The Oldest Restaurant In Every State [MAP]

Today, there are new and exciting restaurants opening their doors every week, eager to serve their dishes to guests. But what about the establishments that have been standing for decades? After all, with many restaurants closing just as quickly as they opened, there’s certainly something to be said for these restaurants’ impressive longevity.

The majority of the oldest restaurants in the nation were established sometime in the 19th and 20th centuries, and sometimes before their home states even joined the union. Others, like Rhode Island’s The White Horse Tavern and Virginia’s Red Fox Inn predate the United States itself and have an ambiance to prove it. Given their historic nature, many of the venues below have retained their original names, declaring themselves taverns, saloons, or inns.

While many states proudly tout their oldest restaurant, other states have much murkier histories, leading to some conflict over who actually claims the title. In order to determine the oldest restaurant, we narrowed down the first year food was served in the establishment as well as whether or not the restaurant was closed for a substantial period of time. Curious to know what the oldest restaurant is in the state you call home? Keep reading to find out.

Alabama: The Bright Star (1907)

Bessemer’s The Bright Star first opened its doors just a few blocks away from where the restaurant is currently located. The original family-owned Greek establishment was able to seat just 25 guests, but has since upped that number to about