Who doesn’t get all warm and fuzzy with nostalgia thinking of posing with the gorilla and anxiously awaiting the famous rainstorm? Well get ready to return to the jungle at everyone’s childhood favorite restaurant with Rainforest Cafe New York opening this fall.
No this is not a hoax. NYC is actually getting its first Rainforest Cafe—but only for a limited time. It all started when the Empire State Building posted an April Fool’s joke announcing that a Rainforest Cafe was coming to the observatory. And though it was just a prank at the time, an actual Rainforest Cafe pop-up is making its way to the landmark’s 86th floor.
Customers can snag a seat to Rainforest Cafe New York between October 3rd – 6th from 10am to 8pm. The highly-anticipated event will feature an exclusive food menu (yes, their Rasta Pasta will still be available) and special Rainforest Cafe x Empire State Building merch.
So though this won’t be a permanent fixture in NYC, it’s definitely something you can’t miss while it’s in town. Eager diners will need to purchase a ticket for admission during the pop-up’s four-day run.
Rainforest Cafe first opened at the Mall of America in Minnesota by founder Steven Schussler. The restaurant’s first model was actually created in his home. It apparently took him around three years and nearly $400,000 before showing anything to investors, Schussler wrote in his memoir. That model eventually scored him a $1.2 million investment to kickstart the first public Rainforest Cafe.
There are currently 20+ Rainforest Cafes worldwide. The nearest permanent restaurant location is in Edison, New Jersey at Menlo Park Mall. There’s also a location in Atlantic City, NJ and Niagara Falls, NY.
Learn all there is to know about this nostalgic spot on Rain Forest Cafe’s website.