Across the U.S., there are well-known icons where the menu hasn’t changed much in decades, and that’s exactly the point. These places are where you can taste the past and savor meals made with recipes older than your grandparents.
These classic American restaurants still cook with the same love and flair that made them famous. Let’s learn more about them.
The White Horse Tavern – Newport, Rhode Island
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If you ever wanted to eat where revolutionaries once grabbed a drink, The White Horse Tavern is the spot. The restaurant opened in 1673 in Newport, Rhode Island, and still serves seafood and steak in rooms lit by firelight. It’s America’s oldest restaurant, and it is still running with some serious street cred.
Union Oyster House – Boston, Massachusetts
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This place has been shucking oysters since 1826, and that’s not an exaggeration. Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the U.S. Daniel Webster ate here so often he had a standing tab. Visitors go for the clam chowder and stay for the oak-paneled booths that haven’t changed in centuries.
Antoine’s Restaurant – New Orleans, Louisiana
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You can’t talk about Creole food without talking about Antoine’s. It opened in 1840 and is still run by the founder’s descendants. They literally invented Oysters Rockefeller here. The dining rooms are full of Mardi Gras history and secret society lore. Yes, the food’s rich, and the backstory’s even richer.
Delmonico’s – New York City, New York
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Delmonico’s basically invented fancy dining in America. This restaurant opened in 1827 and offered the first-ever printed menu. They let guests order à la carte before that was even a thing. Delmonico steak started here and is still quite popular amongst those who know the dish. It’s still a white-tablecloth kind of place.
Old Homestead Steakhouse – New York City, New York
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The Old Homestead Steakhouse is a piece of history. It opened in 1868 and hasn't stopped grilling some of the best steaks you could ever taste. They were one of the first spots in the U.S. to serve Wagyu beef. The decor screams old-school New York, and the meat speaks for itself.
Columbia Restaurant – Tampa, Florida
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It won’t be wrong to call this restaurant an entire city block of Spanish-Cuban flavor. It’s Florida’s oldest restaurant, which came into being in 1905. They’re famous for their Cuban sandwich and house-made sangria. They also host flamenco shows nightly, where you wouldn’t mind dressing up and then loosening your belt a little.
Jessop’s Tavern – New Castle, Delaware
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Dining here feels like you’re in some ancient setting. Jessop’s Tavern serves colonial-era meals inside a building from 1674. Staff dress like it’s 1776, and the food backs it up. You can get pot roast, shepherd’s pie, and buttered rolls under the roof. History enthusiasts and food lovers both walk out happy.
Chicago Café – Woodland, California
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This family-run spot has been around since 1903, and it shows in the best way. Chicago Café serves old-school Chinese-American dishes like chop suey and egg foo young. The red vinyl booths, taxidermy on the walls, and the loyal local crowd give it serious diner-meets-history vibes.
The Pirates’ House – Savannah, Georgia
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This pirate-themed restaurant has been a pirate hangout since 1753. It has served sailors, smugglers, and now tourists craving fried chicken and cornbread. Legend says tunnels under the building were used to kidnap drunk patrons. The ghost stories are free with dinner.
Shady Glen – Manchester, Connecticut
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It’s not just Shady Glen’s cheeseburger that people are crazy about, but also their cheese wings. They fry slices of cheese on the flat top until they crisp out past the bun. Burgers have been made the same way since 1948. It’s weird but delicious.
El Cholo Spanish Café – Los Angeles, California
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If you’ve ever eaten a burrito in the U.S., you might owe El Cholo a thank-you. They helped popularize it back in the 1930s. Since 1923, they’ve served Sonoran-style dishes like tamales, enchiladas, and chile rellenos. The booths are original, and so are many of the recipes.
Dreamland Bar-B-Que – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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Big Daddy Bishop opened Dreamland in 1958 and served only ribs, white bread, and sauce. That’s it. Turns out, that’s all anyone needed. The ribs still taste like firewood and magic. It’s packed during Alabama games, but it's worth every second of the wait.
Ed Walker’s Drive-In – Fort Smith, Arkansas
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This place looks like it was pulled straight from a ‘50s movie, and that’s the point. Ed Walker’s has been serving burgers, French dips, and root beer since 1943. It’s the only place in Arkansas where you can still get beer by curb service. That alone is an amazing factor that earns a visit.
Stagecoach Inn – Salado, Texas
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It started as a stop on the Chisholm Trail in 1860. Today, the Stagecoach Inn is back from a long hiatus and serving Southern comfort food again. The hushpuppies have their own origin story, and they’re still on the menu. Order those first, and don’t forget to try the pork chops.
Summit Diner – Summit, New Jersey
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You know the diner in your head when someone says “classic”? This is the one. This diner was built in 1938 and is still going strong. The Summit Diner serves pancakes, meatloaf, and hash without messing with the formula. Locals swear by it and everybody leaves full and happy.
