Where Meals Meet American History

Some restaurants feel less like businesses and more like living time capsules. In towns and cities across America, a few dining rooms have managed to survive centuries of change, still serving locals and travelers alike. Their menus may evolve, but their spirit remains. Keep reading to discover the 20 oldest restaurants across America and why their stories still matter today.

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1. The ’76 House (1668)

If walls could talk, the '76 House in New York would chuckle about its centuries of playing host. Over the years, it served as Major John André's prison during the Benedict Arnold conspiracy. Now, legend says his ghost still haunts the dining rooms where guests enjoy authentic colonial décor.

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2. The White Horse Tavern (1673)

Newport’s White Horse Tavern dates back to the 17th century and has a rich history beyond just being a tavern. William Mayes Jr., a former pirate who sailed with the infamous Captain Kidd, took over the tavern in the early 1700s after returning wealthy from his adventures. Under his ownership, the tavern also served as a meeting place for Rhode Island’s Assembly.

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3. William Penn Inn (1714)

As Pennsylvania's oldest continuously operated country inn, the William Penn Inn has evolved from a historic waypoint for generations of travelers into a cherished local landmark. Classic American dining, celebrated Sunday brunches, and elegant ballroom celebrations maintain its legacy.

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4. Concord’s Colonial Inn (1716)

Concord’s Colonial Inn in Massachusetts showcases American independence, with historic walls that once stored revolutionary arms and a Liberty Room honoring patriot pride. Rumor has it that Room 24 hosts ghostly encounters, adding an eerie mystery to this historic landmark after dark.

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5. Buckhorn Exchange (1893)

You might expect white tablecloths and hushed whispers from Denver's oldest restaurant, but the Buckhorn Exchange gleefully defies expectations. Offering Colorado's first liquor license and 500 mounted trophies watching you dine, this wild game haven serves up buffalo and elk with a side of delightful culture.

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6. Red Fox Inn & Tavern (1728)

In Middleburg, Virginia, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern has offered comfort for generations inside its old stone walls. John F. Kennedy once visited this restaurant, and to this day, diners gather for hearty bowls of peanut soup and the warmth of its welcoming fireplaces.

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7. Fraunces Tavern (1762)

Even a 1975 attack couldn't silence Fraunces Tavern's historic voice. The New York City landmark, once a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty, witnessed George Washington's poignant farewell to his officers in 1783. Now, the museum in it preserves Revolutionary War history.

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8. The Olde Pink House (1771)

Built as the Habersham family home, The Olde Pink House showcases a unique pink brick exterior caused by natural seepage. Patrons encounter Southern cuisine while soft piano tunes float upward from the basement tavern, completing the historic Savannah experience.

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9. The Griswold Inn (1776)

Among America’s longest continuously operated inns, the Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut, has weathered history’s storms—from housing British troops during the Revolution to cleverly serving “medicinal” spirits through Prohibition. Its celebrated maritime art collection continues to attract both seafaring captains and silver-screen stars.

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10. Old Talbott Tavern (1779)

Bardstown’s Old Talbott Tavern has stories etched into its stone walls. Abraham Lincoln once stayed here as a boy, and Jesse James left his mark by firing bullets into the murals. Many even believe ghostly visitors continue to wander its historic rooms.

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11. Gadsby’s Tavern (1785)

Museum visitors walk the same Gadsby's Tavern floors where Washington and Jefferson once debated over drinks in Alexandria. The restored tavern-hotel continues hosting its annual George Washington Birthnight Ball, maintaining centuries of remembered hospitality in this historic gathering place.

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12. Bell In Hand Tavern (1795)

After years of shouting headlines and ringing his trusty bell through Boston's streets, Jimmy Wilson decided to let the news come to him instead. As the city's last town crier, he cleverly transformed his vocal talents into hospitality and found the now-legendary Bell In Hand Tavern along the Freedom Trail.

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13. Golden Lamb (1803)

Some say Sarah Stubbs' ghost even roams the halls of Lebanon's mysterious Golden Lamb, a historic inn that's welcomed twelve U.S. presidents from John Adams to Ronald Reagan. As Ohio's longest-operating business, its picture-based name once guided illiterate travelers to shelter in early 1800s America.

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14. Columbia Restaurant (1905)

Commanding attention as the world's largest Spanish restaurant, Columbia Restaurant has been Florida's culinary cornerstone since becoming the state's oldest continuously operating dining establishment. This Tampa landmark delivers authentic Spanish and Cuban flavors while celebrating cultural heritage through nightly flamenco performances.

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15. Union Oyster House (1826)

The bustling seafood bar continues drawing locals and tourists to Boston's historic maritime traditions. Standing since pre-Revolutionary times, Union Oyster House's storied walls have witnessed the evolution of American dining culture. It introduced the nation's first toothpicks and hosted Daniel Webster's legendary oyster feasts. 

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16. J. Huston Tavern (1834)

Judge Joseph Huston's vision for a welcoming establishment transformed Arrow Rock forever, as his tavern became more than a simple stagecoach stop. Today, his legacy lives on in what stands as the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi, where community gatherings and celebrated fried chicken dinners continue his tradition.

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17. Antoine’s (1840)

While Antoine's pioneered culinary innovation by creating Oysters Rockefeller, this New Orleans landmark remains deeply rooted in tradition as America's oldest family-run restaurant. Their commitment to heritage shines through themed private dining rooms and an impressive 25,000-bottle wine cellar beneath historic walls.

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18. Tadich Grill (1849)

When it comes to masterful seafood and soul-warming cioppino, Tadich Grill stands unrivaled in San Francisco's dining scene. This culinary excellence springs from deep roots—the city's oldest continuously operating restaurant evolved from a humble Gold Rush coffee stand into an iconic destination for classic American fare.

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19. Old Ebbitt Grill (1856)

A power broker's playground since its inception, Old Ebbitt Grill reigns as D.C.'s oldest bar, where mounted trophies and historic artifacts watch over political dealmaking. The celebrated oyster bar and classic American cuisine draw capital crowds, culminating yearly in the spirited Oyster Riot festivities.

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20. The Palace Restaurant (1877)

The Palace Restaurant, established in 1877 on Prescott’s famous Whiskey Row, is Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon. Rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1900, it features an ornately carved Brunswick bar dating back to the 1880s. 

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