8 of The Best Restaurants And Bars From Famous Films

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Filmmakers love to use restaurants and bars as places in which characters work, meet, gather, fall in love, argue, reconcile and – of course – eat and drink.

Follow in the footsteps of some favourite film characters with our pick of the best movie food locations that you can visit in real life.

Mystic Pizza, Mystic, Connecticut, USA (Mystic Pizza, 1988)

Sample a ‘slice of heaven’ at the original Mystic Pizza. The restaurant inspired the much-loved 80s film of the same name, which was shot on location in Mystic and the surrounding area. All pizzas are made using the famed ‘secret sauce’ and you can also pick up a range of souvenirs including the cute pizza slice t-shirts as worn by Julia Roberts and co. in the movie.

Grand Hotel Pupp, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (Casino Royale, 2006)

After being poisoned, almost dying of a cardiac arrest and recovering in time to win a cool $115 million at a game of poker, James Bond (Daniel Craig) is quite understandably (in his own words) ‘famished’. He and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) retreat to the hotel dining room to enjoy some well-deserved caviar on toast. The location used in the film, the Grand Hotel Pupp, offers a two-night ‘In the Footsteps of Agent 007’ package which includes target practice at a local shooting range, a complimentary Vesper cocktail and some gambling chips so you can try your luck in the hotel’s casino [insider tip: if you win big, caviar on toast is available to order off-menu].

New York Grill and Bar, Park Hyatt Hotel, Tokyo (Lost in Translation, 2003)

Lost in Translation’s jetlagged and lonely Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) first meet in the atmospheric bar of the Park Hyatt Hotel. Director Sofia Coppola picked the Hyatt as a key location for her film, citing it as one of her favourite places due to its serenity, interior design and mix of cultures. Savour panoramic views of Tokyo while sampling one of the bar’s exceptional selection of Japanese whiskeys (try a 17-year old Hibiki if you want to emulate Bill Murray).

Le Pure Café, Paris, France (Before Sunset, 2004)

After nearly a decade apart, star-crossed lovers Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meet again in Paris. The first stop of their long, late afternoon walk takes them to Le Pure Café where they begin to reconnect. Enjoy the cafe/bar’s beautifully-preserved interior and a coffee or citron pressé, as drunk by the characters in the film. If you’re in the mood for some shopping afterwards, take a stroll across the Seine to legendary booksellers Shakespeare and Co., where the film begins.

film restaurants

Caffè Florian, Venice, Italy (The Talented Mr Ripley, 1999)

Just one of the many gorgeous Italian locations used in The Talented Mr Ripley, the elegant terrace of the Caffè Florian plays host to a frosty meeting between Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) and the fiancée (Gwyneth Paltrow) and father of Dickie Greenleaf, a wealthy friend of Tom’s who has mysteriously gone missing. Chosen by director Anthony Minghella for its striking visual appeal, the Florian is the oldest cafe in the world. Visit out of season to avoid the Venice crowds and warm up with the Florian’s signature hot chocolate.

Katz’s Delicatessen, New York, USA (When Harry Met Sally, 1989)

Famous for playing host to the legendary orgasm-faking scene in When Harry Met Sally, Katz’s Delicatessen also serves mighty good food. It’s easy to spot the table where Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) sat as it’s marked with a large sign, urging you to ‘have what she had’. You could indeed have what Sally had (turkey on rye), but for the ultimate Katz’s experience, opt for Harry’s choice of the pastrami hot sandwich.

 

 

Café des Deux Moulins, Paris, France (Amélie, 2001)

The Café des Deux Moulins has embraced the legacy of its fictional waitress, Amélie (Audrey Tatou). A portrait of everyone’s favourite French do-gooder adorns the back wall of this typically Parisien cafe/bistrot, while specials include the ‘Goûter d’Amelie’, which includes your choice of hot drink paired with Amélie’s beloved crème brûlée (cracking the top with a back of a spoon is obligatory). If you fancy something a little stronger, try a kir, the preferred aperitif of the film’s poet character Hipolito.

Twede’s Cafe, North Bend, Washington State, USA (Twin Peaks, 1991-1992)

Ok, this is technically a television rather than a film location, but it’s impossible to not include the original of Twin Peaks’ Double R Diner in a list of foodie film locations. After a visit to Snoqualmie Falls (made famous by the original TV show’s opening credits) head to Twede’s for a restorative cup of damn fine coffee and a slice of freshly-made cherry pie.

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WRITTEN BY:
Nathalie Morris

Nathalie is a writer, curator and film historian....

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