Walking back in time - great historical experience. The service was superb! Try the cuchinillo- divine! read more

Botín - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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First stop after our arrival in Madrid was Botin. Reported to be the oldest restaurant in the world. All of the reviews said to make reservations. We got in line about 15 minutes before lunch started on a Saturday, and we were seated promptly. For $ €50 euros you can have suckling out, gazpacho(yum), bread, half a bottle of wine, and dessert. Good deal. The restaurant and service has old world charm, but it wasn't the best food in the world. We also ordered the cod. read more

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Beautiful place with such beautiful history. Staff was amazing and had their routine down packed. Which is no joke for as many floors as they serve their customers on. It is the oldest restaurant in the world so I suggest you all check it out. We did a tour and a set menu. It was supposed to be 5 courses but it was def more. I think the way I love food is not the way Madrid or even Barcelona make food. The tapas were pretty good, some needed some sauce, but hey, maybe that's just an American thing, and I didn't feel the season fed the meat here much less anywhere else in Spain. read more

Botín - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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It was my pleasure to visit this historic land mark. I had previously read much about this place and couldn't wait. The hostess was very welcoming and aloud me to take a tour of the kitchen and the upstairs even viste the table where Ernest Hemingway used to dine in. The food was good not what I'm used to as far as flavors but it was tender. read more

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Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world, it certainly lived up to its reputation while i was here. To start, I had the Salad Botin was fresh greens, tangy goat cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing. I then had, the Garlic Shrimp and was worth getting. The House Red Wine was perfect with the meal I had with assorted vegetables and were cooked carrots, asparagus, and zucchini. But what truly set Botin apart was the experience of dining in such a historic restaurant. The owner was incredibly gracious and took us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen, including a glimpse of their ancient oven that has been in use since the restaurant's founding in 1725. This was a truly unforgettable experience that added an extra layer of depth and meaning to the meal. read more

Claims to be the oldest restaurant in the world which hasn't closed in 300 years. Very popular and booking essential. However the heavy demand allows Botin to be a bit expensive, and if you can forego the dubious pleasure of being in a landmark location you will find many similar restaurants in Madrid which are easier on the wallet. I find the practice of charging for bread rolls a bit greedy. Cannot rate the food as we only had one starter to share, and a solomillo (Fillet steak) but was I disappointed as it came unexpectedly covered in a thick mushroom sauce and no vegetables ~ these are extra! We had one shared starter of tuna and red peppers, one plate of clams, one steak, and with bread (2€) and two aperitivos and one glass of wine the bill was 110€. read more

If ever in Madrid, you can't miss dining at the oldest running restaurant in the world, founded in 1725, according to the Guiness World Book of Records. This was definitely one of my top unforgettable dining experiences! Although, you don't have to make reservations, it's highly recommended. The line is for all. However, reservations get seated in the cool cellar first rather than the main dining rooms (which are quite warm) during the warmer weather in Spain. No AC here! Once seated, the service is quick and attentive. The menu is straightforward and the style of cooking is classic and simple with comforting flavors. They're known for the suckling pig here. The meat was tender and the flavors so juicy and delectable. It paired well with a tasty bottle of Rojia wine. The mixed vegetables may not have the greatest presentation but they were very flavorful and yummy with the Iberian ham. I love sipping on bone broth. The Chicken Consommé was a warm, satiating broth before dinner. The Botin clams were different than any other clam dish I've had before. I loved the deep rich flavors this dish had to offer. The bread was excellent for sopping up this sauce. For dessert, we indulged in the cheesecake. It's a bit thinner in viscosity compared to the staunch, more solid state of most cheesecakes, but I absolutely loved this delicate, exquisite cheesecake. Where can I find this in the states?? My overall experience was so memorable, shared with loved ones and one I would repeat when in Madrid again. read more

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Amazing location and history but be prepared for meat. Service was excellent. If you cannot get a reservation, book a Prado and Botin lunch experience. Expensive but worth meeting other travelers and great history. read more

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My Honest Review: I rarely write reviews, but I felt this experience was worth sharing. This is actually my first-ever review because it was also my first truly disappointing experience with a food service. I've always known the story and hype surrounding this restaurant -- being one of the most famous and historic in the world -- so I came in with high expectations. Unfortunately, my visit didn't live up to them. First, when we arrived for our reservation, the man who seated us was quite grouchy and appeared irritated. Once seated, it took a long time for the tapas and bread to be served. The servers didn't seem courteous or attentive; they looked rushed and overwhelmed, probably because the place was very busy. Second, the food was just okay. The chicken I ordered had a few hairs on it, which was very off-putting. The suckling pig (cochinillo) had crispy skin, but overall, it didn't feel special -- I honestly believe even a home cook could make something similar. The only truly remarkable thing about the restaurant seems to be its history as the oldest restaurant in the world. Lastly, the desserts were the highlight of the meal. As a dessert lover, I would give them a solid 10/10 -- they did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the service was poor, slow, and felt rushed, which brought the overall experience down to about 5/10 in my opinion. When it came time to pay, the older server seemed in a hurry and even made a mistake when processing our payment. I'm sharing this review not out of anger, but in hopes that the restaurant can take this feedback seriously and work toward offering all guests a fair and pleasant experience. read more

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Visitar Restaurante Botín en su 300 aniversario fue un verdadero honor. La comida, el servicio y la historia del lugar se sienten en cada detalle. El cochinillo estaba perfecto, las croquetas deliciosas y la crema catalana cerró la noche con broche de oro. Un pedacito de historia viva en el corazón de Madrid. read more

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ining at Botín in Madrid was as much about the experience as it was about the food. Walking into the world's oldest continuously operating restaurant (founded in 1725), I truly felt like I had stepped back in time. We were seated in one of the cellar dining rooms, and the historic atmosphere was incredible. Of course, I had to order the legendary roast suckling pig (cochinillo asado), cooked in their original wood-fired oven. It was a unique and delicious meal. The restaurant was bustling and definitely popular with tourists, but that's to be expected. For me, it was a worthy bucket-list destination for the history alone. My biggest tip would be to book your table far in advance! read more

Review #500: Botín - the oldest continuously operated restaurant in the world, having run since 1725. World famous and renowned for its roast suckling pig. We made reservations for 03.06.24 - the doors opened at 1 PM, the line was in place. We asked the host for a seat in the cellar and were obliged for his consideration. The atmosphere and energy at opening time was considerable. The staff was ready to go! Our waiter was professional and reserved, yet extremely attentive and courteous. Other waiters were gladly fielding questions from the customers about the restaurant's history. We ordered a bottle of the house red, the Botín Salad, and of course, the roast sucking pig. The wine was delicious and well-priced. And to think it was their "cheap option," yet as good as what is considered "high end" wine in the US. The salad was a solid choice - well topped and dressed and plenty for the both of us. The toppings on it were incredibly complementary to one another, and the flavor profile was expert. And then, the glorious yet sublime pig. Their pigs are only fed milk for three weeks before being processed for consumption. The result is extremely tender meat with a subtle flavor. The meat was almost creamy in texture, it was so rich. And the skin - so crispy from the ancient oven fire. It was like a thin sheet of ice on a lake that you poke and crack. The skin held a beautiful taste and was fun to crunch on separately. After our meal, we were encouraged to look around the restaurant on all levels. Although the place was super busy and congested, every staff member moved around us and the other visitors effortlessly and without complaint. For the naysayers on here that say there are cheaper places to eat in the area - yes, there are. And when you are, say, in Texas - you can get your BBQ from a Texas Monthly Top 10 joint, or you can head on down to the gas station for a brisket taco. And that we made it out of Botín for just around $100 USD - you can also go eat at the local Texas Roadhouse for that much and not get the once in a lifetime experience of eating here. Finally, the menu and prices are available both online and at the door, so if you want to complain about prices, that's your own fault. The service and food here was excellent - and as a dining experience, this is one that you talk about and remember fondly for a long time. read more

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The food was delicious the history atmosphere and ambiance were all Great! I loved it read more

I was going to give them 3 stars but I will explain why I left 2. I first came to this restaurant 23 years ago. It was fantastic the atmosphere was great you would order the cochinillo to your table side and they would cut it using a plate and serve it individually. The experience was truly unique. I now come 23 years later and it has completely changed. It is now tourist factory where they're only interest seems to be cycling as many people through there as possible on a given night. The tables are set inches apart so that your crammed in almost touching your neighbor. You order the cochinillo and bring you a plate with it already cut up and the pig is completely unseen. Aside from that the food is not bad but otherwise unremarkable. As a matter of fact I could swear that a tuna was literally taken out of a can and put on a plate before serving. The gazpacho was pretty good though and it is not a horribly expensive compared to how it could be the location and the history. The final touch though, what really made me lower the rating to two stars, was when they bring the bill around and I hand them an American credit card they turn the machine around and ask me if I want to leave a tip even though that is not the custom here. They have obviously gotten wise squeezing tourists for whatever they can get. If you're looking for the Botín of Legend, unfortunately that ship has sailed and what you get today is a sad manifestation of what used to be. It pains me to say that you will miss nothing by passing on this place and you should just walk on by to somewhere better. read more

Oldest restaurant in the world. The suckling pig was amazing! Get your reservation early. read more

Botín - Casa Botin - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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Continuously open from 1725, it is the world's oldest/longest running restaurant. So of course you have to go there. First for the history. And then for the food. And a distant third for their brusque service AKA service with an attitude. And then they asked for a tip afterwards, which was really off putting. But, as a one time thing, while in Madrid, it's worth it. The baby pig was delicious, with tender flesh and crispy skin. Our wives ate about half their portions while the men ate 1.5 portions. While excellent, we were all nauseous after about half a serving. Very rich, fatty. The few apps we ordered were all well seasoned and really good. Do it one time and say you've been to the world's oldest restaurant. Enjoy the ambience and food and history. Don't expect great service. read more

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Such a cool experience eating at the oldest restaurant in the world! It's been open since 1725. Make sure to book well in advance. When we arrived at 8pm, there was a long line ... for people with reservations, but the wait to get seated wasn't too bad. The most interesting parts of the restaurant are actually underground -- there's a super old wine cellar you can check out. I think the best deal is the $59 menu, which comes with wine or beer, water, dessert, an appetizer, and a main course. We sat in the underground dining room -- it kind of felt like eating inside a cave. A unique vibe. The food was excellent, but honestly, this place is about more than just the food. It's the whole experience. read more

We were really excited to come here just based on the history of the restaurant. We made a reservation (kind of hard to get) and were seated in the basement in what seemed to be an oven at some point. We were quite disappointed. The server was pretty dismissive of us, especially with only one of us being able to speak Spanish fluently. He seemed almost disgusted that we asked for "agua de grifo" but did provide a pitcher. The bread and oil are extra charges - priced by piece of bread and small bottle of oil. The entrees were extremely lackluster. The white fish had absolutely no flavor and no seasoning. Adding a squeeze of lemon did not help. The shrimp entree was weird- we all tasted it and had different descriptions- soap, burnt oil, burnt garlic and chemical like. The roast baby lamb was ok- not super flavorful. We skipped dessert since it was just not a good experience from there. It was one of the priciest meals we had in all of Spain as well. I honestly would skip this restaurant and just walk past to see it. I would consider getting dessert since other tables did look decent and it really is hard to mess that up. read more

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Had a great experience dining at the world's oldest operating restaurant Est 1725!!!! We opted for the tour first before dinner so that was nice, this was a great feature so you can learn about the history of the restaurant and see the famous "oven" It was a tasting menu which overall was good but not amazing, it's more the atmosphere and we were seated in "Ernest Hemingway "table where he was known to sit and drink bottles of wine and write his famous books Service was excellent and great ambience read more

This is the world's oldest restaurant and what a treat to be able to dine in there! Hard to get a reservation. So make sure you reserve early. They need credit card to confirm reservation. Wanted to go for dinner but only managed to grab a 1pm seating! Amazing food and wonderful service! We ordered the suckling pig, lamb, filet mignon, artichokes, tiramisu and sangria. The world famous suckling pig did not disappoint except it's a little small for the price. We actually love the flavor of the lamb more than the suckling pig. The filet mignon is our least favorite in terms of flavor but it's super tender. We ended our lunch with tiramisu. It's so rich and delicious and a must order if u like tiramisu. Oh forget about ordering the sangria coz it's quite diluted to me. We love exploring the ancient underground wine cellar after our meal. Such a cool experience to see all those rows and rows of antique wine bottles covered with thick layers of dust preserved over the years in the dark cellar! I wonder if any dare-devil will take up challenge to drink a bottle! read more

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This place is unfortunately severely overhyped. Cool it's the "oldest" restaurant but other than that the food is extremely dry & bland. I wanted to love this place so bad but the food just wasn't good. If you want your bill split you must request before ordering any food and although we tried our waiter ultimately just kept telling us everything was for the table. And yes they charge you per piece of bread & EVEN THE BUTTER. Tourist trap. read more

Visited the oldest restaurant in the world known Madrid, and it is quite an experience. Painter Goya used to wash dishes here. The service was swift and efficient, since they do lunch from 1 to 4 PM, and then open for dinner at 6 again. They still use cast iron oven to cook the meat, and not of the place maintains its authentic setting from the old days. We tried their speciality- roasted suckling pig and baby lamb, and also tried the chicken soup. The meat was very tender and juicy and really delicious. Definitely worth a try for a trip down the memory lane for Madrids history. read more

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Great food! Legendary ambiance! Great service! I highly recommend you make a reservation to get a table. Very busy. read more

Botín - Roasted Pig - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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We came in without a reservation and the wait wasn't too bad at an hour during peak dinner rush. Service was friendly and accommodating for our group with a senior and infant, we were seated outside but the night weather was comfortable. However the food was very underwhelming for how this restaurant was pushed as a "must try for oldest restaurant in the world". For how the food tasted for the unethical harvesting of the meat, (7 day old piglet). Would recommend passing this restaurant for the quality to value of the experience. There are many WONDERFUL dining options in Madrid rather than spend your limited dinner nights when on vacation here. Had asparagus in gravy, wine, bread, roasted pig. read more

The service was great. The ambiance was historical. It's as if you are dining from another era. Being that it is the oldest restaurant in the world it's nice to be enjoying that part of history. The food however was not as tasty. It was bland and of course being in a touristy location it was pricey as well. There are much tastier places in Madrid preferably away from all the tourist hotspots that are worth a try. However, for us it was the experience of dining at the oldest restaurant in the world. But don't expect great tasting food. read more

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Definitely make a reservation as this is such a unique place. Always try the suckling pig while in Spain. They give you about 90 minutes for your meal then the next group comes in. read more

Botín - Outside Botin - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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The oldest restaurant in the world was the perfect meal on the last evening in Madrid. I made a reservation online a few weeks in advance. Confirmation and follow-up were great. Fantastic food, service, ambiance. Loved looking around the restaurant after we ate. Everything was amazing start to finish. A late reservation was perfect as we were not rushed at all. read more

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This place is amazing! The suckling pig was all that it was supposed to be. For being as popular with tourists and locals alike the food and service were on point. They have a outstanding menu and the prices were reasonable for this American. One last thing try the family recipe cheesecake...life changer. read more

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The first thing I planned after booking our trip to Europe was a dinner reservation here for my entire family. I have been wanting to eat here for over 10 years, and this year we finally made it happen. It's in a very historic part of Madrid, just outside the Plaza Mayor. Most of the shops and restaurants on that street are in caves. There is even a barber shop that's over 100 years old just a few shops down. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, it looks quite small actually, but when you go inside, there's just levels of history up and down as you walk into this restaurant. Decor-simply historic. You feel the history, in the years of people, dining and enjoying good food here. There's old brick, old wood, and every little accent here just screams that it's been there for a very, very long time. I simply love the way the state was decorated and everything about the inside of this restaurant was amazing to me. Service-what can I say about the service, as an American, our service standards are a bit different. But I will say our waiter was very good, considering the European style of serving people at the table. He did a good job, and I would hope to get him again next time we done there. Food-everything was great!! The soup appetizer was a great start and the succulent pig was very good!! The skin was crispy and salty. The meat was juicy and tender. The desserts hit the spot. All in all, such an enjoyable experience. Not a 5-star rating because the food did not blow me away. read more

Botín - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

Came to this place to try out the "oldest restaurant" in the world. Of course had the suckling pig, garlic shrimp, filet mignon along with a pitcher of Sangria (What's a meal in Spain without Sangria?!). The pig was good but nothing spectacular in my opinion, Garlic shrimp was practically shrimp scampi. The filet mignon did not taste or have the texture of filet mignon. I am not sure if it how it is prepared in Spain vs the US. The wait time for our food felt like forever as we waited about 30-35 minutes for our food and it took quite a while to get our drinks. The Sangria was okay - it was sweet but also tasted watered down at the same time. I still recommend others to come by and try it as I think it was just the time we came that caused the service to not be that great. Highly recommend reservations if you come, but if you do have a reservation - you can try to come earlier as we were seated an hour before our 9:30 reservation. read more

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The purpose of coming back to Madrid this time is making sure we make the reservation and come for this 300 years old restaurant. We ordered their sets meals for suckling pigs. It is more food than we can eat. The pork is soft and top is crispy. It is delicious. And their service is excellent at the busy lunch time. We seated at the corner on the second floor is very quiet and comfortable. If we ever go to Madrid again, we will visit. read more

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I don't even know where to start this review... We have had the most amazing culinary experience of our lives in the beautiful city of Madrid. That being said, do not ruin your immersion into the Spanish culinary world by coming to this literal tourist trap. Trust me, we sat at the table in front of the infamous Guinness world record certificate, and I guarantee you if anyone took a picture with us in it, we would not be smiling. Red Flag #1: Multiple American shows/social media influencers have promoted the fact that this is the "oldest running restaurant" and run with that. But nowhere on these shows do they compare the price you pay here versus literally every other place around the block (and those other places have better food!). Red Flag #2: The only patrons I saw eating here were English speaking tourists. NO locals eat here. Red Flag #3: They accept American Express. My husband and I have wandered around the streets of Madrid and have learned that at any local spot que se respeta, they do not accept American Express. Sorry to tell you. Husband here: The prices are outrageous, the pork was well cooked but unseasoned and bland. The soup was ok but again, needs more seasoning. The clams were just ok, definitely NOT worth what they charge. Go anywhere else. I left here with a sour taste and do not intend to return. End of husband portion. I am writing this review at a local tapas spot around the corner with my $2.50 glass of wine. This place ruins the beauty of culinary artistry you'll find in Madrid and you can go almost anywhere else and have such a better experience. Go walk around and get lost in the beautiful city streets and don't follow these other ridiculous 5 star reviews for this place. read more

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Botín has been serving roasts beside the Plaza Mayor since 1725! Like most traditional restaurants they open at 20:30 for the first seating, so be patient for the procession to your table. The atmosphere is amazing, so relax. We sat beneath a thank you letter from Nancy Reagan. Service is gracious and warm. Very efficient. There most famous dish is cochinillo, roast suckling pig. Due its age the ribs are not yet calcified, hence tender to chew. The piglets are roasted whole so the outer skin is crisp and tawny, while the inside, next to the meat, is oozing with flavors into your meal. A brine marinade brings out the succulent flavors the texture cannot be described. My partner had the lamb roast, so we could enjoy the variety. Both are roasted low and slow, so the flesh melts on your tongue. Savor each mouthful. A feast to conjure the art of fine dining across centuries. Bravo. read more

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Great food, great atmosphere and great service. The food and wine were amazing. I ordered the cochinillo asado, which is the oven roasted suckling pig. It was cooked to perfection. The outside was crisp while the inside was moist and tender. For dessert I had the Crema Catalana and it didn't disappoint. Reservation recommended. read more

Botín - Cochinillo asado - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

MADRID - 05/07/23 - What makes Botin so special other than it's listed as the oldest restaurant in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. Botin opened in 1725. Yikes That makes it 298 years. My wife & I had been in Portugal & Spain for the past 2 weeks & were fortunate enough to go through Madrid before returning back to Chicago. I made reservations several weeks ago and are highly recommended reserving in advance if you want to eat there as many people want to try eat there & it can get quite busy. My wife and I had 8pm reservations. Much to our dismay we were seated upstairs. We ordered the roast suckling pig as this is their specialty piglets between the age of 2 - 6 weeks. Poor little porkers never had a chance to grow. We also ordered a salmon Omelet which was quite tasty. Well the roast suckling pig was tasty I wasn't overwhelmed or wowed by it. My wife is Filipina & I have eaten lechon Kawali & my personal favorite CRISPY PATA (deep fried pork knuckles) (TO DIE FOR SO DAM GOOD) For me & my wife it was the ambiance of eating at the Worlds Oldest Restaurant. The restaurant seating is on 3 different levels - level 2 dining where we ate, level 1 @ street level & the basement which is super cool w/brick like catacombs. The kitchen is also very cool. The chef has a number of whole suckling pigs spread out on pans then they are roasted in an open oven. He was very thoughtful. He brought a pig to the window so I could get a close up photo. I'm grateful that we were given the opportunity to experience Botins. read more

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Going here feels like a rite of passage for foodies, given its historical significance. If you don't have a reservation booked in advance, don't be deterred! We walked up about 10 minutes before they opened, convinced we were out of luck, and were seated immediately. The ambiance of this place is probably one of the best parts, you can really feel the history. The food was good, but not anything too crazy, I assume they use very old recipes to stay true to the tradition. We did really love the ham and melon. The suckling pig was pretty good too, very juicy. Overall this was definitely an experience, worth trying at least once! read more

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We came from NYC and made reservations right away to have the experience of eating at the oldest restaurant in the world also because it was recommended by YouTube Spain revealed, the food was mediocre and very expensive, I wouldn't not recommend as there are other place much more worthy of your money. read more

Botín - Pic of outside - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

We heard that the oldest restaurant was in Madrid where we happened to be staying for a couple of days so we ventured out to find it. Fortunately it was only a 10 minute walk from our hotel. Walking, the restaurant does have such a beautiful old world feel to it. The waiters were SO friendly and were so forthcoming about the history of the restaurant - being the oldest restaurant in the world. They showed us the kitchen where the crisped suckling pigs are prepared - and they encouraged us to go downstairs to see the underground dining room basically located in a cave. We had to try the crispy skinned suckling pig. We had the small order of it and some Jamón Iberico. The meat was so tender and the skin was incredibly crispy - it's the must have dish of this restaurant and it delivers. We finished off the lunch with cortados - perfecto! read more

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It's a bit of a tourist trap. The restaurants's allure is the fact that it has been open since 1725 and having its 300 year anniversary, but the food was not worth the cost. We got the Pollo which was very dry and flavorless, the Cordero which was tender, but again not seasoned at all and unless you order vegetables it was unaccompanied by anything else. My husband ordered the all popular suckling pig, which for me the smell was unbearable and it lacked flavor again. Our last order were the clams, these were very favorable unfortunately too salty though. The garlic soup starter was good according to my husband, but a bit oily for me. For dessert we tried the cheesecake, flan, and the Botin torta. They were okay, but not WOW as again you would expect from such an expensive restaurant that is claimed to be amazing. I would not return and I think a quick view inside would be the best thing and then find a better more flavorful place to eat. read more

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The oldest, operating restaurant in the world, (according to the Guinness Book of World Records.) When I saw this and was planning on visiting Madrid, this was a must-see for me, being a huge foodie. I made reservations a month or two ahead of time. They were super busy but when we arrived we were seated immediately. We were greeted immediately and we ordered our drinks, and when they came, we ordered our food. I ordered the suckling pig, an app, and eventually a couple of their desserts. (I want to try all of the food!) All of the food was really good. The suckling pig, in my opinion, is a bit overrated though. Just normal pork to me. The service was top notch though. The waiter was super nice and very fast with everything. Not sure if I would come back here since I've already experienced it but my experience here was great. read more