The 18 Oldest Restaurants in America

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The 18 Oldest Restaurants in America

The 18 Oldest Restaurants in America – 24/7 Wall St.

The restaurant business is a tough one. Even before COVID, restaurants came and went with regularity. Statistics on restaurant failure rates vary widely. One estimate suggests that up to 90% of independent eating places close within their first year of operation. Unmanageable rent increases...

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Richard

 

[Talent312]

Just 'cuz your old, doesn't mean you're good
(although a few of these places are).

 

[Luanne]

Well, they forgot this one.

Santa Fe is one of the oldest capital cities in North America. So, it should come as no surprise that New Mexico’s oldest restaurant is located there.
El Farol, a Spanish tapas restaurant, was established in 1835, and is still going strong 183 years later!

 

[Rolltydr]

Being from the Birmingham area, I’ve eaten at the Bright Star many times. It is a Birmingham institution and the food is very good. It wasn’t our favorite restaurant but it was an old reliable. Unfortunately, it is in a rundown area and while we felt safe going there, I probably wouldn’t take a visitor because there are better restaurants in nicer areas of town. The interior also needs to be refreshed and updated. It doesn’t look like it’s been remodeled since the 50’s or 60’s. Just because it has been there a long time shouldn’t mean it has to look old and tired, IMHO!

 

[clifffaith]

Seems odd to start the article’s list after 1830. We’ve eaten in several restaurants that claimed George Washington as a patron.

“The Union Oyster House is both the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the country-its doors first opened to diners in 1826 when it was founded by Hawes Atwood.”

 

[Brett]

Seems odd to start the article’s list after 1830. We’ve eaten in several restaurants that claimed George Washington as a patron.

“The Union Oyster House is both the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the country-its doors first opened to diners in 1826 when it was founded by Hawes Atwood.”

good point. Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, Virginia has been around since 1784 (but not always in the same place )
Fine southern fare

 

[isisdave]

And the inclusion criteria are kinda vague and must be hard to authenticate.

Here's our entry, built as a stage stop in 1825, and who knows when it turned into a "restaurant." It certainly is today.