The Top 10 Best Movie Restaurants

6. Soul Food Cafe-The Blues Brothers

Who wouldn’t want to grab a bite at a place frequented by one of the greatest movie bands of all time? The infamous movie brothers Jake and Elwood grabbed lunch there while getting the band back together and, ever since then, I’ve dreamed of getting a chance to try some of the best fried chicken in all of Illinois. Besides, nothing helps chase the blues away like some delicious soul food and some of the best comes from greasy spoons like Soul Food Cafe. Besides, who knows what famous movie musicians might wander in to shoot the breeze with Guitar Murphy while he’s working the stove. Just make sure you don’t get on Mrs. Murphy’s bad side because she is a force to be reckoned with. Mind your manners though, and Soul Food Cafe might just be one of the most delicious movie restaurants of all time.

5. Jack Rabbit Slims- Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino has a thing for feet and food in his flicks. Now, the two definitely don’t go together, but I’ll admit that he’s had some tasty looking treats in his films. Of them all, Jack Rabbit Slims is the place I’d most like to eat at. For one thing, all the servers are dressed as movie stars from yesteryear, and who wouldn’t want Marylin Monroe to bring you a burger? They also apparently have a dynamite chocolate malt shake, which is a seeing point all on its own. The weekly dance competitions held there are also sure to be a blast (I personally can’t dance, but I love watching other people with my “handicap” shaking what their mama gave them). Despite my personal feelings about Tarantino, Jack Rabbit Slims still deserves a spot among the best movie restaurants.

4. Mystic Pizza- Mystic Pizza

Pizza is hard to screw up. Sure, there’s bad pizza out there, but even bad pizza isn’t “that bad.” That’s why I felt like there definitely had to be a pizza place on this list of movie restaurants. Luckily, I found the perfect place. Based in the little town of Mystic, Connecticut, the place seems like a quaint family-friendly establishment. The perfect place to stop in and grab a delicious hot slice at after a rough day at work and just forgets about all the awfulness of the world. Now, I know there are a lot of pizza snobs out there that will argue until they die on the superiority of New York or Chicago style pies. Not to worry though, because Mystic Pizza was reviewed by famed TV food critic The Fireside Gourmet and he gave the pizzeria his highest rating. That’s more than enough to convince me to swing by for a slice… if it existed. 

3. Tandoori Palace- Today’s Special

Indian food is definitely among my favorite cuisine in the world. Thankfully, the 2009 film, Today’s Special, features a place considered to be the best little Indian restaurant in New York City. Tandoori Place didn’t always have such a stellar reputation and was almost doomed to go out of business. Luckily, a new chef took over and learned everything he needed to know about cooking Indian food from a brilliant mentor. The two revamped the menu, updated the decor, and pretty soon business was booming. Personally, I believe the best food quite often comes from little hole in the wall joints, which is why I’d love to get a taste of their Murg Makhani or Tikka Masala. My love of Indian food and Tandoori Palaces rep earns it a respectable ranking among the best movie restaurants of all time.   

2. The El Jefe food truck- Chef

For the sake of this list of movie restaurants, I’m going to count food trucks. I mean, they are essentially restaurants on wheels and there are some surprisingly delicious ones out there. None look quite as good as The El Jefe food truck. Run by chef Carl Casper, he has a knack for creating innovative Cuban inspired meals that put him at odds with those looking for something strictly traditional. Of course, he specializes in Cuban sandwiches (one of the more superior sandwiches out there) and yuca fries. However, he’s not afraid to get creative and comes up with unique specials that reflect the areas he visits while driving across the country. Sure, there might not be a server or tables, but I’d be willing to wait in line for one of Chef Casper’s special Cuban sandwiches.

1. The White Dragon Noodle Bar- Blade Runner

Yes, I have what some might consider an “unhealthy obsession” with the movie Blade Runner. Hear me out though. The White Dragon might look like a crappy food stall at first glance, but there are quite literally food stalls in places like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong that have Michelin Stars. Taking that into account and seeing that Deckard has to wait in line to actually be served, leads to suspicion that The White Dragon might just be one of the best-kept secrets in the future. Toss in the fact that Asian food is some of my favorite in the world, and the old man running the place looks like he really knows what he’s doing, and my mouth is already starting to water. That’s why of all the movie restaurants I’ve seen over the years, The Noodle Bar is the one I’d want to eat at the most.  

Honorable Mention: Dorsia- American Psycho

Dorsia is apparently the hottest spot to eat in fictional 1987 New York City. It’s so exclusive that not even a serial killer extraordinaire can get a table there, no matter how hard he tries. We never actually get to see Dorsia though, so that stops it from earning a legitimate spot on this list of exceptional movie restaurants. 

Well, my mouth is watering thinking about all those movie restaurants. There are a lot more out there though and I’d love for you to share your favorites in the comments below. As always, I’ll be updating this list as exciting new movie restaurants hit theaters. So, be sure to check back from time to time to see how the rankings might change.