The Oldest Restaurants in the World
Even if you’re not a history buff, you have to admit: The oldest restaurants in the world hold a certain mystique, especially when it means following in the footsteps of some of the greatest artists and intellects of all time. And if that mystique comes with some of the best food on the planet? Even better. From Boston to Berlin, here are nine of the world's most historic restaurants.
This article was originally published in 2014. It has been updated with new information.
AlamyUnion Oyster House, Boston, MA
This National Historic Landmark on Boston's Freedom Trail holds the distinction of being the oldest continually serving restaurant in America (est. 1826). Order a bowl of New England clam chowder (not Manhattan clam chowder, lest you get side eye), or take down an icy platter of the freshly shucked namesake.
GettyRestaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain
Memorialized by frequent patron Ernest Hemingway in his book The Sun Also Rises, Madrid's Botín—open since 1725—holds the Guinness World Record for oldest restaurant. Its Castilian wood-burning oven produces legendary suckling pig and roast lamb.
Courtesy Zum FranziskanerZum Franziskaner, Stockholm, Sweden
Although Zum Franziskaner's current building only dates back to the turn of the 20th century, the food and grog remains much the same as it was when German monks established the restaurant back in 1421. The hearty fare melds the founders’ heritage with the Scandinavian location. Wash down a helping of pickled herring, spätzle, or wienerschnitzel with one of several full-bodied Germanic beers on tap.
Courtesy Zur Letzten InstanzZur Letzten Instanz, Berlin, Germany
When your restaurant has been around since 1621, a few famous faces are bound to stop by. At Berlin's Zur Letzten Instanz, the guest list has included heavy-hitters like Napoleon Bonaparte, Ludwig van Beethoven, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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Caryn B. DavisGriswold Inn, Essex, CT
Open since 1776, this tavern has welcomed a slew of travelers—including George Washington and Albert Einstein (casual). The colonial lodge still accommodates passersby, both for overnight sojourns and meals—try the sausages, prime rib, and clam chowder.
AlamyTavares Rico, Lisbon, Portugal
The ornate dining room at Tavares Rico, all sparkling chandeliers and gilded panels, has technically been open since 1784, but it got its look in 1861, when the restaurant says "businessman Vicente Caldeira wanted to make the house 'the most luxurious place in Lisbon.'" The four- and six-course prix fixe are equally indulgent—a mix of French and Portuguese dishes, with like classic takes on seafood and Iberian pork.
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AlamySt. Peter Stiftskulinarium, Salzburg, Austria
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium's earliest mention is in a letter to Charlemagne in 803 A.D. (someone should tell Guinness World Records) and purportedly served the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Christopher Columbus. The kitchen, though, has kept up with the times, now serving refined Austrian classics and nouveau European dishes using locally grown ingredients. Pick from one of 11 rooms, including vaulted chambers within the former monastery.
AlamyRules Restaurant, London, UK
Charlie Chaplin, Laurence Olivier, and Charles Dickens have all supped at this old-school pub, which swung open its doors in 1798. Classics like steak-and-kidney pie and roasted grouse rule the menu, but look closely and you’ll see a few modern touches. (Hint: There are Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle cocktails.)
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Courtesy La Tour d’ArgentLa Tour d’Argent, Paris, France
This Michelin-star restaurant has impressed Parisian diners since 1582, but it didn’t solidify its now-signature item—pressed duck—until 1919. Order that renowned dish and treat yourself to something from the wine cellar, which survived the city’s bombing during World War II.