The 8 Poshest Movie Theater Snacks

Quick: Name a few foods that people usually eat in the movie theater. Popcorn, obviously. Maybe nachos, pretzel nuggets with cheese sauce, or a hot dog if they feel like waiting for hot food. Overpriced candy as well, most likely. But in recent years we've come a long way from the same old snack bar, and some movie theaters are revolutionizing dining in very posh ways. 

Alamo Drafthouse is a rapidly expanding Texas-based movie theater chain that's known for more than just its dining options — they also really, really love movies, setting up their own film festival, roadshow, and film distribution arm. They also take their food seriously. Brunch dishes, pizzas, burgers, and even fresh-baked cookies are available, but if you're looking for a snack, you can choose from menu items like mini banh mi hot dogs, roasted garlic hummus dip, wings, fried dill pickles, and loaded fries. 

AMC has always been great for stadium seating and clean theaters, but they've been really upping their luxury game recently with their Cinema Suites, complete with couches and dine-in options at nearly 20 locations across the country. Snack options vary by region, but may include pizzettas, Thai shrimp or carne asada tacos, truffle Parmigiano-Reggiano fries, buttermilk biscuit poppers, and crab and avocado sushi rolls. 

Cinebistro has nine locations across the country in cities including Atlanta; Vail, Colorado; Miami; and Tampa, Florida, and if you arrive 30 minutes prior to showtime, you can dine right from your seat. All food items are prepared in-house daily, and while the menu changes slightly from location to location, you can expect upscale snacks to include oven-baked goat cheese with dried black figs and balsamic reduction, fig and Brie flatbread, yellowfin tuna tacos, and popcorn calamari. 

The high-end Cinepolis has 11 locations in California and Florida; many have leather reclining seats and IMAX screens. You're more than welcome to grab snacks from their traditional snack bar, but if you're in the mood for in-seat dining, menu items include Asiago arancini, edamame with sea salt, an artisan cheese plate with fresh fruit and nuts, and chicken or vegetable pot stickers. 

Cinetopia has four locations in the Pacific Northwest and Overland Park, Kansas, and each one has an in-house restaurant that allows you to bring your order with you into the theater. Menus vary according to location, but you can expect to find items including artisan cheese plates, flatbreads, spinach artichoke dip, hummus plates, and crispy blue cheese chips under the "Previews" category. 

Latitude 360, with locations in Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; and Pittsburgh, is a full-on adult playground, with bowling, live entertainment, and movie theaters that feature in-seat dining. If you're looking for a snack during your movie, you can choose from offerings including a sweet onion ring tower, Buffalo wings or shrimp, fried pickles, Asian chicken lettuce wraps, and stacked nachos. 

At all six Marcus Theatres Big Screen Bistro locations, a full restaurant menu and cocktails can be delivered to your seat by a ful-service waitstaff. The menu's snacks include fried cheese curds, spicy fried shrimp, Buffalo chicken spring rolls, deep-fried green beans, and fresh tomato and mozzarella bruschetta. 

Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the trendy Nitehawk Cinema single-handedly overturned the law preventing alcohol sales in movie theaters in New York, and is open only to patrons 18 and older. For those looking for a snack instead of a full meal, offerings include a selection of meats and cheeses, homemade jerky, tater tots with queso and scallions, steak skewers, grilled artichoke flatbread, and meatballs with Gruyère and grilled bread.