From Monk's Diner to Central Perk: Our Favorite TV Restaurants
From Monk's Diner to Central Perk: Our Favorite TV Restaurants
It's amazing that many of us can't remember what we ate for breakfast yesterday, but we can easily name the bar that Sam tended on our favorite sitcom. Coffeehouses, local watering holes, and greasy spoons are our homes away from home, and some of the fictional spots on TV are the most memorable of all. Don't we all want to go to a place where everyone knows our name?
Cheers
Bars are a dime a dozen in Boston, but none came close to Cheers. Run by ex-ball player Sam Malone, Cheers was the watering hole that brought together all walks of life. Crabby Carla, erudite Diane, kooky psychologist Fraser, regular Norm, mailman Cliff, and, of course, Coach and Woody. At Cheers they spent their time goofing around, making bets, and becoming a family. Now that's a place we'd definitely like to hang our hat.
Central Perk
Nothing could feel closer to home than seeing the Friends crew meet up at the local coffeehouse. Central Perk was that all-day meeting place where many memories were made. It was the spot where Rachel and Monica reunited, Phoebe first performed "Smelly Cat," Ross paraded his new girlfriends, Chandler made many blunders, and Joey always managed to say his signature line: "How you doin'?"
Mel's Diner
It's been a while since we heard "Kiss my grits!"—the classic line spewed from the sharp-tongued Flo on the 1970s sitcom Alice. Flo, single-mom Alice, and the scatterbrained Vera waitressed for their crotchety chef and boss, Mel. At Mel's Diner they worked hard for their money, slinging greasy-spoon fare to the sometimes overly friendly customers while they also attempted to make Mel into a softy.
The Peach Pit
In high school, we all wanted to go to a place like Beverly Hills, 90210's Peach Pit, where we could suck down milkshakes and suffer through our teen angst. Eventually, Brenda, her brother Brandon, and her best friends, Steve, Kelly, David, Donna, and that rebel without a cause, Dylan, got a bit older, and the Peach Pit expanded to the Peach Pit After Dark.
Riff's
Most diners run into the occasional kooky server who can't seem to get anything straight. Such was the case for Mad About You New York City newlyweds Jamie and Paul. They dined weekly at their neighborhood pub Riff's—but despite being regular customers, waitress Ursula (Phoebe's twin sister from Friends) never remembered their faces, let alone their order!
New York City Brunch
No matter what was going on in their lives, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha always managed to meet for Sunday brunch at spots around New York in Sex and the City. Between bites of omelets and sips of mimosas, the foursome discussed...well, we can't discuss what they discussed, but it was always very juicy!
Monk's
Seinfeld's Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer spent hours talking about nothing at Monk's, the Upper West Side diner around the corner from Jerry's apartment. Jerry and the gang visited plenty of other memorable eateries, including Babu's "Dream Diner," but they always came back to Monk's.
The Max
From first dates to after-school hangouts, The Max was where most of Zack Morris's shenanigans would come to a head. In fact, the Bayside High gang loved the '80s diner so much that when it threatened to shutter its doors, they raised money to save it.
MacLaren's Pub
You could usually find Ted, Barney, and the rest of the How I Met Your Mother characters at MacLaren's Pub commiserating about their dating problems. From bar food to pints of beer, MacLaren's may seem like your average hole in the wall, but it was based on a real-life New York City bar: McGee's.
Bluth's Frozen Banana Stand
Although George Michael and Maeby Bluth may not have been happy about working at their family's frozen banana stand, it remained a historic fixture on Balboa Island, as well as in the series Arrested Development. And don't forget: There's always money in the banana stand.
Joe's Bar
After a long, long day of work, the doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital in Grey's Anatomy usually wound up at Joe's Bar to commiserate over a difficult shift and cheer one another up. Some even found their "person" at the bar.
Luke's Diner
Lorelai and Rory Gilmore turned to Luke's Diner for their caffeine fix on a daily basis in Gilmore Girls. When it came to food, from stacks of pancakes to burgers and fries, everything looked irresistibly delicious. But it was their mother-daughter talks that couldn't be beat.
Café Nervosa
Where else would Frasier and Niles Crane hang out on Frasier? The laidback cafe and library hybrid was perfect for the '90s sitcom. Honestly, we wouldn't mind grabbing a cup of coffee there ourselves.
Molly's Pub
Molly's Pub is a place where the television worlds collide. Featured on Dick Wolf's Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med, the watering hole wound up being the source of many a TV crossover—and stiff drinks, from what it seems.
The Bluebird Cafe
Both in the city of Nashville and ABC's drama series, Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe is a place where artists can perform their songs and patrons can enjoy a drink with some tunes. If you're lucky, you'll catch an act featuring Rayna James (Connie Britton).
The Double R Diner
Whether you're an FBI agent investigating a murder or a roadside traveler stopping for a piece of cherry pie, Twin Peaks's Double R Diner will deliver. Did you know the diner where the pilot was shot—you know, the one with the fine cup of coffee—actually exists and is located in North Bend, Washington?
The Peacock Stop
While attending UCLA, Will from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air got a job working at the school's convenience store slash cafe: The Peacock Stop. That's also where he met his TV girlfriend, who was played by the one-and-only Tyra Banks.
JJ's Diner
If there's one thing we learned from Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation, it's that there's nothing that can't be solved over a plate of waffles (with extra whipped cream). Don't worry, you don't have to drive all the way to Indiana for a chance to sit in one of JJ's leather booths: The show shot their interior scenes at Four 'N 20 in Van Nuys, California.
The Smash Club
Throughout Full House, Uncle Jesse had many different careers. One of our favorites was when he bought a kid-friendly nightclub. The Smash Club was a place where the Tanners had many nights out and Jesse and the Rippers frequently took the stage. Of course, there were also plenty of heart-to-hearts there too.
The Brew
When the ladies of Pretty Little Liars needed a recharge—which is a must when you're constantly dealing with murderers—they turned to The Brew. Its hipster coffeehouse vibe was perfect for clandestine meetings and many awkward run-ins.
Arnold's Drive-In
If there was any confusion about what decade Happy Days was set in, just consult Richie, Fonzie, Potsie, and Ralph's after-school hangout, Arnold's. The restaurant, complete with its own jukebox, had both indoor seating and a carhop for drive-in service. Can you get more '50s than that?
The Griffin
Every neighborhood bar is made better by being friends with the bartender. In New Girl, they take it a step further by making the crew's roommate, Nick Miller, the bartender at their regular spot. The gang drinks for free and spends most of their nights hanging out with Nick in the '70s-style bar.
The Tropicana
Sometimes Lucy Ricardo's hijinks would carry over into her husband's nightclub, The Tropicana. The highbrow club where Ricky Ricardo was the head bandleader was usually the setting of some good disguises and, of course, some 'splaining...
Chubbies
In Boy Meets World, Chubbies was the ultimate hangou. Cory Matthews, Shawn Hunter, and Topanga Lawrence frequented it often from junior high to their high school graduation. The restaurant's red leather booths were a go-to for first dates and Friday night hangs. It wasn't until the show moved into the college years that the group grew out of the arcade eatery.
Rachel's Place
Originally, it was Leroy's Place that served as the Family Matters teen hangout spot and was where Laura Winslow and Steve Urkel worked together slinging burgers and fries. But in a later episode, Urkel accidentally burned the place down. Rachel came up with an idea to rebuild the establishment and, with the help of Urkel, Rachel opened the diner and called it Rachel's Place.
The Cheesecake Factory
It isn't everyday that a show's favorite restaurant is based on a real chain, but in The Big Bang Theory it's The Cheesecake Factory that brings everyone together. For a while, Penny worked as a waitress in the casual dining restaurant, and Sheldon even joins her for a stint in season 3.
The Royal Diner
Between working murder cases and navigating office romances, the staff of the Jeffersonian Institute frequent The Royal Diner outside of work on Bones. Even if it's just for a cup of coffee, you'll always find them at the counter of this Washington D.C. diner.
Everyone needs a go-to spot where everybody knows their name.