The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders: A Lesson in Dementia Awareness

Sometimes the wrong order brings the most meaningful moments.

What if the “wrong” meal was exactly the right one?

In Tokyo, there’s a small dining experience with a name that raises curiosity: The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders. The servers are warm, attentive, and live with dementia. At this restaurant, your latte might arrive as an iced coffee, or your salad might be swapped for soup. The surprises are part of the charm.

The idea is not to get every order correct—it’s to spark conversation and build dementia awareness. The founders wanted to show the world that life with dementia can still be full of laughter, connection, and meaning. Guests are invited to slow down, share in the unpredictability, and see the person behind the diagnosis. They leave with more than a meal; they leave with a memory worth keeping.

One caregiver I know recently shared her own reminder of this truth. Her father lives in a dementia memory care community, and she treasures her visits. “Everyone is so in the moment and authentic,” she told me. There’s one resident who always reaches for her hand, noting how cold it feels, and gently warms it between his own. Sometimes he tells her he loves her. She always answers, “I love you too.”

He does not remember her name. She knows it does not matter.

Moments like these show that dementia may take a loved one's skills and abilities, but it never takes their humanity. The brain can lose its grip on daily tasks and still hold tight to connection—whether through a smile, a favorite song, or a warm touch.

A loved one may lose their skills and abilities, but they will never lose their humanity.

When caregivers approach dementia with dignity and understanding, the journey can hold moments of joy, humor, and deep love. Yes, there are challenges—but there is also light.

So when you hear the word dementia, I hope you also think of this: The meal might not be what you ordered, but the love served alongside it is always genuine.

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Amy Shaw, PA

Founder, Better Dementia