Early Restaurants That Look More Scary Than Appetizing
Imagine stepping into a restaurant and feeling like you’ve entered a haunted house. Early American restaurants often offered more thrills than food, with bizarre décor and waitstaff who looked like they had walked straight out of a horror story.
From taxidermied animals glaring from the walls to dishes that resembled science experiments, dining always gave an experience. Menus featured ingredients no one could pronounce, and some restaurants presented an ambiance that scared customers more than prices.
We’ve gathered the most unforgettable, eyebrow-raising early restaurants to show that food could be terrifying, hilarious, and always memorable.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop – New Orleans, LA
Dine in a centuries-old bar turned restaurant where ghosts and criminal legends turn every bite spooky.
The Red Lion Inn – Stockbridge, MA
Colonial décor and haunted tales from 1773 make every meal feel historically disturbing and thrilling.
The Catacombs at Bube's Brewery – Mount Joy, PA
Dining 43 feet underground in stone cellars turns dinner into a claustrophobic thrill.
The Ship Cafe – Santa Monica, CA
A battleship-shaped restaurant makes lunch feel like navigating a giant maritime nightmare.
Jean Bonnet Tavern – Bedford, PA
Hanging tales and paranormal encounters make every meal a criminally entertaining experience.
Gadsby's Tavern – Alexandria, VA
Operating since 1785, the “Unknown Woman” ghost keeps patrons on edge and oddly charmed.
King's Tavern – Natchez, MS
Discover a skeleton behind the wall; dining here mixes shock with curiosity.
The Golden Lamb – Lebanon, OH
Old-world inn where ghost sightings make your toast feel dangerously historical.
Lemp Mansion – St Louis, MO
Suicides, hauntings, and eerie shadows make dinner here an emotional rollercoaster.
The Chili Bowl – Los Ángeles, CA
Giant chili-shaped building makes every bite an architectural experience you won’t forget.
Antoine’s – New Orleans, LA
Founded in 1840, this French-Creole restaurant’s labyrinthine halls and shadowy corners make every bite surprisingly sinister.
Old Absinthe House – New Orleans, LA
Established in 1807, this bar-restaurant mixes Creole charm with ghost stories and shadowy corners that feel eerie.
Ptomaine Tommy's – Los Ángeles, CA
Named to scare, this 1913 eatery makes diners question their stomach before tasting anything.
he Bubble Room – Captiva Island, FL
Trains, toys, and endless holiday decorations create a sensory overload that’s delightfully terrifying.
The Forum of the Twelve Caesars – Nueva York, NY
Opulent theatrics and sky-high prices make every meal feel dangerously extravagant.
The Mai-Kai – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Tiki excess of fire, masks, and fog turns dinner into a kitschy jungle nightmare.
O'Henry's Steak House – New York, NY
Carnage-inspired décor with hanging hooks and sawdust floors makes every steak feel sinister.
Jekyll & Hyde Club – New York, NY
Gothic horrors and theatrical monsters make dining here a scream; your nerves are as tested as your appetite.
Tadich Grill – San Francisco, CA
Step into a seafood legend where cracked floors, ancient booths, and ghostly whispers make every bite strangely foreboding.
Delmonico’s – New York, NY
America’s first fine-dining restaurant, where opulent décor, massive chandeliers, and flamboyant waiters made meals intimidating.
