The USA’s non-indigenous history is short in comparison to other countries. However, despite this, it’s full of historic restaurants that give diners a glimpse back into the past. Think small inns and taverns that played witness to the American Revolution, as well as restaurants that can count presidents among their diners – whether that be as part of a campaign trail or as a casual stop off for the head of state to unwind. All have their place in American history.
As Boston’s oldest restaurant, Union Oyster House has played host to many historical figures. It was once President John F Kennedy’s favourite spot for Sunday lunch and it also claims to be the first place to use toothpicks in the USA. However, before it started serving food in 1826, the building was already entangled in history as Louis Philippe I lived here in 1796 – the late King of France (1830-1845) who was exiled after the outbreak of the French Revolution.
New Jersey’s oldest running restaurant is The Black Horse Tavern & Pub, which opened its doors in 1742. The restaurant has continued to lean into its heritage by presenting diners with American classics such as chicken pot pie and whole Maine lobster with baked potato and drawn butter. However, it also boasts of updating its menu "to post-revolutionary war standards" by providing contemporary dishes such as vegetarian burgers.
The Bright Star opened its doors in 1907 to serve classic Southern seafood with a Greek twist. It has become so popular that in 1996 it was even acknowledged as an Alabama state landmark by Senator Howell Heflin in the United States Congressional Record. Anyone keen to visit one of Alabama’s most favoured restaurants can expect to tuck into broiled shrimp, gumbo (an aromatic soup-stew) and fried snapper.
The Clinton House has served as a crucial pit stop for travellers since it opened its doors in 1743 because it sits on the popular travel route between New York and Pennsylvania. Guests can stay at the inn’s accommodation, which has retained its colonial aesthetic with a modern twist, while its restaurant serves up a range of burgers and classic American dishes such as Yankee pot pie, lobster rolls and New York strip steak.
Many restaurants in the USA have witnessed major historical moments, but Concord’s Colonial Inn has actually played an active role in them. As the inn’s structure was built in 1716, the building was present during the American Revolution (1775-1783). As a result, it became a storehouse for arms and provisions. When the British came to seize the weapons and supplies, men fought them at the North Bridge, making Concord’s the site of an unprecedented event in US history.
Columbus Inn has served food to many Western historical figures, such as American soldier and bison hunter Buffalo Bill and renowned sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Although diners won’t eat the same dishes as these people did in the past, the inn serves meals such as brick-fired pizzas and steak. However, the history of Columbus Inn can still be seen within its walls, which were built in 1798 and have played host to numerous businesses including bakeries and bars.
Named after John Gadsby, an Englishman who began leasing the tavern and its sister hotel in 1796 (although it had been operating as a tavern since 1770), the building has played host to guests such as presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and James Monroe. Today, the tavern part of Gadsby’s is a museum showcasing the heritage of the building as well as the local community. However, the restaurant still exists in the conjoining hotel.
The Golden Lamb restaurant has had its fair share of historical figures walk through its doors since 1803 – no less than 12 US presidents have broken bread at the tables. It has also been a popular spot with literary legends such as Charles Dickens, James Whitcomb Riley and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The restaurant’s name has historical significance too, as it references the once common practice of hanging a cut-out lamb outside as a way of marking the business for customers who couldn't read.
The Griswold Inn opened its doors in 1776 and continues to operate as a tap house, inn and restaurant today. It has retained its traditional New England aesthetic with old photographs adorning the walls, wooden panelling and dark wood furniture. As Essex sits by the coast, diners can indulge in seafood dishes such as golden fried shrimp and clam chowder (a rich and creamy soup). However, the menu also offers contemporary options like Korean barbecue chicken.
Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury opened its doors in 1716 and has witnessed the American Revolution (1775-1783), American Civil War (1861-1865) and many other political conflicts since. As such, it leans into its heritage by preserving its wooden beamed ceilings, grand fireplaces and period decor. Its menu presents dishes from classic New England cuisine, including oysters, clam chowder and lobster rolls.
Mader’s opened its doors in 1902 to serve predominantly as a brewery and bar to appeal to the big German population that had immigrated into the area. However, when the Prohibition was enacted in 1920, it adapted to focus on serving up classic German dishes. It has become extremely well known for its pork shank with apple demi glaze, red potatoes and choice of red cabbage or sauerkraut (a finely cut raw cabbage), which has been served for more than 100 years.
This restaurant was originally a house built in 1737 for French colonist Louis Frasier. As a result, it stands out among the buildings of Mississippi for its chic French aesthetic, which includes a brick-walled cellar. In 1962, the house was taken over by Mary Mahoney, alongside her husband and brother. They have upheld the French interior of the restaurant and present a seafood menu to modern-day diners, which includes crab meat and shrimp.
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern was built in 1728. Since then, it has witnessed many political moments in US history, such as the American Revolution and American Civil War. It has also played host to notable political figures such as President John F Kennedy, who held a press conference in the upper tavern, and former First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who stayed overnight when on a fox hunting trip. Modern-day celebrity guests include actress Elizabeth Taylor.
When the Harrison family received their tavern licence in 1745, they opened Rocky Hill Inn & Tavern. The eatery believes that President George Washington enjoyed the inn when he visited Rocky Hill, but there's no evidence confirming this. It has also been part of the set of the 1994 film IQ about theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. Although the inn, which shut during World War II, remains closed, the restaurant has continued to feed guests with burgers, wings and more.
The ’76 House is believed to be one of the oldest taverns in the USA since it was built in 1668. However, by the time of the American Revolution in 1775, it had become a key meeting place for patriots and, during this time, also became a make-shift prison for British military officer Major John Andre. As a result, the restaurant is now referred to as "Andre’s Prison".
Love this? Follow our Pinterest page for more food inspiration
The Cranbury Inn is entrenched in history dating back to the mid-1700s, although the business officially established itself in 1780. The inn was heavily embroiled in the American Revolution and, as such, many artefacts suggest it witnessed many important developments in history. Figures such as Chinese politician Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, the Prince and Princess of the Netherlands, theoretical physicist Albert Einstein and actress Brook Shields have all dined here.
In 1877, The Palace Restaurant and Saloon opened on Prescott’s famous Whiskey Row – an area that became full of saloons. However, it was The Palace that became a popular spot for men to check work notices, host political races and organise cattle spreads. As a result, it remains one of the oldest frontier saloons in Arizona. It has sustained some serious damage over the years, including a fire in 1900 which caused the entire property to be rebuilt.
Villa Tronco, which sits in a 19th-century firehouse, is South Carolina’s oldest restaurant. Like many of the historic restaurants in the USA, it has humble beginnings. In 1901, the Tronco family (who founded the restaurant) ran a fruit stand in Columbia. Sadie Tronco, known as “Mama”, began selling spaghetti and meatballs on the side for extra income during World War II. However, they became so popular that the family turned the stand into a permanent restaurant in 1940.
Ye Olde Tavern has gone through many name changes since the restaurant was built in 1790. However, it’s so old that it was part of Vermont before the state became recognised as part of the USA. It has been operating under "Ye Olde Tavern" since 1976, a name which recognises its lengthy heritage. Currently, diners can expect to tuck into dishes such as lobster bisque, New England scrod (a classic way of preparing fish filets) and the state’s classic Vermont butter (an all-purpose butter).
The secret rooms within Antoine’s Restaurant speak of a covert past. The restaurant, which opened in 1840, has a concealed doorway in the women’s bathroom which leads to a drinking den that was used during the Prohibition (1920-1933). It also has hidden rooms for Mardi Gras "crewes". The restaurant is home to many New Orleans’ famous dishes, such as chicken creole (seasoned chicken simmered in tomato sauce) and Oysters Rockefeller (oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with a rich sauce of butter).
Although grand-looking, The Berghoff had small beginnings. It started as a mere beer stand at Chicago’s World Fair in 1893, run by German immigrant Herman Berghoff. Fast-forward five years and the stand had become a restaurant centred around alcoholic drinks. Of course, this had to change when the Prohibition hit in 1920. So, Berghoff began serving up German dishes such as potato pancakes, schnitzel (a thin slice of meat) and bratwurst (a type of sausage made from pork, beef or sometimes veal).
A small sandwich shop in Jackson’s Farish Street may not seem like a grand restaurant fit for the history books, but this eatery has no doubt fed some of the most influential figures behind the Civil Rights Movement since opening its hole-in-the-wall in 1939. Medgar Evers, the assassinated Mississippi leader, held strategy meetings in Big Apple Inn as he rented the apartment above the restaurant. One of the Big Apple Inn's most famous dishes is its pig ear sandwiches.
This restaurant in Decatur has become somewhat legendary among the barbecue fan community. It’s the home of the original "Alabama white", which is a sauce made from vinegar, mayonnaise and hot pepper. However, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q has humble beginnings. In 1925, founder Robert "Big Bob" Gibson hand-dug a barbecue pit and set up a makeshift table in his backyard to serve slow wood-smoked chicken and pork.
Looking at Columbia today – a restaurant which operates across an entire block of Ybor City in Tampa – you’ll find it hard to believe that this culinary institution started as a very small café. The restaurant opened its doors in 1905 by a family who still own it today. Dishes stick to its Spanish heritage by serving up black bean soup, paella, stuffed baked grouper (a type of fish) and the Cuban sandwich, which some believe was invented here.
Fraunces Tavern is so entrenched in history that it even has a museum on-site. Opened in 1762, the restaurant has witnessed the American Civil War unravel. It was here that President George Washington hosted a dinner for his troops to bid them farewell before returning home on December 4, 1783. Today, its menu pays homage to the tavern's role in major historical events, including dishes such as a slow-roasted chicken pot pie, which was Washington’s favourite.
The Log Inn opened in 1825 as Noon Day Stage Coach Stop and Trading Post – making it one of the oldest coach stops in the USA. Since then, it has become a pretty famous stopover. In 1844 it served Abraham Lincoln, who dined here while travelling in the Midwest as part of Henry Clay’s presidential campaign. Modern-day diners can follow in Lincoln’s footsteps by tucking into family-style dishes such as grilled catfish and roasted ham.
If you’ve ever wondered who invented the hamburger, then look no further than Louis’ Lunch, which opened in 1895. The Library of Congress officially recognises it as the birthplace of hamburgers. In 1900, a customer asked for something they could eat on-the-go and in response restaurant founder, Louis Lassen, placed lobbed steak trimmings between two slices of white toast. The hamburger was born.
The White Horse Tavern is in the running for being one of the oldest taverns in the USA. It opened its doors in 1673 under the ownership of William Mayes Senior. He later passed ownership of the establishment to his son, William Mayes Junior, who was a notorious pirate. Some believe that his pirate ghost haunts the tavern, which has encouraged diners to keep visiting in the hopes of witnessing the supernatural. Aside from this, the tavern is also famous for its clam chowder.
Ye Olde Centerton Inn has been used as a pit stop for travellers since it opened its doors in 1706 as the eatery was located along a popular trading route. Since then, it has held onto its 18th-century aesthetic in all six of its dining rooms. The menu has been updated with contemporary dishes using local meat and fresh seafood. It also offers a vast cocktail menu which includes the popular Coconut Old Fashioned.
Since the family-owned restaurant opened its doors in 1896 it's not stopped serving up Southern Neapolitan Italian cuisine. However, despite its popularity, Rao's has never upsized its original and small New York location. With only 10 tables available, the only way to dine at this restaurant is if you have "table rights" as a regular or go with someone who does, such as film director Woody Allen. The restaurant does take-out for aspiring diners who don’t have celebrity friends.