8 Themed Restaurants That Will Transform Your San Francisco Dining Experience

Dine on an island, in a tiki bar, or at the movies at these quirky themed restaurants in San Francisco. You will experience more than the usual meal at any of these unique eateries in the 415!

1. Red Door Cafe: 1608 Bush Street

This is a brunch experience for those who aren’t easily offended. Red Door Cafe is filled with freaky dolls and adult toys, the food is fun and creative, and the ambience is wild and eclectic.

2. Brainwash Cafe & Laundromat: 1122 Folsom Street

Where else can you eat pancakes, sip on a cup of joe, attend an open mic night, and play pinball—all while getting your laundry done?!

3. Forbes Island: Pier 41

Back in 1975, self-made millionaire Forbes Thor Kiddoo began construction of his very own island in Sausalito. He was eventually able to move it to San Francisco's tourist capital, near Piers 39 and 41. Forbes Island specializes in California-French cuisine, but it's all about the funky underwater dining room.

4. Foreign Cinema: 2534 Mission Street

Imagine eating dinner on a patio next to a big screen. People flock to Foreign Cinema to enjoy good food and a classic flick. Every night, the restaurant screens a movie in its outdoor courtyard, highlighting everything from classic films to obscure arthouse.

5. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar: 950 Mason St

This sprawling tiki-themed restaurant in the luxurious Fairmont Hotel has been taking San Franciscans to the tropics since 1945. The "lagoon" in the center of the restaurant, now a floating stage for a top-40 band, was once used as a pool. Enjoy a fancy drink (with an umbrella, of course), Pacific Rim Asian cuisine, and the periodic thunder and lightning from the tropical rainstorms.

6. Spin: 690 Folsom Street

A farm-to-table restaurant inside a ping-pong club owned by Susan Sarandon? Why not?! Play ping pong and eat food—probably not at the same time, though!

7. El Mansour: 3119 Clement Street

At El Mansour you can eat with your hands while watching dancers move with their bellies. El Mansour offers traditional Moroccan food with incredible entertainment.

8. Asia SF: 201 9th Street

This lively and stylized restaurant and club features choreographed shows, signature cocktails, and Asian-fusion fare. This is a little like dinner out in a nightclub. The Ladies of AsiaSF serve you Cal-Asian cuisine and perform on the Red Dragon Runway throughout your dinner show.

Do you know of any other themed restaurants? Let us know. We want to hear your opinion. Also, if you're curious our post on The Forbes Island Restaurant.