I visited Fraunces Tavern, New York City's oldest surviving restaurant, which is older than the nation itself

The restaurant’s interior felt distinctly colonial.

I saw this firsthand for myself. Behind me, waiting to be seated, were two different families on vacation for July Fourth — one from Tennessee, and another from Georgia.

The menu featured pub classics like burgers, fish and chips, chowder, and chicken pot pie.

In addition to standard American favorites you’d find on most Northeastern tavern restaurant menus, there were also a few surprises, like Scotch eggs, an ahi tuna poke bowl, and skirt steak frites.

The tavern also has an extensive list of themed craft cocktails.

Fraunces Tavern takes its drinks program as seriously as its history. While it looks like a colonial tavern, the beverage menu is decidedly modern and one of the most extensive in New York.

The tavern stocks more than 1,000 spirits, with a particular emphasis on American whiskey, bourbon, rye, Scotch, and Irish whiskey, and even has dedicated whiskey bars in the restaurant.

One drink that caught my eye was the Presidential Punch ($20), a refreshing cocktail made with New York rye whiskey, rum, orange liqueur, lemon juice, bitters, and peach iced tea.

However, since it was a weekday, I decided to stick with a diet soda.

For my appetizer, I ordered a cup of New England clam chowder.

As a nearly lifelong New Englander, I’ve had many cups of clam chowder in my day. Fraunces Tavern’s clam chowder ($15) is served in a small bowl with housemade bread.

I thought $15 was a little steep for a cup of chowder.

That said, I expected to be paying a little more than typical at a downtown Manhattan restaurant with a historic reputation.

From the first bite, I was blown away.

The chowder itself was creamy without being too thick or stodgy, with large chunks of vegetables and clams throughout. I would definitely order it again.

I also had to try the Scotch egg.

This traditional dish features an egg wrapped in sausage meat and coated in breadcrumbs.

These Scotch eggs ($16) were made with the tavern’s own signature three-sausage blend, aged Mahon cheese, dirty mustard, and spicy bourbon honey.

The Scotch egg was savory and a unique addition to the menu.

Each half of the egg was wrapped in a flavorful sausage mixture, fried until a deep golden brown, and served with a tangy mustard dipping sauce that balanced the richness, cornichons, and a sprinkle of arugula.

Despite growing up in the UK, this might have been my first time trying a Scotch egg. I was impressed — the yolk was perfectly jammy, and all the flavors came together well.

For my main, I chose the fish and chips — a nod to the tavern’s colonial roots.

The fish and chips ($26) is made with beer-battered cod and served with a lemon tartar sauce, fries, and ketchup.

The fish and chips was one of my favorite parts of the meal.

The cod was light, flaky, and perfectly crispy, while the fries were golden and pretty standard.

It was a comforting, classic pub dish that fit the tavern’s colonial-inspired menu and made clear why it’s one of the restaurant’s most popular entrées.

My only gripe was that the battered breading was just a touch too thick — it was hard to cut through without a knife.

I was impressed by my meal, and would definitely go back to Fraunces Tavern for another slice of American history.

I left Fraunces Tavern impressed by more than just its history. While its centuries-old legacy is what first drew me in, the welcoming atmosphere, thoughtfully preserved interiors, and well-executed food made it feel like much more than a tourist attraction.

I’d happily return for another meal — and another chance to experience a place that’s been serving New Yorkers since before the United States was founded.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a unique dining experience in Lower Manhattan, Fraunces Tavern offers a meal that’s just as memorable as the location.