I’m including the whole valley in this post, to fully show the variety of funky spots to eat. These are places I recommend for the experience just as much (or more so) than the food.

Organ Stop Pizza

Will this pizza change your life? To be honest, no— but the incredible two-story organ and constant live performances are worth the drive (and the food is not bad). It’s also family-friendly and reasonably priced.

Rustler’s Rooste

I would recommend this to people with out of town guests who want a Wild West experience without leaving Phoenix. They have family style sides, a meat-focused menu, and an incredible view. No quirky restaurant list is complete without them— while several places do live music, this is the first restaurant I’ve been to where you can take a slide instead of walking down stairs. Warning: the fried rattlesnake is subject to seasonal availability.

Medieval Times

You’re paying a premium for food here because of the show, which is worth watching. You also won’t leave hungry. If you’ve ever wished the Renaissance Festival was indoors and/or involved less walking, this is the spot for you.

ComicX Restaurant & Bar

This is Hard Rock Café for nerd culture and memorabilia. Their menu is classic American, and their decor is a combo of DC, Marvel, and Star Wars. While they do sell alcohol, it’s very kid-friendly as well.

Platform 18

If you wish you could go back in time to the golden age of taking the train, this is the bar for you. Their menu is incredible and the experience is so immersive, I would caution those who are prone to motion sickness. You will feel like you’re on a train.

Their sister concepts Undertow and Gray Hen are also immersive, excellent bars.

Honorable mentions

Phoenix has enough excellent themed bars to justify its own post, so I’ll leave that for later.

Taco Guild serves fusion tacos in a former church. Don’t expect authentic Mexican taco flavors, but come for the fun differences!

Hash Kitchen is a brunch spot with the ambiance of a club (stay away if you don’t like loud music). Their Bloody Mary bar is a great photo op.

Bang Bang Sushi on Mill Ave is also a restaurant meant to evoke the nightclub vibe with a contemporary Japanese twist. My favorite part of the restaurant is their bathroom.

Wren & Wolf is a downtown Phoenix restaurant with the vibe of a swanky hunting lodge. It’s on the pricier end, but worth it for a special occasion.