11 Elvis-Themed Restaurants That Fans Need To Visit
Only a few entertainment personalities have made such an impact that their legacy persists decades after their earthly departure. Even fewer are mononymous, and fewer still have left an impression spanning the entire globe. We're sure you're thinking of a few well-known names by now, and we'd be shocked if Elvis wasn't among them.
What better way to pay homage to our dearly departed (but never really gone) legends than by serving up some bites in their honor? Several restaurateurs have gone down that path, resulting in a global display of Elvis-themed restaurants sure to satisfy the longings of any self-proclaimed Gracelandian. Some are upscale, others are more of a dive; some have live impersonators, while others boast walls decked out in memorabilia. Personally, we may take the next year off to tour all the Elvis-themed restaurants around the world — hey, someone has to.
Arcade Restaurant
The love for Elvis is really just the tip of the iceberg at Arcade Restaurant, which has a history even longer and more storied than the King himself. Founded in 1919, this Memphis landmark managed to persist through all the city's ups and downs; today, it's being run by the fourth generation of the family and boasts plenty of prestigious media (and film!) features. Arcade Restaurant has another point of pride, too — Elvis was a regular here.
You'll see various tidbits of Elvis paraphernalia scattered throughout the restaurant; nothing overwhelming, just enough to remind you that you're at the former home of a legend. And, if you want to really go all out, you can always request to be seated at Elvis' booth, which comes complete with a mini-shrine to the King. To maximize your experience, grab a seat in Elvis' booth, and order one "Shake It Like The King" — a boozy milkshake sure to have you rockin' and rollin' for the rest of the day.
(901) 526-5757
540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Rock Cafe Bar USAGI
The next time you find yourself in Osaka, you may just come across a bar that looks strangely American — in all the best ways, of course. You've probably stumbled upon Rock Cafe Bar USAGI, a Japanese ode to Elvis that honestly goes above and beyond even some of his biggest stateside fan bases, complete with a lineup of Elvis-themed cocktails to kick your night off.
Of course, the bar's interior is fabulously decked out with memorabilia honoring the King, with everything from photo collages to a stained glass image and plenty of jukebox music to go around. And that's not all — Rock Cafe Bar USAGI even has a framed strand of Elvis' hair on display at the spot, along with a wall full of his vinyls. A bonus for whiskey lovers — the bar has 33 types of Jack Daniel's available, which just makes it feel more distinctly American, even though whiskey wasn't among Elvis' favorite things to drink.
+81-80-2541-1037
Masudaya Building, 4th Floor, 1-1-9 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka 542-0071, Japan
Marlowe's Ribs & Restaurant
Obviously, there's more than one Memphis destination honoring everyone's favorite late and great rockstar. Another to make this list is Marlowe's Ribs and Restaurant, which may be most famous for its limousine service. If you're staying at a surrounding hotel, the restaurant will send a pink Elvis-inspired limousine to shuttle you to and from the restaurant — a delightful, vintage icing-on-the-cake touch of a King-themed night out.
Of course, it wouldn't truly be an Elvis-themed restaurant without having at least one dish named after him, and this is another box Marlowe's checks off — its "The King" certainly fits its name. It's a whole pound of ribeye, cooked any way you'd like. While you're at it, you have to get "The Presley," a cocktail made with Old Dominick bourbon, sweet and sour mix, Sprite, and merlot.
(901) 332-4159
4381 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116
Elvis American Cafe
Any foray to Israel should see you stopping by the Elvis American Cafe in Neve Ilan, which features a life-size statue of the King holding a guitar and rocking the night away. In fact, you'll find a few statues of the King inside and outside this establishment, just to make sure there's no way you'll miss it if you drive by.
Two dates are incredibly important to this cafe: January 8 (Elvis' birthday) and August 16 (the day he passed). On each of these dates, impersonators show up in full force to pay their own tribute to the King. And, of course, the interior is plastered with photos of the legend all over the walls and ceiling. Even if you had no clue who Elvis was before walking into this spot, you're sure to know a heck of a lot about him before leaving!
+972 2-534-1275
El Ginat Egoz St 88, Neve Ilan, Israel
Johnny Angel's Diner
Residents of Jacksonville, Florida, who also happen to be big Elvis fans, probably already know about all the hype surrounding the city's Johnny Angel's Diner. Though it's not the Floridian hot dog joint that Elvis loved, we have to give it props for decking itself out to the nines when it comes to King-inspired touches.
For starters, there's the life-size statue of the King and his guitar that greets you right as you're waiting to be escorted to a table. There's also the obvious retro pink and blue accents throughout, as well as walls of photos of not only the King, but also some of his famous contemporaries (think: Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn). And you'll have to order some King-inspired dishes while you're here. You could choose the "Love Me a Tender Basket," which features battered chicken tenders; "The King Sandwich," a Reuben on rye; or the "Elvis Special Combo Platter," which is piled high with a biscuit, gravy, country-fried steak, two eggs, and your choice of grits or potatoes.
(904) 997-9850
3546 Saint Johns Bluff Rd, Unit 120, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Highway 51 Diner
Should any Elvis fan find themselves in the vicinity of Randers, Denmark, they'd do well to seek out a spot called Memphis Mansion. Plan to spend a day here — in addition to having an Elvis-themed restaurant on-site, the spot is also a bona fide museum to both the King and Johnny Cash. As for the food? Well, Highway 51 Diner offers an unparalleled take on the American South, a rare find in Denmark.
Heading in for breakfast? Order the "Tupelo Plate" — named after the King's hometown — and feast on a whopping helping of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, a bagel with various spreads, and fruit. Several other diners have King-inspired names, too, like "Love Me Tenders," "Burning Love Chili Cheese," and "Jailhouse Rock Salad." You'll also see a smattering of Retro-themed Elvis posters throughout, as well as a large statue of the King standing proudly outside the mansion itself.
memphismansion.dk/highway51diner
(+45) 86 42 96 96
Graceland Randers Vej 3, DK-8960 Randers SØ
Golden Steer Steakhouse
There's one simple thing about Golden Steer Steakhouse that draws Elvis fans from far and wide in for a bite — the steakhouse was one of Elvis' favorite places to frequent when he was in Las Vegas. Sure, he didn't actually order a steak when he dined here (rather, his dinner of choice was a burger made from filet trimmings — it wasn't even a menu item!), but that's neither here nor there, especially when you can eat in the same booth the King himself once sat in.
That's right — one large corner booth in the restaurant stands as a veritable shrine to the King, complete with framed photos, posters, and golden records paying tribute to Elvis. You can request the booth when making reservations, which is how we'd recommend going about it — other than this, the upscale steakhouse doesn't devote much more square footage to the King, nor does it have any Elvis-themed menu items. But if you can grab a seat in the same booth where Elvis once spent much of his time, it's well worth it!
(702) 384-4470
308 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Azteca Restaurant & Lounge
Did you know that Elvis loved Mexican food? That's right — apparently, the King had a particular penchant for ranchero beans! So, if you ever find yourself in Garden Grove's Azteca Restaurant & Lounge wondering about the massive Elvis statue in the spot, that's one tidbit of info you can whip out of your back pocket.
You'll also find a wealth of other Elvis paraphernalia (including the obligatory wall-to-wall photos, of course) at Azteca — if you look up, you'll see a plethora of Elvis posters pasted on the ceiling, too. While you won't find any Elvis themes on the menu here, the atmosphere more than makes up for it. Make sure to keep an eye out for the restaurant's own commemorative creations when you head in, like some blue suede shoes, a teddy bear, and a blue Elvis-inspired guitar.
(714) 638-3790
12911 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Jailhouse Rock Pizza
Headed to Australia? Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Jailhouse Rock Pizza, which has a few locations in the Sydney area that you might stumble upon. You'll find the obligatory Elvis statue rocking the outside of the establishment, and on the inside, walls of Elvis photos make you feel like you're back in the late '50s.
Of course, themed menu items are a given at this pizza-and-pasta spot. There's a "Love Me Tender" pizza, which comes piled with salami, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, capsicum (peppers), anchovies, tomato, and mozzarella; or, you could go for one of a few Elvis-inspired seafood pizzas, like "Jailhouse Rock Pizza," "Elvis' Selection Pizza," or "The King Pizza." Not in a pizza mood? Then grab the "All Shook-up Pasta," which features butter, mushroom, chicken, shallots, herbs, and a cream sauce; or order the "Pollo Hound Dog," a chicken dish that also includes prawns.
Multiple locations
The Elvis Tribute Lounge
We certainly hope your next trip to the Mediterranean sees you traipsing around Malta, because there's one restaurant here that you really shouldn't miss: The Elvis Tribute Lounge, whose signage is so showy that you can't help but spot it when walking by. Should you spot it, you'd be remiss not to head in, even if all you're after is a night filled with dance-worthy party music.
Yes, live Elvis impersonators are a must at any Elvis-themed spot with live music, and they seem to show up at this bar pretty regularly. The bright yellow and blue walls are chock-full of Elvis photos and posters, and a giant "Elvis" sign acts as the stage backdrop for anyone who performs here. And, if you want to really get in on the action, you can always head in for a karaoke night and sing your favorite track from the King's many albums.
+356 9924 9727
Tourist Street, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta, SPB1020
Coletta's Italian Restaurant
Last but certainly not least, we had to mention a Memphis institution that's been around since 1923: Coletta's Italian Restaurant. The spot serves up a pizza that was apparently loved by the King himself, and it was piled high with pork BBQ, mozzarella, and BBQ sauce. Because Elvis loved it, the pizza is still on the menu and is considered to be the restaurant's signature item.
The restaurant's back room is decked out in Elvis memorabilia, and you can even sit at the table that the King would dine at when he headed in for a bite. Tasteful framed photos, vinyls, collages, and life-size portraiture make this spot pretty unmissable for Elvis fans. If you plan on ordering his pizza, come in hungry — apparently, it's a massive helping, and can only be eaten with a fork and knife!
(901) 948-7652
1063 S Pkwy E, Memphis, TN 38106