Fatty Iguana is Taiwan's first reptile-themed interactive restaurant, combining food, animals and education into a unique dining experience at its venue near National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Owner Yu-Ling Liu, who has an animal sciences background, relocated this establishment from northern Taiwan to Taichung 2.5 years ago to take advantage of the warm climate and spacious environment needed for large reptile habitats. The restaurant houses over 40 species, mostly lizards and turtles, including rare animals like the Asian water monitor and Sulawesi black sailfin lizard.
The comfortable, 40-seat eatery serves popular dishes such as Diced Beef Ribs (NT$370) and Cherry Duck Breast (NT$480).
The restaurant showcases rare and exotic animals including fat-tailed dwarfs, Siamese crocodiles, and Western lizards—rare species that many people never see in person, allowing visitors to get up close to these remarkable creatures.
Beyond interactive animal experiences, the restaurant offers exceptional cuisine. The spacious interior accommodates about 40 guests comfortably. Popular menu items include the signature grass-fed beef ribs (NT$370) and the generous, tender cherry duck breast (NT$480). Each dish is carefully curated to ensure repeat visits. Additional options include eight-inch pizzas, burgers, and fried snacks (NT$40-400).
The creative beverage selection features fun, educational soda names topped with marshmallows, including the Creamy Blue Curacao Soda (aka "Blue-Tongued Skinks Need Sunbathing") and Creamy Strawberry Soda (aka "Ball Pythons Can Actually Climb Trees"), both NT$190.
Fatty Iguana's greatest charm lies in the owner's visible care and heartfelt devotion to every animal under her care. In addition to observing the reptiles, guests can feed and interact with lively meerkats near the entrance under staff supervision. On weekends, a second-floor classroom hosts interactive educational workshops, offering an enjoyable way for adults and children to learn about special pets.
位於美術館附近的胖蜥蜴城市特寵餐廳，是主台首間以爬蟲類互動為主題的特色餐廳，將美食、動物與教育巧妙結合，打造出不同於一般寵物餐廳的用餐體驗。老闆劉于綾具有10年前曾在北部經營，然而台中氣候溫暖穩定、空間寬敞，更適合設置大型生物飼養設施，因此將餐廳遷至台中。目前已深耕約兩年半，也吸引不少親子家庭及動物愛好者慕名前來。
老闆專業於動物相關科系，豐富的動物照護工作經驗。她發現台灣大多數互動餐廳以貓、狗為主，卻缺乏能讓民眾距離認識爬蟲類的空間，因此決定勇敢實現夢想，打造全新的互動平台。店內目前飼養40多種動物，以各式蜥蜴及龜類為主，其中更有世界第二大蜥蜴。
餐廳展示了多種爬蟲類動物供賓客觀賞互動，包括澤巨蜥、以及十分罕見的西里伯斯玳瑁蜥等珍貴物種，讓許多人不用出國，就能近距離欣賞這些平時難得一見的生物。
除了多種爬蟲類動物供賓客互動外，美食同樣令人驚喜。店內約可容納40位顧客，用餐空間舒適寬敞，人氣餐點首推香氣十足的殼子牛（370元）與份量十足又軟嫩多汁的櫻桃鴨胸（480元），每一道都是不少回訪客人的必點料理。另選有8吋披薩配醬條、漢堡（270～400元）或是其他炸物；起士條、雞米花等選項（40～90元）。好喝的飲品也充滿創意巧思，奶油藍相梅打aka藍舌蜥要曬太陽、奶油草莓蘇打aka球蟒其實會上樹（皆190元）不僅名稱有趣又知性，還搭配可愛的棉花糖點綴，無論拍照或品嚐都充滿樂趣。
餐廳最大的魅力，在於讓人感受到老闆對每一隻動物的細心照顧與真心投入。她依照不同動物的習性安排生活環境，甚至經常帶著烏龜到戶外曬太陽，提供最自然舒適的照護方式。店門口旁選住著活潑可愛的狐獴，顧客可以在工作人員引導下互動、餵食，留下難忘回憶。此外，2樓設有小教室，每達週末都會舉辦生物課程，透過寓教於樂的方式，帶領大小朋友認識更多特寵知識。