12 Historic U.S. Restaurants Everyone Should Visit At Least Once

Planning your next travel adventure? Don’t just tick off landmarks – taste history. Across the United States, a select few restaurants stand not just as beloved eateries, but as living museums, culinary institutions that have shaped regional flavors and witnessed centuries of American life unfold.

These are essential stops for anyone seeking an unparalleled dining experience rooted in genuine tradition and incredible stories.

If you want to savor dishes perfected over generations and soak in atmospheres unchanged by time, then pack your bags and prepare your palate.

1. Antoine’s Restaurant (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Founded in 1840, Antoine’s holds the title of America’s oldest family-run restaurant. The birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller still serves this secret recipe exactly as it was created in 1899.

Walking through its 14 dining rooms feels like stepping into a living museum of New Orleans history. Presidents, celebrities, and generations of locals have feasted on their classic French-Creole cuisine for over 180 years.

2. Union Oyster House (Boston, Massachusetts)

Step into America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, serving hungry Bostonians since 1826. The building itself dates back to pre-Revolutionary times, when it housed printers of the Massachusetts Spy newspaper.

Grab a seat at the oyster bar where Daniel Webster reportedly downed dozens of oysters daily with brandy. The upstairs Kennedy Booth commemorates JFK’s regular Sunday visits for lobster and newspapers.

3. Delmonico’s (New York City, New York)

America’s first fine dining restaurant opened its doors in 1837, pioneering revolutionary concepts like printed menus and tablecloths. The birthplace of culinary classics like Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska, and the Delmonico steak cut.

Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and numerous presidents savored meals within these hallowed walls. Recently reopened after pandemic closure, the restaurant maintains its original location and gilded-age elegance in Manhattan’s Financial District.

4. Tadich Grill (San Francisco, California)

California’s oldest restaurant began as a coffee stand during the Gold Rush in 1849. Croatian immigrants transformed it into the seafood institution it remains today, specializing in fresh-caught treasures from the Pacific.

The long mahogany bar, private booths, and white-jacketed servers create an atmosphere frozen in time. Don’t miss their cioppino – a tomato-based seafood stew that represents San Francisco’s fishing heritage and the restaurant’s Croatian roots.

5. Columbia Restaurant (Tampa, Florida)

Florida’s oldest restaurant has been serving Cuban-Spanish cuisine in Tampa’s historic Ybor City since 1905. Founded by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr., it began as a small corner café for cigar workers.

Now spanning an entire city block with 15 dining rooms, the restaurant dazzles with Spanish tiles, stained glass, and nightly flamenco shows. Their Cuban sandwich and Original “1905” Salad remain legendary staples, prepared tableside with theatrical flair.

6. Keens Steakhouse (New York City, New York)

Beneath thousands of clay pipes hanging from the ceiling, Keens has served perfect steaks since 1885. These pipes once belonged to regular customers including Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and Albert Einstein.

The restaurant’s signature mutton chop isn’t actually mutton but a magnificent saddle of lamb that’s been on the menu for over a century. The historic pub-like atmosphere features dark wood paneling, vintage photographs, and theatrical memorabilia from its days serving Broadway stars.

7. The Berghoff (Chicago, Illinois)

Herman Berghoff started with a small beer stand at the 1893 World’s Fair. When Prohibition threatened his brewing business, he pivoted to serving German food alongside his near-beer, securing Chicago’s first liquor license (No. 1) when the 18th Amendment was repealed.

The restaurant’s ornate wooden bar, stained glass, and original murals transport diners to old-world Germany. Still family-operated, The Berghoff continues serving schnitzel, sauerbraten, and their famous creamed spinach to generations of loyal Chicagoans.

8. Musso & Frank Grill (Los Angeles, California)

Hollywood’s oldest restaurant has been serving the film industry since 1919. The legendary martinis and red-jacketed waiters have remained unchanged for over a century, while the menu still features classics from the original 1919 offerings.

Known as Hollywood’s unofficial commissary, the restaurant’s red leather booths have hosted deals and script readings for generations of filmmakers. Charlie Chaplin, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and countless stars made this their regular haunt, cementing its place in cinema history.

9. Louis’ Lunch (New Haven, Connecticut)

The birthplace of the hamburger sandwich hasn’t changed much since 1895. According to legend, owner Louis Lassen created the first hamburger when a customer in a rush requested something quick he could eat on the go.

The tiny brick building houses vintage cast iron grills that cook burgers vertically. Purists appreciate their steadfast refusal to serve ketchup or mustard – only cheese, tomato, and onion on toast are allowed. The Library of Congress officially recognized Louis’ as the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich.

10. Café Du Monde (New Orleans, Louisiana)

This 24-hour French Market coffee stand has been serving beignets and café au lait since 1862. During the Civil War, coffee shortages led to their signature chicory blend – a tradition that continues today.

The open-air café with its distinctive green and white awning has survived hurricanes, floods, and even pandemic closures. Generations of visitors have ended nights or started mornings with powdered sugar-covered beignets, creating a sweet New Orleans tradition that transcends time.

11. Fior D’Italia (San Francisco, California)

America’s oldest Italian restaurant opened in 1886 after Angelo Del Monte set up a food stand to feed gold miners. Five earthquakes and numerous location changes later, the “Flower of Italy” continues serving authentic Northern Italian cuisine.

The restaurant survived Prohibition by cleverly disguising wine as “grape juice” with instructions not to store it too long. Their signature osso buco and homemade ravioli recipes remain largely unchanged from the original 19th-century versions that satisfied hungry gold seekers.

12. White Horse Tavern (Newport, Rhode Island)

America’s oldest tavern has been pouring drinks since 1673. Originally a meeting place for colonists, British soldiers, Hessian mercenaries, and founding fathers, the tavern’s wide-planked floors and low ceilings preserve its colonial character.

Ghost stories abound in this historic building – particularly about a colonial-era man who died at the tavern and is said to still visit. The menu honors tradition with updated versions of colonial fare like Beef Wellington and Rhode Island clam chowder, served in dining rooms warmed by original fireplaces.