15 Historic Restaurants In The US That Have Been Serving For Over 100 Years
American dining traditions stretch back through centuries of change, sustained by kitchens that have never stopped serving. Within these walls, recipes are passed down like family heirlooms, creating flavors as familiar today as they were to guests who dined before modern streets filled with cars.
Steakhouses in New York, oyster houses in Boston, and Creole dining rooms in New Orleans all share a common thread: resilience and continuity. To step inside is to feel the weight of history carried not in grand displays but in the rhythm of meals shared, where past and present meet over dishes that have shaped the American table.
1. Keens Steakhouse (New York, NY)
Beneath thousands of clay pipes hanging from the ceiling, diners at Keens have enjoyed perfectly aged steaks since 1885. Once a gentlemen’s smoking club, the restaurant’s signature mutton chop remains legendary.
Theater district patrons, celebrities, and presidents have all savored meals in these historic rooms. The dark wood paneling and vintage photographs create an atmosphere that transports you to old New York.
2. The Victor Cafe (Philadelphia, PA)
Opera fills the air at this Italian gem established in 1918. Originally a gramophone shop where customers could sample records, it evolved into a restaurant where servers double as professional opera singers who perform arias throughout the evening.
Red checkered tablecloths and walls adorned with signed photographs of opera legends create an old-world charm. Their homemade pasta recipes have remained virtually unchanged for generations.
3. Maneki (Seattle, WA)
Withstanding more than a century of history and change, Maneki has served authentic Japanese cuisine since 1904. Family recipes passed down through generations create dishes with flavors that have stood the test of time.
The cozy tatami rooms and traditional decor transport diners to old Japan. Famous for introducing sushi to Seattle long before it became trendy, their handcrafted dishes continue to draw crowds seeking authentic Japanese flavors.
4. Old Ebbitt Grill (Washington, D.C.)
Presidential history permeates this establishment founded in 1856. Teddy Roosevelt hunted big game whose trophies once adorned these walls. Grant, Cleveland, and Harding were regulars at what became Washington’s oldest saloon.
Marble staircases, mahogany paneling, and brass fixtures capture D.C.’s political glamour. Their famous oyster bar continues to be a power-lunch spot where political deals are made over platters of fresh seafood and classic American fare.
5. Fior d’Italia (San Francisco, CA)
Born in 1886 during San Francisco’s gold rush era, Fior d’Italia proudly claims the title of America’s oldest Italian restaurant. Surviving the 1906 earthquake, the restaurant reopened in a tent while the city rebuilt around it.
Generations of San Franciscans have celebrated special occasions here amid the warm glow of chandeliers. Their traditional Northern Italian recipes remain largely unchanged, offering an authentic taste of culinary history with each carefully prepared dish.
6. Union Oyster House (Boston, MA)
America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant opened its doors in 1826. The building itself dates back to pre-Revolutionary times, with low ceilings and uneven floors that speak to its colonial origins.
Kennedy family history intertwines with this Boston landmark – JFK had a favorite booth that’s now marked with a plaque. Their New England clam chowder and freshly shucked oysters have satisfied hungry Bostonians through nearly two centuries of American history.
7. Antoine’s (New Orleans, LA)
French Quarter elegance defines Antoine’s, which has operated continuously since 1840. Five generations of the same family have preserved its legacy of French-Creole cuisine and impeccable service.
The inventor of Oysters Rockefeller never revealed the exact recipe, which remains a closely guarded secret. Fifteen dining rooms, each with unique themes and historical significance, invite guests to explore New Orleans’ rich culinary heritage while savoring dishes prepared exactly as they were a century ago.
8. Columbia Restaurant (Tampa, FL)
Florida’s oldest restaurant began as a small café in Tampa’s Ybor City in 1905. Founded by Cuban immigrants, it grew from a 60-seat corner café into a sprawling Spanish-style architectural marvel spanning an entire city block.
Hand-painted tiles and ornate fountains create an atmosphere of Old World Spain. Their legendary Cuban sandwiches and original “1905 Salad” – prepared tableside with theatrical flair – continue to draw visitors seeking authentic Spanish-Cuban flavors in a setting that feels frozen in time.
9. Warren Tavern (Boston, MA)
Revolutionary spirits linger at this tavern established in 1780. Named for patriot Joseph Warren, who sent Paul Revere on his famous ride, the tavern counted George Washington and Paul Revere among its early patrons.
Low wooden beams and wide-plank floors speak to colonial craftsmanship. Sitting by the original fireplace with a pint of local ale, visitors can easily imagine the founding fathers plotting revolution in these very rooms, making it a living museum of American independence.
10. Golden Lamb (Lebanon, OH)
Stagecoach travelers found respite at this inn and restaurant since 1803, making it Ohio’s oldest continuously operated business. Twelve presidents have dined here, from Harrison to Bush, along with literary figures like Dickens and Twain.
Four floors of dining rooms feature period furnishings and a museum-worthy collection of Shaker antiques. Their famous fried chicken and sizzling lamb chops have satisfied hungry travelers for over two centuries, offering a taste of authentic American cooking traditions.
11. White Horse Tavern (Newport, RI)
America’s oldest tavern opened in 1673 when Newport was a budding colonial seaport. Pirates, sailors, British soldiers, and founding fathers all shared drinks within these ancient walls of red clapboard and massive beams.
Candlelight flickers across wide-plank floors worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Their menu honors Rhode Island’s maritime heritage with locally harvested seafood prepared using traditional methods, creating a dining experience that connects guests directly to America’s colonial past.
12. Tadich Grill (San Francisco, CA)
Gold rush fortune seekers frequented this San Francisco institution since 1849. Originally a coffee stand, it evolved into California’s oldest restaurant, maintaining its classic atmosphere with long mahogany bar and private booths.
White-jacketed servers have delivered seafood specialties for generations. The mesquite-grilled fish and their famous cioppino fish stew – a San Francisco creation – showcase the fresh bounty of Pacific waters, prepared with techniques handed down through decades of culinary tradition.
13. The Berghoff (Chicago, IL)
German immigrant Herman Berghoff started with a small beer stand at the 1893 World’s Fair. His success led to opening this Chicago landmark, which survived prohibition by serving “near beer” and focusing on its renowned German food.
The historic bar received Chicago’s first liquor license after prohibition ended – license #1. Dark wood paneling, stained glass, and old-world charm create an atmosphere where diners still enjoy schnitzel, sauerbraten, and creamy root beer made from the original recipe.
14. Old Homestead Steakhouse (New York, NY)
Meat lovers have flocked to this Meatpacking District institution since 1868, making it New York’s oldest steakhouse. The same family has operated it for generations, maintaining traditions while the neighborhood transformed around them.
Vintage cow sculptures and historic photographs celebrate its butcher shop origins. Their 32-ounce Gotham ribeye – a carnivore’s dream – exemplifies their commitment to premium dry-aged beef, served in portions that have satisfied hungry New Yorkers through three different centuries.
15. Arnaud’s (New Orleans, LA)
French Quarter elegance defines this New Orleans grande dame established in 1918 by French wine salesman Arnaud Cazenave. The sprawling restaurant encompasses nearly an entire block of historic buildings connected by a warren of dining rooms.
Jazz music fills the air during Sunday brunch, a tradition since the 1950s. Their Shrimp Arnaud – featuring Gulf shrimp marinated in their signature remoulade sauce – remains virtually unchanged from the original recipe, offering diners an authentic taste of Jazz Age New Orleans.
