New restaurants, trends and flash-in-the-pan food fads are all well and good, but when a restaurant has been around for a hundred years or so it suggests something special. These restaurants are some of America’s oldest and most historic – timeless classics that have hosted generations of diners and are still making an impact on dining scenes today. From saloons with a colorful past to characterful inns steeped in tradition, eating at these historic spots is like stepping back in time.
Founded in 1907, this family-run restaurant was recognized in the US Congressional Record in 1996 by Senator Howell Heflin for its status as an Alabama landmark. Located just 20 minutes south of Birmingham, The Bright Star is known for its Greek takes on Southern seafood classics like gumbo, fried snapper throats, and broiled shrimp.
Olivia’s historic significance comes from its location in the Skagway Inn, which was built in 1897 to accommodate prospectors flocking to the Alaska panhandle during the Gold Rush. The inn operates as a B&B, while the restaurant makes the most of local Alaskan seafood. Specialties like Alaskan halibut cakes and king crab legs come highly recommended, though the bistro also serves less fishy fare; think steak and chicken pot pie.
El Charro isn’t the oldest restaurant in Arizona but it earns a special distinction by being the oldest Mexican restaurant in the US to be continuously run by the same family. Monica Flin opened this place in 1922 and legend has it that she also invented the chimichanga after accidentally dropping a burrito in the deep fryer. The restaurant now has several outposts, but the original downtown Tucson location is the place to visit for all the truly nostalgic feels.
The first restaurant in Arkansas to win a James Beard award, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is the epitome of old-school Southern barbecue. The legendary spot started in 1910 as a smokehouse, founded by the grandfather of current pitmaster James Jones. These days the tiny restaurant sits on the main floor of Jones’ house and serves 12-hour smoked pork by the pound, or stuffed into white-bread sandwiches made with slaw. That's it. Jones usually opens daily at 7am and closes when he runs out of meat, often within a couple of hours.
Los Angeles is full of classic restaurants with tales of Hollywood lore, but many of the oldest spots are in San Francisco. Established in 1861, The Old Clam House is the oldest restaurant in the city to remain in its original location, even surviving the famous 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. As the name suggests, the restaurant is known for its ultra-fresh Pacific seafood – order the signature Old Clam House Chowder and you won't be disappointed.
It’s no surprise that one of Colorado’s most historic restaurants embraces the great outdoors. Buckhorn Exchange bills itself as Denver’s original steakhouse and oldest restaurant, having opened in 1893. The unique decor features more than 500 pieces of taxidermy, made from animals hunted by the family that originally founded the restaurant. The food matches the mood, with a menu filled with meats like buffalo, elk, quail and, of course, beef steak galore.
Like other states in New England, Connecticut has plenty of very old restaurants. But Louis' Lunch has important historic significance – it’s recognized by the Library of Congress as the birthplace of the hamburger. Still family-owned and operated, it's now run by the fourth generation of the original owners. The hamburgers are as good as ever, made with five cuts of beef and served the old-fashioned way: on slices of toasted white sandwich bread.
The history of the Columbus Inn lies within the building itself. Originally built in 1798, the premises has housed everything from a bakery to a popular dive bar attracting famous visitors including Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley. Currently it’s an upscale restaurant specializing in classic American dishes with an upmarket twist, as well as steaks, seasonal salads and brick-oven pizzas.
Since opening on Miami Beach in 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab has been serving up fresh, locally-caught seafood of the highest order. Run by the third and fourth generation of the family that first opened the restaurant, Joe’s is renowned for its plates of rare stone crab claws, recognizable by their dark tips, as well as fried chicken and lobster rolls.
Known as the oldest surviving restaurant in all of Georgia, The Plaza has been around since 1916. The restaurant has a long history of Greek ownership that shines through to this day, with the likes of fried calamari and Greek-style chicken served alongside more traditional Southern fare. Seafood is the real star of the show, though. Customers love The Plaza's oysters, which are served raw or steamed on the half shell, as Oysters Rockefeller, or with a Parmesan and jalapeño topping.
Situated on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, the charming, family-run Manago Hotel opened in 1917 and its in-house restaurant is considered Hawaii’s oldest. During the Second World War the restaurant was contracted to feed soldiers stationed in Hawaii. Today, the café retains a nostalgic feel and is most famous for its gravy-smothered crispy pork chops, as well as local fish and seafood.
A rough ‘n’ tumble little place, The Snake Pit’s charm lies in its rustic look and colorful history. The joint's roots can be traced back to 1879 when it catered to railroaders and loggers. Rumor has it that it was once a house of ill repute, but now it’s a woodsy restaurant that serves Rocky Mountain oysters, chicken fried steak, and juicy burgers.
The Berghoff has been an institution in Chicago for well over 120 years. It all started when German immigrant Herman Berghoff set up a beer stand at Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. A permanent beer-focused place followed in 1898, before Prohibition hit and the onus shifted to authentic German food. The restaurant reopened its bar in the 1930s after Prohibition, receiving Chicago’s very first liqor license. Now customers come in for the beer, schnitzel, brats and potato pancakes, and the welcoming atmosphere.
Built in 1825, this rustic Indiana restaurant has the distinction of being one of the oldest stagecoach stops in America. Abraham Lincoln paid a visit to the inn in 1844, as have many other luminaries while traveling through the Midwest. The Log Inn specializes in family-style chicken, ham, and roast beef dinners, but guests can also choose from items like catfish, crab-stuffed shrimp, and quarter chickens.
Breitbach's Country Dining, the oldest food and drink establishment in Iowa, is located in Balltown, a tiny community that's home to fewer than 100 people. The original restaurant was opened in 1852 by the present owner’s great-grandfather. Since then it's been rebuilt twice due to fires but has never once ceased operation and continues to offer family-style meals including a popular buffet. The modern Breitbach’s Country Dining includes a 'wine shed' where guests can sample local bottles.
Check out the fascinating stories behind America's most historic foods
Hays House was originally built in 1857 by Seth Hays, the great-grandson of the legendary Daniel Boone. In its early days the building simultaneously acted as a tavern, trading post, postal office, and local church for those passing along the Santa Fe Trail. Now a National Register Historic Landmark, Hays House is home to collections of vintage crystal and handbags, as well as a homey restaurant serving hearty meals.
Built in 1779, the Old Talbott Tavern is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in the US. Not surprising, then, that it's provided food, drink and shelter to some famous (and infamous) faces over the years. General George Rodgers Clark used the tavern as a base during the American Revolutionary War, King Louis Philippe supposedly stayed here while in exile, Jesse James reportedly left bullet holes in a bedroom, and Bishop Alexander Walters was born here. Today, horses have been swapped for cars out on the road but wholesome, filling fare is still firmly on the menu.
Arguably, there's no American restaurant more historic than Antoine’s Restaurant. Widely considered to be the oldest family-run restaurant in the US, eating at this French Quarter spot is a dream for foodies around the world. Opened in 1840 by Antoine Alciatore (and still run by his family), Antoine’s serves fine French-Creole cuisine and claims to be the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller and Eggs Sardou (New Orleans–style poached eggs).
Built as a train car by the Pollard Company in 1927, the Palace Diner has always sat stationary in the charming city of Biddeford and is one of only two Pollard cars left in America. While the car may be old, the mood (and food) is fresh; the current owners reopened it in 2014 with a menu full of nostalgic diner-style breakfast and lunch dishes.
The Horse You Came in On Saloon occupies a 1795 building known as Baltimore’s oldest saloon and the only bar in Maryland that existed before, during and after Prohibition. It’s also reportedly the last place that writer Edgar Allen Poe was ever seen alive and legend has it he still haunts the place. Known to locals as 'The Horse' for almost 50 years now, this beloved party spot serves great pub food.
While there's some argument as to who exactly deserves the title of America’s longest continuously running restaurant, Union Oyster House, on Boston's Freedom Trail, is certainly a hot contender. The restaurant was established in 1826, but the building itself dates back to before the Revolution. As for the food, it is indeed an oyster house (and the freshly shucked namesakes are very good), but also sells a stellar selection of other seafood, including lobster and clams.
Built in 1848 as Metamora’s general store, the White Horse Inn started life as a stagecoach stop in 1850, evolving into an essential overnight resting place for those traveling by railway. It continued as an inn and restaurant, gaining its current name in the 1920s. New owners took over in 2012 and the renovated restaurant now boasts a stylish design and menu featuring comfort food favorites with a modern slant.
Saloon vibes abound at Neumann’s Bar & Grill. The place that calls itself Minnesota’s oldest saloon was established by Bill Neumann in 1887 with a view to selling beer to the small but thirsty local community. Neumann’s survived the Prohibition era thanks to a savvily located speakeasy and today is more popular than ever, serving up pitchers of icy beer and daily specials – burgers, tacos, Coney dogs and such – alongside live music and a welcoming atmosphere.
Visitors can spot Weidmann’s by its nostalgic neon sign, advertising the fact that the classic Southern restaurant has proudly been around since 1870. Family owned until 1999, the restaurant retains its historic atmosphere with peanut butter crocks and crackers sitting at every table, a tradition dating back to butter shortages. The menu is appropriately Southern, with fried green tomatoes, po’boy sandwiches, and shrimp and grits all making an appearance.
When it comes to BBQ, it doesn’t get more legendary than Arthur Bryant’s. Presidents ranging from Harry Truman to Barack Obama have eaten at this restaurant, which features recipes from the 'King of Ribs' himself. The food is simple yet hugely satisfying; trays of smoked meat groaning with ribs, ham, beef, and pulled pork are served with Bryant’s sweet and tangy signature sauces.
Built in 1910 to serve the Great Northern Railway, this charming hotel and restaurant sits at the entrance of Montana’s Glacier National Park. In a tradition that stretches back to the chalet’s beginnings, staff often stand out on the balconies to welcome incoming trains. Loved by locals and international travelers alike, the Belton Chalet features an early 20th-century fireplace and a fine-dining menu.
Johnny’s Café looks and feels like a blast from the past and that’s just the way its Omaha regulars like it. The original owner, Frank Kawa, founded what started out as an eight-seater saloon in 1922, calling the place 'Johnny’s' simply because the name was already on the side of the building. The decor and menu are both classic steakhouse, with a wide selection of cuts of beef, as well as seafood dinners and all the traditional fixings.
Opened in 1937, Casale’s is the oldest continuously family-operated restaurant in Reno. It originally started life as a fruit stand, eventually became a deli and then a fully-fledged restaurant. The history lies in the Casale family’s recipes, overseen by 'Mama' Inez. The food is old-school Italian-American: hand-rolled ravioli, baked lasagne, pizza, and garlic bread with marinara dipping sauce are all fan favorites.
The Fox Tavern is part of the Hancock Inn, a guesthouse that encapsulates the quintessential New England experience. Named not after the animal, but historical owner Jedediah Fox, the Fox Tavern opened in 1798, during the first year of George Washington's presidency. Although currently closed, the doors of the Hancock Inn and the Fox Tavern are due to swing open again this summer – visit the website for updates.
Another old American stagecoach stop, The Black Horse in Mendham was established in 1742, in a building that was the farmhouse of Ebenezer Byram. The renovated former inn is now home to two restaurants: the larger The Black Horse Tavern, which serves upscale American classics, as well as a casual pub known for its comfort food favorites and live music.
The oldest restaurant and bar in Santa Fe is also the wcith's most famous. El Farol has been a go-to for tapas plates and flamenco performances since it opened in 1835. The New York Times once called it “one of the best bars on Earth” and there’s even an economic game theory problem named in homage to the popularity of the bar. Guests particularly love the patatas bravas, grilled artichokes, paella, and sangria.
New York has a wealth of exciting historic restaurants, but the king of them all has to be Fraunces Tavern. American founding father John Adams declared his meal at Fraunces was “the most splendid dinner I have ever seen” (and, presumably, eaten). Since opening in 1762 the restaurant has seen many different owners and names, but today it's home to a museum as well as The Dining Room, where craft beers and cocktails are served alongside the likes of the signature filet mignon on a stone, slow-roasted chicken pot pie, and corned beef hash.
The oldest restaurant in the college town of Chapel Hill, Carolina Coffee Shop is a favorite among students or anyone else looking for a tasty breakfast or casual lunch. It’s been open since 1922 and remains a vital part of the Chapel Hill community, serving specialties like shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, omelets made to order and, of course, cup after cup of hot coffee.
The Ranch Steakhouse looks like an old barn... because that’s exactly what it is. In 1946, Loyd and Maxine Engh converted the outhouse on Maxine’s family farm into a supper club that quickly became a hit with traveling salesmen working in the Midwest. Nowadays, beef lovers visit the big old barn for thick ‘n’ juicy steaks served with baked potatoes and other traditional side dishes.
Founded in 1803, when proprietor Jonas Seaman hung an image of a lamb outside the joint (a common way of marking a business for customers who couldn’t read), the Golden Lamb is almost as old as the city of Lebanon itself. The establishment has welcomed a slew of guests over the years, including a dozen presidents. The current menu features standards like burgers and salads, as well as a Historic Dining section where dishes such as Ohio fried chicken offer a delicious insight into the state's culinary past.
Given the name, it'll come as no surprise that this 1910-opened steakhouse, the state’s oldest continuously running restaurant, once fed hungry cowboys bringing their wares to Oklahoma City. Located in the historic Stockyards City part of town, where cattle haulers would once bring cattle to the processing plants, Cattlemen’s is known for its Western flair and thick, juicy steaks. So well established is the steakhouse's reputation, even movie cowboys Gene Autry and John Wayne have eaten here.
Portland’s most beloved seafood restaurant, Jake's Famous Crawfish, was opened by Jacob (Jake) Lewis Freiman in 1892. It did indeed become famous, with an array of celebrities including actor Humphrey Bogart, baseball manager Casey Stengel and even Madonna all stopping by over the years. The spot continues to serve top-notch seafood dishes like oysters on the half shell, fish and chips, and crab and shrimp-stuffed salmon.
The people behind McGillin’s Olde Ale House like to boast that this spot has survived both the Civil War and Prohibition, and staff are still pulling pints of beer here more than 160 years on. First opened as a tavern in 1860 by an Irish couple, Catherine and William McGillin, it soon expanded into an oyster house, becoming a fully fledged restaurant with a chef during Prohibition. Inside, you’ll find a collection of signs representing the stores in the neighborhood that McGillin’s has outlasted.
While many restaurants claim to be the oldest continuously running or the oldest family-run, The White Horse Tavern in Newport is accepted as the flat-out oldest restaurant in America. It's a National Historic Landmark, having served guests since 1673. The architecture and fixtures make it clear that this is a very old place, full of stories dating back before the birth of America. Now history buffs come by for upscale farm-fresh food served with a generous helping of history.
The history of Villa Tronco represents the story of many Italian-Americans. The restaurant was started by the Tronco family, who were running a fruit stand in Columbia. 'Mama' Sadie Tronco was renowned for her spaghetti and meatballs and the local community created enough demand for them to turn the fruit market into an Italian restaurant. More than 80 years later, the restaurant still serves Mama’s delicious recipes, and is run by the same family.
The Alpine Inn began life in 1886 as the Harney Peak Hotel. While it still boasts beautifully historic rooms for overnight guests, it’s also home to a quaint restaurant. The menu is a bit quirky and really rather concise – there are only two items available at dinner. Choose from steak wrapped in bacon or vegetarian spaetzle.
With Nashville and Memphis and all of the little towns in between, Tennessee is loaded with culinary history. The Arcade is Memphis’ oldest café – when it first opened in 1919, the food was cooked on potbelly stoves. The restaurant’s trademark retro diner decor was installed in the 1950s and has attracted writers, artists, singers, and Hollywood filmmakers. Elvis Presley was once a regular, which surely makes the café’s peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwich taste even more thrilling.
There is no food more legendary in Texas than barbecue and there’s no barbecue joint more legendary than Black’s. The original Black’s Barbecue has been in Lockhart since 1932 and is run by pitmaster Kent Black, founder Edgar Black’s grandson. The current pit at the Lockhart location was built in 1949 and can smoke up to 500 pounds (227kg) of meat at a time. This is traditional Texas barbecue, with hunks of oak-smoked brisket and ribs cooked low and slow, and served up on trays lined with butcher paper.
Although the building itself has been operational since 1892, Idle Isle Cafe itself opened as a husband-and-wife-run ice cream parlor and candy store in 1921. More family members joined the business and it later grew to become a full-service restaurant (while happily retaining the sweet shop element). Today the place has a pleasingly old-school feel to it, with grilled cheese sandwiches, traditionally-made hamburgers, pot roasts, and meatloaf all complementing the 1920s decor.
Ye Olde Tavern lives up to its name: the restaurant was built in 1790 before Vermont was even part of the United States. It’s always been a fairly elegant establishment and has gone through many names over the years, but has operated as Ye Olde Tavern since 1976. The current menu celebrates both local ingredients and the area's rich culinary background: think cranberry fritters with Vermont butter, traditional pot roasts, lobster bisque, roast Tom turkey, and New Englandstyle scrod (haddock or cod).
Virginia is a state full of history and The Red Fox Inn & Tavern, a stone building that has stood since 1728, has seen plenty of it. It was frequented by John and Jackie Kennedy, who would stay overnight while fox hunting. Elizabeth Taylor and her then-husband John Warner also often ate here. Today The Tavern is known for its seasonally inspired tasting menus with a focus on game and seafood dishes cooked using time-honored techniques.
Located just across the street from Seattle’s Chittenden Locks, the Lockspot Café is considered Seattle’s oldest restaurant. Marked by a folksy mermaid mural, it doesn’t exactly fit in with the trendy restaurants in the Ballard neighbourhood, but that somehow makes it all the more appealing – after all, this place has been a fixture in the area for over a century. The Lockspot is rightly famed for its fish and chips, while the brunch offerings have been getting plenty of attention of late.
In operation since 1914, Tomaro’s Bakery is West Virginia’s oldest family-run Italian bakery and is still in its original location. Famed for its pepperoni rolls – West Virginia’s official state food – the bakery makes 60 dozen of them a day, and they’re considered by many to be the best in the state.
Milwaukee has always had a sizeable German population – that’s why it’s home to so many of America’s breweries. This German influence is beautifully reflected at Mader’s, which has been a Milwaukee institution since 1902. Mader's started as a bar but shifted to become a restaurant specializing in German cuisine during Prohibition. It's still family-run today and patrons love Mader’s pork shank, which has been a menu favorite for over a century.
Known as the Grand Old Lady of Cody, the Irma Hotel has been a Wild West landmark since 1902. It was built by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, who named it after his daughter and spent a small fortune on the opening night party. The hotel remains a popular destination, with the in-house restaurant only adding to the appeal. Here happy diners chow down on the likes of Rocky Mountain oysters, slow-roasted prime rib, chicken fried steak, and other Western grub.