Some TV show restaurants know how to make food correctly and make fans wish they could get in their cars and order some delicious creations.
This eclectic mix of fine dining restaurants with Michelin Star dreams to TV show diners puts real-life restaurants to shame.
Whether the featured restaurant is the show’s center, the hangout spot for characters, a front, or a simple side story, these on-screen eateries will tantalize taste buds.
In no particular order, here are the top restaurants on TV shows that give real-world restaurants a bad name.
Just reading about them will make you hungry!
The Bear — The Bear
Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto has made The Bear, the show and restaurant, one of the premier TV restaurants ever.
His expectations are high, and anything short of perfection is a failure.
“If it’s not perfect, it doesn’t go out,” says Carmy. His list of non-negotiables includes less is more, vibrant collaboration, pushing boundaries, and constantly evolving creativity.
With the bar set that high, how could its fare not be top-notch and put real-life restaurants to shame? The fact it is set in Chicago also raises the bar.
On and off-screen, the windy city is made for foodies.
Opening a restaurant there is no easy feat. You need expertise, dedication, and a competitive edge in the city’s saturated market.
Only time will tell what happens to The Bear, but with a picture wall of all Chicago food critics, the food itself, and the staff’s pure willpower, it is undoubtedly one of the best TV restaurants.
Bluth’s Original Frozen Bananas — Arrested Development
Besides the fact that there is always money in the banana stand and that it has been ruined and rebuilt multiple times, Bluth’s frozen banana stand is an Arrested Development staple.
However, it is much more than a frozen banana concession.
Menu items include the George Daddy, the G.O.B, the On the Go-Go Banana, the Giddy-Girly Banana, the Simple Simon, and, of course, the OG Frozen Banana.
It’s basically a main character, and since it has been operating for so long as a Newport Beach icon, it must be doing something right with those scrumptious frozen bananas.
Guigino’s — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
According to the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gang, Guigino’s is Philly’s best eatery and the only restaurant featured multiple times throughout the show.
It’s a place where the crew experiences some of their most celebrated, hilarious, and disastrous moments.
It is a nicer TV restaurant, known for its “fresh fish daily” and piping hot plates of spaghetti.
The gang may not be known for having high standards, but they don’t joke around when it comes to Guigino’s or their opinions.
Considering that they have returned multiple times, including Mac and Dennis’s monthly dinner, and that it is always depicted as busy, as seen during the infamous The Gang Dines Out episode, this Italian establishment must be a top Philly restaurant.
Bob’s Burgers — Bob’s Burgers
Despite the lack of business and the fact the family isn’t rolling in money, there is ample proof that Bob’s Burgers serves some tasty patties, making it one of the best TV restaurants.
Not to mention the creative names given to the Burgers of the Day.
Bob’s business rival and enemy, Jimmy, even admits they are scrumptious when he recommends Bob to the yacht club, knowing the burgers will leave their mark.
Warren is stunned by the lack of success, given the amazing flavor of Bob’s burgers, and he wants desperately to invest in the restaurant.
The lack of customers in the show represents the establishment’s atmosphere and possibly the chaos brought by Tina, Louise, and Gene, definitely not the yumminess served.
With daily special names like Baby You Can Chive My Car, Poblano Picasso, A Good Manchego is Hard to Find, The Final Kraut-Down, and The Judy Garlic, how could one not want to eat there every day?
The Peach Pit — Beverly Hills, 90210
The Peach Pit is one of the best TV show diners and a local hangout spot for the Beverly Hills, 90210 crew.
It is owned by Nat Bussichio (Joe E. Tata), and Brandon Walsh and Dixon Wilson work there.
Classic diner menu items can be unique when they are done right.
They aren’t known for being fancy, or all that different from any other diner, but the ingredients, flavor combinations, and cooking styles are what set each apart.
The mega burger is the diner’s famed menu item.
Still, there are plenty of other mouth-watering items, like the mint chocolate marshmallow jelly bean extravaganza sundae and the tuna melt.
Then, of course, there is the peach pie, fries, and shakes.
Krusty Krabs — SpongeBob SquarePants
The Krusty Krab, a SpongeBob SquarePants mainstay, is famous for its krabby patty, and the Bikini Bottom fast food restaurant has always caught fans’ attention.
While the origin of the patty’s top-secret recipe may be a little murky, one thing is definite — people are willing to overpay to eat it.
If a restaurant was trying to sell a burger for $20 in the real world, it better be dipped in gold.
However, no one seems to mind paying the absurdly high price that Mr. Krabs, the money-hungry owner, has set.
The other menu items, such as coral bits, kelp rings, salty sauce, the salty sea dog, and golden loaf, also keep customers returning for more.
It is the best restaurant under the sea, and the customers who keep it afloat clearly can’t get enough of those tasty patties!
Los Pollos Hermanos — Breaking Bad
The Breaking Bad Los Pollos Hermanos fast-food chicken chain may have a not-so-by-the-books way of doing business.
Still, its signature pollo is highly praised by numerous characters, and, just like Gus Fring’s other businesses, he clearly took his chicken game seriously.
The finest ingredients are brought together with love and care and then slow-cooked to perfection, which can tickle just about anyone’s taste buds.
The restaurant oozes confidence.
Employees answer the phone with its motto: Los Pollos Hermanos, where something delicious is always cooking, and it boasts that perfection is noticeable with only one taste.
Although it may be hard to go wrong with fried chicken in any capacity, the whole Southwest region of the United States loves this place, earning it a spot as one of the best TV show restaurants.
Alamo Freeze — Friday Night Lights
Alamo Freeze is the place to hang in Dillion, Texas, and has been the place of many Friday Night Lights memorable moments.
Its ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes are the perfect complement to a Tammy Taylor heart-to-heart, and if Tim Riggins chooses it over drinking, even once, then you know it must be worth the hype.
Landry and Julie even spend their last night there, showcasing how vital that soft serve is to the locals.
It is the place to satisfy your sweet tooth craving and get extra jimmies!
Freddy’s BBQ — House of Cards
Frank Underwood’s restaurant of choice is Freddy’s BBQ Joint, and succulent ribs are its specialty.
So much so that the House of Cards protagonist has them delivered to his office whenever he gets a hankering.
It is the place Freddy goes to escape Capitol Hill politics and indulge in slow-cooked, tantalizing pork.
This hole-in-the-wall is one of the best TV restaurants because it is just that!
There are no frills, no delicate herbs placed on the plate with tweezers, just good old-school soul food-style BBQ, bringing in DC big wigs.
Mr. Cluck’s Chicken Shack — Lost
The famous Lost fast food chain, Mr. Cluck’s Chicken Shack, looks like some of the juiciest chicken seen on screen.
Of course, the Los Pollos versus Mr. Cluck’s debate is an ongoing war between these TV restaurants, and the whole getting hit by a meteor (meteorite?) thing doesn’t help Mr. Cluck’s.
Neither does Gus’s attention to cleanliness and high standards.
However, there is no denying that some of the best fried chicken comes from eateries that, like their chicken, are just greasy. But that is OKAY.
It’s about what comes out of that fryer and into your mouth, but it’s not always about whether you can eat off the restaurant’s floor.
Plus, Hugo has a real passion when it comes to chicken, and if he eats buckets of it, then it must be delectable.
Nuovo Vesuvio — The Sopranos
Just the fact that Nuovo Vesuvio has a person specifically hired to make mozzarella is all the information needed to understand why it’s one of the best imaginary eateries.
Not to mention the recurrence of the Italian joint on the series, and there is no way The Sopranos are eating at a less-than-par restaurant.
Tony and many other characters have numerous lunches, dinners, parties, and meetings at Nuovo Vesuvio.
Tony even dreams that he and Carmella meet Finn’s parents here.
Sure, some iffy things go on circling the food, but before Artie lost his passion for cooking, it was widely known for its superb food.
Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in New Jersey, so the place must be doing something right.
Double R Diner — Twin Peaks
The Twin Peaks Double R Diner is more than just one of the many TV show diners.
It is a safe haven for the show characters, and its comforting food is a crowd-pleaser regardless of where you are from.
The coffee, donuts, and, of course, pie are staples at this local institution, and the fact it is the town’s food provider for Meals on Wheels only adds to its charm.
The wide range of menu items including veal, king crab, spaghetti, chicken fried steak, corned beef, ribs, are matched with classic breakfast and sandwich options.
The versatility speaks for itself the famous cherry pie is the perfect dessert to end a memorable meal.
Pop’s Diner — Riverdale
Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, also known as Pop’s Diner, on Riverdale is another example of how TV show diners can make fans want to jump through their screens and into a seat.
Regardless of the reason behind needing one the characters always turn to them in good and bad times.
The milkshakes that are served from this on-screen eatery are what drives business and keeps the locals coming back for more. Archie also recommends the onion rings, and they do look amazing.
And we can’t forget when Jughead takes Doiley’s sundae while questioning him and eats it.
Regardless of the restaurant style, these mainstays are just as important in their shows as the characters, and each have their own stories.
Despite the reason for being as popular as they are, or what makes the food so delectable, they are memorable fiestas of flavors.
We want to know what your favorite imaginary eateries are in the comments below!
