10 Fun and Unique Dinner Shows in California

California has a lot of culinary diversity with restaurants featuring cuisines from all over the world. It also has a great variety of dinner shows that feature entertainment ranging from jousting matches, magic, murder mysteries, and more. Here's a look at 10 of the best for a unique night out.

1. Medieval Times (Buena Park)

Medieval Times is a family dinner show (see photo above), actually based on authentic Medieval history. Located in several U.S. cities, Buena Park is home to the California location.

When you first enter, check out the Hall of Arms, which has some really cool medieval artifacts. When it's time to be seated in the arena, you'll be called in by section, with each section representing one of the knights in the show. This will become your knight to cheer on throughout the evening.

While feasting on a four-course meal, you'll see some exciting jousting matches, horsemanship, and hand-to-hand combat. Cheer as loudly as you want for your knight and boo his competition.

You should know that when eating, there are no utensils. You eat everything by hand. This was one of my kids' favorite parts of the experience, as we always use utensils at home.

Menu:

• Tomato bisque soup
• Garlic bread
• Roasted chicken
• Herb-basted potatoes
• Corn
• Dessert

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. There are no salt and pepper shakers on the table, so if you think you'll need either, I suggest bringing some small packets of them with you.

2. Marrakech Restaurant, Bar & Hookah Lounge (San Francisco)

You'll feel like you've been transported to Morocco when you step inside the Marrakech. The restaurant is beautifully themed with gorgeous wall décor, low-to-the-ground couches, and comfy decorative pillows. I thought it was quite comfortable and relaxing compared to the normal tables and chairs in most restaurants.

When dining there, you can either order à la carte or select their five-course dinner. Instead of utensils, you'll hold bread that acts as your utensil to scoop up your food. Adding to the fun are the belly dancers who perform twice a night while you enjoy your meal.

Menu:

• First Course: Harira lentil soup
• Second course: Eggplant, tomato, and bell pepper salad
• Third course: Chicken or vegetable bastila
• Fourth course: Numerus entree choices including chicken tagine, lamb kamama, shish kabob, and couscous with vegetables
• Fifth course: Dessert

3. Roaring Camp Mining Company Saturday Night Cookout (Pine Grove)

Enjoy an evening of food, music, dancing, and storytelling when you embark on a five-hour adventure at Roaring Camp Mining Company. You'll start by boarding a pickup truck that will take you on a narrated tour (which I found to be very interesting) down into the canyon, where a campground is located as well as the barbecue area.

You'll have some time to kill before dinner (we arrived at 5:00 p.m., but didn't get to eat until after 8:00 p.m.), so you can visit the museum, take a swim in the river, walk along a trail, or try your hand at panning for gold.

Dinner is served on picnic tables, and there's a stand that sells beverages. After dinner, get ready for music and dancing. When the show is over, you'll be treated to some local storytelling before being transported back out of the canyon to the parking area.

Menu:

• New York steak
• Seasoned potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Salad
• Fried bread

If you're still hungry after round one, feel free to grab some seconds while they're still there.

4. Casa de Reyes (San Diego)

Nestled in historic Old Town San Diego, Casa de Reyes offers a truly Mexican experience. Although you can dine indoors, I highly recommend the outdoor seating as it's in a garden-like setting with huge cacti plants and relaxing water fountains.

From Friday through Sunday, they have live mariachi music and colorful folklorico dancers to entertain you while you dine and sip on one of the restaurant's specialty margaritas.

Menu:

A variety of appetizers are available, including nachos and shrimp ceviche. There's also soup, a selection of salads, and numerous entree choices, which include burritos, tostadas, tacos, and enchiladas, all made entirely from scratch. You have a few choices for dessert, although I suggest trying their amaretto flan.

5. Mystique Dining (Folsom)

Mystique Dining offers a very elegant and intimate gourmet dining and magic experience. Upon entering their Grand Dining Chamber, you'll be seated at a single table that holds 18 guests. The room is very ornate and mystical.

You'll be served a five-course dinner followed by a 45-minute magic show. As the room is so small, there isn't a bad seat in the house. What's really cool is that at times, guests are asked to participate in a magic trick.

When my husband and I visited for the first time, the magician asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday or anniversary. My husband and I raised our hands as we were there for our anniversary and were called up to participate in a card trick which made the evening even more exceptional. (I still haven't figured out how the trick was done!)

What I love about this place is that once you're on their mailing list, you'll be sent lots of special offers, including 2-for-1 dinners and discounts such as 40% off. As far as the menu goes, all are the chef's choices except for the entrée.

Menu:

• First course: Appetizer
• Second course: Soup or salad
• Third course: Palate cleanser
• Fourth course: Choice of prime rib, Cornish game hen, vegetarian lasagna, gourmet macaroni and cheese, or vegan mushroom steak
• Fifth course: Dessert

There are more appetizers and entrees available for an additional cost.

6. The Dinner Detective (Anaheim)

With over 100 locations across the U.S., when in Southern California, you can attend the Dinner Detective in Anaheim, located in Orange County.

As you enter the dining room for the Dinner Detective at the Doubletree Hotel and look around, you won't see anyone dressed in costume and you won't have any clue as to what's going to happen that night.

All you'll see are tables covered in tablecloths, nicely set and waiting for you to sit down. That's because participants in the show are dressed like everyone else. When you sit down, you won't know if you're seated at a table with a victim or even a murderer.

Once the crime has been committed, detectives will arrive on the scene, and throughout the evening, clues will be revealed as to who the killer is. Careful, you might even be accused of being a murderer!

Dine on a four-course meal while trying to help detectives solve the crime. Towards the end of the night, you'll be given the opportunity to guess who the killer is. Don't worry if you guess wrong. I did. In fact, most of the guests attending also got it wrong.

Menu:

• First course: Chef's choice appetizer
• Second course: Caesar salad
• Third course: Choice of Chicken Marsala, Seared Salmon, or Penne Vegetable Pasta Alla Vodka
• Fourth course: Chef's choice dessert

7. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar (San Francisco)

Experience your own tropical hideaway at the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, located inside the Fairmont Hotel. With its Polynesian décor, not to mention its indoor thunder and lightning rainstorms, you get the feeling of being at an island paradise.

The restaurant features Polynesian food, and the bar offers their Tiki classics along with some original cocktails like Hurry Kane and Tonga Kong. The highlight of the evening for me was when the band climbed aboard their boat, and the boat slowly drifted into the middle of the lagoon.

The music isn't just for listening to. There's a dance floor so you can get up and strut your stuff. This is a great place to go if looking for a special date night (I went for my anniversary).

The only negative thing I can say is that you must pay a $20 entertainment fee when the music starts.

Menu:

Food selections include Kalua Pork Sliders, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Hurricane Tenderloin, Veggie Skewers, and Coconut Shrimp & Crab.

8. Diva Royale Drag Queen Show (Palm Springs)

For a night of high energy and crazy fun, the Diva Royale Drag Queen Show will keep you smiling with their talented female impersonators. Be entertained with performances by the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Joan Rivers, Cher, Whitney Houston, and more. Not only are the entertainers lively, but the audience really gets into the show.

With locations throughout the United States, Diva Royale will keep you amused with their music and humor while you enjoy a three-course meal. However, you don't need to buy dinner. You can pay for the show only, but there is a two-drink minimum.

Menu:

A three-course meal and a brunch are offered. Some of the food options include grilled salmon, penne pasta, grilled hangar steak, roasted organic chicken, and vegetable risotto.

9. Murder Mystery Dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train (Napa)

You'll be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine as you step aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for its Murder Mystery Dinner. Depending on which experience you choose, you'll find both actors and guests in theme costumes such as 1920s attire for their Death of a Gangster or glamorous Hollywood attire for the Midnight at the Masquerade murder mystery. (Yes, guests are encouraged to come in costume.)

As you depart Napa for a scenic round-trip journey to Rutherford, you'll be served a three-course gourmet dinner. Unfortunately, something goes terribly wrong during dinner, and a hideous murder is committed. It's now up to you to try to decide who the killer is.

The scenery is amazing along the way, so if you want to experience the beautiful landscape of the area, I suggest you go in the summer months when it stays light longer, and you can take in the lovely views from the train. The train moves rather slowly, so you can take advantage of the many photo opportunities you'll pass by.

Menu:

The menu is seasonal, but here's a sample menu to give you an idea of the food.

• First course: Choice of soup or salad
• Second course: Choice of grilled tenderloins of beef, pan-seared salmon, Grandma's red wine braised beef short ribs, lemon thyme roasted chicken, ricotta cheese gnocchi, and seasonal risotto.
• Third course: Chef's choice dessert

10. Pirates Adventure Dinner (Buena Park)

If you're ready for some swashbuckling fun, head on over to the Pirates Adventure for a night of good food and crazy pirate antics. You'll be seated at row tables facing an 18th-century Spanish galleon where you'll witness daring stunts, cool special effects, and superb aerial artistry.

Just beware, you might even be able to become a part of the show yourself in this good versus evil battle. In my case, my son was called up to participate, and he was so excited to get to become a pirate. For me, this made the evening super special. Feel free to come in your favorite pirate attire, although no weapons are allowed.

Menu:

• First course: salad
• Second course: roasted chicken
• Third course: dessert

A child's meal is available. Additional appetizers and entrees are also available, some for an additional charge.

California Dinner Shows

As you can see, there are quite a few unique and fun dinner shows to attend in the Golden State. Check with the venues to see their hours and entertainment schedule, and make reservations in advance if possible.