Coffins instead of tables and a prison instead of a hall: 10 cafes for an unusual evening

A coffin instead of a table, a toilet instead of a plate, a prison cell instead of a dining room. Themed cafes turn an ordinary dinner into a show, and travelers change their trip routes for that kind of experience. We've rounded up ten spots from different countries where the atmosphere matters more than the menu.

Among them are a coffee shop styled as the lab from Breaking Bad, a medieval tavern with no electricity, and a restaurant where guests are let in by fingerprint. Some of these places have been operating for decades, while others have closed or moved. We've noted that in each entry so you don't end up at a locked door.

Prices and opening hours at these places change more often than at regular restaurants, so double-check them before you head out.

What to know before you visit

Themed cafes rarely turn out to be culinary discoveries, but they do deliver vivid impressions. Before you go, check a few basic things.

💡 In short:

• Book in advance: Vampire Cafe and the owl cafe in Tokyo only take guests by reservation.
• Double-check the address if you're headed to Taipei: Modern Toilet has left Ximen and now operates in Shilin.

The full list of ten is in the table below.

1. Vampire cafe (Tokyo, Japan)

The vampire theme here is carried through to the smallest details: coffin-shaped tables, dark red walls, and waitstaff dressed like characters from horror films. The menu is in Japanese, so figuring out the dishes without a translator is tricky. The cuisine is European and Japanese, and portions are served under gloomy sauces.

The place only operates in the evening, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with last orders at 10:00 PM (as of 09/2026, HAMONI). It occupies the seventh floor of a building in Ginza and takes table reservations online.

• Who it's for: fans of gothic style, horror, and unusual date nights.
• How to get there: Ginza district, address Ginza 6-7-6 (as of 09/2026, Tabelog).
• The catch: dinner is only in the evening and by reservation, so a spontaneous visit won't work.

2. Modern toilet (Taipei, Taiwan)

© riNux · CC BY-SAPhoto: riNux, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Here food is served in miniature toilets, and instead of napkins, the tables have toilet paper. The concept appeared in 2004, and since then the chain has spread across the island (as of 09/2026, Taipei Travel Geek). The main location has since moved: the Ximen branch closed, and guests now head to the Shilin district, five minutes from Shilin metro station (as of 09/2026, OpenRice).

Desserts come in the shape of a chocolate "surprise," and drinks are poured into vessels that look like urinals. The setting entertains more than it hints at refined cuisine.

• Cost: the bill stays in the range of a few hundred Taiwanese dollars; check exact prices on site.
• The catch: the Ximen branch is closed, so you can only get to the Shilin one.
• Who it's for: people hunting for unusual photos who aren't put off by strange plating.

3. Rainforest Cafe (chain of jungle restaurants)

© Terry Saffron · CC BY-SAPhoto: Terry Saffron, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The first Rainforest Cafe opened in 1994 in Minnesota, USA, and the London location in 1997 became the chain's first venue outside the US (according to Wikipedia). However, the London restaurant on Piccadilly has since closed and was renamed Jungle Cave, so looking for it in the British capital is pointless (according to Manchester Evening News).

The network itself is alive: roughly 22 restaurants operate in the US, Canada, France, Japan, Malta, and the UAE (according to the official website). Inside, you'll find artificial jungles, animatronic animals, fog, and a thunderstorm with lightning flashes every few minutes.

• Who it's for: families with kids who want a restaurant that doubles as an attraction.
• Where to find it: Disney Village in Paris, Ikspiari in Tokyo, Dubai Festival City, as well as shopping malls in the US.
• The catch: some European locations have closed, so check the current list before you travel.

4. 943 King's Cross (Seoul, Korea)

A cafe for Harry Potter fans spanning several floors in Seoul's Hongdae district. The interior recreates a magical atmosphere: candles, old books, and aroma diffusers with herbs. Desserts and drinks are served with references to the books about the wizard.

• Who it's for: Potter fans and anyone hunting for shots for social media.
• The catch: you can move freely between floors only after ordering.

5. Owl Cafe in Ikebukuro (Tokyo, Japan)

If cats and dogs in Tokyo cafes no longer surprise anyone, here live owls keep you company at the table. The venue operates in the Ikebukuro district and admits guests in sessions. Entry is by reservation only, and visit time is strictly limited.

Drinks are served in plastic bottles. Check the photography rules before your visit: they vary from one owl cafe to another.

• Who it's for: animal lovers and fans of unusual experiences.
• The catch: entry is by reservation, and each session is time-limited.

6. Truth Coffee (Cape Town, South Africa)

© Discott · CC BY-SAPhoto: Discott, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

This steampunk-style coffee shop is considered one of Cape Town's signature spots. Vintage posters, copper pipes, and a huge antique bean-roasting machine create the atmosphere of a workshop from the past. Coffee here is made on that very equipment, not on a modern machine.

The menu consists of coffee and contemporary cuisine. By local reputation, it's one of the best coffee shops in the country.

• Who it's for: coffee lovers and fans of industrial aesthetics.
• The catch: it's first and foremost a coffee shop, not an attraction, so don't expect a show.

7. Bistrot Chez Rémy (Disneyland, Paris, France)

The restaurant plays on the movie "Ratatouille": the setting is arranged so that guests feel shrunk to the size of Remy the rat. Giant cutlery, bottle caps instead of chairs, and a view of the "Paris kitchen" from under the table. The menu is French.

The main limitation is that you can only get in with a Disneyland ticket. Outside visitors without a park ticket are not admitted.

• Cost: prices are in line with other Disneyland restaurants, confirm the amount when booking.
• The catch: only park visitors can dine here.
• Who it's for: families with kids and Pixar fans.

8. Walter's Coffee Roastery (Istanbul, Turkey)

The coffee shop riffs on the series Breaking Bad: coffee is brewed in flasks and beakers, and baristas sometimes put on mini shows. The place operates in the Kadıköy district, on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Besides coffee, they sell souvenirs based on the series and let you take photos in themed costumes.

• Who it's for: fans of the series and coffee lovers.
• The catch: it's on the Asian side, so you have to cross the Bosphorus from the historic center.

9. III Draakon (Tallinn, Estonia)

This medieval tavern immerses guests in the daily life of Old Tallinn. There is no electricity, the room is lit by candles, and no utensils are provided, so you have to eat with your hands. The tavern keeper plays the part of a strict innkeeper who is always right.

You can order soups, pies, and snacks based on Eastern European recipes. The portions are simple, but the atmosphere rests not on the kitchen but on the historical reenactment.

• Cost: prices are moderate, this is one of the budget-friendly spots in the city.
• The catch: no utensils, you'll have to eat with your hands.
• Who it's for: tourists who want medieval atmosphere.

10. Prison restaurant (Tianjin, China)

This place was conceived as a way to scare people away from crime, but instead it became a popular attraction. At the entrance, guests are fingerprinted and photographed with an inmate number. Only after that are you escorted to a cell, where the meal takes place.

The kitchen may bring you bread shaped like a coffin. Many people come here with children, turning dinner into a playful lesson. It's best to confirm the exact location in advance: concept venues in China often change addresses.

• The catch: the atmosphere is an acquired taste, this format won't suit every guest.
• Who it's for: those hunting for unusual experiences.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which of these cafes is the most famous?

It's hard to name just one. The Rainforest Cafe chain has been operating since 1994 and is present in several countries, while Truth Coffee in Cape Town is considered one of the best coffee shops in South Africa. Vampire Cafe in Tokyo is loved by tourists who appreciate gothic style and horror. Pick the theme that resonates with you.

Do I need to book a table in advance?

Yes, at some of these places. Vampire Cafe accepts guests via online reservations, and the owl cafe in Ikebukuro admits visitors by appointment only and for a limited time. At Modern Toilet and III Draakon you can walk in without a reservation, but on weekends it's better to book a table in advance.

How much does dinner at a themed cafe cost?

Prices vary widely. At the Tallinn tavern III Draakon, dinner remains budget-friendly, while at the Disneyland restaurant the bill is closer to park dining prices. Check exact amounts on official websites: themed venues change their prices more often than regular restaurants.

Which venues have closed or moved?

The London Rainforest Cafe closed and was renamed Jungle Cave, and the Taipei Modern Toilet left Ximen and now operates in Shilin. Before your trip, check the current address: themed cafes change locations more often than regular restaurants.

Can I come with children?

Yes, at most of these places. Rainforest Cafe and Bistrot Chez Rémy are family-oriented, and visitors come to the prison restaurant in China with children. For the owl cafe, check the age policy when booking.

For inspiration, watch a short video review of the world's strangest restaurants here.

In short: what to book

If you love gothic style and horror, book an evening at Vampire Cafe in advance. For a family day out, Rainforest Cafe and Bistrot Chez Rémy are good choices, and for medieval atmosphere head to Tallinn's III Draakon. Be sure to reserve the owl cafe in Ikebukuro: without a booking, you won't get in.

If you have one evening in Tokyo, choose Vampire Cafe. If you're traveling with children, plan for a jungle restaurant. For coffee and a laboratory vibe, head to Walter's Coffee Roastery on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Plan your visits ahead and book tables where required, so you don't spend a day of your trip standing in line.