Time Traveling Through Food: Here Are America’s Oldest Restaurants

White Horse Inn (Since 1850)

Not to be confused with the White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island, this inn is located in Metamora, Michigan. After more than a century of successful operation, the building deserved some renovations. That restorative work was done from 2012 to 2014, and now it’s better than ever.

Once a stagecoach resting spot, this restaurant has a menu with local dishes befitting every self-respecting cowboy. One such dish is the cowboy mac and cheese, and another one is the venison chili.

The Hancock Inn (Since 1789)

Dating back to the days of the French Revolution, The Hancock Inn in New Hampshire was founded by Noah Wheeler. In 1787, Wheeler got to the area and saw how big and successful it was going to be. Two years later he owned the inn.

There were other taverns around back then, but Wheeler was the first one who thought of offering sleeping arrangements as well as yummy stomach fillers. To this day, this is exactly what the place does.

Cranbury Inn (Since 1780)

There once were two neighboring taverns in New Jersey. For a while, the two operated separately until they decided to join forces. The two establishments were merged into one, turning into a multi-purpose establishment.

Other than having a dining room, the place also served as a justice of peace office space, a barn, and a dance hall. This collaboration was proven fruitful as the restaurant is still up and running. Happy diners at the Cranbury Inn are welcome to enjoy the history as well as the shrimp.

Glur’s Tavern (Since 1876)

If you ever get to travel in or around Nebraska, you would do well to make a stop for lunch in Columbus. This town used to be busy with gold prospectors back in the days of the Black Hills Gold Rush. The traffic was ideal for a restaurant to open, which is how we got Glur’s tavern.

Standing tall and fully operating, the tavern serves its many diners up until today. The place is famous for its great burgers eaten in the Western atmosphere. One of the most famous clients of this eatery was Buffalo Bill.

Ye Olde Tavern (Since 1790)

As its name might suggest, Ye Olde Tavern is indeed, very old. Established in the year of 1790, the place was initially named Stagecoach Inn. Similarly to other restaurants on this list, it did serve as a resting spot for stagecoaches, but things changed, and the name became somewhat irrelevant.

In the 1970s, the place went through renovations and changed its name to Ye Olde Tavern. The place has been fully modernized but it can still send you back to the 18th century with its antique kitchenware and good old-fashioned dishes.

Carolina Coffee Shop (Since 1922)

When the grandparents of North Carolina want to take their grandchildren on a trip down memory lane, they go to Carolina Coffee Shop. Located in Chapel Hill, this sweet restaurant is the oldest one in North Carolina.

After surviving a world war and economical lows, it’s pretty safe to say there’s nothing this place can’t handle. Carolina Coffee Shop prides itself with no less than six menus: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, small bites, and drinks & cocktails. There’s truly something for everyone.

The Log Inn (Since 1825)

Indiana’s crown jewel, The Log Inn, was founded by Henry Taub in 1825. It is located on what is now known as the US 41, a strategic place that has allowed it to take part in several history-shaping events such as hosting Abraham Lincoln.

The place started out as a simple place where stagecoaches could stop for a quick rest. It grew and expanded over the years, turning into a full-blown tavern with a dance hall added to it. Road trippers swinging by simply must try the famous fried chicken.

Antoine’s Restaurant (Since 1840)

Opening a business, let alone a restaurant is anything but easy. This is why most people these days don’t do it until they feel old and wise enough. As it turns out, Antoine Alciatore felt that way when he was only 18 years old.

He must have had a great business sense as his establishment operates until this very day. The most famous restaurant in New Orleans has been serving its French-Creole food to anyone and everyone – from Franklin Roosevelt to Pope John Paul II.

Hays House (Since 1857)

When founder Seth Hays opened Hays House back in 1857, it was merely a log cabin used for serving food and trading. With the strategic location on the Santa Fe Trail, Hays House enjoyed a steady stream of clients and good business.

In 1886, the place started catching fire and was nearly destroyed. But legend tells that the locals and loyal customers rushed to save the restaurant, which has been operating until this very day. Visiting the place is like taking a history class in the best way possible.

The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Since 1916)

Georgia’s oldest restaurant is located in Thomasville and is a little more than a century old. The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster bar has been in business since 1916 and it still serves its many happy customers great seafood and cocktails.

On its first days, the eatery was pretty small and had no more than 26 seats. Now, however, with its century-old reputation and experience, it has room for as many as 500 diners. Originally serving mostly Greek guests, the restaurant started with a menu of Greek-style dishes, some of which are still being served.

Breitbach’s Country Dining (Since 1852)

Founded in 1852, this restaurant was purchased by Jacob Breitbach and given its current name in 1862. The business is still owned by the Breitbach family, which has been running the place for six generations and counting.

An Iowa gem, Breitbach’s Country Dining is a great source of pride for the locals who like to stop by for some deep-fried pork tenderloin. They love it so much that they've helped rebuild it twice – once in 2007 when it burned down, and once in 2008 when it absurdly happened again.

The Buckhorn Exchange (Since 1893)

This place is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t mind taxidermy wildlife staring down at you while you devour a juicy steak with some nice beer, then this Colorado establishment is for you. Not only is it one of America’s first steakhouses, it is also the first place in the state to legally sell liquor.

Most of the business’s clientele now is local families but initially, the locals were completely different. When it was first built, founder Henry H. Zietz hosted in his restaurant railroad builders and miners as well as silver barons and Native American chiefs.

Scholz Garten (Since 1866)

As its name might suggest, Scholz Garten was founded by a German. His name was August Scholtz and he moved to the US in 1866. Back then, there was a prominent German community in Austin, Texas, and those were the first people to enjoy Scholz Garten.

Soon after, the place became a center for German culture featuring a bowling alley with no less than six lanes and a professional club. The restaurant is America’s first beer garden and Texas’s oldest business.

Olivia’s Bistro at The Historic Skagway Inn (Since 1897)

Founded in 1897, the Historic Skagway Inn was built to serve the people who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush. Back then, the immense traffic of people looking for gold in Alaska made the then-district blossom.

Gold Rush Alaska left modern-day Alaska with some historic sites and monuments to see. One of those is the inn’s restaurant, Olivia’s Bistro. The place takes great pride in its locally sourced seafood dishes. Specifically, their halibut cakes and king crab legs.

Kelly’s Logan House (Since 1889)

Located in Wilmington, Delaware, this building was purchased by the Kelly family in 1889 and it is still owned by the family to this day. The place was named after General John A. Logan, who was a general during the American Civil War.

Initially, the place functioned as a hotel with an operating restaurant. The hotel kept a tradition of hosting St. Patrick’s Day gatherings. However, in the past few decades, the hotel has been closed, but the restaurant is still open.

Old Ebbitt Grill (Since 1856)

Now within an arm’s reach from the White House, the Old Ebbitt Grill was set in different locations throughout the years. It’s been in its current location since 1983 but it opened way back in 1856. Initially a saloon, the business has changed over the years until it finally became a restaurant.

As the oldest restaurant in Washington DC, it has been able to outlast many presidents. Grover Cleveland, Teddy Roosevelt, Andrew Johnson, and William McKinley are just a few names of its frequent visitors.

Union Oyster House (Since 1826)

Walking along Union Street in Boston, you’re sure to stumble upon the Union Oyster House. Actually, this sentence would hold true decades, and even a century ago. Sure, it hasn’t always gone by that name, but that is to be expected from a business that first opened its doors in 1826.

Originally named the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House, the place has seen revolutions and wars, remaining one of the few constants throughout the years. One of its famous diners was none other than John F. Kennedy, who has even had a favorite booth.

North End Tavern & Brewery (Since 1899)

West Virginia will forever be linked to John Denver’s hit Take Me Home, Country Roads. But true locals know that their true glory is the North End Tavern & Brewery. Not only does it serve good old-fashioned sports bar food, it has an array of excellent locally brewed craft beers to drink.

This is West Virginia’s oldest restaurant and brewery, and they take their craft brews very seriously. They oversee every step of the brewing process so they can vouch for the quality of their materials and guarantee that there are no preservatives involved.

The Village Tavern (Since 1847)

The Village Tavern can be found in Long Grove – a suburb of Chicago. It was founded only a year after Abe Lincoln got a seat at the House of Representatives, representing Illinois. Cut to nearly two centuries later – the restaurant still stands, serving numerous diners.

It is currently the oldest bar and restaurant in Illinois, and there are no signs of it changing any time soon. Some of the tavern’s best-selling dishes are the corned beef and the French onion soup. These dishes are best enjoyed by live performances of local talents.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse (Since 1910)

Despite being dubbed one of the best steakhouses in the United States, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma actually started out as a café. It was turned into a steakhouse when the café’s original owner lost it in a game of dice to a man named Gene Wade.

After winning the place, Wade turned it into the landmark it is today – carnivores’ heaven. Cowboys and cattle farmers alike have been enjoying this place for more than 100 years. Still, non-cowboys will be warmly greeted as well if they feel like trying some quality meat cooked on quality grill.

The Red Fox Inn & Tavern (Since 1728)

Certain things in life take time. Boiling an egg properly takes about 15 minutes. Getting a college degree takes four years. Becoming a grandparent can take as many as 60 or 70 year. But apparently, that kind of time means nothing to the Red Fox Inn & Tavern.

Founded in 1728, this place has been serving hot dishes to happy diners for nearly three centuries. When a restaurant has been around for so long, you can bet that it has served a wide array of people. If we were into namedropping, we would mention that some of those people were Tom Cruise and John F. Kennedy, but we’re not so we won’t.

The Bright Star (Since 1907)

This Alabama establishment was founded in 1907. It started out as a small café that could seat no more than 25 diners at once. Years came and went and the business has since evolved into a full-blown restaurant with room for over 300 guests.

Other than longevity, The Bright Star is known for its seafood gumbo and pies. The continuous commitment of the owners to the place is what’s made it such a special landmark withstanding the test of time.

The Griswold Inn (Since 1776)

Two important things happened in 1776: the first is the USA declaring its independence, and the second is the foundation of The Griswold Inn in Connecticut. Unsurprisingly this makes the place Connecticut’s first bar.

Other than enjoying a good plate of food and a good room to spend the night in, it is also recommended to take a historical stroll through the building and its rooms. For those of you who don’t feel like taking the trip, you can watch the inn serving as filming set for the TV show Dark Shadows.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House (Since 1860)

This tavern first started operating in 1860 and hasn’t stopped since, which makes it the oldest of its kind in Philly. The place was founded by Catherine and William McGillin, a couple of Irish immigrants who initially called the place the “Bell in Hand Tavern.” The name “McGillin’s” was commonly used by their frequent diners until it finally stuck.

The sense of time travel is strong at McGillin’s. With true vintage signs from ancient next-door businesses that are no longer there, you can’t help but hope to see Abraham Lincoln coming in for dinner.

The Palace Restaurant and Saloon (Since 1877)

Picture a western saloon – swinging doors, cowboy hats, and some wooden furniture. That was exactly what The Palace Restaurant and Saloon looked like in 1877 when it first opened. 23 years later the place was destroyed in a fire.

Good thing that it has earned some solid clientele in its first years. Those people helped the place recover, and a year later it was back in business, serving the cowboys who loved it so much. Going in is like going through a time portal and being sent to the Wild West.

Pekin Noodle Parlor (Since 1911)

Chinese food is usually not that hard to find in the US. Especially in big cities such as New York or Los Angeles. But it seems that the oldest operating Chinese restaurant in the US is actually located in Butte, Montana.

Serving noodles and other East Asian dishes since 1911, this restaurant was the first to bring such exotic flavors to the palettes of local Montana folk. The menu and dishes haven’t changed much over the years and this might be the reason as to why this place has been thriving for so long.

Tadich Grill (Since 1849)

The oldest continuously operating restaurant in San Francisco started out as a mere coffee stand. It was bought by a Croatian immigrant named John Tadich in 1887, who soon expanded it into a seafood restaurant.

The place became known as the first of its kind in the US grilling its seafood using mesquite charcoal. In 1928 the place was bought yet again. This time it was purchased by the Buich family, who moved it to where it currently is but kept the previous owner’s name.

J. Huston Tavern (Since 1834)

One of the stopping points on the Santa Fe Trail is the J. Huston Tavern. Others may know it as the Arrow Rock Tavern (named after the town it’s located in), or simply The Old Tavern (seeing as it is very old). It was founded in 1834 by Joseph Huston (hence the official name), who was a judge.

There’s more to this eatery than just being the oldest one in Missouri. Guests can enjoy the signature fried chicken in one of the tavern’s three rooms or the taproom and tell their friends they are having lunch at the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi.

Golden Lamb (Since 1803)

Ohio turned into its own state in 1803, which is also the year when the Golden Lamb was formed. The place was founded by a man named Jonas Seaman, who spent as many as four whole dollars on a license for what was then called “a house of Public Entertainment”.

The Golden Lamb is the oldest hotel and the oldest restaurant in Ohio. Over the years, no less than twelve of America’s presidents have had the chance to enjoy the establishment’s hospitality. This is an all-American landmark with food to match that status.

 Weidmann’s (Since 1870)

In 1870, Swiss immigrant Felix Weidman opened his restaurant-hotel and called it the European House. After his death, Weidmann’s son, Phillip, was the legal owner of the business. He moved it to a different location and changed its name to “Taft and Weidmann’s”.

The restaurant has since switched locations several times. It moved to its current location only in 1923 and can now be found in Meridian, Mississippi. Some of the restaurant’s most famous dishes include peanut butter crocks and black bottom pie.

The ’76 House (Since 1668)

This Tappan, New York tavern has been in business before the United States even existed. As you’d expect from a restaurant of its time, its first clients were English and Dutch settlers. Since it’s been around for so long, no one can personally vouch for the restaurant’s exact age. However, some say the Dutch were the ones to build it in 1668.

The place played an important part in the Revolutionary War – it used to be a meeting point for people on both sides of the war. Some even say that both George Washington and Benedict Arnold had meals there – on separate tables of course.

Miners and Stockmen’s Steakhouse & Spirits (1862)

In the mood for feeling your cowboy fantasy? Feel like resting your spurs and enjoy a dish of satisfying food? Take a trip to Hartville, Wyoming, and visit the Miners and Stockmen’s Steakhouse & Spirits. This veteran eatery has been serving cowboys since 1862.

The building screams Wild West architecture with its wooden façade and iron front sign. The state takes great pride in the restaurant’s steaks. However, it seems that other than eating what might be the best steak you’ve ever had, there isn’t much to do in Hartville. You see, the 2010 census says that there are only 62 people living there.

The Old Talbott Tavern (Since 1779)

The Old Talbott Tavern served its first dish in 1779 and has never been closed since. Legend has it that the rooms in the tavern accommodate guests that have never left. With a fair share of the spooky urban legend surrounding it, the place is known to some as the Old Stone Tavern.

Another one of those urban legends says that different historical figures still haunt the place. In fact, this Kentucky tavern has willingly tapped into that legend and named each room after the character supposedly haunting it.

White Horse Tavern (Since 1673)

With architecture typical of 17th century America, looking at the White Horse Tavern is like looking into history. This restaurant in Rhode Island was often visited by the Founding Fathers. This place is a true colonial-era establishment, you can be sure it has served interesting characters over the years.

Some say that the place is haunted. But when you take into account all the people that have passed through it, it’s hardly surprising. One of the tavern’s most popular dishes is the beef Wellington. Be sure to give it a taste if you think of stopping by.

El Farol (Since 1826)

Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the El Farol restaurant has pretty much seen all kinds of people. It started out as a saloon, seeing dueling cowboys or a regular basis, and now it serves its food to average locals and their families.

When touring the streets of New Mexico, the desert climate can be overwhelming. This is why this place is often seen as an oasis. Serving Mexican food as well as steaks, El Farol is also great for dinner and a show combo, as it features live entertainment.

The Old South Mountain Inn (Since 1732)

1732 was the year of great things being born. One of those things is George Washington. Another thing is the Old South Mountain Inn. This charming Maryland inn is bursting with history, serving people through wars, revolutions, and periods of economic turmoil.

It is said that the inn’s hospitality services were used by John Brown as he sought to end slavery. If you feel like breathing some historical air and witness the hospitality firsthand, pay the place a visit. Oh, and don’t forget to try the crab cakes.

The Bluebird (Since 1914)

When everyone around is trying to keep up with the latest trends, it’s good to know some places still do things the old-fashioned way. With over a century’s worth of experience, The Bluebird has definitely proven itself as an establishment.

Located in Logan, Utah, this restaurant was founded by Guy Cardon, Julius Bergsjo, and M.N Neuberger in 1914. It was originally meant to sell ice cream and candy, but business was good, and the menu has since expanded to include proper meals containing food groups other than sugar.

Red Circle Inn & Bistro (Since 1848)

Wisconsin is well known for its successful cheese industry. It has also made a name for itself in the beer brewing field. The truth is that it should also be known for the Red Circle Inn & Bistro, as it serves the state’s premium beer and cheese.

Francis Schraudenbach, who moved to the States from Bavaria, founded the place in 1848. In the 1880s, the place was purchased by Fredrick Pabst, the man behind the local beer brand – Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR for short). He is the one who gave the place its current name, after the beer logo.

Huber’s Café (Since 1879)

Originally founded named “The Bureau Saloon”, this restaurant had its name changed by Frank Huber, who bought it in 1891. Back then, Huber’s used to offer a good deal on a drink-turkey sandwich-coleslaw combo.

Huber’s café can be found in Portland, Oregon, where its happy diners can enjoy that same traditional turkey sandwich, as well as a variety of other dishes. Another famous Huber’s staple is the Spanish coffee, containing coffee, nutmeg, whipped cream, and several brands of liquor.