These 8 restaurants in Michigan really committed to their themes

Take your dining experience to a playful new level with our roundup of the best themed restaurants in Michigan. 

The perfect theme can elevate just about anything. We’re here for it all: themed parties, theme parks, and—perhaps most fun of all—themed restaurants. Michigan is chock-full of fun themed eateries, whether you’re in the mood for vintage vibes or something a bit more out-of-the-box.

Here are some of the best themed restaurants in Michigan (and you’ll get virtual bonus points from us if you wear a themed outfit while dining at each spot!).

1. The Commons GR

547 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids

Ever wished you could step back in time and enjoy a gourmet version of your favorite TV dinner in a perfectly preserved 1970s living room? Great news: Your dream can be a reality at The Commons in Grand Rapids, which gives diners the chance to visit (or revisit) the ‘70s in all their wood-paneled, orange-toned glory.

Snag a seat at a table or unwind with a drink in the back lounge, where you’ll find literal living room setups that feel straight out of yesteryear. The menu here is equally impressive, offering classics like cheeseburgers and brunch skillets alongside bruschetta and lemon basil berry shrimp salad, just to name a few.

2. Ford’s Garage Dearborn 

21367 Michigan Ave, Dearborn

Metro Detroiters are no strangers to classic cars—there’s a reason it’s called the Motor City, after all. But Ford’s Garage takes automobile fanhood to another level with an immersive dining experience that will make a car enthusiast out of even the most uninterested visitor. Ford’s Garage has three locations in Michigan: Dearborn, Novi, and Utica.

The Dearborn restaurant sits just a stone’s throw from the Henry Ford Museum, making it a great pit stop after a day of family fun. The garage-inspired exterior and its vintage Fords will capture your attention from the time you arrive, while the restaurant’s interior is packed with just about any car memorabilia imaginable, including vehicles hanging from the ceiling! Take it all in while indulging in one of Ford’s Garage’s iconic burgers and a pint of craft beer.

3. Strawberry Fields

51070 S Foster Rd, New Baltimore

Beatles fans, here’s one for you. The aptly named Strawberry Fields Restaurant in New Baltimore is an oasis for those who adore John, Paul, George, and even oft-overlooked Ringo. Artwork and photographs inspired by the Fab Four adorn the walls here, ranging from vibrant hippie-era paintings to black-and-white images of the British Invasion era.

What’s more, many of the menu offerings at Strawberry Fields pay homage to Beatles tunes. The Egg “White Album” Omelet and Double Pancake Fantasy are two favorites, but we’re partial to what might just be the greatest name for a breakfast dish of all time, inspired by John Lennon’s “Imagine”: an egg combo called “Imagine All The People” Eating Eggs This Way.

4. Max’s South Seas Hideaway 

58 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids

Few restaurants offer the complete immersion experience of Max’s South Seas Hideaway in downtown Grand Rapids. This isn’t your ordinary themed bar with a few pieces of artwork and a curated playlist. Instead, Max’s boasts a fully fleshed-out tropical theme complete with mood lighting, bamboo walls, glowing fish tanks, and tucked-away seating vignettes that might just make you believe you’re on an island far from Michigan.

Of course, this dedication to the theme extends to the menu, too, which offers fare like sushi, coconut crusted mahi mahi, and chicken satay. Wash it down with a piña colada, mai tai cocktail, or classic glass of rum.

5. Toasted Pickle GH

112 Washington Ave, Grand Haven

Pickles can be a divisive topic among foodies, with some swearing by their deliciousness and others avoiding brined concoctions at all costs. It goes without saying that most folks who love pickles really love them, which is why the Toasted Pickle exists. Situated in the lakeside town of Grand Haven, this bright green building is almost impossible to miss—and what awaits inside is a pickle enthusiast’s dream.

Sandwiches are the primary offering here and, believe it or not, there are options for people who don’t love pickles. That said, the fried pickle poppers, the Get Pickled Grilled Cheese, and the BlackJack corned beef with pickle sauce are favorites for a reason.

Not local to Grand Haven? The Toasted Pickle has a second location in Rockford to serve even more pickle devotees.

6. Bavarian Inn

713 S Main St, Frankenmuth

The Bavarian Inn is perhaps the most famous themed restaurant on our list, but its popularity has been earned over the course of decades. Old Bavaria comes to life at this family favorite in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth, offering its “World Famous” chicken dinners in a building that looks straight out of a European village.

While meals are available by the plate, many diners opt to enjoy their food family-style, digging into lightly breaded chicken alongside freshly prepared Stollen bread, seasonal salads, coleslaw, optional German meat samplers, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even enjoy a few tunes by a lederhosen-clad accordion player during your meal.

7. The Cherry Hut

211 N Michigan Ave, Beulah

Located directly along the highway across from the sparkling shores of Crystal Lake in Beulah, the Cherry Hut has delighted summertime visitors since the early 1920s. The restaurant’s cherry theme is unmistakable, as a giant smiling cherry pie greets visitors on the exterior welcome sign.

Inside, employees dress in red and white-striped vintage-inspired garb while serving everything from cherry chicken salad to fresh roasted turkey. Be sure to save room for dessert: favorites on the Cherry Hut menu include cherry pie à la mode, cherry hot fudge brownies, and traditional cherry pie.

8. The Bomber Restaurant 

306 E Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti

History buffs and aviation enthusiasts will love grabbing a bite to eat at Ypsilanti’s Bomber Restaurant, which combines the charm of a classic, laid-back diner with a mini museum dedicated to World War II and the iconic Rosie the Riveter.

The Bomber takes its name from the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township, which produced B-24 Bombers for the U.S. military beginning in 1942. Today, visitors to the diner will find themselves immersed in the era’s history while enjoying traditional breakfast and lunch fare, such as French toast, omelets, skillets, and corned beef hash.