Across America you'll find plenty of years-old restaurants serving a generous side of history alongside great food. These storied spots range from rustic Italian diners that make pasta to secret family recipes to old-school taverns open during Lincoln's day – not forgetting saloon-style joints straight out of the Wild West. The greatest of these classic restaurants still serve excellent meals today, and we've tracked down the oldest and best throughout the country.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best historic restaurants in every state, counting down to the oldest of them all.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

In some cases, a state's oldest restaurant may not be highly recommended – here, we've picked the oldest and most historic place in each state that's worth seeking out and still serves great food.