The Oldest Restaurant In California Is In San Francisco — And It Started As A Coffee Stand On A Wharf Over 170 Years Ago

San Francisco unsurprisingly boasts numerous longstanding restaurants, many of which have been operating for decades. Schroeder’s on the waterfront opened in 1893, The Swan Oyster Depot followed 10 years later, and Buena Vista Cafe opened in 1916. One restaurant, though, has an exceptionally long history, becoming an SF institution after operating for over 150 years. In fact, Tadich Grill is California’s oldest continuously operating restaurant and the third –oldest in the United States . Located in the heart of San Francisco, the restaurant started as a tent on SF’s waterfront for fishermen and, over a century later, has become a classic, unpretentious bistro famous for its seafood. The classic cuisine has received many endorsements over the years, notably from Anthony Bourdain and Tyler Florence . The menu is extensive, with over 75 entrees available. The Seafood Cioppino and Oysters Rockefeller are both popular dishes, and you can expect other classic plates like the seafood cioppino, steamed clams, a classic filet mignon, and hearty clam chowder. The restaurant is old-school and elegant , with white tablecloths and a cozy, dark-wood interior. Tadich emphasizes that the space is meant to be fun and unpretentious in the European Bistro Style, with fast-paced service. Tadich Grill has stayed true to its ethos, while San Francisco has rapidly changed around it. The restaurant was founded in 1849 by Nikola Budrovich, Antonio Gasparich, and Frano Kosta, all of whom immigrated from Croatia. Tadich Grill began as a tent on Long Wharf , selling coffee and grilled fish among the bustling crowds. Due to Commercial Street expanding east, the stand was moved to New World Market , then to Kearny Street. By then, the establishment had turned into the New World Coffee Saloon rather than just a small stand on the bay. In 1887, John Tadich , also a Croatian immigrant, bought the saloon after working there as a bartender for several years. Unfortunately, the saloon was destroyed in the devastating 1906 earthquake, along with another Croatian restaurant. The two businesses formed a brief partnership to reopen a new restaurant until Tadich dissolved it in 1912 . The restaurant was then passed to Tom Buich, who also worked there for years before becoming an owner. In 1967, the restaurant moved to its current location and is still operated by the Buich family today. The restaurant accepts reservations and walk-ins and is located at 240 California Street. You can learn more and make a reservation here. Source: https://secretsanfrancisco.com/california-oldest-restaurant-tadich-grill-sf/