Spoon University Logo
central perk featured
central perk featured
Lifestyle

10 Fictional Restaurants From TV and Movies That I Wish Were Real

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at PSU chapter.

It may be just me, but I am constantly thinking about food, especially while I’m watching my favorite shows. I’m not only invested in the characters, but in the food they’re eating. If my favorite characters rave about these restaurants and pubs, I’m sure I would enjoy them, too. Here are a list of 10 fictional restaurants from some fan-favorite shows that I wish I could visit IRL. 

1. “Gilmore Girls” — Luke’s Diner

With the infamous no cell phone rule, there is no better place to grab a quiet, classic, hot, cup of coffee in Stars Hallow. Get a side of Lorelai Gilmore motherly advice with your coffee. 

2. “Riverdale” — Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe

Even though some scary things tend to happen at this old-fashioned diner, who wouldn’t mind grabbing a booth and sharing a milkshake with Archie Andrews. Just think of the gossip you’d hear. 

3. “Friends” — Central Perk 

It would be an honor to be served my vanilla latte from Rachel, listen to Phoebe sing Smelly Cat, and tell my life story to Chandler, Joey, Monica, and Ross.

4. “How I Met Your Mother” — MacLaren’s Pub

Now I may be a little bit biased on this one because I may or may not have watched HIMYM over four times, but please let me share a beer with the gang. It would be seriously legend… wait for it… dary. 

#SpoonTip: McGee’s in NYC served as inspo for McClaren’s. Check it out for some fun “How I Met Your Mother” menu items. 

5. “Parks and Recreation” — JJ’s Diner

Leslie Knope said it best: “We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.” And I just have to try the waffles from JJ’s. 

6. “Ratatouille” — Gusteau’s

This is the absolute only restaurant I would ever want rats in the kitchen. And the only rat I’d want serving me delicious ratatouille. 

7. “Saved By the Bell” — The Max

Same booth, same crew, every day after school. This iconic burger joint is a favorite of the coolest high school kids I’ve ever seen. I would not mind sitting down after eighth period with Zack, Kelly, Screech, Lisa, Slater, and Jessie. 

8. “SpongeBob Squarepants” — The Krusty Krab

This list would not be complete without The Krusty Krab and the infamous Krabby Patty. Maybe then we would be able to find out the secret formula—sorry, Plankton. 

9. “Toy Story” — Pizza Planet

This is definitely not the only fictional thing I would want to come to life in the “Toy Story” movies. We could all use a real life Buzz and Woody. 

10. “Grease” — The Frosty Palace

And last, but definitely not least, I’ll have whatever Danny Zuko is having. (I’ll take a date with him too, please).

I naturally always have wondered what a coffee from Luke’s would taste like or a waffle from JJ’s. Someone, please, open these restaurants in real life—you will for sure have my business. 

Give me a cup of coffee and a good book and i'll be just fine