In 1970, a dinner for two at New York’s legendary Le Pavillon would set you back $100 – equivalent to over $700 today – yet patrons gladly lined up for the privilege of dining beneath its crystal chandeliers. The 1970s marked the golden age of fine dining in America, when restaurants transformed meals into theatrical experiences complete with tableside flambes, elaborate table settings, and maitre d’s who knew every regular by name. These establishments shaped modern American cuisine and dining culture, introducing millions to continental sophistication while creating cherished memories of special occasions and milestone celebrations. Join us on a nostalgic journey through twenty of the most iconic upscale restaurants of the 1970s.
20. Bonanza Steakhouse
Bonanza Steakhouse defined affordable family dining in the 1970s. The restaurant chain pioneered the all-you-can-eat salad bar concept, featuring fresh vegetables, prepared salads, and homestyle soups alongside their famous charbroiled steaks. Diners enjoyed the Western-themed decor, complete with wagon wheel chandeliers and rustic wood paneling, while servers in cowboy attire delivered generous portions to hungry families. The restaurant’s self-service model kept prices low while maintaining food quality.
19. Ponderosa Steakhouse
Ponderosa Steakhouse brought steakhouse dining to suburban America. The restaurant combined table service with a comprehensive buffet that included hot entrees, fresh vegetables, desserts, and a complete salad bar, making it a popular choice for family gatherings and celebrations. Their signature sirloin steaks, cooked to order and served with warm rolls and butter, attracted regular customers who appreciated the consistent quality and value.
18. The Brown Derby
The Brown Derby created Hollywood’s first fine-dining scene. Movie stars and industry executives frequented the distinctive hat-shaped restaurant, famous for creating the Cobb Salad and serving perfectly prepared steaks and chops. The restaurant’s walls displayed celebrity caricatures, while discrete booths allowed famous patrons to dine in relative privacy.
17. Howard Johnson’s Restaurant
Howard Johnson’s Restaurant revolutionized roadside dining across America. The orange-roofed landmarks served their famous 28 ice cream flavors, tender fried clams, and hot dogs grilled in butter, becoming a trusted name for travelers and families. Their standardized menus and consistent quality made them America’s largest restaurant chain throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.
16. Victoria Station
Victoria Station offered dining in authentic railroad cars. The restaurant converted vintage railroad cars into dining rooms, complete with railroad memorabilia and Victorian-era decor, while serving prime rib, fresh seafood, and their popular salad bar. Guests entered through a replica train station, receiving a unique dining experience that combined entertainment with quality food.
15. Steak and Ale
Steak and Ale pioneered the casual steakhouse dining concept in America. The restaurant introduced the first salad bar in a restaurant chain setting, paired with hand-cut steaks and warm bread served before meals, creating a new standard for casual dining. Guests enjoyed the Tudor-style architecture, dark wood interiors, and intimate lighting that created an upscale atmosphere at moderate prices.
14. Trader Vic’s
Trader Vic’s invented Polynesian fusion cuisine in America. The restaurant created the Mai Tai cocktail and popularized Chinese wood-fired ovens, while serving exotic dishes like Crab Rangoon and Bongo Bongo soup in a tropical paradise setting. Celebrities and everyday diners enjoyed elaborate rum drinks served in custom-designed ceramic mugs amid authentic Pacific Island decor.
13. Le Peep
Le Peep transformed breakfast into an upscale dining experience. The restaurant specialized in creative egg dishes, fluffy omelets, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, served in a bright, contemporary setting that elevated morning dining beyond the coffee shop experience. Their signature skillets combined fresh ingredients with perfectly cooked eggs, creating memorable breakfast combinations.
12. The Magic Pan
The Magic Pan delighted diners with authentic French crepes. The restaurant featured unique crepe-making stations where cooks created paper-thin pancakes on rotating crepe makers, filling them with both savory and sweet ingredients. Guests watched their crepes being made while enjoying French onion soup and house wines in an elegant European atmosphere.
11. The Velvet Turtle
The Velvet Turtle offered fine dining at accessible prices. The restaurant served classic continental cuisine, including their famous lobster bisque and prime rib, in an atmosphere of understated elegance with curved booths and sophisticated decor. Professional service and table-side cooking made special occasions memorable for middle-class families.
10. The Red Coach Inn
The Red Coach Inn recreated English inn hospitality in America. The restaurant combined colonial American and British pub traditions, serving prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and traditional roasts in rooms decorated with coach lamps and English hunting prints. Servers dressed in period costumes enhanced the authentic atmosphere.
9. York Steakhouse
York Steakhouse made steakhouse dining accessible to shopping mall visitors. The restaurant served quality steaks, baked potatoes, and a fresh salad bar in a comfortable setting that welcomed families and shoppers alike. Their efficient cafeteria-style service kept prices reasonable while maintaining food quality.
8. The Ground Round
The Ground Round created one of America’s first casual family entertainment restaurants. The restaurant showed silent movies and cartoons on the walls while serving casual American fare like burgers and hot dogs in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Free peanuts and permission to throw shells on the floor added to the casual, festive environment.
7. Hula Hands
Hula Hands brought Hawaiian dining to mainland America. The restaurant served authentic island dishes like Kalua pork and fresh pineapple in rooms decorated with tiki torches and tropical flowers, while musicians performed traditional Hawaiian songs. Grass-skirted servers added to the exotic paradise atmosphere.
6. Beefsteak Charlie’s
Beefsteak Charlie’s offered unlimited salad bar, shrimp, and wine with every meal. The restaurant combined New York steakhouse traditions with all-you-can-eat concepts, creating a unique dining experience that attracted families and young professionals. Their famous slogan “I’ll feed you like there’s no tomorrow” reflected their generous portions and unlimited offerings.
5. Rax Roast Beef
Rax Roast Beef elevated fast-food dining with quality ingredients. The restaurant served freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches, crisp salads, and baked potatoes in an upscale fast-food setting with real plants and wood furnishings. Their innovative endless salad bar brought fresh ingredients to quick-service dining.
4. Sambo’s
Sambo’s served American breakfast classics 24 hours a day. The restaurant chain offered pancakes, eggs, and coffee in family-friendly settings across America, becoming famous for consistent quality and friendly service. Their extensive menu included lunch and dinner options that kept families returning throughout the day.
3. Chi-Chi’s
Chi-Chi’s introduced Mexican dining to Middle America. The restaurant popularized chimichangas, fried ice cream, and freshly made salsa, serving them in festively decorated rooms that recreated Mexican marketplace atmosphere. Their signature margaritas and enthusiastic servers made every meal feel like a celebration.
2. Gino’s Hamburgers
Gino’s Hamburgers combined fast food with sports celebrity appeal. The restaurant chain, co-founded by football star Gino Marchetti, served fresh-made burgers, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Sirloiner steak sandwich in clean, family-friendly settings. Sports memorabilia and athlete appearances made dining an exciting experience for young fans.
1. Sandies
Sandies created a new standard for airport dining in America. The restaurant served fresh sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items in modern, comfortable settings that helped travelers relax between flights. Their quick service and quality ingredients made airport dining enjoyable rather than merely convenient.
