A Taste of History at RESTAURANT Botin
Every once in a while, I find myself in a conversation where someone asks, “What’s the oldest restaurant in the world?” I’m always excited to say that I’ve actually eaten there. On Valentine’s Day 2018, my friend and I dined at Restaurante Botin in Madrid—recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant, founded in 1725!
It was a wonderful evening. We arrived around 9 p.m. because we planned to go dancing afterward. We ordered bread, salad, clams, jamón, savory suckling pig, and, of course, Sangria—and everything was delicious. I’d say it was just above average overall, but the most exciting part was imagining what it would have been like to eat there back in 1725. Adding to the special atmosphere, they even had live music, which gave the night an extra bit of Spanish flair.
One thing to note about Madrid is that people typically eat and go out late. Dinner really started to get busy around 11 p.m. or even midnight, so don’t be surprised if you’re still enjoying your meal well past midnight—and they won’t rush you out at all.
Here are a few pictures from our night. If you’re a fan of great food, rich history, or just love experiencing local culture, Restaurante Botin ( El Sobrino de Botín) definitely belongs on your Madrid itinerary. It remains one of my favorite travel memories to this day!
