America’s oldest restaurants are more than places to eat. They are living institutions that have survived wars, economic upheaval, changing tastes, and generations of diners, all while continuing to serve meals to the public.
What sets these restaurants apart is not just their age, but their continuity. Each one is still operating today, offering guests the chance to sit down and experience a piece of American history firsthand. These are ten of the oldest operating restaurants in America that remain open and food-focused.
Union Oyster House (1826)
Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Boston and one of the oldest in the United States. Located along the Freedom Trail, it has served everyone from local dockworkers to presidents for nearly two centuries.
The restaurant is best known for its oyster bar, where shuckers have worked behind the same counters for generations. Its longevity is built on consistency, simplicity, and deep ties to Boston’s culinary identity.
Antoine’s Restaurant (1840)
Antoine’s is the oldest family-run restaurant in America, founded by Antoine Alciatore and passed down through generations of the same family. It has played a defining role in the history of Creole cuisine.
The restaurant’s many dining rooms preserve a formal style of service that feels increasingly rare. Dining at Antoine’s is as much about tradition as it is about food.
Tadich Grill (1849)
Opened during the California Gold Rush, Tadich Grill is the oldest operating restaurant in San Francisco. It has survived fires, earthquakes, and sweeping changes to the city around it.
Known for seafood and tableside service, Tadich Grill remains proudly traditional. Its endurance comes from doing a small number of things exceptionally well for a very long time.
The Griswold Inn (1776)
The Griswold Inn opened the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed. Its dining room quickly became a gathering place for sailors and travelers along the Connecticut River.
Today, the restaurant still feels preserved rather than restored. Classic New England fare and historic surroundings give it a timeless sense of place.
Zum Franziskaner (1902)
Zum Franziskaner is widely regarded as the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles. Founded by German immigrants, it has remained family-owned for more than a century.
The restaurant’s longevity reflects the influence of immigrant communities on American dining culture. Its success is rooted in loyalty, heritage, and consistency.
Stagecoach Inn (1852)
Established as a stop along early stagecoach routes, the Stagecoach Inn has been serving meals to travelers for over 170 years. It played an important role in Texas travel and commerce.
The restaurant remains a central part of the historic property today. Its continued operation highlights the importance of hospitality along America’s earliest transportation corridors.
Columbia Restaurant (1905)
Columbia Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Founded in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, it remains family-owned after five generations.
Its longevity comes from preserving Cuban and Spanish culinary traditions while serving as a community gathering place. Few restaurants in America can match its scale or continuity.
The Bright Star (1907)
The Bright Star is one of the oldest restaurants in the American South and a cornerstone of Alabama dining history. It has served Greek-influenced Southern cuisine for more than a century.
Deeply rooted in its community, the restaurant has built loyalty across generations. Its endurance reflects the power of regional food traditions done well.
Keens Steakhouse (1885)
Keens Steakhouse has been a fixture of New York dining since the late nineteenth century. It is best known for its mutton chops and its refusal to modernize its core identity.
The restaurant’s historic interiors and singular menu remain largely unchanged. Keens has endured by embracing tradition rather than chasing trends.
The Olde Pink House (Operating since 1771)
Housed in one of Savannah’s oldest mansions, The Olde Pink House has served meals in some form for more than two centuries. Its dining tradition is closely tied to the city’s colonial past.
Today, the restaurant is known for refined Southern cuisine served in richly preserved rooms. It offers a rare combination of architectural history and food-first identity.
These restaurants have lasted not because they adapted to every new idea, but because they stayed true to what they were from the beginning. Each one offers more than a meal — it offers continuity in a constantly changing country.
Dining at any of these establishments is a reminder that history doesn’t always belong in museums. Sometimes, it’s still being served at the table.