, and watch the famous Polynesian floor show. 

Why we love it: The floorshow changes every year in January, so the experience always stays fresh.

Time Out tip: Happy hour at both the Molokai and Bora Bara Bar runs from 4 to 7pm and offers 50 percent off tiki drinks. 

Address: 3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4–11pm, Sat 1pm–midnight, Sun noon–10pm

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What is it? This small chain, with locations in Nashville, Denver, Kemah, and Houston, combines an aquarium visit with a seafood restaurant. Diners are seated around a 200,000-gallon tank, where they can view tropical fish, sharks and stingrays.

Why we love it: Though guests can’t partake in the rare species on display, fish is at the center of the menu, too. Ahi tuna nachos, sautéed redfish topped with lump crabmeat, and gator and shrimp tacos all appeal to guests who crave edible enchantment under the sea.

Time Out tip: Check the schedule for days featuring the Mystic Mermaids, a choreographed show in the aquarium tank featuring the restaurant’s infamous mermaid team. 

Address: 516 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 11am-7pm

What is it? The mecca of magic, home to the world-famous Academy of Magical Arts. This exclusive private club doesn’t just feel secret; it basically is. You can’t enter without an invitation or a member escort, and not just any member. They have to be approved by the Academy’s Board or be magicians who have passed an audition.

Why we love it: Once inside this fever dream of a mansion, it’s all sleight of hand, stiff drinks, and the distinct feeling that something impossible is about to happen in every one of its 40 rooms filled with world-class performers. No photos. No videos. No proof you were ever there—sorry, Instagram. 

There’s a very strict dress code, and they don’t mess around. Guests are expected to show up with a touch of opulence and refinement: women in elegant dresses or gowns; men in suits with dress shoes, a collared shirt and a necktie. 

Dinner is a delight, featuring the Academy’s beef Wellington and a rich and tender Colorado rack of lamb—both dishes come with bordelaise sauce and garlic confit, and all entrées are served with roasted fingerling potatoes. While the bar feels like a speakeasy inside Hogwarts, complete with cheeky options like mystical margaritas and sorcerer’s sangria. But the move is the NPH old-fashioned, a Castle favorite named after past president Neil Patrick Harris. 

Time Out tip: Arrive early when the doors open and stay late—there’s a lot to explore. Part of the fun is the place itself: a ghost named Irma plays the piano and takes requests; the library is filled with books on magic; and hidden passageways might lead to intimate close-up tricks or a mirror installation that mimics Disney’s “Hitchhiking Ghosts” illusion from the Haunted Mansion.

Address: 7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–1am; Sat 10am–3pm, 5pm–1am; Sun 10am–3:30pm, 5pm–1am

What is it? Located inside the iconic Fairmont hotel, the Polynesian-inspired bar-slash-restaurant has been pouring mai tais since 1945, but in 2010 benefited from a $1 million renovation and facelift.

Why we love it: While we love the balanced drinks, the ambiance at Tonga Room is unparalleled. Be prepared for a man-made rain, thunder and lightning storm to hit the “lagoon” that was once the hotel’s swimming pool.

Time Out tip: Skip the food—it’s overpriced and mediocre. You’re here for the mai tais and kitsch. 

Address: 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 5–10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-11pm

What is it? South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone rescued this formerly floundering house of wonders and reopened it in 2023 as a full-service restaurant with cliff divers, a puppet show, roving mariachi bands, and a magic performance by the Insanely Mysterious Sorsoro. 

Why we love it: Each reservation includes an entrée of Mexican food, chips and salsa, a soft drink, and of course, their world-famous sopapillas—all of which are okay. But what we really love is the absurd randomness of all the attractions. A wandering gorilla in a Mexican courtyard? Sign us up. 

Time Out tip: Absolutely be sure to make reservations first. Casa Bonita doesn’t accept walk-ins.

Address: 6715 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80214

Opening hours: Tue, Wed, 4-10:30pm; Thu-Sat 11am-10:30pm, Sun 11am-4:30pm

What is it? What started as The Mandarin House in 1950 has grown to become one of New England’s most pan-Asian restaurants, with a massive menu, sushi bar, and a quirky Luau Room and Tiki Lagoon.

Why we love it: The Wong family, which has owned the restaurant for three generations, does so much more than just American Chinese food. The restaurant can pack in over 1,200 customers who also enjoy Thai and Japanese dishes. 

Time Out tip: Portions are huge and can easily be shared or taken home as leftovers. 

Address: 948 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906 

Opening hours: Mon, Tues 11:30am-9:30pm; Wed, Thu 11:30am–11:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–12:30am; Sun 11:30am-10:30pm

What is it? A Northern Virginia restaurant that uses cocoa and cacao in just about every aspect of the menu. Most of the chefs are trained in pastry arts and are also known as chocolatiers. 

Why we love it: There are chocoholics, then there is chef Santosh Tiptur. Trained as a pastry chef and chocolatier, he uses his favorite ingredient in practically everything. Diners can order crispy calamari in cocoa beer batter; Caesar salad with cocoa nib brittle and cocoa-infused, cured yolk; and short ribs in chocolate-Burgundy reduction to go with their Moussetache cocktail.

Time Out tip: Watch chocolate being made in the pastry kitchen while you take in the edible spectacle that is the flame-fueled Conche Entremet.

Address: 1605 Village Market Blvd SE, Leesburg, VA 

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5-8pm; Fri 5-9pm, Sat 4-9pm, Sun, 11am-2pm, 4-8pm

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What is it? This railroad-themed restaurant (with additional locations in Shawnee and Kansas City, Missouri) has delighted diners since it opened in KC in 1954. At cherry-red vinyl booths among railroad memorabilia like wooden train sets and crossroads signs, visitors order tried-and-true burgers, crinkle-cut fries and thick milkshakes.

Why we love it: Your wait staff arrives as a ceiling-mounted train that runs along tracks, delivering the order right to the table. It’s an old-fashioned good time that kids, in particular, are sure to love.

Time Out tip: Orders are placed via the phone at your table, but you might have to wait a second for someone to pick up. 

Address: 250 N 18 St, Kansas City, KS 66102 

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 6am–3pm

What is it? Located within a stone’s throw of Colorado Springs’ small, city-owned airport, the Airplane Restaurant is housed within a converted KC-97 U.S. Air Force tanker. Diners can sit at small tables within the plane itself or in “the terminal,” an attached dining room.

Why we love it: While the food isn’t anything special—don’t expect much more than burgers, steaks and a few straightforward salads—the fun involved in eating non-airplane food while inside an airplane is, well, totally worth it. Plus, the hundreds of photos and pieces of aviation memorabilia housed around the tanker. 

Time Out tip: If you can manage the steps, ask to be seated in the fuselage of the craft for a more unique experience. 

Address: 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916 

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-8pm; Fri, Sat 11am-9pm

What is it? Anything goes at this San Antonio classic, which opened in 1973 and later expanded to Dallas. The theme is broad, embracing everything from Marvel comics to Pirates of the Caribbean, and the dining room is a hodgepodge of seating areas, including the attic, a tiki hut and even an old refrigerator where you can enjoy an American menu of steaks, burgers, ribs and catfish. 

Why we love it: The decor isn’t the only thing rocking the wild hodgepodge of themes here. Servers are dressed as all kinds of characters: Spider-Man, Robin Hood and Jack Sparrow, too. 

Time Out tip: The fun is clearly aimed at kids, though the menu’s Roman Orgy—a “conglomerate” of smoked brisket, chicken and fresh fruits—might require some explanation.

Address: 902 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78209

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5:30-9pm; Fri 5-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm

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What is it? A Wyatt Earp-esque experience in the heart of the West that’s accompanied by nightly live music and a themed menu that includes the “Kate’s Breast” sandwich and both the “Topless” and “Big Ass” Burger. Naturally, the movie Tombstone plays on an endless loop on screens behind the bar.

Why we love it: Tombstone should be considered a compulsory stopover for any true Wild West enthusiast, and part of the history to be absorbed is Big Nose Kate's Saloon. The establishment is reportedly haunted and features an underground level where a worker spent years tunneling a secret entrance into a nearby silver mine.

Time Out tip: Bring your best western garb. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in period-style attire, and they can freely snap selfies on the bar or draped across the piano if they are so inclined.

Address: 417 E. Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10am-9pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm

What is it? This LAX-adjacent spot began life in 1967 as an aviation-themed restaurant but was reborn in 2017 as a modern food hall. It now features six stalls serving tuna poke bowls, barbecue brisket and mushroom-truffle pizza topped with a fried egg.

Why we love it: They’ve worked hard to preserve the aviation theme: Giant model planes hang from the ceiling, and the lingo echoes travel language ('Arrival' is where you place your order, 'Departure' is where you pick it up).

Time Out tip: Don’t forget to visit the Mile High Club bar and lounge to pick up a cocktail or a glass of wine and admire the view.

Address: 11022 Aviation BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90045

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 11am-7pm; Wed-Sat 11am–9pm; Sun 10am-7pm

What is it? A '90s-style pizza joint with billiards and tabletop arcade games located in Atlas 9, an immersive art experience that's turned an old-school movie theater into the site of an alien takeover.  

Why we love it: The story behind Atlas 9, a 90s movie theater that's fallen victim to potential alien activity, spins off into its adjoining pizzeria and pub. The restaurant is filled with Easter eggs (not the literal kind)—hunt around enough and you'll find quirky clues that'll help you solve the mystery inside the cinema. But even if you opt not to go all in on the case, Splice Bros. dedication to honoring the spirit and decor of your favorite 90s pizza joint, is still a lot of fun to see. While you're there, order the four cheese pizza topped with dino nuggies, the fried gouda mac and cheese bites, and a boozy limeade to wash it all down. 

Time Out tip: The pizzeria and pub are open to the public—no need to purchase a ticket to the full Atlas 9 experience if you just want to check out Slice Bros and grab some munchies. 

Address: 1100 N 98th St., Kansas City, KS 66111

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 2-10pm, Fri, Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–8pm