Cities around the world love to promote their new and exciting restaurants, but sometimes it’s the golden oldies that say the most about a place. One of the best ways to learn about America is to get to know its historic restaurants. These restaurants aren’t all necessarily each state’s oldest (though many are) but each represent an important slice of US history. If visiting the area, be sure to check to see if each restaurant is open, offering takeout or providing social distancing during COVID-19.
Founded in 1907, this family-run restaurant was recognized in the United States 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 versions of Southern seafood classics like gumbo, fried snapper throats and broiled shrimp. Curbside pick-up and delivery is now available too.
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 bed and breakfast, while the restaurant makes the most of local Alaskan seafood. Specialties like Alaskan halibut cakes and king crab legs come highly recommended but the bistro also serves less fishy fare like 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. The place was opened in 1922 by Monica Flin 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 that historic feel. Punters can order food for delivery, too.
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 restaurant started in 1910 as a smokehouse, founded by current pitmaster James Jones’ grandfather. The tiny restaurant sits on the main floor of Jones’ house and serves 12-hour smoked pork by the lb or sandwiches with white bread and slaw. 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 the really old spots are in San Francisco. Opened in 1861, The Old Clam House is the oldest restaurant in the city to remain in its original location, even surviving the famous 1906 earthquake and fire of San Francisco. Unsurprisingly, the restaurant is known for its ultra-fresh Pacific seafood. The Old Clam House is currently closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic – check the website for updates.
It’s not a surprise that one of Colorado’s most historic restaurants embraces the rugged outdoors. Buckhorn Exchange bills itself as Denver’s “original steakhouse” and oldest restaurant, having opened in 1893. The decor features over 500 pieces of taxidermy, made from animals hunted by the family that originally opened the restaurant. The food matches the atmosphere with a menu filled with meats like buffalo, elk, quail and, of course, steak. This photo shows the restaurant pre-COVID-19.
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 to have created the hamburger. The burgers are made with five cuts of beef and served the old-fashioned way on slices of white sandwich bread. Still family-owned and operated, it's now run by the fourth generation of the original owners and has a reputation for friendly service. Opening hours are currently altered due to COVID-19 (check here for details) and takeout is available.
The history of the Columbus Inn lurks in the building itself. Originally built in 1798, the building has housed everything from a bakery to a dive bar that attracted famous visitors like Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley. Currently it’s an upscale restaurant specializing in elegant seafood dishes, steak and brick-oven pizzas. Having recently reopened, the restaurant is operating at 30% capacity.
Since 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab has been treating Miami locals to fresh, locally-caught seafood. 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. The restaurant is currently closed for dine-in customers but is offering takeout.
Known as the oldest restaurant in all of Georgia, The Plaza first opened its doors in 1916. The restaurant has a long history of Greek ownership, which shines through with specialties like fried calamari and Greek-style chicken that are served alongside more traditional Southern fare. Seafood is the star of the show though. Customers love The Plaza's oysters, served raw or steamed on the half shell, as oysters Rockefeller, or with a very popular 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. It's also open for takeout from Tuesday– Sunday.
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 Bergoff has been an institution in Chicago for well over 120 years. It started when German immigrant Herman Berghoff put up a beer stand at Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. It turned into a permanent restaurant in 1898, focusing on beer before shifting to German food when Prohibition hit in the 1920s and 30s. The restaurant re-opened its bar after Prohibition, receiving Chicago’s very first liquor license. Now customers come in for the beer as well as schnitzel, brats and potato pancakes. The restaurant is also accepting pick-up orders.
Built in 1825, this rustic Indiana restaurant has the distinction of being one of the oldest stage coach stops in America. Abraham Lincoln paid a visit to the inn in 1844, as did many other luminaries as they traveled through the Midwest. The Log Inn specializes in ham and roast beef family-style dinners, but guests can also choose from items like catfish, crab-stuffed shrimp and quarter chickens. Carry out is currently available too.
The oldest restaurant in Iowa is located in Balltown, a tiny community home to less than 100 people. The original restaurant was opened in 1852 by the present owner’s great-grandfather. Over the decade, it's been rebuilt twice due to fires, but 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
This restaurant 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. Carry-out pizza is now available too.
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 during exile; Jesse James reportedly left bullet holes in a bedroom; and Bishop Alexander Walters was born here. Today, horses are swapped for cars out on the road but hearty fare is still firmly on the menu.
Arguably, there is no American restaurant more historic than Antoine’s Restaurant. Widely considered the oldest continuously-running restaurant in the US, eating at this French Quarter restaurant is a dream for foodies around the world. Opened in 1840 by Antoine Alciatore (and still run by his family), Antoine’s serves high-end French-Creole cuisine and claims to be the birthplace of oysters Rockefeller and eggs Sardou.
Built as a train car by the Pollard Company in 1927, the Palace Diner has always sat stationary in Biddeford and is one of only two Pollard cars left in America. The car is old but the food is fresh. The current owners reopened it in 2014 with a menu full of nostalgic breakfast and lunch dishes. Currently, the Palace is only open for takeout due to COVID-19; check the website for updates.
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. It’s been “The Horse” for almost 50 years now and is beloved as a party spot that serves great pub grub.
While there is some argument as to what is America’s longest continuously-running restaurant, Union Oyster House is certainly a contender. The restaurant has been in the same building since 1826 but the building itself dates back to before the American Revolution. As for the food, it is indeed an oyster house but also sells plenty of other seafood, including lobster and clams. Both pick-up and curbside takeout is currently available.
Built in 1848 as Metamora’s general store, the White Horse started life as a stage coach stop in 1850, evolving into an essential overnight spot for those traveling by railway. It continued as an inn and restaurant, gaining its current name in the 1920s. After a rough patch about a decade ago, it reopened in 2014 with a historic theme and a homey comfort food menu.
An iconic diner decorated to look like a railway car, many people recognize Mickey’s Diner without even knowing where it is. Designed by the Jerry O’Mahony Company in New Jersey, Mickey’s has been in St. Paul since 1939 and has been featured in art prints, television shows and movies. The food is pure classic diner fare, with burgers, patty melts and all-day breakfast usually on the menu. It's currently open for takeout only; check the website for updates.
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 with grits.
When it comes to BBQ in America, 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 the recipes from Arthur Bryant himself, whose brother Charlie was one of the originators of Kansas City-style barbecue. The food is simple, with smoked meat trays full of ribs, ham, beef and pulled pork, served with Bryant’s sweet and tangy signature sauce.
Built in 1910 to serve the Great Northern Railway, this rustic hotel and restaurant sits at the entrance of Montana’s Glacier National Park. Usually, restaurant staff stand at the balconies to welcome the incoming train, a tradition that stretches back to the chalet’s beginnings. The restaurant features a 100-year-old fireplace and a fine dining menu. Check the website for availability.
Johnny’s Café looks and feels like a blast from the past, but that’s just the way its Omaha regulars like it. The original owner, Frank Kawa, founded it in 1922 and called it “Johnny’s” 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. Hours are altered due to COVID-19 but curbside pick-up is currently available too.
At over 80 years-old, Casale’s is the oldest continuously family-operated restaurant in Reno. It originally opened as a fruit stand but 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 lasagna, pizza and garlic bread with a marinara dipping sauce are all fan favorites.
The Fox Tavern is part of the Hancock Inn, the oldest continuously-operating inn in New Hampshire. It opened in 1798, during the first year of George Washington’s presidency. The Fox Tavern is named not after the animal, but historical owner Jedediah Fox. The food is designed to reflect the bounty of New England, made with farm-to-table regional ingredients. The Tavern is known for its Innkeeper Sunday Supper, a prix-fixe meal with a menu that changes every week to reflect what’s fresh. The dining room is currently open Wednesday through to Saturday and takeout is available by reservation too.
Another old American stage coach stop, the Black Horse opened in Mendham in 1742, in a building that was the farmhouse of Ebenezer Byram. The former inn is now home to two restaurants, the larger Black Horse Tavern as well as a casual pub. The pub is open for dining in, takeout and delivery, with comforting menu items like Maryland crab cakes, baby back ribs, burgers and a four-person prime rib to-go dinner.
The most famous restaurant and bar in Santa Fe is also the oldest. 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 after the popularity of the bar. Guests love the patatas bravas and grilled artichokes as well as the paella and sangria.
New York is full of exciting historic restaurants, but the king of them all has to be the Fraunces Tavern. American founding father John Adams once said his meal at Fraunces was “the most splendid dinner I have ever seen.” Since it first opened in 1762 it’s seen many different owners and names, but today it's home to a museum as well as a dining room that serves dishes like the signature filet mignon on a stone, slow-roasted chicken pot pie and corned beef hash. It's currently offering pick-up and delivery.
The oldest restaurant in the college town of Chapel Hill, the Carolina Coffee Shop is usually a favorite of 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, typically 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 barn 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 with baked potatoes and other traditional side dishes. The restaurant is currently offering takeout too.
Founded in 1803, the Golden Lamb is almost as old as the city of Lebanon itself. Proprietor Jonas Seaman hung a cut-out of a lamb outside the joint, a common way of marking a business for customers who couldn’t read. Twelve US presidents have visited the inn and restaurant over the years. The current menu features standards like burgers and salads as well as historic selections like hickory-smoked prime rib and noodles with ale cheese.
It'll come as no surprise that this steakhouse, and Oklahoma’s oldest continuously-running restaurant, first opened to feed cowboys who brought their wares to Oklahoma City. First opening in 1910, Cattlemen’s is known for its Western flair and thick, juicy steaks. The restaurant sits in the Stockyards City part of town, where cattle haulers would bring cattle to the processing plants. Even movie cowboys like Gene Autry and John Wayne have eaten here. Beef-lovers can currently get takeout too.
Portland’s most beloved seafood restaurant was opened by an actual person named Jake. Jacob Lewis Freiman opened his restaurant in 1892 and it quickly did indeed become famous, with celebrities like actor Humphrey Bogart, baseball manager Casey Stengel and pop star Madonna all stopping in over the years. It continues to serve top-notch seafood dishes like oysters on the half shell, scampi, and crab and shrimp-stuffed salmon. Food is available for pick-up and delivery too.
The people behind McGillin’s Olde Ale House like to boast that they’ve survived both the Civil War and Prohibition, and are still pulling pints of beer 160 years after first opening in 1860. Originally opened as a tavern 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. It's currently open for indoor and outdoor dining, but check for updates.
While many restaurants claim to be the oldest continuously-running or the oldest family-run, the White Horse 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 classic farm-fresh food.
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. Eighty years later, the restaurant still serves Mama’s delicious recipes and is run by the same family. Limited indoor seating is currently available.
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 – there are only two items available at dinner. Choose from steak wrapped in bacon or vegetarian spaetzle. Picky eaters need not apply!
Take a look at America's most historic pies whose recipes haven't changed
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 many Hollywood filmmakers. Elvis Presley was once a regular, which makes the café’s peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwich taste even more thrilling. You can order online for pick-up and delivery too.
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 in Lockhart has been there 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 500lbs (227kg) of meat at a time. This is traditional Texas barbecue, with hunks of oak-smoked brisket and ribs still served up on butcher paper-lined trays. Pick-up and local delivery is on offer now too.
Bluebird Restaurant represents a particularly sweet slice of Utah history as it started out as a candy and ice cream shop in 1914. Over the years it has retained its long soda shop counter and still sells its signature hand-dipped chocolates. The restaurant is currently undergoing a renovation but customers can get specialties like chicken fried steak, mustard-glazed pork chops and fried chicken to-go.
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. Today it serves food like cranberry fritters with Vermont butter, lobster bisque, roast Tom turkey and New England scrod (haddock or cod). Indoor and outdoor dining and takeout is now on offer.
Virginia is a state full of history and The Red Fox Inn and Tavern, a stone building that has stood since 1728, has seen plenty of it. It was frequented by John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline, who would stay overnight while fox hunting. Elizabeth Taylor and her husband John Warner also often ate here. The restaurant is currently offering dining on its outdoor terrace, as well as limited seating in the tavern, serving a four-course chef’s tasting menu.
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, the Lockspot doesn’t exactly fit in with the trendy restaurants in the Ballard neighborhood, but it’s been a fixture in the area for over 100 years. Unsurprisingly, the specialty is seafood, particularly traditional fish and chips.
In operation since 1914, Tomaro’s is West Virginia’s oldest family-run Italian bakery and is still in its original location. But more importantly, it’s famous for its pepperoni rolls, which are West Virginia’s official state food. The bakery makes 60 dozen rolls a day and they’re considered by many to be the best in the state.
Take a look at these recipes for classic American restaurant dishes to make at home
Milwaukee has always had an enormous German population – that’s why it’s home to so many of America’s breweries. That German history is beautifully reflected at Mader’s, which has been a Milwaukee institution since 1902. It started as a bar but shifted to food service during Prohibition, specializing in German cuisine. It's still family-run today and patrons love Mader’s famous 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 destination but the restaurant is nothing to sneeze at, serving up Rocky Mountain oysters, slow-roasted prime rib, chicken fried steak and other Western grub.