The latest update for The Best Themed Restaurants in NJ is written by Lindsay Podolak.
Have you ever been in the mood for breakfast, but also wanted to go for a ride on the Ferris wheel at the same time? Or wanted to take a stroll through the rainforest, but couldn’t ignore that rumbling in your stomach? It just isn’t fair to have to choose between the two greatest things this world has to offer: fun and food. Enter, the themed restaurant.
This one goes out to everyone who’s had it up to here with settling for a meal when they could be having an experience. Check out our list of New Jersey’s best themed restaurants, and get going!
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find a Themed Restaurant near you.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
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North Jersey
For Inner Cavemen and Cavewomen: Archetypus Café
Location: 266 Old River Road, Edgewater
Details: Ever wanted to go explore a cave, but remembered you’re claustrophobic? This is your chance! Archetypus boasts beautiful cavernous walls in a dimly lit dining room. The booths are private and super-romantic if you’re looking for a go-to spot on date night. Though Archetypus has dinner options as well, rumor has it that the desert here is out of this world. So basically you’ll be eating sweets in a dark cave…meaning no one can see your calorie intake.
Why I like it: Reservations are not accepted here, but you can call ahead or use Yelp to join the waitlist online.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Knights and Ladies: Medieval Times
Location: 149 Polito Avenue, Lyndhurst
Details: Head to Lyndhurst for dinner and a tournament – and the opportunity to eat with your hands in public. Medieval Times has it all: jousting knights, arena-style seating and complimentary crowns so you can feel like royalty taking in the day’s entertainment. Get ready to chow down on traditional medieval fare and cheer for your knight!
Why I like it: You may be familiar with the traditional meal offering of chicken legs, but the Royal Court also has a vegetarian option featuring hummus, pita bread and a three-bean stew.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For a Tropical Vacation: Cuban Pete’s Restaurant & Tapas
Location: 428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Details: Cuban Pete’s is about as close to paradise as you can get in New Jersey. The good vibes are overwhelming at this spot, and so is the aroma of classic Cuban dishes. The servers are awesome and if you’re lucky you’ll catch them playing some music during your meal. Pro tip: Bring a bottle of wine with you to be mixed with your choice of pre-made sangria (Armando’s Passion is a white sangria, and it’s also this writer’s favorite).
Why I like it: The lush tropical greens and cozy courtyard dining provide a fun, laid-back ambience.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
Central Jersey
For Garlic Aficionados: Garlic Rose Bistro
Location: 28 North Ave, Cranford
Details: Garlic lovers rejoice: this is your place to celebrate the pungent bulb. At the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner Garlic Rose, each and every item on the menu features garlic as an ingredient, from the appetizers right through the desserts. You’ve got to respect a place that picks a flavor and sticks to it, so grab your friends (and maybe some breath mints) and head to the Garlic Rose.
Why I like it: Join the Garlicious Rewards program so you can earn free menu items and gift certificates as you accrue points.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Mass Transit Fans: Clinton Station Diner
Location: 2 Bank Street, Clinton
Details: Have a train lover in the family? Clinton Station Diner is the place to go. Guests have the option of dining in a 1927 Blue Comet observation car, which is much nicer than the NJ Transit cars of today. Not only that, you can attempt to eat the 50-pound “Mt. Olympus” burger while in said vintage train car. Finish it in three hours with the help of four friends and the burger is free plus you win $1,000! Challenge accepted?
Why I like it: You will find over 50 homemade desserts in the dessert case, all baked in-house daily.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Sports Fans: McLoone’s
Location: Find one in Bayonne, Hillsborough, and Woodbridge
Details: While McLoone’s has almost a dozen restaurants throughout the Garden State, the locations in Bayonne, Hillsborough, and Woodbridge all offer off-track betting. Watch horse races, NFL, MLB, and NHL games from your seat at the bar. On the menu are happy hour snacks and drink specials, plus a full selection of breakfast (except at Woodbridge), lunch and dinner options.
Why I like it: An entire section of the menu is dedicated to inventive takes on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
More info: Visit the website.
Jersey Shore
For Theater Lovers: Elaine’s Dinner Theater
Location: 513 Lafayette Street, Cape May
Details: Elaine’s is one of the few places in New Jersey where patrons truly get dinner and a show. With various shows offered throughout the year, guests can enjoy a full-course dinner while a theatrical production is put on throughout the meal. It’s a fun and unique way to shake up your dinner plans, so call for reservations today!
Why I like it: Arrive early and check out The Porch at Elaine’s, where you can enjoy a cocktail and live music before the show. It’s a fun and unique way to shake up your dinner plans, so call for reservations today!
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Those Who Love Heights: Morey’s Pier: Breakfast in the Sky
Location: 3501 Boardwalk, Morey’s Pier, Wildwood
Details: This is possibly the most unique dining option New Jersey has to offer. Breakfast in the Sky has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Epic Attractions, and offers guests the chance to experience the Ferris wheel in a whole new way. Each car serves as a table, and as many as four guests have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at 156 feet, with breathtaking views of the ocean and Jersey coastline. Reservations are required and this is another seasonal option, typically open from July through August.
Why I like it: No boardwalk food on this menu – your choice of dishes ranges from organic eggs with pork belly and chanterelle mushrooms to a Jersey tomato B.L.T. on toasted sourdough bread.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Wannabe Jungle Explorers: Rainforest Café
Location: 2201 Boardwalk, Atlantic City or 520 Menlo Park, Edison
Details: The Rainforest Café is the perfect choice for wildlife lovers of all ages. With servers that act as “Safari Guides” and an abundance of tropical rainforest vegetation and creatures surrounding its tables, the Rainforest Café is the most adventurous dinner you can get without paying for a plane ticket. Get familiar with the cast of characters here to be fully prepared for your visit!
Why I like it: End your meal with the Sparkling Volcano dessert…a mountain of molten chocolate lava, cake, ice-cream and a fiery sparkler at the top!
More info: Visit the website or give them a call at either the Atlantic City or Edison spot.
South Jersey
For Those Who Love Country: Prospectors Grille & Saloon
Location: 3050 Route 38, Mt. Laurel
Details: Dust off your cowboy hat and boots for a night of delicious food, country tunes, and fun. The menu is endless with wings, sliders, salads, burgers, steaks, seafood, and more. Happy hour is every weekday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with half-priced appetizers and $1-2 off drinks from the bar. Line dancing is offered Wednesdays through Sundays, with lessons every Wednesday.
Why I like it: Relax in the Saloon Bar with ten big-screen TVs and over a dozen delicious craft beers on tap.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Those Who Love Nostalgia: The Pop Shop
Location: 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
Details: Hearken back to the soda shops of the 1950s with a visit to The Pop Shop. From the black and white tiled flooring to the vintage-style decor, you’ll feel like you stepped into a time machine. This family-friendly establishment serves breakfast, big salads, vegan entrees, burgers, sandwiches, and of course, their signatures milkshakes and malts. There’s even an entire section of the menu dedicated to mac and cheese!
Why I like it: The Pop Shop’s party room can comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests for a cocktail party, or 85 guests for a seated event.
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
For Those Who Love To Mix and Match: The Melting Pot
Location: 584 Route 38 East, Maple Shade
Details: The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant that allows guests to customize their meals to their exact preference. Choose from an array of fruits, vegetables, breads and a variety of other options to dip into appetizer, entreé, and dessert sauces. The setting and interactive nature of the meal makes for a fun and exciting night out with friends, rather than simply sitting down to a formal dinner. The Melting Pot is the perfect place to bring a group of friends or family members looking to catch up and dig into a delicious dish!
Why I like it: Now guests can enjoy tabletop grilling as part of their dining experience, making dinner here a truly interactive adventure!
More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.
Hero (Feature) Image: © Rainforest Cafe / Facebook
Other Images:
Medieval Times / Facebook
Garlic Rose Bistro / Facebook
Rainforest Cafe / Facebook
The Pop Shop / Facebook
