These Are 10 of the World’s Oldest Restaurants

What’s the oldest restaurant you’ve been to?

For some people, this may be a weird question, but if you’re an avid traveler, chances are you’re interested in visiting some of the world’s oldest restaurants. This concept of eating meals away from your house and having someone else cook for you must have started sometime in the past.

We don’t know exactly the origin of this custom, but there are a few remarkable restaurants that have somehow stood the test of time in an era where eateries come and go with the seasons.

The world’s oldest restaurants hold a certain aura and, in one way or another, have followed in the footsteps of some of history’s greatest thinkers and artists. It’s even better when that uniqueness is paired with some of the world’s top cuisine.

Whether it’s for personal reasons or for social media purposes, foodies who are also travel enthusiasts may want to check out this list. Here are 10 of the oldest restaurants in the world, and yes, they are still in operation!

1. Sobrino de Botín, Madrid, Spain (1725)

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this restaurant, which opened its doors in 1725, is one of the world’s oldest restaurants. The Sobrino de Botín serves as a benchmark for the best regional cuisine in Madrid.

The place, which was founded by Frenchman Jean Botín and his Asturian wife, was originally called Casa Botín and served more as a tavern than a fancy restaurant. After Mrs. Botín died, the eatery was inherited by her nephew, who decided to change the establishment’s name to Sobrino de Botín, which means “Botín’s Nephew” in Spanish.

The restaurant, along with its two signature dishes — the lamb grilled in the Spanish manner and the mouthwatering suckling pig — peaked at No. 3 on Forbes’ list of the world’s 10 best traditional restaurants.

Several literary figures, including Ernest Hemingway, Mara Dueas, Graham Greene, and Benito Pérez Galdós, have dined at this special place.

2. White Horse Tavern, Newport, Rhode Island, USA (1673)

White Horse Tavern is the oldest restaurant in the US and among the 10 oldest eateries in the world. It was established in 1673, and it’s still operating, so make sure you stop by if you have the chance!

In the past, the place housed the City Council, Criminal Court, and General Assembly. It’s now considered the “birthplace of the businessman’s lunch”, since the public officials who ate there usually charged their meals to the city treasury.

The tavern has classic dining rooms that serve both regional and exquisite food, as well as a wide range of wines from across the world. You can also shop at the tavern shop.

3. A la Petite Chaise, Paris, France (1680)

This is the second-oldest restaurant in Paris. The artistic, social, and political elite have gathered here, including Colette. It was established in 1680, when Louis XIV was in power.

You’ll find on the menu foods that are known as French classics, such as escargot, French onion soup, slabs of foie gras, and boudin noir salads. Traditional French dishes prepared by its chefs Christophe and Franck are served in one of the restaurant’s three rooms or, when the weather is good, on the patio.

The two rooms on the first floor can accommodate groups of up to 60 customers. This second-oldest restaurant in Paris also offers delivery in the nearby area.

4. Zur letzten Instanz, Berlin, Germany (1621)

This place, established in 1621, was initially a tavern. Not only does it have a fascinating history, but it’s also the oldest restaurant in Berlin in continuous operation.

Due to its proximity to the Berlin Wall (it was actually within a block of the concrete barrier), it sustained considerable damage during World War II. However, the place was rebuilt in 1963.

Famous figures, including Beethoven, Napoleon, Jack Nicholson, Loriot, and even Angela Merkel, have dined here. It has two dining rooms, the Beer Garden and the Separee, where regional specialties made with the best ingredients are served. Plus, the food is pretty affordable!

5. Honke Owariya, Kyoto, Japan (1465)

This is the oldest restaurant in Japan that debuted as a candy shop. The place, which was founded in 1465, excels in soba noodles and has catered to everyone from wandering shoguns to Buddhist monks, including the Japanese Imperial family.

Honke Owariya is housed in an interesting old wooden structure with charming furnishings and tranquil settings. If you have the chance to go there, you should try its specialty, the traditional buckwheat noodles. Also, the chefs only use the “freshest” Kyoto spring well water to cook the restaurant’s delicious soup broth.

The sitting area mostly provides tatami mat floors around low tables, so those who’ve got knee problems may want to book a table in advance.

6. Zum Franziskaner, Stockholm, Sweden (1421)

Zum Franziskaner was founded in Old Town Stockholm by German monks and is one of the oldest restaurants in Sweden. The place went through multiple renovations, so the building is no longer in its original form. The current structure dates to 1906.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the beer. The establishment still sells the same kind of beverage — brewed by the monks — that it did in 1421, the year when it first opened. The hearty food combines the founders’ heritage with the cozy Scandinavian setting.

We recommend one of the many robust Germanic beers to truly enjoy a serving of Wienerschnitzel, spätzle, or pickled herring.

7. Stiftskeller St. Peter, Salzburg, Austria (803)

The world’s oldest restaurant is still running in St. Peter’s Abbey in Salzburg. What’s more impressive is that the establishment’s building has remained in its original state.

Although we don’t know the exact date of its founding, it seems that the place was running in 803, as the monk and scholar Albumin mentioned it in his writings.

The restaurant is said to have served both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Christopher Columbus. However, the kitchen underwent a modernization process and now serves sophisticated versions of traditional Austrian dishes as well as cutting-edge European meals made with locally grown ingredients.

8. Fraunces Tavern, New York City, New York, USA (1762)

Fraunces Tavern is New York’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1762. The establishment was built in 1719 and has a number of noteworthy ties to our country’s past, making it more than just a restaurant.

For example, George Washington decided to move in here during the American Revolution and even turned this place into his official headquarters. Here’s another interesting fact: The New York Chamber of Commerce was founded here in 1768.

Today, Fraunces Tavern is both a restaurant and a museum. The menu consists of slightly fancy but mostly traditional American pub food. Prices tend to be on the higher side, but at least there’s a decent amount of dishes, including steak, burgers, sandwiches, fish, and salads.

9. Bianyifang, Beijing, China (1416)

Bianyifang is Beijing’s oldest restaurant that serves pecking duck, carrying on a culinary heritage that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. It was founded around 600 years ago and was originally located in a different, much smaller area before expanding in 1827.

It now has multiple locations and is one of the top 10 restaurant brands in the country. One of the things that make this place so special is its old-fashioned roasting technique for cooking juicier meat with softer skin.

This restaurant also patented a method for its flavor-infused duck, so get ready to pay more than you would for regular poultry.

10. Union Oyster House, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (1826)

Despite its simple but iconic brown-textured appearance, this restaurant in Boston remains a popular place as it approaches its 200th birthday (it was built in 1826). Not only does Union Oyster House serve the local community delicious cuisine, but it also has a bit of history with old photographs and news clippings that line the walls.

And yes, this is one of Boston’s oldest restaurants. The structure itself highlights Georgian architecture with its cobblestone sidewalks and windows, while the aesthetic and decor remain as memorable and authentic as its oysters.

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