The 10 oldest restaurants in the world and their signature dishes

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The 10 oldest restaurants in the world and their signature dishes
  • Some of the world's oldest surviving businesses happen to be restaurants — and some date back to the 9th century.
  • NetCredit put together a list of the oldest restaurants in the world and their signature dishes.
  • From a historic sausage restaurant in Germany to a famous Irish pub, these centuries-old establishments are just as loved today as they were years ago.

From Germany to Austria and Ireland, some of the world's oldest restaurants are still serving up signature dishes within their historic walls.

NetCredit recently released a series of maps detailing the oldest restaurants in (almost) every country that are still running today, as well as a list of the historic establishments' specialty dishes.

Here are the 10 oldest restaurants in the world and their signature dishes.

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St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, Austria, was founded in 803 CE, making it Europe's oldest restaurant. It's also regarded as the oldest restaurant in the world.

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, Austria, was founded in 803 CE, making it Europe's oldest restaurant. It's also regarded as the oldest restaurant in the world.
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, Austria. Winnie W./Yelp

Located inside St. Peter's Abbey, the establishment has been serving Austrian cuisine for over 1,200 years. Visitors say that the restaurant's specialty dish is tafelspitz, which is an Austrian dish comprising of boiled beef with minced apple and horseradish.

Historische Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, Germany, was founded in 1146.

Historische Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, Germany, was founded in 1146.
Historische Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, Germany. Jeff T./Yelp

The centuries-old establishment used to provide hearty meals for Regensburg stonemasons and dockworkers in the Middle Ages and is world-famous for its charcoal-grilled sausages and sauerkraut, as well as its sausage cake.

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The Old House 1147 in Maesteg, Wales, is a unique piece of Welsh history.

The Old House 1147 in Maesteg, Wales, is a unique piece of Welsh history.
The Old House 1147 in Maesteg, Wales. The Old House

The Old House 1147, which dates back hundreds of years, has been restored to its former glory. The restaurant's signature dish is the Old House Pie, an individually made pie served with traditional chips and peas, with fillings that change by the day.

Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House in Kaifeng, Henan, China, opened its doors for the first time in 1153.

Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House in Kaifeng, Henan, China, opened its doors for the first time in 1153.
Roasted chicken wings. Sellwell/Getty Images

The establishment's signature dish is — you guessed it — a bucket of chicken.

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The Brazen Head in Dublin, Ireland, is the country's oldest restaurant. It was established in 1198.

The Brazen Head in Dublin, Ireland, is the country's oldest restaurant. It was established in 1198.
The Brazen Head in Dublin, Ireland. Scott M./Yelp

Famous for its live music and traditional Irish fare, the pub's signature dish is traditional Irish bangers and mash made from a traditional butcher's recipe. The dish is also served with vegetables, sun-dried tomato pesto, and parsley sauce.

Piwnica Świdnicka in Wroclaw, Poland, is one of the oldest restaurants in Europe — the restaurant opened its doors in 1273.

Piwnica Świdnicka in Wroclaw, Poland, is one of the oldest restaurants in Europe — the restaurant opened its doors in 1273.
Piwnica Świdnicka in Wroclaw, Poland. Aileen G./Yelp

Visitors can enjoy traditional Polish pierogi inside this historic restaurant, which is located in the basement of the Old Town Hall.

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La Couronne in Rouen, France, has been around since 1345.

La Couronne in Rouen, France, has been around since 1345.
La Couronne in Rouen, France. Maricar T./Yelp

According to the inn's website, in 1431, Raoul Baudry, a tavernier, could see the torture of Joan of Arc through the windows of La Couronne.

The restaurant's interior also features a tribute to American cook Julia Child, who brought the art of French cooking to the American masses. The restaurant's signature dishes include pressed duck, standing rib roast, and classic French escargot.

The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh, Scotland, dates back to 1360 and is located in the heart of the city.

The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh, Scotland, dates back to 1360 and is located in the heart of the city.
The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh, Scotland. April D./Yelp

The pub's signature dish is its prime selection of steaks served with rustic chips, roasted mushroom, confit tomato, and parsley butter.

Delivered straight from British and Irish farms, the restaurant's steak collection is aged for a minimum of 21 days to deliver the best flavor and texture possible.

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Hotel Gasthof Löwen in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, was founded in 1380.

Hotel Gasthof Löwen in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, was founded in 1380.
Hotel Gasthof Löwen in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Hotel-Löwen

Among the restaurant's menu offering international and local cuisine, the sliced veal "Zurich style" with rösti and vegetables has been called the hotel's specialty dish.

Honke Owariya in Kyoto, Japan, which was founded in 1465, is the nation's oldest restaurant.

Honke Owariya in Kyoto, Japan, which was founded in 1465, is the nation's oldest restaurant.
Honke Owariya in Kyoto, Japan. Justin H./Yelp

The restaurant has been open for more than 550 years, during which time it has perfected its recipes for soba with shiitake mushrooms, shredded thin omelet, sesame seeds, shrimp tempura, wasabi, nori, Japanese leeks, and grated daikon.

It's not uncommon to arrive and find a line out the door, but the wait is well worth it.

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