The Oldest Restaurant In Your State

Like a patchwork quilt, the fabric of American history's pieced together by big cities, small towns, and everything in between. At the heart of these communities you'll find restaurants with histories as storied as the country itself. Be they bistros, diners, saloons, or taverns, friends, family, and strangers alike gather around the comfort of food. As similar as these stories are, so, too, do they share unique qualities that make their tales distinct.

For some, the favor for a local spot has seen proprietors change hands over the decades, survived by new owners with new ideas. Other restaurants have remained family traditions, handed down over generations (in some cases) back to before the nation was founded. On top of holding the honor of being the oldest restaurants in their respective states, you'll discover some of these historic landmarks claim other records related to being the oldest, largest, or even the toughest of their kind.

Unlike disputed sports records, Golden Rule Barbecue's operation since 1891 needs no asterisk. A couple relocations and takeovers allows for the chain that started at one location on the Atlanta Highway to draw a distinction with a difference to another lasting business: The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer.

It likewise relocated several times in the initial years following its 1907 opening. However, the managing partner Andreas Anastassakis told Alabama.com he doesn't dispute Golden Rule's seniority. Instead he holds to leading "the oldest-family owned restaurant."

goldenrulebbq.com

(205) 224-2014

2504 Crestwood Blvd, Irondale, AL 35210

From a house of ill repute to a cozy bed and breakfast, the Historic Skagway Inn opened amid the Klondike Gold Rush that saw prospectors journey northwest. In 1950, decades after its 1897 beginning, Olivia's Bistro was added. Now visitors can enjoy the spoils of hunts and fishing ventures of Alaska along with the harvest plucked right from the garden nestled in the small city nicknamed the Garden City of Alaska.

olivias-bistro.com

(907) 531-7630

655 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840

Those enamored with tales of Tombstone featuring Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday will delight in The Palace. Founded in 1877, the lawman and his peers were said to have spent time at the original establishment.

Though the restaurant was rebuilt in 1901 after a fire the year before, the original Brunswick Bar was carried to safety. Prominent pictures of some of Arizona's "Toughest Customers" are displayed along with a poster of Steve McQueen's film "Junior Bonner" that featured The Palace.

historicpalace.com

(928) 541-1996

120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303

The eclectic history of the White House began with a Greek immigrant in 1907. Both its menu and its footprint have since expanded.

After Hristos Hodjopulas sold his business to James Andritsos, it subsequently landed in the hands of the Yings, the Bradshaws, the Betheas, and then Tommy Vaughan and Teresa Lampkin. The latter couple renovated to include the building next door after their predecessors incorporated American classics and Tex-Mex.

facebook.com/people/White-House-Cafe/100037915785611

(870) 836-2255

323 S Adams Ave, Camden, AR 71701

Those who follow Anthony Bourdain's advice for finding great restaurants are familiar with the Tadich Grill. But what they may not know about the place he called "wonderful," is that it started as a tent selling coffee to sailors on the pier. The 1849 business grew into the New World Coffee Stand and then transformed into a saloon in 1871 that was later purchased by and renamed after John Tadich. A six-year hiatus followed the 1906 earthquake before the destroyed restaurant was rebuilt.

tadichgrillsf.com

(415) 391-1849

240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Four U.S. presidents visited the Buckhorn Exchange since opening in 1893 on the spot of a brewery built years prior. Recognized by the Denver Landmark Commission, Henry H. "Shorty Scout" Zietz started the business less than two decades after becoming a member of Buffalo Bill Cody's scouts as a young boy.

That relationship connects the history of the game-adorned establishment to Chief Sitting Bull and General George Custer. The bar predates even the founder, moved from the family's tavern in Germany after being crafted in 1857.

buckhorn.com

(303) 534-9505

1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204

Predating the nation and contemporary with the first president's career-building exploits at the onset of the French and Indian War, the 1754 House Inn was originally known as the Curtis House. Aside from a World War II pause, this inn and tavern has remained in continuous operation since 1754. Well over two-and-a-half centuries after first serving colonials, a 2020 rebrand allows diners to experience formal dining or a tavern in addition to hosting weddings and events.

1754house.com

(203) 405-3735

506 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798

Recognized as a National Historic Site, John D. "Whiskers" Kelly took over Logan House in 1889, 25 years after it was built as a hotel. Passed down through five generations, it's not only considered the oldest restaurant in Delaware, but also the oldest continuously family-owned Irish tavern in the country. Despite existing in a building nearly 200 years older than Kelly's, Jessop's Tavern in New Castle served a barrel-making business and a private residence for decades before becoming the Captain's Log Restaurant.

loganhouse.com

(302) 652-9493

1701 Delaware Ave #2329, Wilmington, DE 19806

Initially founded as the Columbia Saloon in the Ybor City neighborhood, Casimiro Hernandez, Sr.'s family business has been passed down since 1903. The 1905 rebrand as the Columbia Restaurant kicked off decades of growth both with six other locations and into the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Food isn't all that diners look forward to, as flamenco shows are also part of the experience.

columbiarestaurant.com

(813) 248-4961

2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

Since 1916, Georgia's City of Roses has been home to the Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Thanks to a move from its original location, the menu featuring dishes inspired by Greek, Italian, and American cuisine grew beyond a limited seating for 26. Instead, guests can sup al fresco or enjoy the cocktail lounge in addition to casual and formal settings dining from the regular menu or banquet options.

thomasvilleplaza.com

(229) 226-5153

217 S Broad St, Thomasville, GA 31792

Offering views of the western shore of the big island, Hawaiian hospitality has been a family affair at the Manago Hotel since 1917. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Manago is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike thanks in part to its proximity to coffee farms. Connoisseurs can take advantage to get a taste of the freshest Kona coffee available, one of the rare types worth trying at least once.

managohotel.com

(808) 323-2642

82-6155 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Captain Cook, HI 96704

Fans of the 1997 film "Dante's Peak" may readily recognize the more than 140-year-old Snake Pit. Erected in 1880, it has gone by several different names while serving an array of clientele from travelers to day laborers.

The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and trout for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Additionally, those interested can dine on "swinging steak," otherwise known as Rocky Mountain Oysters, served as an appetizer or the main course.

snakepitidaho.com

(208) 682-3453

1480 Coeur D'Alene River Rd, Kingston, ID 83839

Historic in its own right at nearly 180-years-old, The Village Tavern, about an hour outside Chicago, also contains a piece of Windy City history. Pulled from the wreckage of the 1967 McCormick Fire, the 1847-founded restaurant lays claim to the "President's Bar." The 35-foot work of mahogany is a great place to sit and enjoy a drink; broiled steak, fish, or chicken; or even a German platter with bratwurst and thuringer.

villagetavernoflonggrove.org

(847) 634-3117

135 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047

On the road between Evansville and Vincennes, the Noon Day Inn was built in 1825 and only later become known as the Log Inn. Less than 20 years after opening, a former state representative traveling that road stopped by.

He would later be remembered to the world as President Abraham Lincoln. Diners basking in the history can enjoy the restaurant's family style dinners followed by any of a wide selection of pies or cakes.

theloginn.net

(812) 867-3216

12491 County Rd 200 E, Haubstadt, IN 47639

Though Breitbach's Country Dining suffered a couple setbacks in 2007 and 2008, it has remained a family business since 10 years after it first opened in 1852. Not one, but two fires preempted the current iteration of the restaurant after a rebuild. Separated by less than a year, the first disaster was caused by a gas explosion only after gaining national exposure during the second season of Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt."

breitbachscountrydining.com

(563) 552-2220

563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073

In addition to being considered the founder of Council Grove, Seth Hays founded Hays House in 1857. The great-grandson of folk hero Daniel Boone, Hays' eponymous restaurant and tavern came a decade after he established a trading post in Council Grove, and one year after the town on the Santa Fe Trail was incorporated. Along with serving a full menu and craft cocktails, like the Morris County Mule and Pioneer Punch, a half dozen rooms are available to host events.

hayshouse.com

(620) 767-9511

112 W Main St, Council Grove, KS 66846

More than a dozen years before Kentucky would become a state, at about the halfway point of the American Revolutionary War, the Talbott Tavern was founded. Storied figures said to have graced the establishment include Presidents Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln — albeit when he was only 5-years-old — as well as exiled French King Louis Philippe I. What's more, the tavern lays claim to having the oldest bourbon bar in the entire country.

talbotttavern.com

(502) 348-3494

107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004

Standing witness to wars, natural disasters, and devastating periods of American history, Antoine's has also been a spot to let the good times roll since 1840. Passed down through generations of descendants of founder Antoine Alciatore, the restaurant that's hosted celebrities, presidents, and even Pope St. John Paul II is also renowned for creating Oysters Rockefeller. As it happened, trouble with snail supplies inspired the 1899 oyster replacement for the rich dish.

antoines.com 

(504) 581-4422 

713 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130

A short stroll from the Saco River, visitors to downtown Biddeford can happen upon one of last remaining Pollard cars in the country. Within the railcar constructed in Lowell, Massachusetts and moved to Maine in 1927 sits the Palace Diner. Not only has it endured for roughly a century, it has also been celebrated, including a nod for its Deluxe Breakfast Sandwich by Down East Magazine, which also named it the best diner in Maine in 2016.

palacedinerme.com

(207) 284-0015

18 Franklin St, Biddeford, ME 04005

Widely considered the oldest restaurant in Maryland, the building that houses the Middleton Tavern has served many functions since its 1740 construction. Before housing souvenirs or operating as a soda counter, Horatio Middleton purchased the building and made it a tavern.

A slew of Founding Fathers were served, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Since 1968, it returned to its roots as a gathering place for food, drinks, and games in close proximity to the Maryland State House and U.S. Naval Academy.

middletontavern.com

(410) 263-3323

2 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401

Boston is rife with historic landmarks, including the Freedom Trail-situated Union Oyster House near the Green Dragon Tavern and The Point. However, the 1826 restaurant is predated by the Wayside Inn, outside Boston in Sudbury.

There, diners have been served dating back to 1716 in a building built in 1707. These days both special occasions and everyday meals are accommodated in the myriad dining rooms like The Old Bar, The Ford Room, or The Innkeeper's Room.

wayside.org

(978) 443-1776

72 Wayside Inn Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776

Locations contending for the "oldest" title in the Wolverine State include the White Horse Inn and Sleder's Family Tavern. While the latter opened in 1882 and the former became an inn in 1850, the New Hudson Inn precedes both by decades.

Considered the oldest bar in the state, it opened in 1831. Along with servings of burgers, salads, and Sunday brunches, guests enjoy live musical acts and karaoke.

newhudsoninn1831.com

(248) 437-6383

56870 Grand River Ave, New Hudson, MI 48165

Dating back to 1887, patrons in North St. Paul have returned to East Seventh Avenue and Neumann's Bar for the locally-brewed staple Hamm's Beer. The beer from 1865 may have gone on to be part of the multinational Molson Coors, but Neumann's remains a neighborhood establishment.

There, customers enjoy food, entertainment, and a trademark pond where resident frogs entertain kids. As for 1854's Hubbell House, its restaurant didn't open until 1946.

neumannsbar.com

(651) 770-6020

2531 7th Ave E, North St Paul, MN 55109

Diners used to bread and butter are in for a unique treat at Weidmann's. This 1870-founded restaurant roughly 20 miles from the Alabama border has offered its guests crackers and a crock of peanut butter since the 1940s. Included among celebrities said to have enjoyed the tradition are entertainer Jimmy Buffet and playwright Tennessee Williams, who some suggest took inspiration from the restaurant.

weidmanns1870.com

(601) 581-5770

210 22nd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301

The occasional need for restoration, or a revamp, in the case of J. Huston Tavern, is a reality for many old restaurants. Having expanded since its 1834 construction, a temporary closure in 2024 — five years after surviving a fire — gave time for updates to both menu and the decor. Though sixth-generation descendants remain involved in the restaurant, the Missouri State Park system acquired it in 1923.

hustontavern.com

(660) 837-3200

305 Main St, Arrow Rock, MO 65320

Since 1946, the 600 Cafe's served up daily specials as a family-owned business. However, its status as the oldest restaurant in Montana only came to pass in April 2026 when Pekin Noodle Parlor of Butte closed after 115 years. As for the Old Saloon in Emigrant, though it predates both with its 1902 establishment, it was closed at length from the Prohibition Era until the '60s.

facebook.com/people/600-Cafe-Inc/100057131903546

(406) 234-3860

600 Main St, Miles City, MT 59301

Just 20 years after citizens of Columbus, Ohio set out to start a new town along the path of the transcontinental railway, the Bulcher Saloon opened in 1876. Along with a name change to Glur's Tavern, this National Register of Historic Places restaurant has added space for activities like basketball and volleyball. Such amenities didn't exist between 1883 and 1915 when Buffalo Bill Cody, known for stopping in, came through town no fewer than six times.

facebook.com/people/Glurs-Tavern/100063619659869/

(402) 564-8615

2301 11th St, Columbus, NE 68601

Hailing from the region between France and Spain, Basques, like most immigrants, endeavored to bring part of their culture with them when they set out for the American West. In 1898, catering to shepherds with appetites for Basque beans and grilled lamb, what would become the Martin Hotel opened as the Roman Tavern and Restaurant. Since, it's changed hands several times while the style of cuisine endures.

themartinhotel.com

(775) 623-3197

94 W Railroad St, Winnemucca, NV 89445

What was once the Fox Tavern has transformed into Pinks Lounge and the Hunt Bar and Scullery. While renovations brought some changes to the setting and the menu, the restaurant at the Inn at Hancock has been serving diners since 1789. Befitting the historic setting that once hosted President Franklin Pierce, guests are expected to "look smart" and leave their athletic wear for the gym when dining in the evening.

innathancock.com

(603) 525-3318

33 Main St, Hancock, NH 03449

Predating the American Revolution by 70 years, Ye Olde Centerton Inn has survived three centuries with some renovations. Space once used to house guests was converted for more dining areas to serve steaks, seafood, and a seasonal menu. Though it's preceded by the 1685 property of the Farmhouse at the Grand Colonial in Hampton, that location hasn't always served as a restaurant and since 2018 has been restored into a wedding venue.

centertoninn.com

(856) 358-3201

1136 Almond Rd, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318

Holding the title of oldest restaurant requires staying in business, a fact that almost took El Farol off the leaderboard in November 2025. Permanent closure of the 1835-founded downtown establishment was averted in April 2026 when owners of the nearby Palacio Cafe completed their purchase. As such, locals and visitors can continue to enjoy the historic site known for tapas and entertainment when it eventually reopens.

elfarolsantafe.com

(505) 983-9912

808 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The Old '76 House isn't just considered the oldest restaurant in New York. Dating back to 1668, it's also marked as the oldest restaurant in the country. It also happens to be linked to espionage and betrayal as Major John André, a spy working with Benedict Arnold, was briefly held in custody at what was then Mabie's Inn in 1780 before a trial resulted in his nearby execution.

76house.com

(845) 359-5476

110 Main St, Tappan, NY 10983

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been around since the 1790s, but the fondest memories for some alumni were made steps away at a restaurant roughly 130 years younger. Opened in 1922, the Carolina Coffee Shop has continually served the community for over a century. Reservation-free weekends are indicative of continued popularity for the location believed to have housed a student post office.

carolinacoffeeshop.com

(919) 942-68875

138 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Across the Missouri River from Bismarck, Mandan makes up the western portion of the BisMan metro area. Each bridge crossed to reach the sister city leads to Main Street and a restaurant dating back to 1946: Ohm's Café.

There, a chalkboard is still used to post the daily menu changes. The oldest title passed to Ohm's in June 2026 with the end of Peacock Alley Bar & Grill's lease, leaving the 1933 Bismarck establishment closed in search of a new home.

facebook.com/ohmscafe

(701) 663-8425

808 W Main St, Mandan, ND 58554

Odds are most of us will never set foot on the moon. But there is opportunity to set foot at another historic location visited by none other than Astronaut Neil Armstrong.

The Buckeye native is among the storied guests who've supped at the Golden Lamb since opening in 1803. Those interested in a drink before or after their meal where Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Mark Twain once ate can also enjoy the Black Horse Tavern in the rear.

goldenlamb.com

(513) 932-5065

27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036

Something a game of chance and Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" have in common is their shared connection to Cattlemen's Steakhouse. Founded in 1910, the restaurant also appeared on an episode of the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food" where host Adam Richman came face-to-face with the steak order of U.S. President George H.W. Bush, dubbed the "Presidential Choice." As for chance, the restaurant once changed hands over a game of craps in 1945.

cattlemensrestaurant.com

(405) 236-0416

1309 S Agnew Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

From entry-level to entrepreneurial legacy, Huber's first opened as the Bureau Saloon in 1879. Within five years, hired bartender Frank Huber became partner in 1887 and ultimately owner before changing the name. It was his decision to hire Louie Wei Fung — otherwise known as Jim Louie — whose turkey kept visitors bellying up to the bar before he himself became manager of the restaurant.

hubers.com

(503) 228-5686

411 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Predating other establishments in the Keystone State by decades, King George II Inn began operations in 1681. On top of being the headquarters for General John Cadwalader, who led forces along with George Washington across the Delaware River, the inn's town also marked a departure for one of the budding nation's most influential allies. The borough of Bristol hosted a stop for Marquis de Lafayette's "Farewell Tour of America" in 1824.

kginn.com

(215) 788-5536

102 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007

A listed National Historic Landmark, the building housing the White Horse Tavern predates the restaurant by just over two decades. Constructed in 1652 as a home, change in ownership led to the creation of the tavern in 1673. These days, more than half a century after preservation efforts restored the building, guests enjoy seasonal menu changes including a raw bar with clams, shrimp, and oysters.

whitehorsenewport.com

(401) 849-3600

26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI 02840

Previously a Palmetto State capital fire station, diners have enjoyed Italian cuisine at Villa Tronco since 1941. First known as the Iodine Grill, a point reflected on the historic marker unveiled in January 2026, a change to Tony' Spaghetti House came before the lasting name was settled in 1949. The business has remained in the family across nine decades.

villatronco.com

(803) 256-7677

1213 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201

Before the HBO series "Deadwood" exposed a broader audience to the Wild West locale of the Black Hills Gold Rush, the entire city had been designated a National Historic Landmark District. In 1903, the same year Calamity Jane was laid to rest in Deadwood, the Franklin Hotel opened. Now part of the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex, guests can enjoy the oldest restaurant in the state that honors the famed characters who've come and gone.

silveradofranklin.com/food-drink/legends-steakhouse

(605) 578-3670

709 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732

For the Arcade Restaurant in the Home of the Blues, the oldest restaurant in the Volunteer State title only came after some business changes. First opened in 1919, it was preceded by Varallo's that served Nashville from 1907 until its closure in 2026. Likewise, the run for Zarzour's in Chattanooga lasted from 1918 until it sold in November 2025 and remained closed since.

arcaderestaurant.com

(901) 526-5757

540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

Gruene, Luckenbach, and Fredericksburg — nicknamed Fritztown — represent how German culture has marked the Lone Star State. This is further evidenced by the oldest restaurant, Scholz Garten, which a German immigrant opened in 1866.

Though chicken-fried steak isn't on the menu, the Southern comfort food favorite of Willie Nelson who's played at the restaurant, it does offer wienerschnitzel and jägerschnitzel. It also takes the crown for oldest from Salado's Stagecoach Inn that, despite predating Scholz Garten by six years, didn't add a restaurant until 1947.

scholzgarten.com

(512) 474-1958

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Temporary closure with an owner plan to sell the building presented a doubtful future for the Idle Isle Cafe in May 2025. In the months that followed, the 1921-established business found new life with a new owner. As of June 2026, a remodel was underway to reopen the doors of the Brigham City restaurant that outlived other century-old establishments as soon as possible.

idleislecafe.com

(435) 734-2468

24 S Main St, Brigham City, UT 84302

In the 200 years since its 1790 construction as the Stagecoach Inn, the Ye Olde Tavern has had some pitfalls. This includes a standout closure between 1904 and 1924 resulting from a revoked liquor license. Renovations and restorations in time for the nation's bicentennial brought along the staying name and the continued practice of including cranberry fritters, a salad, and other sides with each entrée.

yeoldetavern.net

(802) 362-0611

5183 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255

The Red Fox Inn predates the birth of America's first president by four years. Its 1728 construction marks it as both the oldest restaurant in Virginia and the oldest building in Middleburg, founded 35 years later. The menu includes options of a four-course dinner or smaller selections during the week.

redfox.com

(540) 687-6301

2 E Washington St, Middleburg, VA 20117

Another restaurant that predates its city's incorporation, the Horseshoe Cafe first opened in 1886. After over one hundred years, only one location change saw the restaurant cross the street. Co-owner Kate Groen told The Bellingham Herald, while a "definitive record" hasn't been found to confirm the founding, neither has anyone "proven it wrong yet."

horseshoecafe.com

(360) 933-4301

113 E Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Closing off the 19th century, the North End Tavern & Brewery has been serving customers since 1899. A few years before the new millennium, the West Virginia Brewery was added on. Now sandwiches, jalapeño poppers, and pub pickles can be enjoyed with craft beverages including an IPA, wheat ales, and a porter.

netbrewery.com

(304) 428-5854

3500 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26104

Along with being the year Wisconsin joined the Union, 1848 marks the Nashotah Inn opening. A little over 40 years later, a new name was inspired by the new owner as Captain Fred Pabst, the founder of Pabst Brewing Co., rebranded to the Red Circle Inn after his beer's logo.

redcircleinn.com

(262) 367-4883

N44W33013 Watertown Plank Rd, Nashotah, WI 53058

Befitting the oldest incorporated town in the state, established in 1884, Hartville is home to the oldest restaurant in Wyoming. Miners and Stockmen's also serves as the oldest bar in the state and one of the oldest steakhouses in America, having first opened in 1862. An important note for visitors with small children, kids under age five are restricted to the patio, and there are no accommodations available during winter.

minersandstockmens.com

(307) 836-2008

608 Main St, Hartville, WY 82215