Relive your childhood memories at these nostalgic restaurants around the world

London, United Kingdom

Old-school fish restaurant Sweetings, which hasn’t let an interior designer inside since it opened way back in 1889, is a fantastic spot for a slap-up meal of fish pie washed down with an ice-cold Coca Cola during Sweetings’ notorious and roaringly busy lunch service. Owing in part to its untouched 19th century surroundings, it’s also the finest place in London to experience new memorable moments with some of your oldest friends as you feast on some deeply nostalgic British desserts. From spotted dick and baked jam roll to sticky toffee pudding and fruit crumble, Sweetings delivers one Recipe for Magic after another, bridging a delicious school dinners-meets-Willy Wonka kind of fix.

New York City, USA

For many first-timers coming to New York City, having the signature mac ‘n cheese at the world-famous Serendipity 3 is a moment that becomes enshrined in their favorite memories. So, when feeling truly nostalgic, go back to indulge in a true Recipe for Magic and share a bowl or two with some old friends (though grownups more often suggest going for the more elevated truffle mac ‘n cheese option), which is best enjoyed with a modern twist—a Coca-Cola. Surrounded by the restaurant’s whimsical decor and your nearest and dearest, you can be 10 years old again (at least until it’s time to pay the bill).

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Canberra, Australia

The Recipe for Magic at this Australian capital gem comes in the myriad of ways childhood nostalgia meets modern sophistication, as it does in the house burger, which offers the standard cheddar, mustard, pickles, tomato and lettuce but with top notch seasoning and ingredients. Their entire menu is filled with Insta-worthy masterpieces, from stuffed French toast to meaty “Tijuana” tacos. However you opt to live out your childhood dreams here—and whoever you decide to bring along to create new memories with—an ice-cold Coke is the perfect topper to the experience.

Hong Kong, China

Tai Ping Koon, one of Hong Kong’s oldest continually running restaurants, has been serving up family-style Recipes for Magic since 1938. Its blend of Western cuisine, modified to suit Chinese tastes, gave rise to uniquely Hong Kong dishes known as “soy sauce western,” all of which are complimented exquisitely by an ice-cold Coke. Hongkongers who have dined here have fond memories of celebrating life’s biggest and most casual occasions alike with countless rounds of the restaurant’s famous Swiss wings, which Tai Ping Koon claims to have originated, as well as other dishes made with their Swiss sauce.

Los Angeles, USA

This iconic L.A. hot dog stand (literally: it’s shaped like a bun and a brat) served up Recipes for Magic beginning in 1946 before closing up shop in 2002. The much-loved venue found a new, expanded home in West Hollywood in 2022, when it started offering menu items beyond classic hot dogs (still of course available with every topping under the sun), including burgers and gluten-free corn dogs in mini, jumbo and veggie iterations, all of which pair pristinely with a Coke. Whether you’re rolling in with kids of your own or a crew of adults who are just kids at heart, you’re sure to create a memorable moment here. You’ll even find a couple menu items made just for our four-legged friends: a steaming bowl of bone broth, plus a skinless hot dog served with bacon-flavored cheese.

Montréal, Canada

If the all-day pancakes and piles of mac n’ cheese and rice pudding don’t take you back in time, the authentic decor at this retro diner will. The vintage tables, royal blue booths and gleaming aluminum finishes come together to create a Recipe for Magic straight out of the 1950s, and the warm staff serving up all the childhood favorites reminds us of home—Beautys is an excellent place to make new memories with your closest friends and family. Come for the retro vibes and ice-cold Cokes served in old-school soda fountain glasses and the buttery and generously piled tuna melt, stay for the moister-than-moist homemade chocolate chip banana bread.

Chicago, USA

A time warp back to yesteryear, Margie’s Candies is the place where anyone can be a kid again. The old school ice cream parlor, decked out in nostalgic photos, Beatles memorabilia and other kitsch may perhaps be best known for their massive sundaes and jumbo ice cream creations, but there are plenty of people who make their way there for hearty deli-style sandwiches that can sometimes overshadow Margie’s eponymous sweets. It’s home to a quarter-pound kosher hot dog, tuna melt and lean corned beef sandwich that kick off the meal extravaganza. For the perfect Recipe for Magic, come with a crew of your dearest dozen loved ones to conquer an array of sandwiches followed by the Royal George—a massive 25-scoop sundae accompanied by syrups, whipped cream, nuts, cherries and sugar cones—all accompanied by icy cold Coke floats.

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Noida, India

When you were a kid, did you dream of the future? Maybe you’d ride a spaceship to Mars…maybe you’d be the president…or maybe…robots would serve your dinner. India’s first talking robot restaurant gives a whole new meaning to a Recipe for Magic, while bringing at least one of your childhood dreams to life (the going to Mars and becoming the president parts, while statistically unlikely, are still possible—keep dreaming!). This family-friendly restaurant has a completely vegetarian menu, with standouts that include tandoori pizza and nachos, all of which wash down magnificently with an ice-cold Coke. There are plenty of actual kids in the restaurant creating new memorable core food moments, so you can all join in on the fun.

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Madrid, Spain

The most important thing to remember when taking your sweet tooth for a ride at Cereal Hunters (where more than 150 boxes of different cereals await you in this spot for lovers of Cheerios, Frosties, Choco Krispies and more) is that this is a place where breakfast is lunch, breakfast is dinner, breakfast can be eaten… All. Day. Long. Here, a trip down memory lane with your siblings, cousins or oldest friends, downing your childhood breakfast faves makes for the perfect space for creating new memorable moments. And there’s something for those friends who have heartier takes on breakfast with our personal favorite—waffles—on order. The best part? It’s not really about “breakfast,” but breakfast meals when you want them. It’s easy to find a Recipe for Magic here that begins with pancakes and pan con tomate paired nicely with an ice-cold Coke and followed by cereal ice cream.

Tokyo, Japan

The Super Sentai, or as they’re known outside of Japan, the Power Rangers, were a cultural touchstone for millions of used-to-be-young people. On the fourth floor above a karaoke bar in Ikebukuro, you’ll find an officially licensed shrine to all things Super Sentai. With incredible decor and tons of dishes inspired by the show, you can turn your childhood memories of pretending to fight Lord Zedd and the Evil Space Aliens into a Recipe for Magic as you nibble on comfort foods like takoyaki and gyoza and sip on a Sprite. Join forces with four fellow Power Rangers fans to each choose one of the five Super Sentai and order their corresponding curry to pledge your continuing allegiance to your very favorite Ranger to seamlessly merge yesterday’s nostalgia with today’s most treasured—and tasty—memorable moments. It’s morphin’ time!

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Sydney, Australia

Walk near Humble, in Sydney’s Surry Hills, and you’ll be drawn in by the smells of freshly baked goods—walk in and you’ll find bakers kneading dough and icing pastries right there in the middle of the café. But their greatness doesn’t stop there. Known for their sweet and savory takes on the nostalgic hot cross buns of generations of childhoods around the world, Humble offers families a beautiful Recipe for Magic: a chance to relive holiday memories and other family gatherings. Pair their “Rue-bun” with some glass bottle Cokes to bring a decidedly old timey vibe to the party.