The 1980s gave us some unforgettable movies—along with some truly iconic on-screen restaurants. From greasy spoons and high-end steakhouses to futuristic diners and health-food havens, these eateries weren’t just backdrops; they helped define the characters and stories we love. Whether it’s a cheeseburger at McDowell’s, a slice from Mystic Pizza, or a power lunch at 21 Club, these restaurants served up cinematic settings you could sink your teeth into. Some of these restaurants are fictional, some are historical, and there are two you can visit to this day! Let's dig in!
Chez Paul - The Blues Brothers (1980)
The first restaurant on our list was actually a real establishment, and a Chicago legend. Chez Paul was a fine French restaurant that operated from 1945-1995 in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Housed in a mansion built in 1875, the actual restaurant's exterior is seen in the film, while interior scenes were filmed in a re-created set.
The Brothers' (Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi) poor behavior--from extravagant shrimp-cocktail eating, to harassing other patrons--is a ruse to blackmail the Maitre'd to re-join the band. And it worked! In this scene, you can spot a young Paul Reubens as a waiter, bringing the aforementioned shrimp cocktails, plus some Dom Pérignon to wash them down with.
McDowell's - Coming to America (1988)
McDowell’s, the hilariously blatant McDonald’s knockoff from Coming to America (1988), is one of the most iconic fictional restaurants in movie history. Owned by Cleo McDowell, the restaurant proudly insists it’s “not to be confused with McDonald’s." Those aren't golden arches, they're golden arcs! That's not a Big Mac, it's a Big Mic! With its plaid polyester uniforms and Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem mopping the floors, McDowell’s perfectly satirizes the fast-food industry while delivering some of the film’s funniest moments.
21 Club - Wall Street (1987)
The ultimate power-lunch spot, 21 Club was where high-powered executives and financial elites made deals over steak tartare and martinis. This legendary New York City restaurant, which opened in 1930 as a prohibition-era speakeasy, finally shut its doors in 2020... but not after cementing itself in New York city lore.
In Wall Street, it serves as the setting for key moments between Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) and Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), symbolizing Bud’s transition into the world of wealth and corruption. But that's not the only time 21 Club has made an appearance in film--it's shown in The Sweet Smell of Success (1957), Written on the Wind (1956), All About Eve (1950), One Fine Day (1996), Metropolitan (1990) and more!
Foods for Health - Valley Girl (1983)
Known by local teenagers for being "so gross," Foods for Health is a totally embarrassing health food restaurant owned by Julie's hippie parents in 1983's Valley Girl. When Randy (Nicolas Cage) visits his crush Julie (Deborah Foreman) at, the sprouts are abundant and the nutritional yeast flows freely. Julie is humiliated to the max... and would rather be at the mall food court, or literally anywhere else!
With its earthy decor, tofu-heavy menu, and customers who probably meditate before meals, Foods for Health hilariously showcased the generational clash between ‘70s counterculture and ‘80s materialism.
The Bushwood Country Club Restaurant - Caddyshack (1980)
The epitome of old-money snobbery, the restaurant at the Bushwood Country Club served as the backdrop for some of the film’s most outrageous class-clash moments. From Judge Smails (Ted Knight) and his elitist friends dining in luxury to Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) disrupting their pretentious atmosphere with his loud, obnoxious antics, (while wearing a plaid jacket and purple pants), the restaurant perfectly highlights the movie’s rich-vs-rebel humor.
"But what about the food?" you must be asking. Well, the reviews are in:
"This is low grade dog food!" --Al Czervik
"I had better food at the ball game!" --Al Czervik
"This steak still has the marks where the jockey was hitting it!" --Al Czervik
If you'd like to join in the country club fun, get yourself a Bushwood shirt and hat!
Lou's Cafe - Back to the Future (1985)
This classic 1950s diner is where Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) first realizes he’s stuck in the past—and awkwardly meets his teenage father, George McFly (Crispin Glover). With its vinyl booths, jukebox, soda counter, and five cent coffees, the cafe perfectly captures the sock-hop era vibe, complete with a grumpy owner who doesn’t allow "slackers," and has no idea what a Pepsi Free is. We also catch a glimpse of future mayor Goldie Wilson!
Cafe 80s - Back to the Future Part II (1989)
When Marty travels into the future and lands in 2015, Lou's Cafe has been transformed into the "Cafe 80s"... complete with neon lights, Max Headroom-style virtual waiters, and an awkward blend of ‘80s pop culture references, the restaurant feels like a corporate fever dream of retro kitsch. In the words of Doc, "It's one of those nostalgia places but not done very well." The cafe is also where Marty encounters an elderly Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), plus his grandson Griff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) and gang. But hey, at least Marty can get a Pepsi Free!
Kansas City Barbeque - Top Gun (1986)
Well, it's not in Kansas City...not even close! This iconic restaurant is located in San Diego, and closed for a day so the Top Gun crew could film the scene where Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards) belt out "Great Balls of Fire" with a rousing piano accompaniment.
A fire damaged much of the building in 2008, but miraculously, the piano survived the blaze! The restaurant was repaired, reopened later that year, and still operates to this day. Check 'em out here!
Mystic Pizza - Mystic Pizza (1988)
Inspired by a real pizzeria in Mystic, Connecticut, Mystic Pizza told the tale of three young women (Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor) navigating love, family, and their futures. The pizzeria, known for its “secret recipe” sauce, serves as both a workplace and a gathering spot, symbolizing the tight-knit bond between the main characters. You can also spot Matt Damon in his film debut!
In the making of the movie, the interior pizza parlor scenes were filmed in a set that was constructed near the real restaurant. After the movie was released, the actual Mystic Pizza restaurant was remodeled to more closely resemble the film set... talk about life imitating art! Want to learn more about the history of the real Mystic Pizza? Check out this mini documentary! And if you're in the neighborhood, you can grab a pie here.
Greasy Tony's - Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
While we don't actually get to see Greasy Tony's Restaurant in Revenge of the Nerds, it is immortalized in Booger's Shirt, and was a real restaurant with two locations! Famous for its slogan, "No charge for extra grease," this legendary greasy spoon served up late night cheesesteaks, pizza, hoagies, and meatball sandwiches, in both New Brunswick, New Jersey, (near Rutgers University) and Tempe, Arizona (near Arizona State University).
Here's a lovely homage to Tony himself.
It feels like we've just scratched the surface of our favorite 80s cinematic restaurants. What iconic eateries have we missed? And most importantly...is anybody else suddenly craving a slice of pizza, a Big Mic, and a bowl of sprouts, or is that just me??