Who could forget that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally, the two characters seated in New York’s Katz’s Deli and Meg Ryan’s character testing her, err, vocal abilities? Or Mystic Pizza from, well…Mystic Pizza? Whether you’re a casual filmgoer or a devoted cinephile, you’re bound to recognise these American restaurants for their iconic silver screen cameos.
Katz’s Delicatessen, When Harry Met Sally
A Lower East Side mainstay since 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen is almost as famous for its movie moment as it is for its winning pastrami. Meg Ryan as Sally gives Billy Crystal’s Harry a lesson in not believing all that he hears, which prompts the famous line: “I’ll have what she’s having!”
Mulberry Street Bar, The Godfather III
It’s fitting that Little Italy in New York is home to the Mulberry Street Bar, a venue famous for having appeared in The Godfather III (as well as many episodes of The Sopranos). The timeworn bar may look mundane to the untrained eye, but today it’s a magnet for lovers of a good mob drama.
Café Lalo, You’ve Got Mail
With its brick walls, strings of Christmas lights and Art Deco prints, not to mention a reputation for delectable desserts, Café Lalo is already plenty appealing. But the fact that the pivotal meeting scene in You’ve Got Mail took place here catapults it into New York legend.
Mystic Pizza, Mystic Pizza
It’s true: despite the unlikely name, the Mystic Pizza shop from Mystic Pizza, the 1988 film that made Julia Roberts famous, is actually a real place! Fittingly, it’s based in Mystic, Connecticut. Though the restaurant now makes its own brand of frozen pizzas, we recommend heading to the original branch for a fresher taste of the real thing.
Pat and Lorraine’s, Reservoir Dogs
Pat and Lorraine’s hasn’t changed much since it played a role in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs back in 1992. Site of the movie’s famous tipping scene – in which Steve Buscemi’s Mr. Pink unleashes a diatribe against tipping one’s servers – the old-school diner is a favorite amongst locals today for its bottomless coffee and fluffy omelettes. Just, you know, be sure to tip.
The Dresden Restaurant, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
This Hollywood landmark normally serves classic, Italian-inspired fare, but for its moment in the spotlight in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, the eatery was temporarily transformed into a 1970s Mexican restaurant. It’s best known as the location of the newsman’s winning jazz flute solo.
Feature © Eric Wittman
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
