Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World

The world is filled with star-class restaurants like Top 10 Most Popular Fast Food Restaurants in the World and Top 10 Best and Most Popular Restaurants in the World which serve cuisine to tempt even the most selective palette. Among these, there are restaurants that have been serving diners for time periods that are measured not in years but in centuries. So what are the Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World? Here at the World’s #1 Source of Research-Based Content, The Daily Top 10 we pride ourselves on bringing you exclusive research-based content from a variety of interesting topics, and today, let’s take a look at our list of the Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World.

During the pandemic and economic crises of the past few years, many food establishments suffered heavily with a reduced number of customers and even shortages of staff. So most impressively, some of these restaurants on our list have survived multiple global crises similar to the one we faced in our lifetime which is incredible to think about. The biggest risk for any establishment that operates for a long period of time is the risk from innovation and change. Restaurants have to keep up with the food trends and the latest discoveries in food science or risk losing their business. According to Binwise, conducting a SWOT analysis on restaurants can give them the best chance at success as they identify how to keep their restaurant fresh and operational.

So, what are the secrets behind the longevity of the restaurants in our list of Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World? Keep reading to find out more. But before that, update with the Top 10 Best Food and Beverage News and Trends in 2022.

What is the Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World?

Do you know the Top 10 Best Hotels in the World You Must Visit in 2022? And what are the Top Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World that has managed to stand the test of time? It is no easy feat to get boasting the rights of being the oldest and most popular restaurant in the world since it’s not something you can start trying to achieve now. It’s a distinction that you inevitably earn through many years, and in some cases centuries of genuine hard work and continuous dedication to quality.

Before we find out our number one contender for the Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World, let’s take a look at the others on our list which are no less impressive in terms of quality and resilience.

TOP 10: Union Oyster House (Since 1926, USA)

Founded by Hawes Atwood in 1826, Union Oyster House is the Oldest and Most Popular restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It also has the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in the country which has been in continuous service since its opening.

Part of the structure of the restaurant is the original building which was constructed back in 1716. The name itself implies that the restaurant specializes in serving oysters, a delicacy that had only just begun to be publicly served in 1763 according to NPS. Some of the most notable Presidents to have dined at this establishment are Calvin Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and William J. Clinton.

TOP 9: Rules Restaurant (Since 1798, UK)

The next restaurant on our list takes us to the heart of London. Rules Restaurant was established in 1798 by Thomas Rules and have the privilege of being the oldest restaurant in London. Serving traditional British cuisine, Rules has stood the test of time as one of the must-visit restaurants in England.

During the second World War, Rules kept its doors open to serve customers from 1 pm to 3 pm daily except on Sundays. According to their Official Website, Rules was situated on church premises and was unable to obtain the license needed to operate on Sundays. Their food is quite affordable and carries the classic and well-loved flavor of British cuisine in its original form.

TOP 8: Restaurante Botín (Since 1725, Spain)

Even though it is not the oldest, Restaurante Botín has earned the Guinness World record for being the oldest restaurant in continuous operation in the entire world. This magnificent piece of history is the benchmark of Madrid’s culinary specialties and their suckling pig and lamb roasted in the Castilian style is their signature dish.

According to Trip Advisor, the recipes that are in use today have been passed down from father to son over the years. The food is still prepared using natural cooking techniques in a cast iron wood-burning oven which has been in use since 1725. Be sure to make a reservation before thinking of visiting this restaurant as it’s a popular destination and is nearly always full to capacity.

TOP 7: White Horse Tavern (Since 1673, Rhode Island)

Welcome to the oldest bar in the USA. The next restaurant on our list is none other than the White Horse Tavern which is not only a bar but also a restaurant with a delectable menu to satisfy your tastebuds.

So what’s on the Menu at the White Horse Tavern? According to their Official Menu, they serve an assortment of seafood, meat, poultry, and vegetarian options, with a selection of cheeses for an extra bit of flavor to the meal. They sell White Horse merchandise such as glassware, shirts, and more so that visitors can take the experience home with them of the time they visited the oldest tavern in the USA.

TOP 6: Zur Letzten Instanz (Since 1621, Germany)

The oldest restaurant in Berlin in vintage courthouse-styled buildings and also home to a famed beer garden. According to One Day in a City, Zur Letzten Instanz means “in the last instance”. The story is that a dispute between two farmers was taken up in court and they were unable to resolve the matter. So the farmers stopped by at the beer garden and “in the last instance” they managed to settle their differences over a chilled mug of beer.

This piece of German history has been standing from before the wall of Berlin was brought down and has seen more history and more people than anyone would care to think about. Their food is always freshly prepared. For example, if you want to enjoy a piece of crisp apple pie you should place your order early as it takes the kitchen 20 minutes to prepare.

TOP 5: Honke Owariya (Since 1465, Japan)

The Honke Owariya was a confectionary shop at its inception and evolved its menu over the years to include other noodle-based items. Originally the ancestors of the proprietor traveled from Owari province (presently known as Nagoya) to Kyoto where they established the restaurant. The main ingredient of their dishes and confectioneries is “Soba” or buckwheat. As mentioned on their Official Website, The Kanji letter painted on the curtain at the entrance (curtains over the entrance of Japanese shops are known as ‘Noren’) is ‘Takara’ which means treasure which in turn is derived from the word ‘Horai’ meaning Soba.

In Japan, soba is considered to be a powerful and high-energy food that is consumed by monks for sustenance before they enter deep meditation. The soba flour was traditionally scattered on the floor of goldsmith shops to collect the gold flakes which had fallen. The flour was sifted away and the gold remained thus giving the meaning of Treasure. The auspicious quality of soba has made it the menu of choice in the new year and Honke Owariya produces around 15,000 soba noodle dishes in the last three days of the year alone.

TOP 4: Ma Yu Ching’s Bucket Chicken House (Since 1153, China)

Presenting the World’s Oldest Chinese Restaurant and the fourth contender in our list of the Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World. In spite of our tendency to picture something like KFC when we hear the name bucket chicken, according to the Baidu Encyclopedia, the bucket chicken or barrel chicken is called that because during preparation the chicken breast is not split open and its wings are folded onto its body to create a ‘bucket’ shape.

Bucket chicken is not something that can be eaten speedily. It’s a food that has been created for slow enjoyment. In order to experience the flavor, one must chew small strips of the meat which have been carefully torn off the bones. If you use a knife and cut a large chunk of meat and attempt to chew it the chicken would taste unappetizing and rotten.

TOP 3: The Old House 1147 (Since 1147, Wales)

Coming to us from the 12th Century, The Old House 1147 is a hotel, restaurant and bar all in one. Planet of Hotels stated that the accommodation is situated below the dining area and the guests can hear the movements of the patrons of the restaurant above them.

In a comedic light, their official site has stated that quote; “Dogs with well-behaved owners are welcome in our bar area.” unquote. This bit of text gives us an insight into the welcoming and accommodating nature of the staff and owners of this amazing restaurant which is a mere 150 years away from being one millennium in operation

TOP 2: Wurstkuchl (Since 1146, Germany)

Second on our list is the Wurstkuchl, which means ‘sausage cake’. Sausages are the restaurant’s signature specialty and around 6000 sausages are served to diners on a daily basis according to Wikipedia. The restaurant premises started out as a construction office for the Regensburg Stone Bridge. Once construction was completed the restaurant was established and to this date, the most frequent customers are dockers, sailors, and the staff of the nearby St. Peter cathedral workshop.

The building is tiny and can accommodate a maximum of 35 diners so in good weather customers can sit outside at the wooden benches and tables and enjoy their meals in the bright sunshine. With its homemade sausages made from pure pork ham prepared on an open charcoal grill that has been in use from its inception, Wurstkuchl is definitely a must-visit place in Germany.

We are now about to find out the number one Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World. You will be interested to know that both Mozart and Clint Eastwood who lived years apart have both been visitors to our number one restaurant.

TOP 1: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (Since 803 A.D., Austria)

The Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World is St Peter Stiftskulinarium in Austria. This magnificent establishment has had many notable visitors over the years and including Chopin, Mozart, Christopher Columbus, and Faust. According to their Official Website, the restaurant has a Mozart-themed dinner event that accompanies your meal with classical music in a baroque-themed dining area.

Austrian-Mediterranean cuisine is served at the restaurant with mouth-watering flavors and aromas. They have various dining areas with varying vibes such as ‘Peter’, a formal dining area with great music and food, and ‘Spater Beim Peter’, which is exclusively for patrons who wish to relax and enjoy themselves after a long tiring day at work, and many more. They are also a favorite location to host official gatherings. Our congratulations to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium for being the number one Oldest and Most Popular Restaurant in the World and we hope that it will remain in operation for many years to come.

What are the Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World?

One of the most competitive industries we see at any point in history has always been the restaurant and dining industry. With human nature being drawn to novelty, convenience, and affordability it’s sometimes hard for traditional, formal dine-in restaurants to keep up. But on the other hand, there are these restaurants in our list of the Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World which have managed to stay in business with hundreds of thousands of customers seeking them out to this day on the strength of their reputation and the quality of their food.

Here are the Top 10 Oldest and Most Popular Restaurants in the World:

1. St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (Salzburg, Austria)
2. Wurstkuchl (Regensburg, Germany)
3. The Old House 1147 (Maesteg, Wales)
4. Ma Yu Ching’s Bucket Chicken House (Kaifeng, China)
5. Honke Owariya (Kyoto, Japan)
6. Zur Letzten Instanz (Berlin, Germany)
7. White Horse Tavern (Newport, Rhode Island)
8. Restaurante Botín (Madrid, Spain)
9. Rules Restaurant (London, England)
10. Union Oyster House (Boston, Mass)

We hope you enjoyed learning about the origins and brief history of these famous places. We hope that one day you will be able to visit at least one of these places and experience a taste of history in the dishes served according to their original recipes and prepared the same way as they have been for hundreds of years. We will share with you some additional food articles for you to check out, Top 10 Must Eat Foods From Around the World, Top 10 Best Christmas Eve Dinner Recipes Everyone Will Love, and Top 10 Best Traditional Foods in the World. So, this is the World’s #1 Source of Research-Based Content, The Daily Top 10 and if you want us to be your partner, send us an email or hit the contact form and send us your message!