Eater: The Silicon Valley Restaurant Betting Big on Virtual Reality Dining

Mar 9

Why one Silicon Valley restaurant invested big in immersive, high-tech meals

by Cathy Park Feb 16, 2022, 11:00am PST

SinceSince its grand opening last August, modern Chinese restaurant iChina has captured the attention of curious South Bay locals. Located alongside more casual restaurants like Shake Shack and the Cheesecake Factory in Santa Clara’s Westfield Valley Fair mall, iChina spans two stories with its palace-like decor, including massive chandeliers, marble tables, and opulent glass walls.

Later this month, iChina will debut its extravagant virtual reality room, the VR Realm. The experience consists of a full-fledged sensory immersion and a tasting menu that comes with a hefty price tag: a minimum of $4,500 for 10 people. Though the concept may sound gimmicky, iChina is stepping into a domain that remains largely unexplored. The restaurant is one of the first in the U.S. with a virtual reality room; there are only a few other restaurant VR experiences scattered around the world, at upscale restaurants in Shanghai, Serpong in Indonesia, and Ibiza.