Madrid: Restaurante Botin – the oldest restaurant in the world!

My cousin Sharon booked us a table at the oldest restaurant in the world and it was in Madrid. Initially I was hesitant to go to Restaurante Botin because of the mixed reviews I read online. The ratings were really from very negative to superlatives. But I thought since it managed to stay open since 1725 the food must be something else.

Even before the restaurant opened at 7:00 pm there was already a lot of people waiting to get in.

The dining area at the ground level had an old world ambiance that was quite pleasing.

A room off the kitchen was filled with already cooked cochinillo or roast suckling baby pig, the restaurant’s specialty.

As nice as the ground floor dining area was I was glad they led us to the basement area.

I loved the cave like dining area where it was cooler. It really felt like I was in the oldest restaurant in the world.

Is this the world’s first bag holder?

This was their menu.

Their sangria was strong and sweet.

1/2 sangria €7,50

No free bread here! Each one cost €1.95 and I didn’t remember ordering so much. I didn’t even eat my share.

pan (bread) €1,95 each

Their croquetas was the best I’ve eaten in my entire time in Spain. The chicken and ham wasn’t too finely chopped and I could still taste the texture of the meat. The white sauce that held the croquetas together was thick but not too rich.

croquetas de pollo y jamon (chicken & ham croquettes) €9,10

The black sausage had a strong flavor from cumin and the texture reminded me of liver. Not bad at all.

morcilla de Burgos (black sausage from Burgos) €8,70

It was a good thing we halved an order of the suckling pig or else we couldn’t have eaten other things. Half an order was more than enough for one person. We saw the plates of the other diners who ordered a full serving of suckling pig and it was big. I got the bony part of the pig which I loved. There was more crispy skin and the meat near the bones were even more delicate. It was very juicy, smokey and very flavorful. It was really worth it.

1/2 order cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig)  €23,95 (full order)

Rochelle got a smaller portion but it was meatier and she couldn’t finish it. We have cochinillo in several restaurants in Manila and they are good but none are as juicy as this. Look at all the natural juice that seeped out on the plate.

Anyone going to Madrid I suggest a meal at the world’s oldest restaurant. Try to reserve a table at the basement and enjoy the suckling pig.

Restaurante Botin menu in Spanish

Restaurante Botin menu in English

Across the street was this store that specialized in empanadas or Galician pies.

I really, really wanted to try any one of these pies but I was too full to think about more food.

Restaurante Botin
Calle de los Cuchilleros, 17 28005 Madrid, Spain
telephone: +34 913664217
website
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