Not many places can claim to have the world’s oldest restaurant– especially not one that has operated since 1725.
Botín restaurant (“Restaurante Botín”) or “Nephew of Botín (“Sobrino de Botín”). as it is known to locals, has been recognised by the Guinness World Records, rightfully earning its place as a historical and culinary icon.
Visitors to Botín restaurant will experience the atmosphere and charm of an 18th century tavern, one that remains true to its earliest days as an inn for muleteers and traders. This place of genuine hospitality not only offers age-old good service, but true culinary traditions.
Located at Calle de Cuchilleros, one of Madrid’s historic quarters, stepping into Botín is like entering a traditional Spanish tavern and crossing into another world all at once. While the upstairs restaurant featuring charming light and lavish detail, its bodega (wine cellar), offers a truly unique experience, where visitors can dine in its cool cave-like depths.
Not to be missed is Botín’s legendary roasted suckling pig (“cochinillo asado”), cooked to crispy perfection in a wood-fired oven, which supposedly burns day and night, creating a special aroma found nowhere else. Another specialty is the roasted lamb (“cordero asado”), which tantalizes with its tender, off-the-bone succulence and aroma.
PRO TIP: A lesser known, but must-try is the delicious Botín-style Clams (“Almejas Botín”), offered as one of their fish dishes.
Recognized by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises, as “one of the best restaurants in the world”, Botín’s fires are still going strong, lighting up hearts and bellies since 1725.
The restaurant is very popular– always fully booked weeks in advance, so make sure you plan ahead and book a reservation in advance by visiting botin.es/en/booking/.
If visiting Botín restaurant is not enough to quench your appetite for Madrid’s history, you can always join our Discovering Medieval Madrid tour to learn more about the origins of the capital city that date back to the Middle Ages. You’ll learn about the Muslim ruins, historic gardens and monuments, as well as the streets with strong Arab and Jewish influence.