In the Financial District, right off Wall Street, is a building with a little piece of presidential history: The Fraunces Tavern. George Washington spoke to his troops at this historic site, and you can still get a hard drink or a tasty meal there today.

Built originally as a house for colonial leader Oliver de Lancey, the Fraunces Tavern was bought in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces, probably one of the first middle-class African Americans, who turned it into a tavern. Built in the Federalist style, the tavern is brick and simple. Friends of Samuel Fraunces, George Washington and other famous revolutionaries frequented this tavern. Legend has it that their ghosts still linger there.

Now also a museum, this place is one of the oldest operating taverns in the city (read more of the tavern’s history). The interior is split into two sections: tavern and restaurant. It’s also available for banquets and weddings. The restaurant requires a bit of splurging, but the food is tasty. Unfortunately, it also lacks vegetarian entrees. But the salads and soups are yummy (and cheaper than the entrees). The decor is simple colonial elegance.

With the delicious food and the chatter from the tavern, the restaurant radiates a cozy vibe. Perhaps it’s the benevolent presence of revolutionary ghosts, still frequenting their favorite drinking hole.

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