Herded a group of 14 cats to Botin while on a tour of Madrid. The restaurant did not disappoint. Impeccable service, very nice Spanish wines, a wide array (and quantity) of appetizers, and the tastiest suckling pig I've ever had - even better, said to say, than what I've made at home. I guess they've perfected their recipe over the past 300 years! Price for the Menu 1725 was 90€, very reasonable for the quantity and quality of food. I was afraid it would be a tourist trap (it was #1 on our tour's list) but was very happy to see local families dining. And a bachelor party from Australia that we out-rowdied. Yay USA! If you get a chance, go! read more

Botín - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

A great experience. Extremely busy restaurant but well orchestrated team of people working save knowing what to do. Daniel our server did San excellent job taking care of every detail. The ambience couldn't be better, a place to enjoy and experience what is to be in the oldest restaurant in the world. The food, El cochinillo ! Wow! It's an experience. read more

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Sobrino de Botín is the oldest recorded restaurant in the world according the Guiness Book of World Records at over 300 years old. What foodie would pass up the opportunity to dine here? When I found out I was coming to Madrid I had to book a table. First things first, my suggestion is book way in advance. This place fills up fast. My friend and I waited too long and the only seating we could get was at 11:15 PM. No big deal though there's plenty of places you can get a light snack in the surrounding area while exploring the city. Walking in, the architecture immediately hits you. Low ceilings, gorgeous old brick, tight dining rooms, it really feels like you stepped back in time. The whole atmosphere is elevated without being stiff. Staff was super friendly and made the experience feel smooth from start to finish. There's also apprently a really nice wine cellar at the bottom I overheard other patrons bragging about. Food wise, I will keep it real, it was good, just not my favorite meal in Madrid. The sangria was solid, definitely one of my highlights. The croquettes were fire. Crispy, creamy, exactly what you want. My friend's seafood casserole was actually really good too, I lowkey wish I went that route. Now the misses. The sautéed vegetables with Iberian ham didn't do it for me. The veggies needed seasoning bad, and the ham leaned a little too salty, so together it just felt off. The suckling pig, the signature dish, was good, but I was not blown away. If I find myself returning here, I would explore other options. After dinner, there was a little show and they let you keep a souvenir menu, which was a nice touch and made the night feel more memorable. Overall I had a solid 3.5 star experience rounded up to 4. Sobrino de Botín is history, it is iconic, and it is worth saying you have been. Just do not expect it to be the best meal of your trip. Hit Botín, soak it in, then go explore the rest of Madrid's food scene, because that is where things really start to shine. read more

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I had seen this place on my reels so we made a reservations several months ago, but we booked a tour as part of the reservation (note you need to make one!) Established in 1725, it is the oddest continuously running restaurant. The place has old style furnace ovens using wood. Their specialty is the roasted suckling pig which I ad and also in the photos. My friend had the lamb. We got some appetizers like red pepper with tuna, manchego cheese, croquetas, egg and black sausage, mushroom. The main dish, the pig was really good. We got the rioja wine which was excellent. Our waiter was superb so I asked if I could list that we had good service from him. He said he doesn't speak good English but his name is Michelle. We also got dessert basque cheesecake and lemon sorbet. Both great. read more

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We came as a party of two on a Sunday evening without a reservation and we were seated within about ten minutes. The tables are all packed in very close to one another. We ordered a bottle of wine, bread, artichokes, and ensalada rusa to start. They were all excellent. We then split a lamb dish and a pork dish. We both agreed the meat was not as good as anticipated. For dessert the crema catalana was ok, but a little too burned for our taste. The service was good and it was nice overall but I don't know that I would return as it did not have the "wow" factor that we anticipated. read more

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It was a wonderful experience. Our guide, Phil gave us a tour of the restaurant as well as the history before our meal. It is an incredible space, over 300 years old and the world's oldest continuously running restaurant. The food was excellent... The tour tasting menu gave us a little of a few items on the menu. The roast suckling pig was delicious as were the cocktails. It is hard to get into without an advance reservation, if you are willing to pay a little extra for the tour, you may be able to get in on a date that there were no openings. read more

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This was more about the experience of dining in the oldest restaurant (established 1725) according to the Guinness book of World Record. The restaurant itself has a lot of character, dark woods and brick. The place is known for its suckling roasted pig and lamb. We also ordered this soup that was being brought to other tables. History aside, the food was underwhelming. It's the type of place you try once when visiting Madrid. read more

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Loved the service, glad we did it but would not return. Going in and checking out the oven and the seeing the inside was incredible. The pig was just ok. The cheesecake amazing! Checked it off the list. The outdoor seating was great for people watching. Again the service was fantastic. read more

The oldest restaurant in the world..... charming interiors, chaotic as soon as it opens, but winds down afterwards. Absolutely get the cochinnilo... you won't regret it's everything else is good but not wow! Our server was wonderful and made good recommendations for drinks and dessert. I suppose if it's your first time in Madrid, this will be a good spot to have dinner. read more

Botín - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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Amazing restaurant! The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. The portions were generous, and everything we tried was full of flavor. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We had a great experience and would definitely come back. Highly recommended! read more

An honor to be able to experience a restaurant during its 300th year of operation. We were able to make a reservation online the day before, but the reservations can fill up so I would recommend planning ahead. This restaurant serves a lot of very good Spanish dishes. The portions are a little bit smaller, but they are still good for sharing. The dishes came out fairly quickly. They had good flavor but many of the dishes were very salty. The salt level overpowered the dishes and made it difficult to enjoy the rest of the flavors. The dishes that saved the experience were the suckling pig and roasted lamb. Both had very tender meat and were not over seasoned. If I were to go back, those are two dishes that I would want to have again out of everything that we ordered. read more

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When we walked in, my mom and I were told you needed a reservation. However the host, Jose, seated us at a table for two right as we were walking out! We ordered the Passion Martini and the Turron Cocktail which were absolutely FANTASTIC. I would confidently say the Turron Cocktail was one of my most favorite cocktails I've ever had! We also ordered the Mango, Arugula, and Shrimp salad, as well as the Filet Mignon which were great as well. My mom and I LOVED the salad. At the end of our meal, our server Julian, served my mom and I the Basque Cheesecake and it TRULY was the star of the show. It was definitely the best cheesecake I've ever had. What's so great about this place is the rich history that it holds, considering they hold the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest restaurant in the world! I truly have to say that not only was the food amazing, the service was honestly SPECTACULAR. Huge thank you to Julian, Jose, and Adrian for being so great! read more

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This is the oldest restaurant in the world - according to The Guinness Book of world records. The place is amazing, the architecture is classical and the ambiance is serene. The staff - is very friendly and most of them speak English. Ok.. so now - the food.. I wanted to come here and experience what 300 year culinary experience would taste like.. and honestly, it tasted probably just like it did 300 years ago. It's bland and not what I was anticipating. The bread was ok, the salad average, and the cochinillo asado was more grizzle than meat. Also.. it was boiled maybe? Hard to tell. Long story short.. This is a must visit place because of its history. But the food was not so good. read more

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We came to Botín for my dad's 70th birthday, and I wouldn't change a thing! The food was amazing! The service was undoubtedly within the top 3 services at a restaurant that I've experienced. I can't remember what tapas we shared, but my brother got the suckling pig, and my dad and I got the seafood stew. My brother absolutely loved the suckling pig, but honestly the seafood stew was next level. On our entire 2 week trip through Spain and Portugal, that seafood stew would rank in the top 2 dishes that I had. We shared 2 slices of basque cheesecake between the 4 of us, and they were absolutely to die for. The texture is so unique -creamy and gooey. What really took the experience over the top for me was the attention to detail of our server - he saw that I placed a cake topper on my dad's piece of cheesecake, and brought over another slice with a candle on it for him without us even asking. That is true attention to detail, and next level customer service. It was greatly appreciated. The ambience inside is wonderful as you can tell it is a very very old building, which it must be since it's the oldest restaurant in the world. Make sure you snag a reservation. The restaurant opens at 8 pm and there was a line full of people who had reservations. This is truly a place not to miss! And the sangria is delicious!! read more

Botín - Seafood Stew - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

The oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness World Records! Dating back to 1725, this restaurant retains a lot of their older decorations. Be sure to book far in advance for guaranteed seats! We tried booking 2 months ahead but they were out of spots already. Luckily we waited in line about 15 minutes before they opened for lunch and got a seat. It is a slightly higher end restaurant. The servers wore suits although the guests don't have to. Bread is provided but it costs money if you eat it. We got their signature roasted suckling pig which was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There wasn't too much flavor outside of the meat, but that was okay for me. The dish was featured in a Hemingway novel so it is a very old dish. Not many people can say they've been to the oldest restaurant in the world! read more

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Honestly.. After 300 years, you should've learned to cook a steak by now This was one place we had to try while in Madrid due to the history. However, color me underwhelmed. The food just isn't up to snuff. We sat in the basement area. The service and ambiance are great. No complaints there. Towards the end of our meal, a group of four musicians came in and played live music and sang. So that was nice. The real star is the cheesecake- it's unlike anything I've tried anywhere else and worth the visit. read more

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Such a fun experience. While I didn't love my main meal, the flan dessert was outstanding. Plus the service and atmosphere make it a must try restaurant. I couldn't do the suckling pig or lamb, but it's their speciality, so those might be outstanding!! read more

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Ok so... This place is not just all hype! I understand that this is like the oldest restaurant in the world or something like that and with that there will be some exaggerating about the quality of this place, but I must admit that this place did NOT disappoint. The atmosphere is nice and historic, the sangria was delicious, and the food was amazing. The staff was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves here and will be back. You must book a reservation as they are not open all day and dinner service is very popular for them. Another thing, when you order a portion of the roasted pig you don't get the whole pig. I know that should go without saying but half my table was shocked that they didn't get the historic roasted pig for the table lol. Either way, that it was awesome and deserves its reputation. Update: I returned to Botin for my birthday and this time was even better than my first time here. My sirloin was delicious, the lamb, chicken, wine, coffee, and mango salad was also very good. I really like this place read more

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Cafeteria food is better! Spending $224 for food of this quality is madness. Steak tasted spongy and the ordering MW yielded me rare. Waiter never once came back to table after food delivery so it was wasted. Gravy over steak looked like it came out of a jar. Not one out of 4 of us enjoyed our food. Drinks were even bad. Mojito was poorly done and espresso martini was room temperature with zero chill. Oldest restaurant is their only draw -- what a waste. Do better read more

Excellent service and very enjoyable experience. I was able to make a reservation for 10pm dinner the day before and we were seated 15 minutes early. I was with three friends and we had the suckling pig, roast chicken, and steak, as well as a jar of sangria and lotus martinis for dessert. The suckling pig and the drinks were delicious! The other dishes were okay. At the higher price point of this restaurant, my friends who opted not to get the suckling pig were not as satisfied with the value for cost. Overall, it was interesting to visit for the history and iconic dishes and I would bring a friend who hadn't been before in the future. read more

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Dining at Sobrino de Botín was definitely an experience. Being able to eat at the oldest restaurant in the world makes it feel special from the moment you walk in. The standout for me was the cochinillo perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside. It's clearly what they're known for, and it didn't disappoint. We also ordered their steak, and one thing to note is the portions are bigger than expected. We ended up ordering 3 and didn't realize how large they were, so definitely something to keep in mind when ordering. The atmosphere really adds to the experience. It has that historic, old-world charm that makes the whole meal feel more memorable than just the food itself. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance, as it's a popular spot and fills up quickly. I'm glad I experienced it it's something you should try at least once if you're in Madrid. That said, it feels more like a one-time experience for me rather than a place I'd go back to on future trips. read more

Best artisan restaurant that stood the test of time. Need to book months in advance on their website or go for the tour if you're 1-3pax. read more

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Glad we were able to make a reservation at the oldest restaurant in the world, as evident as soon as you walk through the doors. We had a party of 6 for their lunch service. We arrived a little early and waited a bit for them to open but we were seated right away in their basement in which you have to walk down a narrow set of stairs. We ordered a couple of dish to share amongst everyone. The dishes we ordered were salad Botin, garlic soup with eggs, scrambled eggs with black sausage and potato, clams Botin, and ofcourse their roast suckling pig which is the highlight of the meal. The salad was fresh and the vegetables were crisp paired with vinegar and olive oil which is perfectly light for a hot summer day. The garlic soup we were a little skeptical about how it would taste but we were surprised by how rich and flavorful it was but not overall garlicky. It was in fact very hearty without being too heavy. Their scrambled eggs were velvety as packed with flavors from the black sausage. The potatoes also absorbed all the flavors. The only thing had to complain was the clams, although fresh and meaty, was too salty to my liking. The suckling pig was moist, tender, juicy, flavorful. The skin was crispy without a lot of fat. It was definitely the highlight and our favorite. Most of the servers there are old, probably worked there for many years. But they are also not the friendliest so don't expect to have amazing service. Another thing to note is their restroom is on the 2nd floor so it wasn't very convenient for my mother in law, who's 80 years old, to walk up and down the narrow staircase down to the basement and then up to the 2nd floor to go to the restroom. So if you have elderly in your group, I would definitely ask to not be seated in the basement. Overall, the food did not disappoint. Don't expect good service and just go there for the food. read more

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What can I say?... there's something special, as a foodie, knowing you're eating at one of the oldest restaurants in the world. Although online it said no more reservations were available, we were able to snag a reservation with 2 days notice by calling. Sure we had to eat early (1:30pm) but who cares! I did find the servers a bit on the snobbish side however that did not take away from our great experience. I loved their suckling pig and their sangria was the best I had during my time in Spain. Unfortunately I was so excited for the pig, I forgot to snap a picture!! read more

Botín - Piggie room - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

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This was quite the experience since this restaurant is in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant in the World. Founded in 1725, this establishment is essentially inside a cave. We went for the notoriety but enjoyed their food also. It was rainy and cold so we opted for comfort food. We started with their garlic soup with egg and ham. Very tasty and soothing. Next, we had the roast chicken with vegetables. The meat was juicy, flavorful and tender without being dry. Huge portion also. For dessert, we loved Grandma's recipe Cheesecake. Terrific, soft texture without being too sweet or grainy. read more

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This is a very late review (I wasn't on Yelp back then); it's better late than never... :) With a background in the hotel and restaurant industry and my love for architecture and interior design, I'm always interested in going into restaurants not just for their food and how they play with flavors, but also for their interiors and the kind of ambiance they try to exude. Also, I'm most interested how their kitchen looks and how their operational flow goes. With these interests in mind, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a truly historic culinary experience dining at the "oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world" while in Madrid. Coming in, the place was dark yet cozy with warm lighting, the tile or stone floor reminiscent of an 18th-century Madrid tavern (after all, it was founded in 1725). The various floor levels were linked by spiral, narrow staircases - not grand by modern standards but evocative of the centuries-old layout of houses and inns in historic Madrid. The exposed wooden beams (oak?) gave the rooms a cozy, rustic character. It was no surprise the place was busy when we arrived. The old soul as well as the child in me felt so at home being seated, to wait for a table to be available, in one dimly lit corner near a service corridor where most staff went through - I enjoyed just observing the staff going back and forth. It gave me the chance to explore and view the other floors while waiting. And since that corridor was near the kitchen, of course I had to see the kitchen. I was excited to confirm a hunch that the cooks, especially for their famous cochinillo, would not be Spaniards but mostly Southeast Asians renowned for roasting exceptionally delicious pigs. Lo and behold, the cooks were all Filipinos! They were so happy, as was I, to see a patron visiting their kitchen and talking to them. Once seated, despite the constant bustle, our waiter was very warm, welcoming, patient and attentive. Among the food we ordered, I distinctly remember the cochinillo and the gambas. The food was just okay for me. Giving it 5 stars because it was an experience of a lifetime - it's not always the case that one can easily dine at "the oldest restaurant" miles and oceans away from home. After all, the Mercado de San Miguel is just about a three-minute stroll away if one is still hungry and wants a wider selection of more exciting food. read more

Celebrating 300 years this year is Sobrino de Botin. It is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. The rich history is evident as you enter its doors and make your way upstairs to the dining area. The restaurant is so packed and the tables so tightly put together, I was literally elbowed twice by our neighbor's server. It is obviously a very popular destination, making a reservation weeks in advance is highly recommended. Food in itself was good but could be better. The Salad Botin, Clams Botin and White Asparagus with mayo sauce were all just okay. The "Botin Menu" is a great choice to try more items on the menu together with the cochinillo. The famous Cochinillo had a crispy thin skin and tender meat. You get the pork flavor without almost any other seasonings, it's how they have cooked it through the years. What I really enjoyed are the side dishes - the cold Gazpacho Soup, and hot Garlic Soup with Egg are not to be missed. Make sure to leave some room for dessert because the Basque Cheesecake is one of the best in Madrid. read more

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The services, the suckling pigs, clams and garlic shrimps were amazing!!! The environment is nice to enjoy great food! Definitely recommend. The minor issues were the Yelps information are not accurate. read more

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Stopping into Botin might be the highlight of our trip to Madrid. We were skeptical that the experience would be a bit of a tourist trap, but we were absolutely blown away by the service, atmosphere, and the food. We came without a reservation, so we are very lucky we got seated at all (it was a cold rainy day in the off season, I would highly recommend reservations if you intend to dine here) The atmosphere was breathtaking. You surely step back in time no matter where in the restaurant you are seated. Cool enough (and probably because we didn't have a reservation) we got to walk through the kitchen to take our seats in an intimate little room with only 4 or 5 tables. The hospitality is unmatched, even with my minimal spanish the service was perfect, and we received wonderful recommendations from our servers. My boyfriend and I shared a half bottle of red wine, an artichoke salad, the filet mignon, and dessert. For two smaller people, it was a great size. If either of us had been hungrier we may have wanted to order one more thing to share, or our own entrees. The staff highly recommended grandma's cheesecake to finish. With so many opportunities for dessert nearby, it took a little convincing to stay here but we are so thankful we did. This cheesecake blew us away. It was a burnt basque cheesecake with a fruit syrup on top and it melted in your mouth. Obviously, the recipe is a secret. Our visit to Botin made for a beautiful evening in Madrid. If our stay had been longer, we even would have considered coming back again. read more

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This place is an experience as one of the oldest restaurants in the world. It is rich with history and well worth a visit and tour. The food was ok. I'm not a fan of the suckling pig which is what they are known for and so I didn't indulge in the primary meats and proteins. I did very much enjoy the other dishes and the dessert was wonderful and rich but the perfect portion. The server and the tour guide were wonderful sharing the history of the space with us and making us feel a part of the story. I'd definitely return here again just to experience it all once more. read more

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Visiting Sobrino de Botín feels like stepping back into mid-century Europe, in all the best ways. As the longest-running restaurant in the world, it's easy to see how Botín has beaten the odds. The cochinillo and wood-roasted lamb leg are the kind of dishes that don't need culinary theatrics. The flavors are earthy, honest, and deeply satisfying--meat, wood fire, and expert technique. Nothing drowned in sauce, nothing overworked, just perfectly executed tradition. The sangria is beautifully balanced--sweet, refreshing, and just boozy enough to remind you you're in Madrid. The desserts? They taste like something your grandmother would have made: comforting, lightly spiced, and unapologetically classic. If you ever find yourself in Madrid, Botín isn't just a recommendation--it's a must. Put it at the very top of your list. read more

Get the pig! You can get 1 piece to share, but it's really good. Shrimp in hot garlic oil is good too. Blood sausage is good but it's like rice so have something to pour over like the stew we got. Def go downstairs in the basement, it's behind the counter of first floor. Watch your head, it hit mine twice and I'm only 5'6". read more

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Supposedly one of the first restaurants in the world. The service was amazing. The food was delicious. We were lucky to get in. I don't know if they make reservation reservations, but we showed up without one and we were able to get in somehow with some luck. We sat downstairs, which was awesome. There's also a room upstairs on the way to the bathroom. It was a little cluttered, a lot of people in one space. I feel bad for the waiters who have to move around in the small space going up and downstairs, and the tables are so close together. It's crazy in there! But the steak, amazing! Everything we had was really good, including the dessert and the croquettes, and our friend who is from there ordered a few items for us as well. We also got to go downstairs and got a picture in the old wine cellar. There's dust all over the wine bottles. They're so old. Very cool place. read more

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Prior to arrival in Madrid, close friends booked reservations for 5 at the "oldest continuously open restaurant". Celebrating its 300 year anniversary, this iconic spot is evidently hard to get into without advance booking. Our 5th was unable to make the trip and there would be a small charge if we showed up with 4. As fate would have it, we met an AP Photographer covering the NFL Miami Dolphins VS Washington Commanders game (the reason for our stop in Madrid) and he randomly mentioned he tried getting in to Botin, but could not. Our 4 became 5 and the adventure continued. We arrived a few minutes early, the line was about 30 people long. We learned that even with a reservation, you still had to wait in line. It was odd, we got over it quickly. While waiting in line there are some historical items to look at and a model of the entire restaurant floor by floor. As a note, we wanted to dine in the cave like basement, it was not available. We were led to our corner table in a bustling, loud, dining room. It was at this moment, I began to understand the draw to the place. The walk there, atmosphere inside, service, and food, all replicated what it may have been like 300 years ago. Out waiter was brief and to the point during every interaction. He basically walked up after we viewed the menu and chatted fir 10 minutes, and said "what do you want?". Not in a rude way, only matter of fact. He wanted the drink order and all food at once (something I learned is very common in Madrid). No nonsense, tell me everything you want and we'll get started. A couple of us went with a pitcher/vase of red Sangria. It arrived, the server showed us how to pour without getting too much fruit or ice in the glass, which was a good tip. My first sip had me hold back from chugging the entire glass. It was the best amd most refreshing Sangria I've ever had. Living in south Florida, I've had my share. For starters, I ordered the black sausage (blood sausage). I'm familiar with its Spanish roots and wanted to compare it to the typical Peruvian style I eat in south Florida. It was much more dry and did not include a sauce or "salsa". However, it was the most flavorful I've ever tasted. The herbs, spices, and rice mixture, complimented the dish in a way that removed the minerally flavor notes I am used to. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys this type of sausage. My main was a roasted baby lamb on the bone, perfectly roasted, with a couple roasted potatoes. Like our waiter, it was no nonsense, no frills, straight up bone on lamb, prepared the way it was done 300 years ago. The lamb is the only star, no garnish, no effort put into the plating or presentation. I did not opt for desert, the portion was huge and I had my fill between the starter and main. Most of our table had the famous toast suckling pig. I tasted it and it was every bit as good as a Cuban pig roasted in the ground for Nochebuena (Christmas Eve). The skin was perfect, meat tender and juicy. Same as the lamb though, no wasted steps. Roast the meat, place on white plate, serve. To wrap this up, I recommend making a reservation and partaking in the experience of dining in a 300 year old Spanish restaurant, soaking in how things were done centuries ago. If you are limited on your restaurant choices and spend, I would not recommend it if you are looking for 5 star service and Michelin Star food/presentation. Set your expectations right, and you'll likely leave appreciating the experience and opportunity to sit in a room where others dined before 90% of the luxuries you enjoy today. read more

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tl;dr the sangria and desserts surprisingly outclassed an otherwise solid-not-stellar array of moderately pricey, Spanish sit-down fare Sobrino de Botin is the world's oldest, continuously operating restaurant, having weathered the Spanish flu pandemic and the Spanish Civil War. Don't take my word for it; just ask the folks at Guinness World Records. Founded by Frenchman Jean Botin in 1725, then inherited by his nephew (hence the translated restaurant name "Nephew of Botin"), the restaurant has only changed ownership once in its storied past, when it was bought out by the Gonzalez family in the 1930s. Across the years, Botin has boasted many famous visitors, including Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway (the latter of whom mentioned Botin in the closing pages of his novel The Sun Also Rises). Legend has it that the oak-fired stone oven has never stopped burning, and this is partially true; for nearly a century, the staff have kept the flame alive to avoid erosion from rapid fluctuations in temperature (a single staff member even was granted special permission to do so during the country-wide COVID lockdown). Nowadays, the restaurant hosts four dining rooms, from the converted inn rooms to the centuries-old wine cellar. Enter through the scarlet-and-gold-trimmed foyer. Straight back, the compact, Spanish-tiled kitchen hosts shelves upon shelves of whole roasted suckling pigs, each in a worn iron pan. In the upstairs spaces, dark wooden slats are exposed on the ceilings, and the whitewashed walls are decorated with classic artwork and vibrant tilework. Down in the wine cellar, accent lighting is cast onto the arched brick walls, including an original portion of the now-demolished Christian Walls of Madrid. Across all rooms, antique wooden chairs are pressed up against white-clothed tables. The chatter of patrons and clinking of silverware on porcelain echoes around the rooms. I visited Botin for weekend dinner as part of an organized restaurant tour through Insider's Travel. Briefly, the 45-minute pre-dinner tour explored the storied history of Botin through each dining room, the medieval wine cellar, and the original kitchen before segwaying into a pre-fixe dinner. Our tour guide, Jorge, was an absolute delight. Notably, the tour guests were granted dibs on the choicest tables in the house (whether the "Hemingway table" tucked into a second-floor corner or a cozy cellar table). Our meal began with a few shared appetizers. The small portion of Queso Pura de Oveja Churra (cured Manchego cheese) had a memorably rich and salty bite that exceeded any other Manchego I had tried across Madrid. The Pimientos Asados con Ventresca (roasted red peppers with tuna belly) plated a few strips of mildly briney tuna atop a bed of sweet chopped peppers, while the Croquetas de Pollo y Jamon (ham & chicken croquettes) tasted like turkey and mashed potatoes with a chicken nugget skin; both dishes were forgettable. The Huevos Revueltos con Esparragos Trigueros (scrambled eggs with asparagus) were a sleeper hit; with an extra pinch of salt, the dish reminded me of a quiche sans crust. The Setos a la Segoviana (Segovian-style mushrooms) were seasoned perfectly, and I found myself continuously swirling my bread through the sauce. Of the entrees, I preferred the signature, crispy-skinned Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) to the fragrant Cordero Asado (roast baby lamb); both were heavily seasoned across the exterior, while the interior ended up relatively bland. Further, the portions of both seemed smaller than normal (possibly because we were doing the pre-fixe), but the hefty multicourse meal left us nearly rolled out of the restaurant, anyway. For desserts, we shared the extra creamy Tarta de Queso (Basque-style house cheesecake) and the light-yet-flavorful Tiramisu (heavily cocoa-powdered and sprinkled throughout with chocolate crisps); both were out of this world. The red wine (served by the half-bottle) was outdone by the artsy carafe of sangria. Service was moderately attentive, and they were in no rush to usher us out the door. The staff spoke limited English, but that seemed hardly a problem. Our bill totaled 93 euros each, which covered the tour, the entire pre-fixe dinner, and two custom Botin ceramic mugs. While the generally good-not-great food alone felt pricey, the overall experience (tour included) was memorably enjoyable and worth the premium. read more

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

Food is okay, but not worth the price. Their specialty-roast sucking pig had a crunchy skin. Not so good service, considering we went there right before they close for dinner. Ambience is just okay. Tables too close to each other. There are other great restaurants in Madrid. read more

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During our honeymoon we were jet lagged and hungry at 10 pm. What to do? The oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world (founded in 1725) this place did not disappoint! The ambiance oozes with history and that easy Spanish romantic vibes. Dark red and brown colors, with a splash of white and blue tiles, create an amazing ambiance on the second level (floor 1). The waiters are efficient and willing to explain menu items in Spanish, their English was not very fluent. But hey you are in Madrid, so adapt! The food was delicious. We had the white fish with light breading, the sausage, and lots of bread and olive oil. Everything was well prepared and seemed made to order. Overall one of our top 3 meals in Madrid! Definitely worth going to read more

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Botin is the world's oldest continuously operating restaurant since 1725! Thoughts that go through my mind include has this oven not been turned off for 300 years? The bread arrives and the pieces are as large as my head. Great for soaking up the garlic shrimp oil. We got the Russian salad, cod and garlic shrimp. Pro tip: use the bread as an edible sponge on the oil from the shrimp. The place feels like a museum with table service, and the prices know it's famous. You're not here for the best meal of your life. You're here to eat in the oldest restaurant in the world. And maybe a cinder block of carbs. read more

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Its really about the experience, one of, if not the oldest place in Madrid. Service was excellent, really outstanding. The place itself has the character you would expect and the surounding location is historic itself. Food its ok. Honestly its the type of place you go once....... read more

It's overpriced and over-touristy. You're given a time slot and told that you need to clear out by the deadline. Don't get me wrong they're not rude; just the usual Madrid efficiency. The staff are super friendly and as helpful as a tourist trap restaurant can be. If you love suckling pig then go for that alone. It's a once off; doubtful to return. read more