Fraunces Tavern, New York

Fraunces Tavern—part museum, part restaurant, and part time machine—sits quietly at the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets, as if trying not to brag about everything it’s seen since 1762. Founded by restaurateur Samuel Fraunces, this place has worn many hats, including Revolutionary War headquarters, negotiation table with the British, and later, a federal office in the early days of the republic. Not bad for a spot designated for serving food and drink...

Step inside, and the building expands like a good story—bigger, richer, and full of unexpected chapters. You can wander through the lobby once frequented by none other than George Washington himself, or make your way to the Long Room, where, on December 4, 1783, Washington and his officers gathered for the famous farewell “turtle dinner”—because, apparently, victory tastes best with a side of shell...

Washington, for the record, was quite fond of the place. He liked the food so much that he later hired Samuel Fraunces as his presidential steward. He also had a well-documented appreciation for taverns in general—and for booze, judging by the names of his dogs: Tipsy, Tippler, and Drunkard. It certainly appears, Washington wasn’t aiming for understatement...

Today, Fraunces Tavern continues to deliver on that legacy. The whiskey bar boasts one of the city’s most extensive selections, the beer list is nothing to scoff at, and the menu leans comfortably into traditional American fare, such as meatloaf, steak, sandwiches, and desserts that don’t pretend to be anything else. The “Fillet Mignon on a Stone” comes especially recommended, if you’re feeling both hungry and slightly theatrical.

Upstairs, the museum rounds out the experience with exhibitions that trace the building’s layered past, from colonial tavern to revolutionary landmark. History, good food, and a decent pour—some combinations really don’t need improving...