Written about by author Ernest Hemingway and visited by artist Francisco de Goya, one of the world’s oldest restaurants has countless stories to tell.
With its exposed brick walls and charming caves, the Sobrino de Botín is an 18th-century bistro that retains its initial charming old-world aesthetic. Dating back to 1725, it holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest continuously operating restaurant. Be transported to a bygone era in this preserved and traditional museum piece in the heart of Madrid.
The restaurant is thought to be one of the founders of typical Madrid cuisine. Try its famous roast suckling pig and roast lamb that are cooked in wood-fired ovens. The garlic soup is another acclaimed specialty.
Choose a table in the vaulted cellar where the decor takes you back to the 1700s. Imagine local Madrileños and visitors dining in this historic cavern hundreds of years ago.
Embark on the Botín Experience guided tour to learn about the history of the restaurant over a mouthwatering six-course meal for lunch or dinner. Learn about the origins of the restaurant, which was founded by the Frenchman Jean Botin and was actually named after the nephew who inherited it. Watch a snippet of this guided experience on the official website’s Botín TV, which has recipes, history reports and stories about Madrid.
Read Ernest Hemingway’s mention of the restaurant in The Sun Also Rises and other novels. He often frequented the establishment and it is thought he favored the roasted suckling pig. The restaurant is also featured in author Frederick Forsyth’s books The Cobra and Icon.
Visit the restaurant for lunch or dinner. It claims to have kept its wood fire going since its founding, never to be extinguished.
Find the Sobrino de Botín just north of the Plaza Segovia Nueva in the center of Madrid. Ride a bus to a stop beside the restaurant or walk from the Tirso de Molina metro stop. Explore the surrounding area for highlights, including the Arco de Cuchilleros, the Plaza Mayor and the Basílica de San Miguel.
