Waiters at this Japanese restaurant constantly get the orders wrong — but customers never complain

Ordering is more of a guessing game at this unique cafe in Japan. People visiting there never get exactly what they asked for—but it's strange that, despite this, no one seems to mind. Rather than annoying the visitors, the confusion creates a unique dining experience that makes customers want to come back for more. Tokyo has long been the capital of wonderfully weird cafes, and nestled in its Sengawa suburb is this dining experience that lives up to the city’s quirky charm. The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders is a 12-seat pop-up where the menu is often a surprise.

The staff at this cafe are senior citizens living with dementia, creating a dining experience that’s as unexpected as it is heartwarming, as reported by GOOD. The introduction page of the cafe reads, “You might think it’s crazy. A restaurant that can’t even get your order right. All of our servers are people living with dementia. They may or may not get your order right.” They added, “We hope that this feeling of understanding will spread across Japan and throughout the world.” Reports say the servers get the orders right only 40% of the time — but amazingly, 99% of customers still leave happy, as reported by Your Tango. Everyone smiles or laughs together when the staff makes a mistake.

It becomes a joyful time that makes the employees feel better and less embarrassed. The restaurant promises that even if your meal isn't what you picked, it's still a plate worth enjoying, because everything on the menu is delicious and special. That little twist might just be the secret behind their satisfaction scores. The cafe’s story began when a previous owner’s parent was diagnosed with dementia. Wanting to create something meaningful, the new owner opened the doors for a special cause—a dementia-friendly café. Partnering with the local government, they now welcome individuals with dementia from the community.

Here, since the seniors with dementia connect with others, that kind of social interaction plays an important role in helping to slow the condition’s progression. Several social media users have praised the concept of the cafe and shared their experiences. One X (formerly Twitter) user, @bolakaleakin, wrote, “That's a unique and thoughtful concept. The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders not only provides a dining experience but also raises awareness about dementia by simulating the unpredictability people with dementia may face in their daily lives.” Another person, @BuiTrongQuoc, claimed, “Restaurant of Mistaken Order's dishes are all very delicious so that even if they bring the wrong dish, diners can still enjoy many delicious dishes.”

A third X user, @GeorgeH97853795, commented, “This is absolutely what the world needs right now. Great respect for the Japanese culture and the commitment to their elderly and infirm.” Similarly, another one, @CarolanneMainl1, chimed in and said, “Totally love this concept. It reminds me of all the shared love and joy between social care practitioners and supported people in daycare for people with dementia.” The restaurant ensures its servers have plenty of support, using color-coded table numbers and order forms to make things easier. Yui Iwata, who helps manage the cafe, explained that if people better understood dementia, it would make it easier for those with the condition to go out into the world.