# Nostalgic Dining Millennials turn to themed restaurants for dining entertainment. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Nov 4, 2015 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/nostalgic-dining ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.8/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Nostalgic Dining trend? **Nostalgic Dining:** Understanding that eating out has become a social experience for millennial consumers, many restaurants have begun incorporating pop cultural references into their establishments. Not only are themed restaurants a more immersive form of nostalgia; they also propel the fandom culture of the Internet into the physical realm. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: May 18, 2015 to Oct 25, 2017 - Published: Nov 4, 2015 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Nostalgic Dining trend 8 featured examples from May 18, 2015 to Oct 25, 2017. - [Fairy Tale Dessert Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sarah-in-wonderland): The Hotel Café Royal is Set to Unveil Its Sarah in Wonderland Menu (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce themed dessert restaurants as a unique selling point for hotels and tourist destinations. - [Pop-Up Sitcom Diners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saved-by-the-bellthemed): A Saved by the Bell-Themed Diner is Coming to Los Angeles (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Hotels, restaurants, and bars can create unique dining experiences that appeal to fans of popular sitcoms and capitalize on the nostalgia trend. - [Hybrid Arcade Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/button-mash): Los Angeles' 'Button Mash' is a Cross Between an Arcade and a Restaurant (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry can incorporate arcade games into their restaurants to attract a younger demographic and enhance the overall dining experience. - [Monstrous Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-menu): Japan's Namja Town Indoor Amusement Park Features a Godzilla-Themed Menu (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for amusement parks to incorporate themed menus and attractions based on popular franchises. - [Convenience Store Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/convenience-bar): Toronto's 'Convenience Bar' Offers Drinks and Nostalgic Grab-and-Go Treats (Category: World) Implication: The food and beverage industry can benefit from incorporating convenience store elements in bars and restaurants to attract nostalgic consumer demographics. - [Magic-Inspired Eateries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-bar): Harry Potter-Themed Bar The Lockhart is Now Serving Tapas in Toronto (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry can create immersive themed experiences by opening more themed bars and restaurants that transport customers into their favorite fictional worlds. - [Wizardly Valentine's Day Diners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-hall-of-hogwarts): This Promotion Involves Dining in the Great Hall of Hogwarts (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The hospitality industry can capitalize on the trend of Harry Potter-themed experiences by creating similar immersive dining events that cater to fans of other popular franchises… - [Action Movie-Themed Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/movie-themed-restaurant): Walt Disney World is Opening an Indiana Jones-Themed Eatery (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants can capitalize on themed dining experiences to generate buzz and attract new customers **Workshop question:** How can your brand embrace specific aspects of nostalgic culture to entice consumers? ## Themes within the Nostalgic Dining trend ### Themed Dining Themed dining is gaining popularity among millennials with the incorporation of pop cultural references into the dining experience ### Hybrid restaurant arcades Restaurants now double as arcades, with access to vintage pinball machines and video games making the dining experience more interactive and entertaining. ### Pop-up Sitcom Diners Pop-up diners featuring sitcoms or popular movies and TV shows have begun to emerge to provide nostalgia for fans. ## What the Nostalgic Dining trend means for industry ### For Food & Beverage Industries Food and beverage industry can create immersive experiences with themed menu items and services to provide an engaging experience for consumers. ### For Hospitality Industries The combination of pop-cultural references and themed designs can help hotels and resorts create unique experiences for visitors. ### For Gaming Industries Collaboration with popular restaurants and bars to host gaming events or themed nights provides opportunities for gaming industries to engage with casual gamers in a social space. ## Trend signals for Nostalgic Dining Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 70%, activity 68%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 70% - Activity: 68% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Moment mapping](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-based-supplements) (Lifestyle) - [Occasion Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/seasonal-snack-marketing) (Lifestyle) - [Shelf Choreography](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spirits-merchandising-strategy) (Lifestyle) - [Readable Sensing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-exam-tools) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Temple-Mounted Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temple-mounted-health-wearables) - [Gaming-Integrated Pizza Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-integrated-pizza-promotions) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)