The Cinema World Restaurant in South Korea

If you’re a geek like me, then this latest installment of unique places to eat in the world will be right up your alley.  It’s called the Cinema World (or CW) Restaurant and it’s located in Daegu, South Korea.  Run by a guy named Woong Cho, this restaurant is really part eating establishment and part museum.  The museum side of it - a massive horde of sci-fi and fantasy collectibles that would make any true collector pass out from shock and awe.

Though they do serve food here, the primary attraction is not the menu.  From movie props, to action figures, to toys, to statues and busts and more, CW features one of the most impressive gatherings of collectibles in existence.  The entire top floor of this three-story building is devoted to the museum.  Cases are lined up along the walls and displays placed center-stage showing off rows upon rows of collectibles from Star Wars, Terminator, Predator, Star Trek, Harry Potter and countless others.  There’s even a life-sized C-3PO and R2-D2 replica set, a pair of statues that cost the owner about $400,000 (in case you wanted to drool some more).  There is also plenty of super hero and cartoon memorabilia to round it all off.

This collection isn’t just a what’s-what of the things you can buy anywhere with a little Internet searching.  Many of the items are limited editions, the kinds of things that people line up for days in advance in front of comic and science fiction conventions to get a chance at buying.  Some of them are even custom made items, paid for by the owner’s devotion to his own geekiness.

The second floor features the actual restaurant.  While this is certainly not the main reason for visiting, the food apparently gets good reviews and isn’t grossly overpriced, so it might be worth having a bite while there.  According to Cho, he set up the restaurant as a way to support the museum.  Go figure.

Despite Cho’s intention of setting the museum up to inspire kids’ imaginations and remind adults of their own fond childhood memories, it’s not all philanthropy.  It’ll cost you around $3 USD to get in ($2 USD if you’re a kid).  Still, it’s well worth it to be that close to so many amazingly delicious items - the collectibles, that is, not the food. Check out a bunch more pics of the place here.

CW photo courtesy of kotaku.com