If you love a good meal and a good story, you’re going to want to read this.
We’re talking about restaurants that have been around for decades—some for over 100 years!
They’ve survived world wars, Prohibition, and more bad fashion trends than we can count, all while dishing out amazing food.
Along the way, you’ll eat in an old train car, hang out in a former gas station, and maybe even spot a ghost (yep, seriously).
From burgers and oysters to corned beef hash and fresh sushi, this trip is packed with flavors and old-school charm.
Washington’s tastiest history lesson is waiting.
1. Merchant’s Cafe and Saloon – Seattle
Merchant’s Cafe and Saloon in Seattle’s Pioneer Square has been serving up strong drinks and hearty comfort food since 1890, making it the oldest restaurant in the city.
You can chow down on juicy burgers, fish and chips, and classic pub fare in a spot that’s rumored to be haunted—yep, ghost sightings and all!
It’s got that old-school Wild West vibe with vintage mirrors, swinging saloon doors, and antique decor that reflects its historic past.
2. Olympia Oyster House – Olympia
Next up is the Olympia Oyster House, sitting right on the edge of Budd Inlet with waterfront views that totally steal the show.
The building was constructed in 1924 and the restaurant is famous for—you guessed it—fresh, local oysters served every way you can imagine: baked, fried, and in shooters.
There’s outdoor seating, sea lions barking in the distance, and food that will keep you coming back over and over.
3. Red Horse Diner – Ellensburg
Driving into Ellensburg, you’ll spot the Red Horse Diner—a 1930s gas station turned retro diner that’s pure Americana.
This spot, housed in a building dating back to 1936, was restored and opened as a diner in the early 2000s.
It serves milkshakes, burgers, and all-day breakfast, all set in a place that makes you feel like you’re on Route 66.
You can even eat inside the old service bay while classic rock hums in the background and the smell of sizzling bacon fills the air.
4. Frank’s Diner – Downtown Spokane
Next up, say hello to Washington’s oldest dining car restaurant.
In Spokane, Frank’s Diner takes the crown for most charming spot to eat breakfast in an actual vintage train car.
This 1906 railcar-turned-diner has been serving massive plates of hash browns, omelets, and homemade corned beef hash since 1931.
It’s all about cozy booths, friendly staff, and that cool feeling you get eating pancakes where passengers once rode the rails over a century ago.
Frank’s Diner used to be based in Seattle, but relocated to Spokane in 1991 where locals have been enjoying it ever since.
5. Kuk’s Tavern – Northport
Time to visit the oldest continuously operating tavern in Washington.
Way up in the tiny town of Northport, Kuk’s Tavern keeps things old-school with cold beer, crispy fries, and stories that go way back.
It opened in 1889 (this was the same year that Washington became a state!) when it was originally established as ‘Skrobian’s’.
This place looks like a no-frills roadside bar from the outside, but inside it’s packed with character.
Here you’ll find wood-paneled walls, neon signs, and locals who’ve been coming here for decades.
It’s the kind of spot where time slows down, jukebox music plays, and the bartender might just tell you a wild tale or two from the good ol’ days.
6. Horseshoe Cafe – Bellingham
In downtown Bellingham, the Horseshoe Cafe has been open since 1886, making it the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Washington.
It’s famous for giant plates of chicken fried chicken, bottomless coffee, and late-night crowds that range from night owls to rock bands rolling through town.
There’s a diner in the front, a dive bar in the back, and a whole lot of character packed into this historic place.
7. Captain Whidbey – Coupeville (Whidbey Island)
On the shores of Whidbey Island, Captain Whidbey has been welcoming guests since 1907 with creaky wooden floors, driftwood furniture, and unbeatable views of Penn Cove.
The lodge’s cozy restaurant serves up island-sourced seafood like Dungeness crab and mussels so fresh they basically wave at you.
It’s part cozy inn, part historic hideout, and 100% the kind of place where you’ll want to linger with a glass of wine and watch the sunset do its thing.
8. Maneki Restaurant – Seattle
Back in Seattle, Maneki Restaurant has been serving traditional Japanese food since 1904, making it one of the oldest and most beloved spots in the whole state.
It’s actually known as one of the oldest Asian restaurants on the whole of the West Coast!
It’s hidden in a little building in the International District and is known for cozy tatami rooms, handwritten menus, and longtime favorites like black cod kasuzuke and tempura.
Once you taste the sushi here, you’ll totally get why this place has survived wars, internment, and nearly every twist of Seattle history.
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