There are many wonderful restaurants with fascinating histories across the US. We've picked out 39 of America’s longest-established establishments and highlighted just what makes them so special.

Est. 1916: Georgia’s oldest restaurant isn’t in its initial location and has had numerous owners but that hasn’t stopped this eclectic eatery with its large and diverse menu from becoming an essential part of the local landscape.

Est. 1910: Often confused with Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Fabens, Texas, folklore has it that this Oklahoma City icon was won in a game of dice. Its unpretentious approach to country-style cooking and down-to-earth prices has won it legions of fans over its 100-odd-year history.

Est. 1908: San Francisco has a rich variety of historic eateries. One such place is John’s Grill – faithfully decorated in dark oak paneling and mementos. Not only is it one of the settings in classic tome The Maltese Falcon, the restaurant’s famous patrons list is a roll call of some of the most significant figures in American history.

Est. 1908: Widely known as just ‘Coles’s’, this restaurant in the Historic Core of downtown LA was so-called because it began life at the terminal for the now-defunct Pacific Electric Railway. It’s remained open ever since (if you turn a blind eye to the 18-month-long renovations that took place in 2007) and is where the French dip sandwich is said to have been conceived, although Philippe’s – another LA restaurant that’s been running since 1908 – also lays claim to this culinary invention.

Est. 1907: Established by a traveling musician from Italy who wished to share the secret chili recipe of a family he’d met in South America, Varallo’s was, and still is, a low-key sort of place that continues to do what it’s always done very well – serve hearty, affordable soul food.

Est. 1905: Believed to be the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US (and Florida’s longest serving) this Tampa institution is still owned by the family that founded it. As well as Spanish fare, there are Cuban dishes on the menu here and at its five sister restaurants around the state.

Est. 1903: Famed for its notable guests: some notorious (Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane); others celebrated (Teddy Roosevelt, John Wayne), Legends has been sizzling up steaks for more than 100 years and shows no signs of stopping. You’ll find it in the Franklin Historic Hotel and Gaming Complex on Deadwood’s Main St.

Est. 1902: Famous in the Midwest, and frequented by personalities and racing car drivers, St Elmo’s Steak House is a cordial establishment that’s served wet-aged steaks and its own memorable signature cocktail sauce since the beginning of the last century.

Est. 1895: This cute burger joint has been serving burgers since before WWI, though back then the meat came between two slices of toast (to be fair, burger buns had yet to be conceived). Whatever purists have to say about the true definition of a burger, Louis’ Lunch has been satisfying the appetites of New Haven residents with theirs since the 19th century.

Est. 1893: The Buckhorn is not only a restaurant festooned with stuffed game, it’s a museum and also has the honor of being a National Historic Landmark. Open for more than 120 years, the meaty menu hasn’t changed much over time – diners can still tuck in to alligator, buffalo, Gramma Fanny’s pot roast, and the house specialty, Rocky Mountain Oysters.

Est. 1890: After the iconic Fior D’Italia in San Francisco closed in 2012 after serving customers since 1896, the mantle for America’s oldest continually-serving Italian restaurant has been passed onto Roma Café in Detroit. It has, says Zagat, been open since 1890, although it’s changed hands over the years.

Est. 1887: This classic Michelin-starred chophouse in Williamsburg started life as a café, billiards and bowling alley. It was popular until Peter Luger himself died, when it fell out of favor, Luckily, it was rescued by local businessman and fan Sol Forman and today is still under Forman family management. Selling some of the best dry-aged best steaks in the state, it retains its Michelin star and is regarded as an American classic.

Est. 1886: The oldest café and cocktail lounge in Washington may have moved across the street in 1958 but it’s never closed its doors to patrons and is open 8am until (very) late for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are proudly made from local ingredients.

Est. 1885: In a city with an abundance of excellent steakhouses to choose from, having a USP is always beneficial. With Keens, it’s its long-held reputation as an iconic chophouse adorned with evocative memorabilia (including the world’s largest collection of churchwarden pipes, no less), which adds to the unique atmosphere.

Est. 1882: One of Michigan’s oldest continually-operated taverns, Sleder’s was opened by a Bohemian immigrant in the working class neighborhood of Slabtown. It remains an essential part of the community and one that serves no-nonsense fare – guests can choose from a range of baskets (such as chicken fingers or shrimp), sandwiches, soups and burgers, while a drink can be enjoyed at the original mahogany bar. And it’s mandatory to kiss the moose!

Est. 1881: The oldest continually-operated restaurant in Tombstone has a notorious past. In 1881, when the newly-erected building was called the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Virgil Earp (Wyatt’s brother) was shot upstairs shortly after the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He survived and so has the establishment – it’s now a key attraction in the city that's appreciated for classic American and Mexican dishes.

Est. 1880: Described as Maryland’s oldest family-owned restaurant, Cotton Geatz’s is currently under fifth-generation ownership. Established by German immigrants, this American Grill – which moved location to the present site in 1905 – is well regarded for its relaxed ambience and seafood dishes.

Est. 1870: Established by a Swiss immigrant who worked as a chef on a transatlantic steam ship, Mississippi’s oldest eatery relocated in 1923 but hasn’t moved since so expect a genuine experience. It’s a mainstay in the area, loved for the comfort food it’s always specialized in – think fried green tomatoes with 1870 sauce, and shrimp and grits – and there are even complimentary crackers and peanut butter on each table (a Weidmann’s tradition since the 1940s).

Est. 1868: Located in the Meatpacking District – once a gritty area and not the desirable Manhattan neighbourhood it is now – the Old Homestead started serving steaks not long after the Civil War ended. Today there’s a substantial menu and two other eateries in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Est. 1863: This restaurant, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, has a chequered history. It’s been rebuilt and renovated more than once – it once resembled a French chateau but was rebuilt in 1909 in neo-classical style – and survived numerous reversals of fortune. But even though Prohibition shut it down for a time The Cliff House survived and today it's a highlight of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and especially liked for its Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Est. 1861: Once known as the Shady Villa hotel, this bankside inn is currently being restored – expect the restaurant to re-open in April 2017, followed by the hotel. Although the renovation project is expansive the inn will still capitalize on its history as the oldest hotel and restaurant in Texas and its distinctive guests of days past such as Jesse James and George Custer, which are sure to attract crowds.

Est: 1861: Unlike some of America’s oldest dining haunts, this waterfront eatery has stayed in the same spot for more than 150 years – an impressive achievement given that it survived the famous earthquake and fire of 1906. The atmospheric wooden building has evolved over time but the bar still houses the original structure and the restaurant serves a plethora of fresh seafood.

Est. 1857: Built by Seth Hays as a restaurant and trading post on a prime spot on the busy Santa Fe trail, the establishment has a fascinating past, having been used – as was common in those days – for various purposes, including a court, postal office, theater and church. Now a National Historic Landmark, it’s remote but well-liked and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Est. 1858: Iowa’s oldest eatery has been run by the same family since 1862 and is such a local landmark that when the original building was devastated by fire in 2007 and, unbelievably, again in 2008, the community rallied round to rebuild it. Classic American home cooking made from scratch and a warm, hospitable welcome is what you’ll find here.

Est. 1849: The oldest restaurant in California is still going strong, offering the freshest seafood dishes on starched white tablecloths in San Fran’s Financial District. It’s authentic, bustling and always busy – expect to stand in line, but it’s worth it.

Est. 1840: If there’s one place that oozes history it’s New Orleans, and it’s here that the oldest Creole restaurant in America continues to delight customers. Many illustrious guests have dined on the French-Creole dishes served in this fine dining restaurant that remains as popular today as it ever was. Incredibly, this institution is still owned by descendants of Antoine Alciatore, the original proprietor and, it’s said, the inventor of Oyster Rockefeller.

Est. 1837: It’s moved from its original location and, like many establishments, closed during Prohibition, but these mere technicalities didn’t stop Esquire naming this New York favorite as one of America’s Five Best Restaurants Older Than 100. And for good reason as Del’s, as it’s affectionately known, has a distinguished past. Notable guests Roosevelt and Mark Twain dined at its tables while Baked Alaska, Delmonico Steak, Lobster Newberg and possibly Eggs Benedict were invented here.

Est. 1835: Serving Spanish tapas this delightful restaurant has been offering “warmth” and “light” (the English translation) since 1835, alongside sharing plates well before they became a trend and nightly entertainment.

Est. 1834: Built by Joseph Huston Senior from Virginia this tavern has been “serving meals to travelers along the Santa Fe Trail since 1834”, catering to countless immigrants heading west. Over the years it’s expanded and now incorporates a bar called the Tap Room and not one but three dining rooms where all-you-can-eat Southern food graces the menu.

Est. 1827: This former warehouse at Faneuil Hall Market has been a successful restaurant and a Boston landmark since partners John Durgin and Eldridge Park opened it in the early part of the 19th century. In keeping with tradition, diners are seated at long, communal tables and the food is All American fare with a generous nod to New England – think clambake, Boston baked beans and plates of lobster.

Est. 1826: The oldest seafood restaurant in the US was originally known as the Atwood & Bacon Oyster House, an eatery that was set up to take advantage of the local oyster craze of the time. Judging by the 190 years it’s been open, it’s a trend that’s never abated. An esteemed local haunt and National Historic Landmark, it was a favorite with the Kennedy dynasty.

Est. 1803: The oldest restaurant in Ohio is also the state’s oldest business. Still going strong after more than 200 years, the Golden Lamb continues its fine tradition of comfortable rooms and quality home-cooked food that includes Turkey Dinners and Ohio-Raised Fried Chicken.

Est. 1796: Voted one of America’s best restaurants for wine lovers by Wine Spectator 2016, The Dorset Inn began life as lodgings but has always fed customers – for the first 100 years by utilizing produce growing or living in the back garden. Today, meals are served in its historic red dining room.

Est. 1789: This B&B has always offered meals to guests. It’s had a few name changes over the years – Fox Tavern, Jefferson Tavern, Patten’s Tavern – but has been the Hancock Inn since the late 1870s. Once renowned for its balls and dances, today the colonial inn continues to provide lodgings while the restaurant, now called The Fox Tavern, feeds and waters guests.

Est. 1776: Esquire named this inn as one of America’s Five Best Restaurants Older Than 100 and it certainly has a time-honored reputation. Named after a distinguished local family, the Griswold has had just half a dozen owners in its 250-year history. Popular during the age of sail and steam when Essex was opportunely situated on the Connecticut River, it even endured Prohibition and today proudly promotes its past.

Est. 1762: This colonial-style tavern on Pearl Street has a noteworthy political past. Not only were the foundations of US government formed in its rooms but the 2nd President, John Adams, declared that he had “the most splendid dinner I ever saw” here in 1774. Today it’s still a restaurant as well as a whisky bar, and there’s a museum in its honor next door.

Est. 1754 (probably): Although there was a bar of sorts at this location earlier, the renovated Dutch-style tavern house here today was built in 1754. As was the custom, food was served with drink, which arguably makes this modest detached building New York state’s oldest tavern. The proprietors of the Fraunces Tavern, however, may disagree.

Est. 1728: Some of America’s oldest restaurants began life in inns or taverns where they catered for the hungry mouths of locals and weary travelers looking to rest their heads for the night. The Red Fox Inn and Tavern in Virginia is one such place. It’s been catering for guests (including the likes of Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Cruise) for 300 years and is thought to be the oldest continually-run inn in the US.

Est. 1673: Although this Rhode Island establishment took a break from being a tavern in the late 19th century until the 1950s, when it was a boarding house, it’s been integral to the community over the centuries not only as a place to eat, drink and sleep but as a makeshift courthouse and meeting point. Today, regardless of its hiatus, it’s commonly regarded as the oldest tavern and restaurant in America.