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| Dating back to 1725, 'Sobrino de Botin' is the oldest working restaurant in the world |
'Sobrino de Botin' is the oldest restaurant in the world. Located in the heart of Madrid, this restaurant is certified as the world's oldest restaurant by the Guinness Book of Records. Botin is a typical Spanish four floors (including the cellar) restaurant, with a centuries old woodfire oven, dating back to 1725. The house specialties are cochinillo asado (succulent roast suckling pig with crispy skin) and cordero asado (roast lamb), cooked following old style Castilian recipes.
Ironically enough, the oldest restaurant in the world was founded by a Frenchman in Calle Cuchilleros (knife makers street) and was originally called Casa Botin. Later, when the nephew inherited the place, he changed the name to 'Botin's Nephew', which is exactly what the name in Spanish means.
Rumor has it that Goya himself worked as a dishwasher here for a while, before becoming a famous painter. The restaurant is mentioned in Hemingway’s 'The Sun Also Rises', as the famous American novelist was a regular here in his days in Madrid and even declared it to be his favorite. Also a local novelist, Benito Pérez Galdós, mentioned the restaurant in his book 'Fortunata y Jacinta'.
The place is very touristy, but it's also attended by locals (including the King himself!). It might not be a cheap place to dine, but at the end of the day you pay for eating in the oldest restaurant in the world and for the atmosphere. 'Sobrino de Botin' is a restaurant-museum and one has to taste it's charms with that in mind.
Though the Guinness Book lists 'Sobrino de Botin' as the oldest restaurant in the world, other restaurants are claiming this title too. One of them is Stiftskeller St. Peter in Salzburg, Austria. First mentioned in a document dating back to 803, the locals claim that Mephistopheles and Faust met here.
If you are mad about Madrid and good food, here are a few suggestions: Art/Shop/Eat Madrid, Cool Restaurants Madrid, Spain... A Culinary Road Trip
If you are mad about Madrid and good food, here are a few suggestions: Art/Shop/Eat Madrid, Cool Restaurants Madrid, Spain... A Culinary Road Trip
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| 'Sobrino de Botin' is the oldest restaurant in the world |
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| Suckling pigs at 'Sobrino de Botin' restaurant, Madrid by .duygu |
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I will never forget my one in a lifetime experience of dining in the world's oldest restaurant. I had gazpacho (the best one I've ever had) and of course, suckling pig, their specialty. Definitely worth it!
ReplyDeleteThe suckling pig at Botin is absolutely delicious! The best ever! This is a world treasure and the staff was wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteBotin is certainly a must go restaurant... Good service and good food, but as expected, you better book your table in advance. I wasn't sure what to expect from the oldest restaurant in the world, but I'm glad I spend one of my two evening in Madrid there. It's a priceless experience.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine ate here in the 1990s and loved it. I'm finally going to visit Madrid this summer and the oldest restaurant in the world is top of my list!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely like to have dinner in the world's oldest working restaurant... Madrid, here I come!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best restaurants in Madrid. And as it is the oldest restaurant in the world, I think it should be the logical choice for everybody visiting Madrid.
ReplyDeleteI always thought A La Petite Chaise from Paris was the oldest restaurant in the world. You surf, you learn!
ReplyDeleteYummy! I've tried suckling pig in Madrid but not at Botin. I didn't know the oldest restaurant in the world was there :(
ReplyDeleteThe restaurant seemed familiar. I've been to Madrid as part of the 15-man Philippine delegation to the Study Tour on the Development of Cooperative Integration in Spain sponsored by the AECID last April, 2009. If I remember right, we've passed by the restaurant in one of our walking trip around the heart of Madrid.
ReplyDeleteThis must be a very unique experience. For me, something truly unforgettable was dining on top of Taipei 101 :)
ReplyDeleteCrazy! They are still open until now.
ReplyDeleteThis is soo cool def have to check that out when Im in the city!
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt this is actually the world's oldest restaurant.
ReplyDeleteTHere are restaurants in the East far older than this.
I think Guiness should reevaluate their world's oldest restaurant. There are far older restuarants in Austria, Russia, China, and Japan, dating as far back as 1000 AD, and are still operational today.
ReplyDeleteThis should be updated.
Wow! I didn't know a restaurant in Madrid hosted the Guinness Record or being the oldest in the world! I think I should have lunch there... Anyone wants to come?
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I think I had lunch in here last year without even knowing it was the oldest restaurant in the world!
ReplyDeleteSorry Madrid, but I work in a restaurant in Prague and it has been serving wine and food since it was build as a restaurant in 1543! It is restaurant U Malířů, but I doubt that we are the oldest! I heard of a place in CHina dating back some 1200 years. But in Europe u Malířů is the oldest for sure! Come and visit us, I will give you the service of your lifetime :)
ReplyDeleteBotin got in the Guinness Book because it is the oldest restaurant in the world that was never closed down. It has continuity.
ReplyDeletethis is the oldest I can find, several thousand years older, and continuous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Yu_Ching%27s_Bucket_Chicken_House
ReplyDeleteI agree with hawksstock.Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House founded in 1153 in the city of Kaifeng, is the oldest. It has been in operation ever since. 859 YEARS!!!! Kaifeng, at this time, saw the birth of the world's first cuisine. Chinese cuisine. Looong before french and Italian cuisine.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic - hope to someday have the opportunity to dine there - It reminds me of the oldest restaurant in Santa Fe, NM El Farol - which is wonderful as well - yummy Tapas and perfect sangria!
ReplyDeleteThey must be a lots of history happening in the restaurant. Do all the decoration still the same from the early years?
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! I can't believe I missed this gem when I went to Madrid - for seven FULL days! Oh well, another excuse to come back and visit my friend Angel :D
ReplyDeleteYay! That's a healthy attitude!
DeleteWow, very eclectic place. I am a bit surprised that the oldest place is from the 1700s I would have thought there would be somewhere older than that. But who's complaining, it's nearly 300 years old!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad I missed this spot when I was in Madrid. I love the old brick cavern feel!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, it looks like Botin Restaurant it's going to stick around for a while longer ;)
DeleteGosh, I never knew the oldest restaurant in the world is in Madrid. Must be an interesting place to dine!
ReplyDelete