Going out to eat at a restaurant is not always about the great food, sometimes the promise of unique dining experiences is what draws people in.
There are a ton of experimental ways to dine, from restaurants that serve food without lights in a pitch black atmosphere to bizarre tea rooms that have patrons inhale the steam from hot beverages rather than drink them and novelty restaurants designed around a singular theme, like toilets. Surprisingly, more of these unique dining experiences are popping up in North America.
If the food and beverages offered in these establishments are anything like the off-the-wall settings at these restaurants, any diner who visit them should be up for trying something new. These kinds of restaurants are ideal for those with open minds and adventurous palates.
54 Unique Dining Experiences
54
Japanese Fembot Diners
The Robot Restaurant in Toyko's Red Light District Has a Giant Robotic Girl
53
Whimsical Vintage Restaurants
One Could Easily Get Lost in this Wonderful Theme Restaurant
52
Fashion Magazine-Branded Cafes
The Vogue Cafe is a New Addition to the Dubai Mall
51
Night Market-Inspired Dining
Nelson Chow’s Interior Was Inspired by Kopitiams
50
Upscale Fast Food Cafes
This Fast Food Restaurant Design Encourages Lounging
49
Public Toilet Diners
The Attendant London Cafe Transforms Restroom into Restaurant
48
Eclectic Industrial Eateries
The Amerikka Design Office Chico’s Restaurant is Bold
47
Industrial Warehouse Eateries
The Restaurant Radio Royaal is Ruggedly Retro
46
Messy Art-Themed Eateries
This Restaurant Features Bright Colorful Paint Art Splashed Everywhere
45
Inhalable Hot Beverages
The Breathable Tea Room Offers an Experimental Way to Drink Tea
44
Bizarre Toilet-Themed Eateries
The Magic Restroom Cafe Serves Meals in Toilet-Shaped Bowls
43
Split-Personality Mediterranean Eateries
Mr Frank Restaurant is Both Rustic and Contemporary
42
Hexagonal Honeycomb Restaurants
Rice Home by AS Design Service is Bee-Inspired
41
Industrial European Eateries
Jamie's Italian by Blacksheep Marries Tradition With Modern Design
40
Tetris-Inspired Eateries
The Nando's Restaurant Ashford by Blacksheep is Geometrically Bold
39
Shipping Container Eateries
Los Sopranos by Pedro Scattarella Redefines Reclaimed Design
38
Jenga-Inspired Eateries
The Innuendo Restaurant by Bluarch Architecture Features Grid-Like Accents
37
Bovine-Branded Eateries
The Minas Kosmidis 'Farma Kreaton' Restaurant is Thematic Throughout
36
Regally Vintage Italian Eateries
The 'Barbatella' Italian Eatery in Naples is Vintage and Lavish
35
Sports Car-Inspired Restaurants
The Mercedes House Serves Mercedes-Inspired Meals in Style
34
Glowing Garden Bistros
The Integrated Field 'Ingfah Restaurant' is Breezy and Luminous
33
Multi-Sensory Eateries
The UltraViolet Restaurant by Paul Pairet is Modern Luxury Epitomized
32
Clouded Ceiling Eateries
The Ho-Hum Restaurant by M4 Features Artful Spacial Elements
31
Affluent Aviator Dining
A380 Airplane Restaurant Lets Diners Eat Lavishly Without Flying
30
Frosting-Inspired Eateries
The Cupcake Boutique by DITTEL Satisfies One’s Sweet Tooth
29
Pitch Black Dinners
'Dans le Noir' Lets You Eat in the Dark, Employs Blind Servers
28
Artistically Abstract Decorative Dining
Sketch Restaurant in London, England Feeds the Eyes
27
Sound-Silencing Restaurants
The Acoustics Adjustment System at COMAL is iPad Powered
26
Richly Mysterious Restaurants
Hakkasan New York by Gilles & Boissier is Warm and Welcoming
25
Luxe Travelling Eateries
The 'Gourmet Bus' Serves Haute Cuisine While You Sightsee
24
Staircase-Situated Dining
Tao Downtown in New York Now Offers Perched Seating on its Staircase
23
Sensory South-American Eateries
The Barrio East London Restaurant Embraces Vivid Design Details
22
Escher-Inspired Eateries
The Joey Ho Design Limited 'The Room' Restaurant is Mind-Boggling
21
Cinematic Dining Experiences
This Pop-Up Dining Experience in NYC Blends Fine Food and Film
20
Future-Forward Parisian Eateries
The WikiBar Serves Food Covered in Edible Packaging
19
Modernized Fast Food Patio Furniture
The Come Collection by Patrick Norguet Modernizes McDonald's
18
Greenhouse-Inspired Eateries
The Mas Provencal Restaurant as Any Gardener's Dream
17
Utensil-Inspired Restaurants
The Tower Kitchen Appears to Be Set Inside an Oversized Oven
16
Fairytale-Inspired Restaurants
Warownia is a Jagged and Surreal Interior by Karina Wiciak
15
Geeky Museum Eateries
The CW Restaraunt in South Korea is a Geek Paradise to Get a Meal
14
Melting Marshmallow Eateries
The L'Opéra Restaurant Paris Features Soft Architectural Element
13
Art Gallery Eateries
Natasha Law Transforms Restaurant Plates Into Painted Masterpieces
12
Pop Art-Inspired Eateries
The Shumis Pizzeria Takes Cues From Warhol
11
Restroom-Obsessed Eateries
Modern Toilet Restaurant Features Lavatory-Themed Seats & Plates
10
Tiny Two-Person Eateries
Solo Per Due in Italy is the World's Smallest Restaurant
9
Personal Development Diners
Ground Level Cafe Offers Training to At-Risk Youth in Toronto
8
Space-Hacking Eaters
The Oatmeal Studio IkHa Restaurant is Customized by Diners
7
Bold Broken Mirror Eateries
The Alegra Restaurant by Mr.Important is Dynamically Designed
6
Cozy Owl-Gazing Cafes
These Owl Cafes in Japan Lets You Bird Watch as You Enjoy Your Coffee
5
Waiterless Automated Restaurants
This Tokyo Restaurant Combines Technology with Food
4
Lavish Train-Themed Eateries
The Passenger Restaurant Re-Creates a Locomotive Environment
3
Tree-Growing Tables
Charles Kaisin Turns the Dining Experience into a Forest
2
Linear Element Eateries
The Tsukiage-An Restaurant Stays True to its Japanese Culture
1
Reclaimed Luxury Eateries
La Ville de Pins by BANG by MIN Turns Disheveled into Exclusive
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Experience-Focused Workplace Furniture Showroooms
Allsteel's Experience Center Breaks the Mold
Biodegradable 3D-Printed Pop-Up Cafes
The Nescafé Dolce Gusto Neo Store is Eco-Focused
Streaming Service Restaurants
The Netflix Bites Pop-Up Serves Dishes from Netflix Series
Cheese-Themed Luxury Spas
The Wedgewater Spa Highlights the Best Cheeses of Wisconsin
Glamorous Camping Experiences
Volodymyr Hahonin Designs the LULU Glamping Experience
Chic Ballroom Interiors
The Ballroom Bowl Has Made Its Mark in Toronto's Entertainment Landscape
Nostalgia-Inspired Fast Food Concepts
McDonald’s CosMc’s Concept Officially Opens in Texas
Transforming Robot Restaurants
Transformers: The Ark Provides Immersive Dining Experiences
Shapeshifting Restaurant Robots
The Conceptual Rotating Table Service Robot is Efficient
Celebratory Soda Diners
The 125 Pepsi Diner Revisits Iconic Creations of the Last Century
Anti-Loyalty Memberships
Dis-Loyalty Actively Rewards Members for Exploring New Destinations
Japan-Inspired Hybrid Bakeries
Studio Wok References Japan in This Milan Bakery & Wine Bar
Blue-Toned Restaurant Lounges
Visual Display Re-Designs the Agli Amici 1887 Lounge Space
Luxurious Asian-Inspired Steakhouses
Chambers Presents Itself as Toronto's Premier Supper Club
Luxury Italian Cafés
Louis Vuitton Opens Its Italian Café in Taormina, Sicily
Three-Dimensional Art Exhibits
3D Doubt Your Eyes Exhibition Opens in Toronto
New York-Inspired Picnic Series
Nik Bentel's New York Picnic Series is Whimsical & Eye-Catching
Chocolate-Inspired Restaurant Menus
Lindt and Gia Offer a Decadent Dark Chocolate Experience
Retrospective Multisensory Installations
Cointreau's Experiential Townhouse Shares Brand Heritage
Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Play-Doh Restaurant of Imagination Turns Kids' Creations Edible
Ocean-Themed Restaurant Menus
The Outback Steakhouse Great Barrier Eats Menu Arrives This Month
Festive Showroom Eateries
Seasons Eating's at IKEA Opens Roomsets for Holiday Hosting
Dragon-Inspired Restaurant Partnerships
Tsingtao Celebrates the Year of the Dragon
Tiny Tasting Menus
Disney+ and Uber Eats Created Small Bites for the New Ant Man Movie
Two-Dimensional Japanese Restaurants
The New Waku Waku Restaurant Opens Up in Manchester
Beloved Toronto Greek Restaurants
King West Restaurant Myth Debuts Highly-Anticipated Reopening
Food-Inspired Brand Imagery
Copyshow's work on a Brand Identity for Paella in Barcelona
Beer Pairing Pop-Ups
&Beer Pairs Beer with NYC’s Best Vegan Food
Culinary Pop-Up Experiences
The RC Show's Pop-Up Experience is an Adventure for the Taste Buds
Sensualized Dinner Dates
The K-Y Desire Darkroom Inspires Romance & Rediscovery
Luxury Experience Clubs
Taste Club Treats Members to Unforgettable Dining & Travel Experiences
All-You-Can-Eat Tteokbokki Restaurants
Witch Topokki Boasts a Menu Full of Comfort Foods
AI-Generated Dining Experiences
Luminary by Rafi was An Immersive Pop-Up Restaurant Powered by AI
Modern Private Event Venues
Toronto's Third Place Emerges as a Prime Venue for Events in 2024/2025
Expert-Paired Prague Food Tours
Prague Foodie's Team of Experts Spotlight Local Food & Attractions
Immersive Ice Wine Experiences
Inniskillin's Obsession Wins Dinners Explores Award-winning Wines
Experiential Kimchi Pop-Ups
The Jongga Flavourverse is an Immersive Destination Devoted to Kimchi
Mobile All-in-One Ramen Restaurants
2m26 Designs a Compact Restaurant with Locally Sourced Timber
Indoor Surfing Bars
Groundswell is a Newly Opened Destination to Eat, Drink, and Surf
Experiential Fragrance Cafes
The Nina Illusion Café Boosts the Launch of Nina Ricci's New Scent
Luxury Chinese Cuisine Experiences
Mott 32 Will Open Its Door at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto
Cinematically Designed Restaurants
Studio Paolo Ferrari Designs the Daphne Restaurant
Chinese Heritage-Inspired QSR Stores
Panda Express Unveils the Panda Home New Store
Intricate Food Waste Teahouses
Mitsubishi Jisho Design Uses Food Waste Materials for Its Pavilion
Hot Air Balloon Restaurants
CuliAir Skydining Offers Three-Course Meals in the Sky
Flavorful Toronto Restaurants
TABLE Fare + Social - Toronto's Newest Culinary Destination
Coffee-Wine Bar Hybrids
'Equal Parts' Opens Down the Road From its Sister Restaurant
Virtual Pub Museums
Heineken Pub Museums Spotlight Important Cultural Locations
Bookstore Wine Shops
New York's Bibliotheque Offers Rare Books and Great Wine
Pearl Diving-Inspired Restaurant Interiors
Koichi Takada Architects Designs the Interiors of Jiwan
Lunar New Year-Inspired Menus
Black+Blue Toronto Launches a Festive Menu to Celebrate the New Year
Zero-Waste Tasting Menus
Ficoa Introduces a Culinary Concept Curated by Chef Gerry Quintero
Multi-Sensory Cocktails
Offworld Bar's Black Hole Cocktail is Experienced with Headphones
Luxe Fast Food Meals
Shake Shack's The Truffle Table Takes Cues from Fine Dining
Sustainable Furniture Capsule Shops
Light and Dwell Open up a Store of Furniture Designs
Dog-Friendly Cafe Experiences
Snow Pawttage Invites Guests to Interact with 8 Samoyeds
Elevated Indian Restaurants
Adrak Yorkville is a Luxurious and Inviting Establishment
Branded Bathroom Guides
The Cashmere UltraLuxe Bathroom Guide Ranks Toronto Restaurant Restrooms
Pink-Hued Macaroni Bowls
Malibu Mac and Cheese Blends Champagne with Three Cheeses
Mom-Centric Hospitality Experiences
The St. Regis Hotel Toronto Offers a Luxurious Experience
Eclectic Mall Food Halls
CF Toronto Eaton Centre is Set to Introduce Queen's Cross Food Hall
Avocado-Centric Pop-Ups
Avocados From Mexico's House of Goodness is Coming to the Real World
Spicy Virtual Restaurants
The Hot Ones Pop-Up Restaurant Puts Taste Buds to the Test
Interactive Digital Menus
Tabmeal Empowers Restaurants to Revolutionize the Way Guests Order
Champagne-Paired Burger Tours
14 NYC Restaurants are Exploring Burger & Veuve Clicquot Pairings
Bathing-Inspired Pop-Ups Bars
The #DoveDeluxeBar Shares Sensorial Cocktails & Mocktails
Themed Hotel Rooms
Island Shangri-La Launches ‘Themed Room Experiences’ for Hotel Guests
Cherry Blossoms-Inspired Restaurant Menus
Black+Blue is Launching a Curated Cherry Blossom Menu
Intimate Warm Interior Restaurants
Ménard Dworkind Designs the Intimate Casavant Restaurant
Contemporary Cat Cafes
Tristy of the CATS Boasts a Cozy Atmosphere for Cats and Visitors
Student-Focused Foodie Tours
Deliveroo The Grub Crawl Offers Free Foodie Tours to Freshers
Stingray-Inspired Restaurant Roofs
Atelier Nomadic Designs the Canopy of the Overwater Restaurant
Artisan-Inspired Summertime Cafe Menus
This New Dunkin’ Menu Offers New Twists on Classics
Annex-Based Elevated Restaurants
The Annex Social is a Hidden Gem of the Neighborhood
Virtual Oil Tasting Experiences
Corto Lures Consumers in with a Virtual Tasting Experience
Valentine’s Day Dinner Series
Shake Shack’s Debuts the 'Love Shack' Menu for Valentine's Day
Retail Food Preparation Stations
Urban Eat Debuts a Smart Retail Solution for its Food-to-Go Range
Zero Carbon QSR Restaurants
McDonald's Opens a New Eco-Conscious Location in Tai Wo
Globally Inspired Cocktail Menus
The Pine Bar's Wanderlust Menu Offers a Journey for the Senses
Famed Paintings-Covered Restaurants
Claesson Koivisto Rune Converts a Listed Room to Frescohallen
Bottomless Appetizer Restaurants
Aldi Opened the UK's First Bottomless Pigs in Blankets Restaurant
Galactic Atmosphere Restaurants
Space Perspective, SpaceVIP, and Rasmus Munk Join on an Experience
Fine-Dining Bakery Bistros
Bistro Greggs Offers an Elevated Experience from the Bakery Chain
Warm Persian-Inspired Restaurants
Macaulay Sinclair's Take on the Dishroom Follows a Story
Bed-Filled Vietnamese Cafes
The Chidori Cafe is in an Apartment Building in Ho Chi Minh
Transformative Cocktail Menus
The Metamorphosis Menu Explores Fermentation, Oxidation & More
Concrete South Korean Cafes
On Architects Designs the Nonspace Cafe Space in Incheon,
Pink-Tonal Outdoor Patios
The Great White Melrose Opens its Bright Patio Restaurant
All-Electric Restaurant Concepts
This Chipotle Restaurant Design Harnesses Wind & Solar Power
Summer-Ready Luxe Restaurants
Black+Blue in Toronto Was Designed by Navigate Design
Theatrical Vegan Brunches
Bar Vegan's Bubbles Brunch Presents Champagne in a Photo-Worthy Way
Toronto Flagship Restaurants
Earls Yorkdale Set to Open April 21st with Exclusive Menu Additions
Vegan Steakhouses
The Queen Inn Pub is an Entirely Plant-Based Establishment
At-Home Tasting Menus
Uber Eats Partners with Michelin Restaurant Ikoyi for a New Tasting Menu
Exclusive Culinary Road Trips
Turo Partners with MICHELIN Guide for Exclusive Experience
Pocket Concierge Apps
The Scene Matches Users to Restaurants, Bars, Clubs & Cafes
Toronto-Based Food Emporiums
CF Toronto Eaton Centre to Welcome Queen's Cross
Modern Museum Versatile Cafes
Tate Modern Unveils a Corner Cafe Designed by Holland Harvey
Exotic Vacation Services
Down Under Endeavors Provides Experiences for All Types of People
Globally-Inspired Ready-to-Eat Foods
The Asda Food-to-Go Range Has 47 New Options
Dishwashing Station Art Exhibitions
WE ARE ONA and Crosby Studios Presents the Dish Pit
Toronto Restaurant Expansions
Earls Yorkdale, the Newest Flagship Location, Now Open in Toronto
Elevated Vegan Restaurants
Community Resto is a Vegan Haven with a Heart for Giving Back
Lobster-Themed Restaurant Promotions
The Red Lobster Endless Lobster Experience is All-You-Can-Eat
Virtual Countryside Experiences
L'Occitane's Virtual Experience Transports Visitors to Provence
Ominous Interior Sushi Restaurants
VSHD Design Creates a New Look for the Origami Restaurant
Celebratory Throwback Restaurant Menus
The Outback Steakhouse Boomerang Menu Has Seven Options
Austria-Inspired Snack Boxes
Universal Yums Boast Snack Adventures from Around the World
Plant-Based Camping Meals
Michelin-Trained Chefs Launched Poe & Co. Folk Foods
Regionally-Inspired Barbecue Menus
City Barbeque Just Kicked Off its Flavors of America Road Trip
Parent-Focused Restaurant Menus
The Chuck E. Cheese Grown-Up Menu Caters to Adult Diners
Overlooked Wine Bottle Experiences
Bocca Di Lupo Introduces 'An a to Z Di Vini Divini'
Four-Course Festival Feasts
Outstanding in the Field Brings a Plant-Based Dining to Coachella
Elevated In-Flight Menus
Delta Airlines Enhances its Onboard Experiences with Upgraded Menus
Griddled Food Fairs
The 2023 Iowa State Fair's Introduces 64 New Foods
Curated Alcohol-free Wine Lists
Six Ivy Collection Restaurants Offer a Low-to-No Alcohol Wine List
Female-Centered Restaurant Concepts
Trust Bae Showcases the Culinary Perspectives of Female Chefs
Magical Chocolatier Menus
IHOP's Wonka-Inspired Menu is Full of Whimsical Eats
Restaurant Discovery Websites
Find Me a Restaurant Will Help You Pick Where to Eat
Unconventional Foodie Magazines
Food& Magazine Explores the Weird and Wonderful World of Food
50+ Solo Travel Experiences
Canadian Company Explore Curates 50+ Singles Trips
Taiwanese-Inspired Restaurant Cookbooks
BAO is Preparing to Launch its Inaugural Cookbook
Food-Focused Travel Guide Platforms
'FoodieTrip' Connects Hungry Travelers to Experienced Guides
Financial District Indian Restaurants
Macaulay Sinclair Helps with Designing Dishoom Canary Wharf
Festive Toronto Dining Experiences
Enjoy Santa's Brunch & Christmas Dinner at One King West Hotel
Urban Communal Dining Events
Toronto's Weekly Communal Table Program is Hosted Under a Highway
Italy-Inspired Restaurant Menus
The Boston Pizza Perfecto Menu Features Seven Options
Cozy Contemporary Hotel Designs
The Woodlark Hotel Features Traditional and Modern Design
Multi-Sensory Fondue Experiences
Melting Pot's Ultimate 5-Course Experience Activates Five Senses
Elevated Diner Menus
The IHOP Menu Now Includes Premium Options for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Expansive Bacon-Themed Menus
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Just Announced the New Baconfest Lineup
Poké QSR Expansions
Island Fin Poké Co. Brings Flavor Explosion to Nashville
Customizable Donut Menus
Desert Donuts' Build-Your-Own-Donut Menu Shares Fresh, Fun Treats
Coastal Mediterranean Restaurants
Abrielle Hosts New Year's Caviar and Champagne Event in Toronto
Renovated Vegas Food Halls
Canteen Food Hall at the Rio Hotel & Casino Replaces the Buffet
Flaming Fare Dining Experiences
This Flaming Grill Dining Experience Requires Protective Gear
Locally Driven Travel Agencies
On the Go Tours Offers Authentic Lodgings and Luxury Accommodations
Experiential Workplace Rewards
Bondly Has Over 300 Experiences for Employers to Reward the Team
Concert Venue Cafes
Weill Café is a New Eatery In New York's Carnegie Hall