9 Themed Restaurants In New York City

Themed Restaurants In New York City
Subadhra
Subadhra 
Published
| 4 min read

Michelin restaurants are one thing- the refined flavors, crisp tablecloth, stories narrated on a plate and of course the ‘experience’ of it all. But, for those who desire more than just good food, say a unique experience, sometimes gory and sometimes brilliant, this is the list. It isn’t easy to fit in such experiences and good food under one roof. If they can be served together, it is refined and processed beyond your imagination. The passion that these restauranteurs have, not only to focus on the experience aspect of it but also to serve something that can be a party for your palate, is surreal. We have listed some of the most unique experiences in the Big Apple, where you get to dine in museums or be transformed into a nation on the other side of the globe. But, without a doubt, the food is authentic or original, where more than just the plate narrates a story. Scroll down to check out the themed restaurants in New York City, USA.

1. House of Wax


In the crossroads of Brooklyn, House of Wax is a full-service late night bar that can build your curiosity with the rarest of wax sculptures last in the 1920s. The restaurant features waxwork sculptures that are life-sized, realistic displays of anatomy, pathology, anthropology and even death masks of famous celebrities. A hundred anatomical models, 25 wax death masks, wax depictions of birth, syphilis, and lungs afflicted with tuberculosis are what the guests remember. The red screens and the gloomy light are just perfect for the set-up and really comes as a surprise, especially after you pass a Target and a Trader Joe’s in the elevator. The bar’s menu is categorized into Anatomicals, Pathologicals or Geographicals based on the displays. To numb down the shock from the ceramic innards and the gory dead faces, a sip of the Lolita Nymph or the Horse’s Neck should help!

House of Wax

Address: 445 Albee Square W #4410, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: 4:00 pm - 2:00 am

Website: House of Wax

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2. Medieval Times


There was a time long, long ago- are the words you will take with your first bite at the Medieval Times dinner theater in New York. For about USD 50 a ticket, you’ll be served an excellent meal that consists of a bisque, roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, a beverage and a dramatic play with a king, a princess and jousting knights, that can make their theatrics and the scripted fight, engrossing and exciting. All food, from the chicken to the ribs, are eaten without utensils and served by medieval wenches. While the food is delicious, the play is riddled and spicy! But, in case you feel a little distant, there is lots of Pepsi to bring you back to time!

Medieval Times

Address: 149 Polito Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

Opening hours: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Website: Medieval Times

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3. Barking Dog


NYC’s best canine-friendly restaurant offers an inviting playground for your pet and heartwarming comfort food for yourself. With American classics like Meatloaf and Britain’s Fish and Chips on the menu, Barking Dog also offers a “killer” Sunday brunch with everything from french toasts, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs. The lines could be long but your furry pal might enjoy the waiting time as he makes friends. They also have a bar, a doggy fountain, and outdoor seating. Isn’t this just the perfect set up for quality time with your four-legged bud? Good food, great times!

Barking Dog

Address: 1678 3rd Ave New York, NY 10128

Opening hours: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Website: Barking Dog

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4. Ninja New York

themed restaurants in new york city | ninja new york
Source: instagram

Be prepared to face the wrath of the fearless Ninja, as he whisks up a bite of Japanese-French-American delicacy, a recipe known only to the Ninjas at this Tribecca wonderland. Aggressively they pounce on you, their mastery is demonstrated on every plate they serve at this one-of-a-kind restaurant, where 18th-century Japan meets 21st-century cuisine. Sushi rolls, teriyaki meat, desserts that look like a bonsai tree made of mango mousse and crushed chocolate sponge cake- these are what the masters on a Japanese hill taught the Ninjas and in Tribecca they unleash the forces, plate after plate.

Ninja New York

Address: 25 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Website: Ninja New York

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5. Ellen's Stardust Diner

Ellen's Stardust
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Sturm used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The multi-level ‘50s-themed diner in Manhattan’s Theatre District is popular for its singing waitstaff. The restaurant not only serves up great food but is also a launch pad for young aspiring singers. Many of the Diner’s waitstaff have gone on to sing on Broadway and reality shows including American Idol. Brandon Ellis, Eric Michael Krop, Stephen Tyler Davis are some to name. Their menu is quite the star too, serving up classic American cuisine, from mac and cheese, Ruben sandwiches, delicious baked potatoes, and tummy filling milkshakes. This is not your average Diner, no sir-ee!

Ellen's Stardust Diner

Address: 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

Opening hours: 7:00 am - 12:00 am

Website: Ellen’s Stardust Diner

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6. Beetle House


A restaurant that translates Tim Burton creativity and fantasies, Beetle House is for those who want to to make every day a Halloween party. Serving up delicacies like Brain and chips and Poisonous mushroom fries (also vegan), everything from the theatrics to the drama in the food and waitstaff is top notch gothic. And, don’t forget to feast on some Beetle Juice and be one with the freaks!

Beetle House

Address: 308 E 6th St New York, NY

Opening hours: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am

Website: Beetle House

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7. Koneko


Japanese food tuned with a French fork, the chef here trained at Eric Ripert’s Le Bernardin, a modern, French restaurant with three Michelin stars. With the finest purveyors providing fine roasted coffee, neatly picked tea, Koneko has more than just great food and drinks to offer. Cats! Koneko is set on a mission to find rescued cats a home, which is why you will find a clowder of cats roaming around freely in the restaurant, ready to nestle on your lap when your first glass of wine is served.

Koneko

Address: 26 Clinton St, New York, NY

Opening hours: 8:30 am - 9:00 pm

Website: Koneko

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8. Pasta Wiz


If you’re looking for the healthiest pasta that you can gorge on, guilt-free, look no further. Pasta Wiz promises no GMO’s, no antibiotics, no added hormones, no pesticides, and no toxic chemicals in their food, but with extraordinary flavors. Something that caught our eyes was their Fettuccini with a special vegan Wiz sauce, garlic, onions, mushrooms, olives, broccoli, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and vegan Parmesan cheese. Imagine all the goodies that are really healthy for you on a plate! Yumm-e!

Pasta Wiz

Address: 60 N 1st St, Brooklyn

Opening hours: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Website: Pasta Wiz

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9. The Polynesian


For when you’re sick of the city life, The Polynesian offers great drinks and tasty food all in Tiki style, taking you to an island far, far away where the coconut fronds hide Manhattan’s ugly greys. Their drinks tell a story but its best if you take the elevator ride up Pod Hotel in Times Square and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two about Damned to the Depths or the Merrie Monarch.

The Polynesian

Address: 400 W 42nd St, New York, NY

Opening hours: 4:00 pm - 1:00 am

Website: The Polynesian

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New York, New York

A city so beautiful, they had to name it twice! Let your tummy explore New York like the adventure the city really is. Start marking your calendar, you might have more than a few reservations to handle!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Subadhra is a journalist whose thoughts always revolve around gastronomy and travel, if not already populated with current affairs. An adventurer, an explorer and a story teller, she is always...Read more

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