There's a place in Spain that's been serving patrons for nearly 300 years. Sobrino de Botín, in Madrid, is considered the oldest restaurant in the world by the Guinness World Records.
The restaurant has been continually in service since the 18th century, even managing to survive the Spanish Civil War and the covid pandemic. The building that houses Sobrino de Botín is even older - dating back to 1590. Located in the heart of Madrid near the Plaza Mayor it now has four floors which retain the original 18th century interiors as well as the original firewood oven. It employs 70 people and can seat up to 200 patrons.
This famous inn was founded by a French chef named Jean Botin in 1725 under the name Casa Botín. Since he and his wife didn't have children, the restaurant was inherited by one of his nephews in 1753. That was when it was renamed to Sobrino de Botín, referencing the new management - and has kept that name ever since. The restaurant changed owners once again in the 20th century when it was purchased by the González family, who continue to operate it to this day.
Botín’s speciality is Castilian cuisine, with a special emphasis on roast lamb and suckling pig. Three or four times every week, the restaurant receives suckling pigs straight from Segovia and lambs from Spain’s renowned magic triangle: Sepúlveda-Aranda-Riaza. The lambs and suckling pigs are roasted slowly and carefully in the old wood-fired oven.
If you find yourself in the Spanish capital, why not reserve a table? To find out more about their menu and history, visit their website.