Built in 1668, this establishment predates the US itself, making it one of the most storied dining destinations in the country. Wisely recognized as America's oldest tavern with its stone facade, the Old '76 House, located on Main Street in Tappan, has been welcoming guests and was restored to its pristine condition by the Norden family. Step inside, and nearly every corner tells a story that served as a meeting place for local patriots during the American Revolutionary War. It also welcomed General George Washington for dining on occasion. He once received plans at the establishment that exposed Benedict Arnold as a traitor--prompting a dramatic reaction still talked about today. Upon entering without a reservation today for lunch, my partner and I were greeted by the host and got a cozy table by the fireplace with original Delft tiles in the Tap Room. The interior features rustic beamed ceilings, four fireplaces, vintage portraits, historical certificates and documents, as well as costumes and artifacts where patrons were able to walk around and marvel at them. The menu reflects the tavern's heritage, with dishes inspired by early American cuisine. We decided on the Thanksgiving Sandwich accompanied with fries and the Traditional American Meatloaf over Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables. For dessert, we shared Hannah's Apple Crunch with vanilla ice cream. But even more than the great and delicious food was the history, ambiance, and especially the way we were treated. Our server was Joe and checked on us often. The portion was healthy and the price comparable to the area's. If one has even a passing interest in American history, then it's a must to come here. Not just a meal, but an experience! read more

See all

The food was great the historical atmosphere wonderful. They had a jazz band that was very good. But I was there with 3 friends and wanted to talk and reminisce. Not talk over the music. read more

Far too often restaurants which offer a look back into history are nothing more than sentimental tourist traps who rely on nostalgia and offer little in the way of cuisine and experience. This is NOT the case with The '76 House. The cornerstone (literally) of charming and historic Tappan, NY The '76 House is the oldest tavern in the country. Many key moments in the founding of our nation took place in these rooms and on the property, however, the food, service, feel, and sense of community stand up to - and even exceed - even the highest standards of excellence in this modern age. Ownership and staff were fantastic. Our group was even lucky enough to get "the nickel tour," and were able to imagine ourselves rubbing elbows with George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. The food was outstanding. Table-side Caesar (a lost art), succulent pork chops, and perfect strip steaks with all the proper sides. Could not be more pleased. Service was even better than the fantastic food. Joe took care of our group and absolutely added to the experience. Based on his recommendations for trip one, I simply cannot wait to try the other items he mentioned. Prices and portions were remarkably fair. Not only an outstanding dining and social experience, but left feeling we got something special for our money. If you have not been, you must go. If you go on occasion, go more often. Bonus points if you play the Hamilton soundtrack on your way to lunch or dinner. Ownership has really done a fantastic job of balancing an amazing dining experience with keeping the original community feel of America's first tavern. Ps. Multiple sized rooms and beautiful patio which could be perfect for private dinners or events. read more

See all

A colleague was visiting from out of town who is also an American history buff. I could not think of a better place to take him for lunch. It was my first time as well. You are entering a Time Machine of revolutionary American. Take away guests smart phones and modern attire and you are taken back 250 years. Even the plates and cutlery are time period accurate. Food was solid American fare. We had French onion soup, fish & chips and a Thanksgiving hero stuffed w all the fixings. Staff were delightful as well. 76 House -In! read more

I've been dining at this restaurant on and off for more than 20 years. The ambiance remains warm, comfortable, and inviting, but unfortunately the quality of the food has declined significantly. My last few visits have been very disappointing. On one visit, I ordered the pork chop. After a few bites, it was clear that the meat had spoiled and was not fit to eat. When I brought it to the waiter's attention, he offered to replace it and explained that it had been prepared sous vide - it must have been made made many days before they served it. Although I declined another entrée and could not eat the one served. I was still charged for the meal. On a more recent visit, I ordered the Duck Hamilton. Once again, after only a few bites, I noticed an unpleasant odor and spoiked taste that made the duck inedible. The restaurant was busy, and the waiter did not return until the rest of my party had finished their meals. I explained the problem, but despite the duck being untouched after those first few bites, I was again charged for the entrée. The atmosphere alone almost makes the restaurant worth visiting, but the food quality is spotty and falls far short, especially considering the high prices. read more

This is America's oldest tavern and I love how this restaurant was steeped in history, frequented by George Washington himself. The space was expansive containing many rooms, beautiful decor, with really cool live music going on in the main area. My friend and I chose comfortable couch seats in the corner by the fireplace, which felt cozy and intimate. We started off with Grilled Flatbread, which consisted of roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, shaved Brussel sprouts, Gruyère, chili bacon jam, along with garlic puree. I really enjoyed this. The flatbread was thin, delightfully crispy, while the cheese was satisfyingly melty; veggies were cooked perfectly; and bacon jam added a nice touch. For the entree, I ordered the Duck Hamilton, which came with orange, gran marnier glaze, with a side of sweet potato mash. There were 2 decent size pieces of the duck and it was absolutely delicious! The skin was amazingly crunchy and the duck itself was succulent, juicy, and well seasoned. The gran marnier glaze was full bodied and added a slight sweetness, while the orange gave the dish a citrusy freshness. Sweet potato mash was tasty with some warm spices mixed throughout. I also tried my friend's '76 Famous Pork Chop, which was grilled, double cut Berkshire pork chop, paired with Hudson Valley apple brandy glaze. This was tender and oh so flavorful, especially with the well made sauce. For dessert, I went with the Chocopeanutbutta Pie. I also had Chai tea with milk and honey, which was full of spices and comforting. The pie contained chocolate crust and peanut butter filling with more chocolate. This was quite decadent. The peanut butter and chocolate together was rich, velvety smooth and heavenly. I had a taste of the Salted Caramel Boudino, which was a pudding, with Oreo crumbles and salted pretzel rod. This was light, airy, fluffy, with true flavor of caramel shining through. Service was excellent. Our water was friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive. Everything came out in a timely manner and we were well taken care of from start to finish. I would definitely return to try the Black Angus New York Sirloin, Salmon Terrine, and Apple Crunch. read more

See all

Atmosphere great. Service ok. Food...? Diver scallops were frozen quarter size. But priced like actual diver size. Disappointed . Great place...food could be better for $$? read more

Unfortunately very displeased with our most recent visit. We had reservations at the same time as a very large group/conference and the parking lot and restaurant were packed. I understand that they host events, but a heads-up when making our reservation would have been nice. We were seated outside, which resembled a back alley with truly no ambiance to speak of. Our table was extremely wobbly which I had to fix myself, even with the staff observing how the table shook back and forth, spilling our waters. After we had ordered drinks, our server seemed to disappear and we ended up leaving without even ordering food. Very disappointing. read more

Overpriced food and drink. Overloud (Dead night). Oddballs around. Beware credit AND DEBIT card surcharge. Neat history on the walls but I guarantee I won't be back. read more

Food was great, I got one of the best burgers of my life. I was really fascinated about the history there. The people there are nice and they will explain to you all of the stuff going on. The feel of the place was old in a good way, and I enjoyed the many historical pictures and items on the walls. read more

My husband had the shrimp scampi and I had the crab cake burger for lunch. Both were amazing, so was my white sangria. I love history so for me the restaurant ambiance was great too. The service was also great. The hostess was a little cranky but that goes with the old place lol. read more

This place was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Loads of parking, friendly staff and management, relics are everywhere, rustic atmosphere, fresh food, decent prices, live music every night, drink and food menu variety plentiful! The entire house is original as well I'm definitely coming back here again read more

See all

one of the worst dining experiences ever. Had high hope and expectations for this iconic venue. july 4th had 530pm reservation. Of course was going to be busy. We were ok with that. However it took one hour to get food order in then over another hour for food to arrive. the orders were all mixed up and barely palatable. several complaints to manger and server were fruitless And u heeded. to make matters worse when expressing displeasure to owner at end of evening received a smirk, excuses and sarcasm. his manager/ assistant with him was flat out rude and obnoxious. no effort made to sincerely apologize or try to make it right. avoid this place. read more

Pretty good stop in general but a must for anyone with even a remote interest in history. You can feel the history as soon as you walk through the door. Only had a burger but it was tasty and cooked perfectly. The draft beers were cold but had a funny taste, most likely attributed to unclean beer lines. Service was a disappointment. I sat at the bar and the bartender was also waiting on regular tables which kept her super busy. She was friendly but not very attentive. It was lunchtime so not much of a vibe but it is a cozy tavern with great historic memorabilia. Cozy fireplaces too. However, the 1980s lacquer furniture has got to go! read more

We made a reservation for 5 at 6 pm. There were parking lots left in the front of the building. And there was live music today!!! We sat in the patio. We were attended to immediately. We all chose our drinks, and they were promptly brought out. I tried the historical Washington ale. It was creamy and delicious. It was one thing to try the historical drink. Yummy!!! We ordered food to share. Caeser salad as starters Then mussels, fillet mignon medallion skewers, crab cake, salmon terriere, French fries and dessert. We had flourless chocolate decadence and hannah's apple crunch. We also ordered mac and cheese for our toddler. All the food was delicious. The medallion were very nicely done. The crab cake was succulent, so was the salmon. The mussels were good and succulent. And our servers came out to check on us. We loved it. One point to note: It would be better if they had updated the restaurant's menu on their website. And to improve their online presence. read more

See all

Three of us took a bike ride from Massapequa LongIsland New York to come check out The old 76 house Great food and atmosphere bartenders and service top notch read more

I love history, so this place was a must. Add the Classic Cesar Salad and a Monday Music event just makes for a great time

Wanted to go for the historical place. The restaurant has lots of history. Enjoyed the feel of the restaurant. The servers were friendly and helpful. The food was not appetizing. Fish and chips were lacking. Very kitties in each piece with lots of overcooked batter. The fries were not cooked well. Had the meatloaf meal and it was good, not enough to visit again. read more

I only came for drinks but I instantly fell in love with the charm of this place and would like to come back for lunch or dinner. There's so much history here. The staff is friendly and welcoming, especially Hudson (the golden retriever) who gave us a very warm greeting when we walked in the door. read more

See all

Really cool for the history buff. Great American history artifacts and ambience. Food was excellent! Service was also excellent.

Had reservations on Mother's Day. Wait on line for buffet took an hour - food was awful - and not replenished by the time we went for dessert. Outrageously overpriced. Just a few months ago it was great. Only thing good about it was the helpful staff. Will never go back. Our opinion was that one of the nearby diners would have been a far better choice. read more

I have been making it my intention to go to Sunday brunch regularly this summer - not just because I enjoy brunch, but to explore places I haven't been before. One of my mother's colleagues alerted me to '76 House and how they had a good experience there. I skimmed the menu and noticed they offered a brunch, and since it was July 4th weekend I thought the theming of the restaurant would be a perfect time to check this place out - so off we went. The '76 House describes itself as the oldest tavern in the United States, and I could definitely believe it both approaching the restaurant and walking inside. The aesthetics are Americana to the max - besides the style of the building and its bones, the decor includes a number of artifacts from the US' history. It was not crowded when we were there, so I did a bit of walking around looking at the different items they had around the dining area; the overall aesthetics were great and its a feast for the eyes if you're into Americana. The brunch menu is a la carte (though I think they will eventually be converting it to buffet). There is a good selection of breakfast and lunch items to choose from, as well as a couple of starters. Speaking of which, we decided to order a muffin basket to share; the muffins came in a variety of flavors and were served warm with berry compound butter on the side. These were fine, though the liner stuck to the muffin which led to a clumsy eat. Since it was brunch, I ordered a Bloody Mary which was spiced well with just the right amount of heat. For my main I went with the crab benedict. This had the potential to be good but I think fell short on a couple of things. I would have liked the poached eggs to be a smidge runnier, and the crab cakes were cold in the middle - it took away from the enjoyment of the dish. I appreciated the creativity of the dish though - especially that they used croissant instead of English muffins as the carb base. For dessert I had Hannah's Apple Crunch which was just fine, though was lacking a little on flavor. Service was great - everyone was really friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Overall though, the food fell short for me - I wish it was better so it's hard for me to justify giving more than a 3 here. I would be open to returning to check out more of their menu, but I'm not running back. read more

See all

Cool spot if you're into history and ghosts. Decent gluten free selection as well. I got the diver scallops, which were cooked well but one of my scallops had grit in it... maybe a bunch of sand in it that wasn't cleaned well? Risotto was a bit mushier than expected. Wasn't a fan of the red wine drizzle either. Burger had a great smoky flavor to it and the fries were crispy. read more

See all

I've been several times, and the great service and delicious food always has me going back for more. It's also a great place if you're into American history. read more

This place caters to the tourists who come to Tappan, NY to visit G Washington's regional headquarters. A lot happened here in the revolutionary war and this tavern was very much a part of it. A well-known spy was right here in this building, incarcerated here, tried here and hanged right near here. The ambience is all about the history. The food is quite good for a touristy restaurant. They mix a wonderful drink. In fact, the Mixology was so impressive that this otherwise solid four star establishment gets the fifth star from this yelper. Fresh oysters, assorted seafood, nicely prepared, steaks, very decent soups. The prices are reasonable, and the service is excellent. The menu changes, and there are always specials. Including locally caught fish, creatively prepared. read more

See all

Nice historic venue, decent food, but slow and dishonest service. Will not be returning.

Went with friends and had a lovely dinner. Made a reservation for 6 and walked right In and sat on the patio as it was a beautiful evening. Promptly the bus boy served us water and some bread. The waitress was right out and took our drink order. Highly recommend the Washington lager. Delicious. We soon placed our food orders. I had the filet skewer on rosemary the wife and friend shared a crab cake and the salmon with risotto. And her husband had the muscles. Thier grand daughter had been given crayons with a paper that also contained a child's menu. She had the butter pasta, and some of my fries. She was a happy girl. Lastly we did order dessert for the table. We had the apple crunch with ice cream. And the flour less chocolate torte. Yummmmmmmy. This establishment dates back to 1776 hence the name. Alot of history here. Check out the interior pics If I had any suggestions. That would be to update your website. It doesn't reflect your menu. We didn't know you had a rotating chefs menu, and a child's menu. This caused us to pack her food. Overall A+ great job. We look forward to returning read more

See all

Charming historic venue that I have been going to for many years. Could just be me, but portion sizes seem to be much smaller than years prior. Who gets hungry 3 hours later after a $24 meatloaf lunch with mashed potatoes? read more

Such a wonderful place to go for lunch! The food is good, our waitress Jessie was wonderful and you also get a great history lesson! We loved hearing about George Washington, Hamilton and Benedict Arnold. Dining and sharing the space with American history is thrilling! read more

Food ok. Overpriced Service poor Loud music Felt rushed after food finally delivered Will be a while before we return read more

We've had dinner at the Old '76 House twice. Both times our food was well presented, good sized portions, and full of flavor! Besides a vast menu of amazing food options there's centuries of American history on the walls as well as in the spirit of the restaurant. Our last visit was for dinner party for our son's graduation from West Point. The manager offered a tour and spent time at our table making us feel welcomed! read more

See all

Excellent food and service. The ambience is a tavern . There is live music on weekend . The vibe is casual and upbeat

If you want history setting this is the place - and awesome brunch. Service was great and something new to try and they now have events coming up - do not pass the opportunity read more

See all

I'm 74, and I met my seventh-grade English teacher here on Wednesday, July 22, 2025. The atmosphere felt so real and was ideal for conversation and dinner. The sound level was low, and the subdued conversations of the clientele reflected the setting. We both had the pot roast; it was delicious. After three hours, we agreed to meet here again when I return from Arizona. Thanks to the staff for their care of this historic site and the good times within. My name is Lou, and I stand by all my reviews. read more

The '76 House - A teacher and student reunite. - New American Near Me - Tappan, New York

If the '76 House were a person, I would refer to it as "a character." And I'm here for it. The setting: The '76 House advertises itself as America's oldest tavern. I'm not sure if that's true but we'll give it to them and move on. Regardless, this place is old. Like super old. Everything creaks and it's really not very level. But its incredibly charming and intimate. And quite possibly haunted. (The tavern served as a prison for John Andre, who conspired with and led to the revealing of the treachery of Benedict Arnold .....they really lean into that.) There are lots of artifacts on the walls to look at if you are a history buff. and waiting for your table (which often takes a while). Ask to be seated in the main room for the best experience. The bar is really small with around 10 spots maximum but a good bet if you don't have a reservation. There is live music several times a week and you can see who will be playing on their website. The bands are generally good. Think oldies played by musicians who just love playing music. It's a really good vibe. Sit at the bar if you want the best view. The food: Pretty good and there's something for everyone. It is a bit pricey but up to you to order as extravagantly or modestly as you want. There are usually some specials on the menu, but they are hit or miss. For appetizers, the Thanksgiving spring rolls are an unexpected treat (ask for extra gravy), the French Onion soup is done perfectly, the baked clams and mussels are fine enough, and the tableside Caesar is always fun to watch being assembled. As for entrees, still working through much of the menu partly because the burger here ($25) is absolutely amazing. Charbroiled, cooked exactly how you order it, and so juicy you will need to ask for extra napkins. Salivating right now. The pot roast ($33) is also solid as are the scallops ($39 and they give you quite a few). Meatloaf ($18; only available at lunch) is decent if a bit dry On.a recent visit , I had such faith in their kitchen I went rogue with the vegan moussaka ($30). Would not recommend that one. Brunch is rather uninspired (eggs benedict, waffles, et. al.) but still makes for a great place to meet parents or take kids. In sum, cool spot, good vides, good food, little pricey. Kid and parent-friendly. Check it out. 4.5 if I could. read more

Excellent service excellent food excellent atmosphere. What more can we say! Tommy, the host, was incredibly accommodating.

The food was excellent , but for the prices no value . Now service , we had a group of 10, wasn't super busy, she was trying to please , on special was the filet minion skewers said they only had them for the surf and turf , very disappointing , she forgot to put in our Cesar salad and the Irish stew app , not worth the hype not worth the $700 with tip we received ..not worth it the money at all ! read more

The Old '76 House is a historic tavern that opened in Tappan, New York in 1755. It was founded by Casparus Mabie. Although there have been claims that the structure was built in 1686, there doesn't seem to be any mention of any structure on or near the site earlier than 1705. At that time, a widow named Antie Myers was licensed to sell drink at her residence in the immediate neighborhood. The home was purchased in 1721 by Yoast Mabie (it was demolished in 1835). Yoast's brother Cornelius bought a piece of land nearby in 1753 and built the tavern the following year. It was originally known as 'Mabie's Inn' and was the site of the signing of the Orangetown Resolutions in 1774. It was often used as a meeting place for local patriots during the Revolutionary War. There are claims that George Washington visited the tavern and that Alexander Hamilton lived upstairs for nearly two years. For a few days in 1780, the tavern served as the prison of British spy Major John André before his execution. In 1987, the Old '76 House was purchased and restored by Rob Norden. Today it is owned and operated by his son (also named Rob). Although there have been claims that the Old '76 House is the oldest tavern in America, that title actually belongs to the White Horse Tavern (circa 1673) in Newport (RI). The Old '76 House is likely the 13th oldest tavern in America. My wife and I recently visited the Old '76 House while we were celebrating our sixth anniversary in the Hudson Valley. When I made the reservation, I told the staff that we were visiting for our anniversary. Upon our arrival, the staff surprised us with a special table by the bar that had two large cozy chairs. We absolutely loved all of the colonial decor that adorned the tavern and we were even treated to live jazz music. To drink, my wife had "The Dropped Lemon" (a martini of Italian limoncello & citrus infused vodka with sugar rim) and I had a pour of the "76 House Tavernkeeper Ale". The latter, brewed exclusively for the tavern by Toms River Brewing, is based off a centuries' old recipe. George Washington enjoyed the ale so much that he brought the recipe back to Mount Vernon with him. For an appetizer, we shared the "Grilled Flatbread" (roasted butternut squash and garlic purée, caramelized onions, shaved Brussel sprouts, Gruyère, chili-bacon jam). For entrees, my wife had the "Jumbo Diver Scallops" (jumbo sea scallops, seared red onion, house risotto, deglazed with port wine) and I had the "Roast Loin of Pork" (bacon-wrapped loin of pork around a chorizo cornbread stuffing roasted and finished with sauce chasseur, with a duo of mashed sweet & Yukon gold potato). Everything was so delicious! We were a little too full for dessert, but our bartender surprised us with some dessert cocktails (whiskey, amaretto, crème de cacao, Irish cream, coffee liqueur) garnished with strawberries and served on a plate with the phrase "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate syrup. We also got to chat with owner Rob Norden, who was so friendly! We had a fantastic anniversary dinner at the Old '76 House and would love to return in the future! read more

See all

Really enjoyed our meal here. Very cool historic tavern. Food was tasty and there was some good live music going on. Service was friendly and quick. read more

We had a delightful dinner at The '76 House. I've lived in Rockland County for 25 years and had never been. Our reservation was for 7:30 but we arrived at 7 to have drinks at the bar. However, the small bar was full so they seated us early which was very nice of them. We had some cocktails to start. They were nice and strong. For our appetizers we ordered the Brie in pastry and the pork belly. Both were really good. Also the portions were not huge and that is not a negative. We enjoyed them without being too full to enjoy our entrees. For our mains I had the Yankee Pot Roast. The meat was very tender. The gravy was good although it could have had a richer, deeper flavor. The mashed potatoes were good which is nice because they can often be disappointing. It was also served with a popover which was nice to dip into the gravy. My husband had the Lamb Shank special and loved it. He cleaned his plate and picked the shank clean. For dessert I had the creme brûlée which was nice but not exciting. But that's not really their fault because it's a pretty dull dessert in general. My husband had the chocolate ganache and it was outstanding. I had dessert envy. The service was very good. We had a nice long leisurely meal. We did not feel rushed at all. Our server was very attentive but not intrusive. The ambiance is what really made the meal. I am a HUGE history nerd and have read extensively about the American Revolution and this place did not disappoint. read more