NYC-themed restaurants add an extra layer of excitement and uniqueness to the culinary landscape. They offer an immersive dining experience that goes beyond just food.
These eateries attract those seeking delicious cuisine and an opportunity to step into a themed world. From retro nostalgia to pop culture-inspired themes, here's a look at some of the themed restaurants and bars in NYC.
1. Beetle House
Beetle House offers a thematic atmosphere inspired by honor culture, magic, and artistic, literary, and cinematic works of many revered legends.
You can enter through a black and white-striped doorway that nods to the bar's iconic namesake and into a barroom replete with a purple glow. The bar also provides outdoor space to enjoy a sip of Tequilla-based The Beetle's Juice, and rummy Coco Skellington.
Address: 308 E 6th St, New York
2. Alice's Tea Cup
It is NYC's most whimsical tea house founded by the sisters Haley and Lauren Fox.
This place strives to provide an unparalleled, magical experience for the guests, with no shortage of scones, tea sandwiches, and hundreds of teas. It also has vegetarian, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free options.
Address: 102 W 73rd St, New York
3. S'MAC
S'MAC was the first ever restaurant to be devoted exclusively to mac and cheese.
The idea behind its opening is to elevate macaroni and cheese from a perennial side dish to the status of a meal in and of itself. After opening its doors, they are transformed from an unknown, small, edgy East village restaurant to a high-traffic and high-volume restaurant.
Address: 197 1st Avenue, New York
4. Employees Only
This restaurant has a cheeky name in the West Village that focuses on modern American cuisine. Their popular entrees include monkfish and broccolini, cavatelli pasta with spicy sausage, and the elk lion with Yukon potatoes, mushrooms, kale, and charred onion.
Thier highlights are the rich dark chocolate pot de creme with chai spice and expresso and the poached apple with candied walnus.
Address: 510 Hudson St, New York
5. Beauty & Essex
It is a high-rated breakfast and brunch spot that truly comes alive in the evenings. The restaurant offers enticing dishes, including Oven Braised Chicken Meatballs and Grilled Atlantic Salmon.
Guesta also enjoys their Lemon Ricotta Ravioli and an array of raw bar options such as Spicy Salmon Tartare and Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos.
Address: 146 Essex St, New York City
6. The Dead Rabbit
This place proudly strives to showcase the Emerald Isle and the talented people who call it home focusing on traditional music and 18th-century punches.
They also provide shelter and refuge, nourishment and merriment, to ensure that you leave happier than when you arrived.
Address: 30-32 Water St, New York City
7. The Back Room
This spot is one of the only two speakeasies in NYC operated during Prohibition and is still running today. It is a timeless example of the underbelly of New York's past.
This place was known mostly to get used for business meetings and gatherings. Guests can get transported to the Roaring Twenties during the prohibition era while entering the bar.
Address: 102 Norfolk St, New York
8. Trailer Park Lounge
This is a Trailer Trash-themed bar and cafe with walls packed with signs, aisle toilets, and a full-size travel trailer.
A smoking, pregnant lady dummy sits in curlers and pink flamingo slippers. Their outdoor display showcases dummies, neon, and a toilet on wheels. It regularly opens from 12 noon to 3 am.
Address: 271 W 23rd St, New York City
9. The Raines Law Room
The Raines Law Room has a portion of parlor tables, a garden, and a standing bar area, held for walk-ins. This spot accepts parties of 6 or fewer, due to the intimate atmosphere and limited capacity.
They offer a selection of seasonal additions, time-honored cocktails, and sipping spirits and a small assortment of beer and wine.
Address: 48 W 17th St between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas
10. Fraunces Tavern
It is the oldest and most historic bar that once served as a watering hole for many of the founding fathers of the United States of America.
It entices guests with its distinctive historical charm and an atmosphere enriched by lively music and unique themed rooms. They also provide vegetarian-friendly, vegan options, and gluten-free options.
Address: 54 Pearl St, New York
11. The Cauldron
The Cauldron fuses science, technology, and hospitality to craft immersive experiences. They blend food, drink, and retail with cutting-edge tech to make magic come alive.
They bring fantasy to life through innovation, engineering, and design, and serve hundreds of thousands of guests, providing wonders of books and movies into reality through interactive hospitality.
Address: 127 W 26th St, New York
12. Cowgirl Hall of Fame
The Cowgirl Hall of Fame pays homage to cowgirl culture. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with colorful decor and memorabilia celebrating cowgirls and the American West.
It features a menu of diverse dishes inspired by southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisine such as BBQ ribs, burgers, nachos, tacos, and chili.
Address: 519 Hudson St, New York
13. Havana Central
It is a tropical hideaway featuring the best Cuban cuisine in the tri-state area. They have been serving guests for more than 20 years now.
This vintage Cuban-inspired restaurant provides delicious and homemade cuban cuisine for dine-in service, takeout, and delivery. It is also known for its go-to for Happy Hour specials and offers catering and special events.
Address: 151 W 46th St, New York
14. Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
Max Brenner creates a new chocolate culture, a chocolate sensory immersion that encourages you to open up about how you connect with chocolate.
With iconic presentation of products and desserts, they provide the ultimate experience for chocolate lovers with unique food menu with many dining options and special dishes.
Address: 841 Broadway, New York City
15. Ellen's Stardust Diner
This themed restaurant is regarded as one of the best theme restaurants in NYC. It also contains retro-themed memorabilia such as photos of many past Miss Subways on the walls.
It also features a drive-in theater screen that showcases the performances from the 1950s and is popular among children and adults.
Address: 1650 Broadway, New York
