Time-Tested Taste: The 10 Oldest Restaurants in the World You Can Still Dine In

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In an era where pop-up eateries and culinary trends rise and fall in months, some establishments stand as living monuments to time itself — offering not just meals, but centuries of stories simmered into every bite. These restaurants have fed emperors and rebels, survived wars and revolutions, and still welcome hungry guests into their storied halls. Journey across centuries and continents with these ten historic dining establishments — the oldest restaurants in the world where you can still pull up a chair.

1. St. Peter Stiftskeller – Salzburg, Austria (Established 803 CE)

At the base of Salzburg’s ancient cliffs, tucked within the sacred walls of the Benedictine St. Peter’s Abbey, lies a restaurant so old it predates most modern nations. St. Peter Stiftskeller was already welcoming guests when Charlemagne ruled Europe. Believed to be the world’s oldest restaurant, records from 803 CE confirm its hospitality to scholars and emperors alike. With candlelit vaults, wood-carved ceilings, and courtyards encased in weathered stone, dining here feels like entering a sacred rite — an ode to the endurance of tradition, cuisine, and culture.

Try the monk-inspired fare and raise a glass to over 1,200 years of culinary history.

2. Zum Franziskaner – Stockholm, Sweden (Established 1421)

This old-town Stockholm gem was birthed from the brewing skills of German monks. Although it settled in its current location in 1622, Zum Franziskaner traces its roots back to 1421. Locals affectionately call it "Zum," and the original beer recipe — passed down like a holy secret — still pours from taps beneath vaulted ceilings and dark wood panels. German sausages, Swedish smörrebröd, and monk-brewed beer tell the story of brotherhood, Nordic grit, and culinary diplomacy.

3. Honke Owariya – Kyoto, Japan (Established 1465)

Before sushi stole the global spotlight, Honke Owariya was serving the soba noodles that sustained Kyoto's imperial court and Zen monks alike. Originally a confectionery shop, this 15th-century establishment evolved into Japan’s soba sanctuary. Don’t let the understated façade fool you — inside, time slows, and every slurp of buckwheat noodles whispers secrets of samurai, emperors, and meditating monks.

Must-try: the Hourai Soba, a tiered dish offering soba served five traditional ways.

4. La Tour d’Argent – Paris, France (Established 1582)

With its glittering view of Notre-Dame and the Seine, La Tour d’Argent is where French aristocrats once learned to eat with forks — a then-radical utensil! Born during King Henry III’s reign, this "Silver Tower" became the nexus of refinement. Today, it’s still a Michelin-starred dining experience that serves decadent duck dishes with silver-plated pomp and historic grace.

Forks were introduced here; your standards for fine dining may be, too.

5. Zur Letzten Instanz – Berlin, Germany (Established 1621)

In a city often defined by war and reinvention, Zur Letzten Instanz is a relic of peaceful resilience. Tucked behind Berlin’s medieval city wall, this restaurant has survived Napoleonic invasions, world wars, and Communist rule. It offers classic German cuisine beneath a 200-year-old tiled stove and spiral staircases carved in Baroque elegance. The name means “To the Last Instance,” a fitting metaphor for Berlin’s enduring spirit.

6. White Horse Tavern – Newport, Rhode Island (Established 1673)

The oldest restaurant in the United States, White Horse Tavern is where colonial revolutionaries once met, where lawmakers sipped ale, and where justice was debated over hearty meals. Named after the painted steed on its sign, the tavern’s old-world charm remains intact: fireplaces, wide-planked floors, and candlelight transport you to the birth of a nation.

Today, it’s modern farm-to-table with an 18th-century soul.

7. La Petite Chaise – Paris, France (Established 1680)

Predating the French Revolution, La Petite Chaise sits with quiet dignity on Paris’s Left Bank. Once a humble wine merchant’s home, it became a bistro that would serve literary legends, aristocrats, and starry-eyed Parisians through the centuries. The iron railings and ancient stone whisper old Paris, while filet de boeuf and mousse au chocolat seduce the modern palate.

This is where history is spooned into every bite.

8. Fraunces Tavern – New York, New York (Established 1719)

More than just a tavern, Fraunces is a Revolutionary relic. George Washington bade farewell to his officers here. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dined before their infamous duel. Located in Manhattan’s Financial District, this colonial hotspot now features a sprawling drink menu, live music, and a museum showcasing priceless artifacts from America’s earliest days.

It’s the ultimate pairing: bold spirits and revolutionary history.

9. Botín – Madrid, Spain (Established 1725)

Officially the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world according to Guinness, Sobrino de Botín is where the ovens have never gone cold — literally. Since 1725, they’ve roasted suckling pig and lamb in the same wood-fired ovens. Francisco Goya once washed dishes here. Ernest Hemingway famously raved about it. The vaulted brick cellar, lined with barrels and stories, is as delicious as the cochinillo asado it serves.

At Botín, tradition doesn’t just live — it crackles.

10. Griswold Inn – Essex, Connecticut (Established 1776)

Founded the same year as American independence, The Griswold Inn — affectionately called “The Gris” — is a testament to endurance. Nestled along the Connecticut River, it housed shipbuilders during wartime, offered shelter during Prohibition, and fed spirits during the Great Depression. Its walls are adorned with maritime artifacts, Revolutionary relics, and stories from a bygone America.

Stay for a meal, but linger for the ghosts of 250 years of history.

A Culinary Pilgrimage Through Time

These aren't just places to eat — they’re immersive experiences in living history. Whether you're sipping soba with Kyoto monks or raising a tankard where George Washington once stood, each bite is a dialogue with the past. These restaurants prove that good food doesn’t just satisfy hunger — it preserves memory.

So next time you’re booking a culinary adventure, skip the hype and follow the whispers of the past. You might just find the most unforgettable meal of your life waiting in a centuries-old dining hall.

Because in the world of food, age isn’t just a number — it’s a flavor.

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