There are a lot of amazing, historic places in the Merrimack Valley, and that includes the restaurants. Whether they’re the inns where the Minutemen made their plans or the taverns famous authors wrote their works in, it’s an incredible area to visit and dine. Delicious food is seasoned with local history
The Worthen House Cafe
The Worthen House Cafe is Lowell’s oldest historic bar and tavern, having been established in 1898. Stepping inside the building is like stepping back in time. There’s a beautifully restored, pulley-driven fan system, which is one of only four left in the United States. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and has had several notable patrons, including Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, and Jimmy Breslin.
Come in for a cold drink from the delicious cocktail menu. For food, you could dine on the specialty sandwiches and burgers named after Poe and Kerouac or any of the other great American fare. As you do, perhaps you’ll work on a poem or song that will make you the next figure on the list of notable patrons.
Liberty at the Colonial Inn
Concord’s Colonial Inn has a long history. The original structure was built in 1716, and in 1775 was used as a storehouse for arms and provisions during the Revolutionary War. In fact, when the British came to seize and destroy the supplies on April 19th, the Minutemen met them at the North Bridge for what became the first battle of the American Revolution.
While at the Inn, choose from two unique dining spaces – the Liberty Room and the Village Forge Tavern. Liberty’s Tap Room was originally Concord’s “men’s only” bar and still holds its original charm and detail. Meanwhile, the Village Forge Tavern was the very storeroom where the supplies the British tried to seize were kept. As you soak in the rich history of the room, dine on freshly-made, classic American cuisine.
Town Meeting Bistro
The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington is a staple of American liberty and comprises three historic buildings. Built in 1888, the Main House was home to a descendant of one of Lexington’s first families, who settled the town in the 1600s. The Isaac Mulliken House was named in honor of the spirited politician who lived there in the mid-nineteenth century. The third building is the Barn, which served as Mulliken’s original carpentry shop.
The Inn further embraces its history with its restaurant, the Town Meeting Bistro. Diners will enjoy the bounty that New England has to offer thanks to produce sourced from local farmers. You can sit in a beautiful, historic building while dining on exquisite cuisine. On Saturday you can even experience high tea for a bit of extra poshness. It’s a great place for a date night or afternoon luncheon while in town.
History and food come together in Merrimack Valley with the incredible assortment of historic restaurants. If you’re a history buff with an appetite, hit these eateries during your next visit.
