Daycation Destination: The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights

Horror aficionados have a restaurant dedicated to a year-round Halloween-themed dining experience in Cleveland.

Take a daycation to The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights, where costumed staff serve up frightfully fun food and drinks along with spooky vibes.

It opened in 2021 and is packed with ghoulish decor, offering an eclectic mix of horror-themed cocktails (smoking drinks!) and entrees.

But despite the name, the eatery is family-friendly.

"We believe in our concept, and the horror genre is a winning concept," co-owner Andre Scott said. "We're a destination place."

A movie-themed menu includes pun-intended food items and drinks named in honor of spooky, horror and Halloween-themed movies.

While dining, patrons have ample opportunities for meet-and-greets, photos and interactions with iconic scream-flick characters such as Michael Myers, Freddie Krueger and more.

Caylee Cunningham of Cleveland had to wait to meet Michael Myers of "Halloween" fame and to enjoy a Halloween-themed cocktail.

"I'm not pregnant anymore, and it's a post-baby brunch," Cunningham said while sipping a cocktail.

Cunningham said a spooky atmosphere made for a memorable photo op as Michael Myers mingled with her and a friend — even playfully "stabbing" at them with his fake knife.

Both were brave enough to hold hands with Myers for photos.

Scott emphasized the experience is not scary and the eatery attracts all ages from all over, with folks visiting from South Carolina, Florida and beyond.

Scott said the restaurant offers something for everyone, including vegan options.

Complimentary popcorn is served to all guests, and the menu features horror movie classic-inspired selections such as the Freddy Chicken Finger Platter, Jerk Silence of the Lamb Chops, The Shining Burger, Texas Chainsaw Burger, Chucky Rolls, Nightmare on Elm Street Corn and Rosemary's Platter.

Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday-Sunday, and bottomless mimosas are $28.99 each.

Order a 51-ounce Haunted souvenir potion bowl ($22.99) and watch the smoke rise from the drink made at the table by servers.

Diner Brooke Komm of Denver said the spooky-themed cocktails are fun and the overall vibe is not scary, despite the restaurant's name.

She made sure to get plenty of pics with Myers.

"This is very different and really neat. They're not allowed to actually scare you," Komm said.

Reservations are strongly suggested, but walk-ins are permitted. Be aware that the restaurant has remained very busy and it's only going to become more so this month, Scott said.

October is the busiest month for Haunted House, and reservations are highly recommended to avoid very long walk-in wait times.

The eatery is the only one of its kind in the U.S., but Scott said the brand is expanding with two more locations in Atlanta and Orlando in 2025.

A group of diners from Buffalo enjoyed a girls-only lunch, and some of them asked Myers to autograph their arms.

"I think the food was amazing, and I had the Texas Chainsaw Burger," said Cephanie Soto. "I met Beetlejuice and Michael Myers. We don't have anything like this in Buffalo. The theme is great, and I wish I had this back home."

Carrie Joyce of Buffalo returned for her second visit and had Myers autograph her arm.

"Myers is the show here. He's in demand," Scott said. "We change them up. Different characters are on rotation."

"We just had the best time," Joyce said of her initial visit with her children. "My first visit I ordered the Pennywise (red pancakes), and the flavor was amazing.

"We're so busy all the time," said hostess Ka'Nia Mavery. "The customers scream, laugh, but the kids don't cry."

Cobwebs, cauldrons, flashing lights, music pumping and intermittent announcements to spotlight anniversaries and birthdays invite everyone to join in the celebrations.

La'Miyah Hill, 3, of Canton, Ohio, watched wide-eyed as a server prepared three smoky drinks tableside during a family celebratory birthday lunch in her honor.

Her grandfather, Rob Housel, said they chose Haunted House because La'Miyah is a huge fan of Michael Myers and Jason (from "Friday the 13th" movies) and it was the inaugural visit for the large group.

"The food was excellent, and the drinks were amazing. It was an overall wonderful experience," Housel said.