Zum Franziskaner was established by German monks in Stockholm. The present building is newer, but the restaurant continues to celebrate its medieval roots. Visitors can enjoy Swedish and German dishes, including sausages, meatballs, and traditional beer.
Bianyifang – Beijing, China (1416)
Bianyifang began as a small food workshop during China’s Ming dynasty. It became famous for roast duck prepared inside a closed oven. Unlike Beijing’s better-known open-fire duck, this method keeps the meat especially soft and juicy.
Wierzynek – Krakow, Poland (1364)
Wierzynek is connected to a famous royal feast organized for European kings in medieval Kraków. Today, the elegant restaurant overlooks the city’s Main Market Square. Its rooms contain paintings, decorative ceilings and antique-style furniture.
La Couronne – Rouen, France (1345)
La Couronne claims to be France’s oldest inn. Located beside Rouen’s Old Market Square, it serves classic Normandy food.
The restaurant is also known as the place where American chef Julia Child enjoyed an important early French meal. Its founding claim, however, lacks complete contemporary documentation.
Piwnica Swidnicka – Wrocław, Poland (1273)
Located beneath Wrocław’s historic Town Hall, Piwnica Świdnicka is a medieval cellar restaurant and brewery. Its vaulted rooms, brick arches and long history make dining here feel like traveling back in time. The restaurant identifies itself as operating since 1273.
The Brazen Head – Dublin, Ireland (1198)
The Brazen Head is widely described as Ireland’s oldest pub. Travelers, writers, and musicians have gathered at this location for centuries. Visitors come for Irish stew, live traditional music, and the building’s stone walls and small atmospheric rooms.
Ma Yu Ching’s Bucket Chicken House – Kaifeng, China (1153)
This historic Chinese business became famous for seasoned “bucket chicken.” The Ma family preserved its special cooking sauce through many generations. The modern business traces its lineage to the Jin dynasty, although it has relocated several times over its long history.
The Old House 1147 – Maesteg, Wales
The Old House began as a country inn during the 12th century. Its thick stone walls, wooden beams, and fireplaces give it a warm historic character. Following restoration, it reopened as a restaurant and special-event venue.
This small sausage kitchen stands beside Regensburg’s Stone Bridge and the Danube River. It originally served workers who built the bridge. Today, guests eat grilled sausages with sauerkraut and sweet mustard at simple wooden tables.
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – Salzburg, Austria (803)
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is often described as the oldest restaurant in the world by founding date. Located within St. Peter’s Abbey, it was mentioned in a document dated 803. Today, it combines ancient stone rooms with modern Austrian dining.
