If you’re a fan of movies and TV shows, you might have wondered what it would be like to visit some of the places you’ve seen on screen. Well, you’re in luck, because some of these restaurants are real and open for business! Here are 10 restaurants you can visit that have been featured in famous TV shows or movies…
Bar Vitelli: The Godfather
Bar Vitelli in Savoca, Sicily is the rustic bar where Michael Corleone met his first wife Apollonia in The Godfather. You can admire the antique decor, drink some lemon granita, and maybe even make an offer they can’t refuse.
Website: barvitelli.it/
Cheers: Cheers
This bar is where everybody knows your name, in the classic sitcom that ran from 1982 to 1993. The real Cheers is located in Boston, USA, and was originally called the Bull & Finch Pub. It was used as the exterior shot for the show, but the interior was recreated on a soundstage in Hollywood. You can still visit the original pub or the replica bar at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and enjoy some beer, wine and pub food.
Website: cheersboston.com/
The Central Perk: Friends
This coffee shop is where Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross hung out for 10 seasons of the popular sitcom. The real Central Perk is a replica of the set that was created for a pop-up event in New York City in 2014 to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary. It’s now a permanent attraction at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank, California. You can sit on the famous orange couch, take photos with props and costumes, and enjoy some coffee and snacks.
Website: wbstudiotour.com/central-perk
The Garrison: Peaky Blinders.
This historic pub in Birmingham is one of the main locations for the crime drama Peaky Blinders, which follows the exploits of a gangster family in the early 20th century. You can see the pub in many scenes where the characters plot, scheme, or celebrate their victories. The original pub is now derelict and has had all its signage removed, but the historic “The Bulls Head” pub was turned into the “Garrison Tavern” for the premiere of Series 4 of the series.
The Ivy: Notting Hill
This famous restaurant in London is known for its celebrity clientele and its appearance in the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. You can spot the restaurant in the scene where Grant’s character bumps into Roberts’ character after their first date. You can also enjoy modern British dishes like shepherd’s pie, fish cakes, and apple tart, as well as a variety of drinks and desserts.
Website: the-ivy.co.uk/
Rules: Downton Abbey
This elegant restaurant in London is the oldest in the city, dating back to 1798. It has been featured in several episodes of Downton Abbey, as well as other films and shows like James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, and Bridget Jones’s Diary. You can enjoy classic British cuisine like roast beef, game pie, and sticky toffee pudding, as well as a selection of fine wines and cocktails.
Website: rules.co.uk
Pizza Express: Shaun of the Dead
Pizza Express is a popular chain of pizza restaurants in the UK. It was featured in the 2004 zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two friends who try to survive a zombie apocalypse. In the movie, Pegg’s character Shaun suggests going to Pizza Express for dinner with his girlfriend Liz, but she breaks up with him because he’s too boring and predictable.
You can also spot Pizza Express in the 2004 romantic comedy Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason as well as episodes of Sherlock, Spooks, and The Inbetweeners.
Website: pizzaexpress.com/
The Wolseley: James Bond – Skyfall
The Wolseley is a grand café-restaurant in London, serving European dishes in an elegant setting. It was originally built as a car showroom in 1921 but was converted into a restaurant in 2003. It has also been featured in several James Bond movies, such as Skyfall and Spectre, where it was used as the location for Bond’s meetings with M and Q. The Wolseley is a great place to enjoy a sophisticated meal or afternoon tea, and maybe spot some spies along the way.
Website: thewolseley.com
Los Pollos Hermanos: Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul
Los Pollos Hermanos is the fried chicken chain that served as a front for Gus Fring’s drug empire in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. While the chain doesn’t exist in real life, you can visit one of the locations that was used for filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The restaurant is actually called Twisters and it serves Mexican food and burgers. You can see the Los Pollos Hermanos logo on the wall and some Breaking Bad memorabilia inside.
Website: mytwisters.com
Monk’s Café: Seinfeld
Monks Cafe is actually called Tom’s Restaurant and it’s been around since the 1940s and is still there today. The exterior of the restaurant was used in Seinfeld, but the interior scenes were filmed on a set in Los Angeles. Tom’s Restaurant does have some Seinfeld memorabilia inside, such as photos of the cast and a sign that says “Soup for you!” You can also order some of the dishes that were mentioned on the show, such as the big salad, the tuna on toast, or the chocolate babka. Tom’s was also the inspiration for the song “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega who used to visit as a student.
