From storied saloons steeped in history, to hole-in-the-wall spots that have since achieved cult status, all of the restaurants in this round-up have been visited by presidents at some point in their history. Whether we’re talking about George Washington’s favorite watering hole, Abraham Lincoln's pick for perfect potatoes gratin, Joe Biden’s go-to burger spot, or one of few independent eateries patronized by Donald Trump, here we reveal the 29 restaurants that have received the presidential seal of approval.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover where you can dine like a POTUS, too.

Founded in 1776, Fraunces Tavern was a popular watering hole for many of the Founding Fathers. It was here that, in 1783, George Washington – then commander in chief of the Continental Army – famously gathered his officers to bid them farewell, shortly before resigning from his military position. A museum remembers the building's revolutionary history, while the bar and dining room serve up comforting classics like burgers, mac 'n' cheese, and chicken pot pie, as well as a selection of Spanish-style pintxos and charcuterie. 

Washington also visited 1770-founded Gadsby’s Tavern – after being sworn in as the first president of the United States (he served from 1789-97). He was a regular, and set something of a presidential trend; subsequent leaders John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe all also visited. Today the building operates as both a museum and a restaurant, where you can order Washington’s favorite: a roasted half duck with corn pudding, roasted potatoes, rhotekraut (a red cabbage dish), and a cherry orange glacé.

Indiana’s oldest restaurant, The Log Inn, was built in 1825 as an inn and stagecoach stop. One of the most notable moments, in a history that spans almost two centuries, was when Abraham Lincoln passed by during a campaign tour, in November 1844. There’s no record of what he ate, but today the restaurant is known for its family-style dinners of roast beef, fried chicken, or ham, served with sides including mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Opened in 1857 and located in Manhattan’s Financial District, Delmonico's calls itself 'America’s first fine dining establishment.' It’s certainly welcomed some distinguished names over the years, including President Lincoln, who often dined here when visiting the city. His favorite dish was apparently potatoes gratin (not on the menu today). The restaurant’s other claim to fame is being the first place in NYC to put avocados on the menu. 

Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington’s oldest known saloon, though the location has moved a few times over the years, settling in its current home – a grand Beaux-Arts building near the White House – in 1983. Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding have all saddled up for a drink at the bar, while in 1989, George H. W. and Barbara Bush had dinner here with Sting.

The Hubbell House was built back in 1854, four years before Minnesota became a state. Ulysses S. Grant stayed here in 1876, becoming the first presidential visitor to what was then a hotel and saloon. Much later, in 1952, President Eisenhower also visited. It’s now solely a restaurant, serving up classic seafood and steak dishes.

Founded in 1885, this storied Manhattan spot is famous for its collection of 90,000 clay smoking pipes. President Theodore Roosevelt was a member of the restaurant’s Pipe Club, and his is one of the antique pipes on display, with hundreds more adorning the dining room ceilings. Keens is also known for its legendary mutton chops, dry-aged steaks, and old-school vibe.

Founded in 1893, by local character Henry H. 'Shorty Scout' Zietz, in its early days the Buckhorn Exchange attracted cattlemen, miners, silver barons, and railroad workers. But, in 1905, it got a visit from President Theodore Roosevelt, whose Presidential Express train pulled up in the nearby Rio Grande rail yards. After dinner and drinks, Roosevelt went game hunting with Zietz. Three other presidents – Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan – have also eaten at the spot over the years. 

Open since 1840, Antoine's is the oldest family-run restaurant in the US, and remains a beloved staple of New Orleans' dining scene. Several presidents have enjoyed its French-Creole cuisine over the years, most famously President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who in 1937 tucked into oysters Rockefeller, a dish invented at the restaurant. The city’s mayor, Robert Maestri, reportedly asked him: “How ya like dem ersters, Mr. President?"

Today, Nathan’s Famous serves up hot dogs in nearly 200 locations across the US, but it's the original spot on Coney Island, which opened in 1916, that’s the most iconic – and it's from here that Franklin D. Roosevelt sourced hot dogs to serve to King George VI for a picnic at his home in 1939. The King, on a four-day visit to the US with his wife, Queen Elizabeth, reportedly enjoyed two hot dogs, accompanied by a beer.

When this spot first opened in 1919 it was simply called Dixon’s Chili. But after President Harry S. Truman was pictured eating a big plate of chili here in 1950, customers flocked to the joint – and it changed its name to Dixon’s Famous Chili. In fact, Truman – who hailed from Independence, Missouri – had been visiting Dixon's regularly since the 1920s. Today, the chili is still served exactly the same way: on a plate, with beans first, followed by homemade, specially seasoned chili meat. 

President Truman and his wife Bess stopped off at this family-run diner in 1953, when passing through Frostburg on their way to Washington DC. The Trumans each ordered a chicken dinner. Today, you’ll find everything from breakfast classics and sandwiches to fried chicken and steaks on the menu. There's also a booth named in the former president's honor, featuring this photo of the visit. 

Claiming to serve up the best barbecue in Kansas City – and, some say, the best in the country – Arthur Bryant's has certainly attracted some impressive customers over the years, including presidents Harry S. Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. The latter reportedly enjoyed a half-slab of ribs, water, and a Bud Light – though was disappointed to discover they were out of coleslaw that day.

Boston’s Union Oyster House is America’s oldest restaurant in continuous service, with doors open to diners since 1826. It was a favorite spot of John F. Kennedy, who dined here frequently when he was a senator. His preferred order was lobster stew, and he favored booth 18 – which now has a plaque in his honor. Presidents Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama have also eaten here over the years.

Georgetown institution Martin’s Tavern has played host to a succession of presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, but it’s probably most famous for being the spot where, in June 1953, JFK proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in booth three (now known as The Proposal Booth). The menu reflects the cozy interiors, with comfort food staples such as meatloaf, English-style shepherd’s pie, and crab cakes. The restaurant also does a mean French onion soup.

Founded in 1902, when a significant proportion of Milwaukee’s population was made up of German immigrants, Mader’s still serves classic German dishes to this day. Stars from Britney Spears and Iron Maiden, to Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn, have dined here, and it's seen its fair share of presidents, too, including JFK, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Fans recommend the Kennedy-inspired German Sampler, which includes a wiener schnitzel, kassler rippchen (smoked pork chop), and sauerbraten (marinated roast beef).

Orange County’s El Adobe dates back to 1948 and is located in a building built in the 18th century. It started life serving a continental-style menu, but Richard Nixon – who had a home down the road, known as the 'Western White House' – asked the chef here to prepare him some Mexican food, and it inspired the restaurant to shift its focus. There’s even a dish named in his honor, The President’s Choice, featuring Nixon and his wife’s favorite selections: chile relleno, a chicken enchilada, beef taco, Spanish rice, and refried beans. 

Opened in the mid-1960s, in a house built by French colonist Louis Frasier in 1737, Mary Mahoney’s has welcomed a trio of presidents over the years. Dining on different occasions, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush have all enjoyed the Southern seafood here. In 1979, the restaurant was even invited to cater an event at the White House, inspiring a dish that’s still on the menu to this day: a mix of crab claws and fried soft shell crab, known as the Presidential Platter. 

This upscale Sacramento spot – named because its building used to be a fire station – was a favorite of Ronald Reagan’s when he was the governor of California. Reagan even had his pre-inaugural dinner here in 1967, feasting on caviar, Chateaubriand, and Crêpes Suzette. Other notable diners over the years include Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol, and Michael Jordan. Besides the food, the restaurant is known for its sophisticated vibe and impeccable service.

This cozy seafood spot, in the coastal town of Kennebunkport, was one of George H. W. Bush’s favorite spots to eat, and you’ll find framed photos of the 41st president adorning the walls. He apparently liked to sink into a wooden corner booth and tuck into fresh lobster followed by peppermint ice cream. Besides the president’s patronage, the restaurant is also known for its 'world famous blueberry pie.' Do note, this place operates seasonally, and is closed from late October through April. 

An unassuming-looking Chinese restaurant located in a strip mall might not seem like an obvious hangout for a president, but George H. W. Bush and George W. were both big fans of north Virginia's Peking Gourmet Inn. George H. W. ate here so often, the owners installed bullet-proof glass in front of his favored booth. As for his son, his usual order was a combo meal including Peking duck, spicy shredded beef, lamb chops, and jumbo shrimp, which subsequently became known as the Bush Standard Menu. 

Starting life in 1941 as a three-table café in downtown San Antonio, Mi Tierra is now a vast – and famous – Tex-Mex spot, loved by locals and tourists alike. One well-known fan is former president Bill Clinton, who has visited many times and is so dedicated to the spot, he was once photographed jogging in a Mi Tierra T-shirt (a moment that's now immortalized in a painting on the restaurant’s wall).

Clinton also dined at this famous Cuban restaurant, in Miami’s Litte Havana, and George W. Bush paid a visit, too. Both were eclipsed, though, by the 45th president. Donald Trump typically goes for fast food restaurants, and it's reported that the only Washington DC eatery he patronized was BLT Prime, a now closed steakhouse located in the Trump International Hotel. His visit to Versailles was an exception, though (perhaps predictably) controversial. When he and his entourage arrived here, in June 2023, Trump declared: "Food for everyone!" While the statement was met with excitement from diners, the Miami New Times reported that Trump left the spot after just 10 minutes – without picking up anyone’s check.

There are five outlets of popular barbecue joint Cooper's in Texas, but it’s the original LLano spot that George W. Bush declared his favorite barbecue restaurant. He first sampled its delights during his time as the governor of Texas. Later, when president, he asked the restaurant to cater a picnic at his ranch. It's best-known for a two-inch thick pork chop called the Big Chop, but also does brisket, ribs, chicken, and more, all cooked using a cowboy-style pit barbecuing technique over mesquite coals.

Ben’s Chili Bowl, located on the capital’s U Street, has been serving its famous chili half-smokes to hungry customers since 1958. During that time, the much-loved joint has attracted many famous faces, from civil rights heroes like Jesse Jackson and John Lewis, to celebrities including Bono, Serena Williams, and Anthony Bourdain. In 2009, Barack Obama visited, ordering a half-smoke and cheese fries. The former president can still be found here today, in the form of a mural painted on the side of the restaurant.

A Boulder institution that opened in 1923, The Sink claims to serve the best burger and pizza in the city. It’s also famous for the artwork, graffiti, and signatures (many from celebrities) that cover the walls and ceilings. In 2012, Obama added his name, having swung by unexpectedly during an engagement at the University of Colorado. He ordered the Sinkza pizza, with pepperoni, sausage, black olives, green peppers, and red onions. It’s since been renamed the POTUS pie.

The Reuben sandwich at Zingerman’s – packed with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing – already had a pretty legendary reputation, even before the 44th president rocked up to sample one in 2014. Obama, who was in town to give a speech at the University of Michigan, ordered his with crunchy garlic pickle and a side of spinach salad. Later, he said: "The Reuben is killer... I ordered like the small, and it didn’t look that small."

While his predecessor Donald Trump may prefer his burgers sourced from global chains, Joe Biden favors more independent spots. This casual 1950s diner is a favorite of President Biden’s, who hails from Wilmington and first came here as a teenager; a go-to order for him is the cheeseburger, accompanied by a thick milkshake. "Everyone knows Joe… He's come here so many, so many, so many times," manager Lupe Avilez told Food & Wine magazine. He's such a fan of the place, he convinced President Obama to visit in 2014, when Biden was his vice-president.

When President Biden and First Lady Jill visited The Red Hen restaurant in early 2023, each ordered the signature rigatoni pasta – and caused quite a stir. Word spread via The Washington Post that the couple had chosen the same tomato and fennel sausage ragu, and a social media frenzy ensued, with commentors furiously contesting whether or not it’s acceptable to opt for the same dish as your partner. While that might still be up for debate, there's no question regarding the popularity of the pasta dish – Red Hen chef and owner Michael Friedman estimates that the restaurant sells 50-70 orders of it per night.

Now learn about presidents' favorite foods through history