Telly Tables: The TV Restaurants We’d Like To Visit

Ever watched the characters on your favourite TV show enjoying a delicious meal, and wished you could be dining with them? The small screen has offered up a number of famous fictional restaurants over the years, plenty of which we would love to sit down at – and plenty we’d be well-advised to avoid. Join us on a culinary journey as we consider some of TV’s most iconic eateries, taking a look at the good, the bad and the downright scary!

The Bear, Formerly The Beef (The Bear) 

The Bear has been the talk of Chicago since Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) took over his late brother’s sandwich shop in 2022. Previously an award-winning chef at the world’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, he brought his own ideas to the table and the result, The Bear, is a gastronomic sensation. Our favourites were the exquisite Welcome Broth (occasionally served by Carmy himself!) and the T-Bone Steak, a throwback to The Bear’s previous incarnation. Admittedly there are still teething troubles, and we could swear we heard shouting from the kitchen, but we’ll certainly be back!

Food: 5/5, Service: 4/5, Atmosphere: 5/5 

Point North (Boiling Point)

Also a restaurant born from the ashes of another, Point North was created by the staff of Jones & Son, the critically acclaimed London restaurant that closed due to behind the scenes drama from Head Chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham). Led by new Head Chef Carly (Vinette Robinson), the new restaurant, with dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of northern England, seems a little more harmonious, but not without its own share of stress and strife. They may be finding their feet, but this eatery features the stars of tomorrow!

Food: 5/5, Service: 4/5, Atmosphere: 4/5 

Los Pollos Hermanos (Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul)

A successful fast food establishment founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Pollos Hermanos was started by two Chilean immigrants, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and Max Arciniega (James Martinez), who’ve created a menu they claim is based on recipes from their uncles. Serving a selection of Latin American and US-inspired meals, such as the Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Platter and the All-American Burger, diners will also find meals for kids and an enticing build-your-own-burrito option. The service is alarmingly good, with Fring running a tight ship – although some of the shady customers left us a bit unsettled.

Food: 4/5, Service: 5/5, Atmosphere: 2/5 

Bob’s Burgers (Bob’s Burgers)

The ultimate family-run restaurant: Bob and Linda Belcher are the founders and owners of this small burger joint, and though the food is nothing fancy, Bob takes great pride in his imaginative ‘burger of the day’ option with witty names like The “If Looks Could Kale” Burger or The “Shake Your Honeymaker” Burger (with Honey Mustard). It’s all made with a lot of love, too; just don’t let matriarch Linda burst into song, or middle child Louise rope you into a scheme. 

Food 4/5, Service 2/5, Atmosphere 3/5

Café Nervosa (Frasier)

A warning for the indecisive: this café serves such a wide array of food that it has its own cookbook. While you’re enjoying the rich selection of lunch options and sweet treats, you can indulge in the intellectual atmosphere that has drawn famous radio psychiatrist Dr Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) to the location for over a decade. The staff can be changeable, with some customers avoiding the days when waiter Chad is on duty. Still, if you’re looking for a refined experience with just a dash of comedic drama, this is the spot for you!

Food: 4/ 5, Service: 3/5, Atmosphere: 5/5

Luke’s Diner (Gilmore Girls)

The very definition of cosy, Luke’s Diner used to be a hardware store owned by the eponymous Luke’s father (there’s still an old order written on the back of the counter!). It’s extremely welcoming, although the strictly enforced “No Cell Phones” policy might put off some patrons! If you need a place to escape from life’s woes, or simply want to indulge in an old-fashioned burger and fries (or lots and lots of coffee), this is where you need to be. Just don’t bother the overwhelmed chef, Caesar! 

Food: 3/ 5, Service: 3/ 5, Atmosphere: 5/5

The Gilded Truffle (The Simpsons)

The go-to place for Springfield citizens looking for something to celebrate, The Gilded Truffle is known for their cutting-edge cuisine, as well as a few experimental dishes like “their finest food stuffed with their second finest” (lobster stuffed with tacos). While dining here, you might even spot some local celebrities; TV sensation Krusty the Clown is known to frequent the place, avoiding his own chain of Krusty Burgers! The staff may be a little snooty, but it has been a Springfield institution for decades for good reason. 

Food: 5/5, Service: 4/5, Atmosphere 4/5 

Central Perk (Friends)

Perhaps ‘restaurant’ is stretching it, as this Greenwich Village staple is technically a coffee shop, but we couldn’t pass by without heading in and ordering a muffin and an espresso. While the menu is limited, patrons can choose among various warm drinks and baked goods, served by the sincere but surly Gunther. However, it’s the atmosphere that really makes this place special: with a bustling ambience, vibrant aesthetics and occasional live music, it’s no wonder the main sofa always seems to be occupied by the same group of six friends.

Food: 3/5, Service: 3/5, Atmosphere: 5/5 

Vesuvio (The Sopranos)

Having overcome an unfortunate ‘accidental’ fire, New Jersey’s most talked-about Italian restaurant re-emerged with a new look and an interesting new menu. Paying tribute to its Italian roots with luxurious paintings and pillars, the decor will whisk you away to the Bel Paese, but the food may be another story: despite the insistence of its owner, Chef Artie Bucco, the menu might raise a few eyebrows among purists, with Mozzarella and String Beans being a particular oddity. Still, with the amount of large, well-dressed, totally legitimate businessmen around, you may be too intimidated to complain!

Food: 2/5, Service: 4/5, Atmosphere: 3/5

Bellefleur’s Bar and Grill (True Blood)

There’s a lot to love about this Louisiana hot spot’s sizzling barbecue fare that includes Chicken Fried Steak, BBQ Shrimp and more. As for the rest? Well, if you like your nights out wild and dangerous, this is the place for you. While things have calmed down slightly since previous owner Sam Merlotte left the business, devious goings-on are never far away. Picky customers can expect sassy quips from both the waitstaff and cook Lafayette, while the site has also been the location for several known deaths involving vampires. Still, if the locals keep coming back for more, the staff must be doing something right!

Food: 4/5, Service: 2/5, Atmosphere: 1/5