Madrid's Sobrino De Botin Is The Oldest Restaurant In The World

Madrid is home to some of the oldest restaurants in the world—in fact—the oldest restaurant in the world, Sobrino de Botín, according to Guinness World Records. The restaurant dates back to 1725, and they’re still using their famous wood-fired oven to cook delicious delicacies such as roast suckling pig and lamb, just as they did centuries ago.

Origin

The restaurant is located in one of the most authentic and historic quarters of Madrid, close to the Plaza Mayor and the La Latina neighborhood on Calle Cuchilleros (Cutlery Street). The story begins with a French cook, Jean Botín, coming to Madrid by way of Asturias. A nephew of Botín’s wife opened a small inn that cooked for for travelers. Originally called Casa Botín, the name is now Sobrino de Botín. As the word sobrino means nephew in English, this alludes to the fact the restaurant was later passed to Candido Remis, the Botín’s nephew.

During the 19th century, the restaurant was renovated; large windows were added and so was a display counter for pastries and cakes. First Botín was considered an inn, then a tavern (the word “restaurant” was once reserved for high-end, exclusive spots found in places like Paris) and finally, later on, a restaurant.

The González family

The González family took over ownership in the 20th century. At this point in time, the restaurant spanned only the first floor, as the basement was the wine cellar and the family lived on the second and third floors. The restaurant employed only seven people (five of which were immediate family members—Emilio González, his wife and their three children). During the Civil War, most of the family fled to a small village except for Emilio González, who stayed behind. Botín was used mainly to serve military members during this difficult period. After the war, Emilio’s sons, Antonio and José, took control of the restaurant and expanded the space into what it is today.

Besides those looking to try their famous meat dishes, fish and traditional Spanish stews, Botín is also a hangout for literature and history buffs and is definitely worth a stop when exploring other literary hangouts in Madrid. The restaurant is mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and Death in the Afternoon, and even in works by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Popular Visitors

Hemingway in particular was a frequent visitor to the restaurant, and became close friends with Emilio González. Apparently, he was very interested in learning how to prepare paella, but it seemed his skills were more suited to writing and not cooking.

Art lovers will also be excited to learn that famous painter Francisco de Goya was once a waiter and dishwasher at Botín before he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Enjoy The Sobrino Today

Today, you can enjoy a typical Spanish lunch or dinner in this emblematic restaurant, either in one of the upstairs rooms or even in the downstairs wine cave, which is now open to the public. The famous suckling pigs arrive three to four times a week straight from Segovia, as well as fresh lamb, ready to be roasted in the original wood-fired oven.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.