Sobrino de Botín

We did not have a reservation so we hoped to get a table if we showed up right before opening time and fortunately, we did get a spot at the front area of the restaurant. The place is indeed very charming and considering the history, it is a special feeling to be able to dine here. The service was impeccable. The wait staff was attentive, efficient and meals were served timely. However, the taste of the main entrees were disappointing. My husband ordered the Roasted Suckling Pig, it was bland and simply forgettable. I'm sure there's a reason why they serve it the way it is. I ordered the mixed fish casserole. I really did try to find a way to like it after every bite, but I could not pretend. It was just terrible. The bread was hard like stone, the soups were good and the cheesecake was amazing. The main entrees which is the highlight of the meal experience, ruined it all. For the price, it's just not worth it. It's more of just the experience to dine in the world's earliest restaurant, but don't expect much. So it's not one where I would dine again.

As the oldest operating restaurant in the world (according to Guinness World Records), it delivers not just history but also tasty food. Their roasted suckling pig is crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful inside. The sole fish was also tasty. The atmosphere was charming, with a classic, old-world feel, and the service was friendly and efficient.

I visited the restaurant in the afternoon without a reservation, but they still managed to find me a seat. As a solo visitor, I felt that my table wasn’t as good as those given to groups, but I was still happy to dine at the oldest restaurant in the world :)) I ordered the roasted pig and potatoes, the restaurant’s specialty. The dish arrived quickly, and the portion was quite large - I would have been happy to share it with someone. The food was cooked perfectly, with the meat melting in my mouth. The wine paired beautifully with the dish.

Madrid, Spain It’s not always the chance to be part of the World Record of something. Here we are at Botin, the Earliest Restaurant in the World. Yes, not the oldest but the Earliest. Perhaps it’s more cool to say Earliest then Oldest. Ambience [4]. First you are greeted by a staff at the entrance, whom seems to be the guardian of the restaurant. We step in, the staff brought us down a spiral steep stairs to our table. You felt that the time just flashed back to the very early years. Cooling down below. Service [3.5] The service wasn’t the best. We ordered stilled water & the first pour spilled on the table where my phone is placed. Every pour is so rushing. It’s a small restaurant, so what’s the rush. The table for four seems small. The staff just place each plate of food onto the table that he can find a spots. We got to adjust to make room. Food [3]. I seem to agree with a few reviewers. We come here because of its history and not expecting to taste great food. With this expectation, we didn’t find the food that we ordered were that good. The roast pork which is recommended didn’t impressed us either. It’s also expensive. For anyone who want to experience the historical place but less bother about their food, perhaps considering order the food wisely.

This is a must visit when you're in Madrid. The service and the food are absolutely amazing. The pork skin is so crunchy and the meat is still so juicy. The house wine matched perfectly with all the food we had. Make sure to book on time!

unfortunately this restaurant did not live up to our expectations. the bread was hard and difficult to tear and chew. the calamari was well cooked and fresh, but some pieces were excessively chewy and a sauce would’ve complemented them nicely. the shrimp mango arugula salad was okay but felt plain and lacking. the suckling pig was the highlight of the show- we really enjoyed that. skip the rest though, the prices are excessive and you’re truly paying for the restaurant’s reputation, not for food quality. i would not return, but it was cool to say we visited the oldest restaurant in the world.

Booked a table for the evening, there was a sizeable queue for whoever did not have a booking on a weekday. Food arrived quickly and everything was very tasty. The lamb and the pig were both great dishes where the quality of the meat came through, but as a minor point I'll mention that we didn't get any sauce or salad to go with it , that in my opinion would improve the experience. The local colleagues mentioned that this how they eat meat and that that Spanish cuisine is quite plain, so ultimately it's a matter of choice. The desserts were just as good, with the crema catalana and the cheesecake being my personal favourites. Definitely worth a visit.

The atmosphere is steeped in history, giving the place a very authentic and nostalgic charm. For a restaurant like this, don’t expect a fancy or modern vibe—it embraces its historic roots, which adds to its unique character. The service was attentive overall, though it seemed the staff occasionally forgot some orders, likely due to the high volume of guests during our visit. As for the food, the quality didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by social media promotions. The suckling pig’s skin was wonderfully crunchy and thin, but the meat itself was dry and lacked flavor. Since this dish is also popular in the Philippines, I was hoping for something more savory. That said, preferences vary, and I’m sharing this as constructive feedback. On the other hand, my partner found the lamb to be excellent. I’d recommend trying this restaurant for the experience, but it may not be a place you’d return to frequently.

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.

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.

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.

This was one of the best dining experiences of my life that I'll always remember. It was so unique, fun, delicious, musical, entertaining, gorgeous, and fancy! It just had everything I could have possibly asked for to stay smiling the entire time I was dining at Botín. My friend and had about a 15 minute wait when we arrived, we got so very lucky. That never happens so make a reservation. And cooler than that, we were waiting in the meat cutting area. We were right in the middle of a busy night's rush and it was fun. When it was time for our table, we were taken down the infamous spiraling staircase in the OLDEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD! So dope to have that off my bucket list. The ambiance is so old school, so unique, I was just in pure bliss sitting in such a cool environment. Our server was snooty and short with us & those around us, but I'm sure he's sick of dealing with drunk tourists day after day. But the live music artists were phenomenal! So fun and playful with the audience, made for a lively atmosphere. Everyone says to get the suckling pig (Cochinillo Asado 28.50) and so we did just that. It was juicy but this wasn't quite worth the hype to me. I much preferred just their queso (13.50) and jamón ibérico (27) platter. That was some smooth eating. Even the receipt from Botín is so classy and old school, I uploaded it so you too can bask in its glory. Very cool experience and recommended to any others into wanting to eat at------theeeeee OLDEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD!

Oldest restaurant in the world! I came here with my wife without reservations hoping to get a table. We arrived 25 minutes before they opened and were third in line. It gets a bit confusing, but there are two lines. One line for reservations and another for walk ins. we were seated maybe 15 minutes after they opened behind the kitchen. I believe the cellar and nicer dining areas are for people with reservations. The interior is old but clean. Pretty cool to know how old it is as you walk through. Service was very quick. We ordered bottle of wine, green beans, and suckling lamb. The food was solid but I wouldn't say it's amazing. We finished off with the cheesecake which was pretty good too, and different than US cheesecake. Overall the food was 3/5 solid, but I bumped to 4 because of great service and bragging rights of eating at the oldest restaurant in the world.

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

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!

Ok let me start of by saying the ambiance in this restaurant is super nice but small. The service is fast and most know English to some extent. We ordered the garlic and egg soup, scrambled eggs, Botin salad, vegetables mix, roasted lamb, steak and a few other small things. I must say the food is mediocre with the exception of the lamb that was packed full of flavors, and the soup was delicious. Other than that the rest of the food was a bit bland. They also placed a plate of steak on our table and then realized it wasn't ours and took it away. Being one of the oldest restaurants around I would have guessed the food would have been the show stopper. But the sides were lacking for the price you pay the quantity is also small. If the food was all outstanding I would have hands down given this a 5 star.

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.

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.

The only disappointing meal I had in Madrid. The mixed vegetables were good but not great. The suckling pig totally lacked flavor. Service was good and the staff was friendly but this place is definitely not worth the price. It's like they know they will be packed every day so they don't bother making the food as good as it should be. I ate delicious flavorful mouth watering suckling pig in Segovia. This meal didn't even compare. Cool to say I went to oldest restaurant in world, but that's it.

Tucked away in the heart of Madrid, Botín is not just a restaurant; it's a piece of history. Celebrated as the world's oldest restaurant, having opened its doors 299 years ago, this establishment offers a dining experience that beautifully marries tradition with culinary excellence. Upon entering Botín, you're greeted by a classy and welcoming ambiance that immediately puts you at ease. The rustic charm of the wooden beams and warm lighting creates an inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. The staff at Botín are genuinely friendly and attentive, ensuring that your experience is as enjoyable as the food itself. Now, let's talk about the cuisine. Botín specializes in traditional Spanish fare, and their signature dish, the cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig), is nothing short of spectacular. The price range is quite reasonable considering the quality of the food and the historical significance of the venue. Dining at Botín isn't just about the meal; it's about being part of a 299-year-old legacy. With good service and great food, it's no wonder that locals and tourists alike flock to this iconic restaurant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The food was good and service was good as well but it's not a place I would come back to again or recommend. You're not missing out on anything if you don't go. I believe it's more of a hyped place because of how long it's been around. In my personal opinion I rather go to somewhere more authentic. I'm glad the food was hot at least and it wasn't waste of money. We ordered the artichokes with jamon and the filet BOTÍN

Enjoyed my visit to Botin much more than I anticipated. I was expecting to dislike the food and leave thinking I had succumbed to another overpriced tourist trap. Thankfully, the visit was not like that haha. We arrived on time for our reservation and found a long line whether you had a reservation or not. A gentleman inside later checked if we had a reservation and instructed us to go upstairs (3rd floor) to find our seat. The vibe was historical, comfy and unpretentious. I think the 3rd door is the least appealing for photos fyi. We ordered 3 orders of the suckling pig, garlic shrimp and clams botin as mains. We ordered the tripe, asparagus mayo and mango salad as appetizers. Asparagus ordered coffee, cheesecake and Botin cake for dessert. The garlic shrimp delicious, but small in portion (like an appy). The clams were good but tasted very similar to the tripe that it seemed redundant. The asparagus was much softer/mushier than expected-it was ok I guess. The mango salad was such a welcome addition to the meal, as all the food was pretty heavy. Since we ordered 3 portions of the suckling pig, we received half the pig. To receive a whole pig, you need to order 6 portions. If ordering a whole pig, they bring it to the table for pictures before they cut it up, and give you the option to keep or discard the head. Even if you don't order a whole pig, we noted several opportunities to take picture of the whole pig. You can take a picture of the kitchen with the wall shelf full of roasted pigs-it is located on the first floor, at the base of the stairs. Tasted like Chinese roast pork, minus the spices. Both the desserts were delicious! Our dinner for 6, including a bottle of water and wine, came out to about $250 euros. It was too much food, despite ordering only 5 mains. Service was great. Our server replaced our dinner plates as he felt they were not warm enough. Recommended for the overall experience. But recommend to order with care and balance as the items we selected were quite heavy.

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!

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.

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.

This is the oldest restaurant in the world. The restaurant has old charm deco, with dining rooms upstairs and ground floor. The restaurant must be very popular as 1st available online reservation on Tues Oct 8th was about 2 months on Dec 10 2024. There was a long queue when we arrived at 1250pm, 10min before restaurant opened. We joined the right queue for people with no reservations and waited until all the people with reservations were seated upstairs. About 30min wait, we were given a nice table on the ground floor just to the right of the entrance, which I think is better than the tables upstairs. The dishes were relatively more expensive, due to its popularity. We had the popular Suckling pork (35 Euro) and Grilled shrimp (32 Euro). The Sangria was 5 Euro and beer 3.5 Euro. Overall, it wad a good experience dining in the world's oldest restaurant and glad we were lucky to get a table.

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.

First evening in Madrid and had to visit a local favorite (i had to book 4 months in advance, well worth it) I had the fillet mignon botin it was divine with the large green beans and bacon nom nom nom man when I tell you I'm already planning my next visit when waiting to be seated ask to be seated in the caves

This was in our bucket list and finally made it to Madrid which was our first stop in our second trip to Europe this year. Our hotel was about 20 mins away and we were so excited to visit the "oldest restaurant in the world". So much history just walking in and the service was great. We ordered the croquettes, suckling pig, and baby lamb. The food did not disappoint and were so happy with ordering enough food without too much leftovers.

Our Madrid tour guide shared their three favorite food items for Madrid as battered cod, stews such as tripe, and suckling pig It was in search of suckling pig that led us to Restaurant Botin The oldest continuously running restaurant in the Guinness Book of World Records, Restaurant Botin accepts many reservations but we arrived early without any We were lucky to grab a seat and soon immersed in both the friendly service, warm ambiance and delicious food Botin was a spontaneous visit but the suckling pig and the stews definitely were a highlight of our Madrid stop. Highly recommend! Botin Menu 54,50€ Garlic Soup with Ham, Gazpacho Soup, Roast Suckling Pig, Ice Cream / Clams Botin 26,30€ Restaurant Botin (Madrid, Spain) Dining is indoor only and all credit cards are taken.

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.

Sadly this place was not able to accommodate me, fortunately I was able to take some cheesecake to go. I was the best thing ever. I would love to know how they make it.

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.

We were able to make reservations online and I tried their famous suckling pig. The restaurant it self was so interesting given its age. I enjoyed my overall experience

No Madrid visit complete without a meal at Botin. Yes, it's a tourist trap. And yes, the food is good but not great. And it did not help that we had eaten at Jose Maria in Segovia the day before and is the subject of a 5* review. Sorry, the suckling pig is a whole league ahead of Botin. We had reserved for 4 but our guest got sick. Did not seem to be a problem. But the asian American ladies in front of us had their reservation cancelled as they were the only ones present. We therefore invited them to share our 4 top. The maitre d was peeved. Seemed a bit racist. 90 mins later we were full of lamb and pig washed down with the house wine, a nice Ribera - and met two nice Bostonian conversationalists. Overall Botin impression? It's cool, old, rustic, the hardest reservation to get in Madrid. The food is good and service to match. It's also a tour stop for tourist to marvel over the outside of the venue. Got to do it once. Shameless tourist.

Attentive service and great food. Known for its age and suckling pig, both draw tourists and locals alike. With a great wine selection, we opted to heighten the experience!

Avoid this tourist trap at all costs! All the food was overpriced, and maybe the sangria was okay. We ordered shrimp with garlic, a pitcher of sangria, and bread (they even sell you the butter for the bread) lol. The waiter asked me once if mg order was all we wanted? I said yes (si!). He asked me again if I was sure...again, I said yes. He went away offering a meat or a chicken and AGAIN...I said "no thank you!" This time a gentleman in a blue suit (not a waiter, I presumed) came over and asked once again if we wanted something else and again I said NO! This time I asked why do you guys keep asking me. "Oh because it takes 30 minutes to cook the meat" to which I replied, we don't eat meat, to which he said, "well we make vegetables as well" LOL STOP TRYING TO UPSELL ME MALDITO PENDEJO!!! No es NO!!!

Food is amazing Everything is so good! I like to come back and try other menus Service not so good The waiter was so rude and so annoyed with everyone taking a picture while he was serving the food We came in at 8 PM when it's open that means he wasn't tired The host was amazing! Everyone had reservations months ago to dine in but we just walked in and asked for table for three! He let us in!!! Seated by the bar area! We wanted to order the whole baby pig but it serves six people. So we end up ordering the set menu that includes Garlic Egg soup, Suckling pig, half bottle wine, and ice cream Then we ordered the Lamb and Anchovy It's more than enough for three people Ambiance is like dinning in a castle. Everything is old and beautiful

The food and service was fantastic! The place was beautiful and I enjoyed the historic atmosphere. You would also love all the options for deserts! It was phphenomenal.

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.

Food, Service & Ambiance were just perfect. We ordered their suckling pig, veal, asparagus, sangria and cheese cake. We went here for the charm and we were extremely grateful for the experience. I think it's a great experience!

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!

This is the oldest restaurant in the world! This was so exciting for me to eat here, especially as a foodie. The chicken consommé that we had was some of the best consommé I've had in my life; it was so rich. We also ad the roast pig! It was a really crispy skin, which I liked, but it didn't have as much flavor as I anticipated. Still, it was a whole production when it came out. The sangria was perfect, the wine was perfect. I would definitely go here again.

So yummy! Gazpacho was awesome, the morcilla and the artichokes were beyond amazing too. Great touristy place that anyone who comes to Madrid should visit. Make a reservation to be sure.

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.

Number one restaurant in Madrid and the oldest restaurant in the world. Freaking amazing, food awesome. Every celebrity chef has been here as well as actors and Hollywood stars. Dignataries and presidents as well. Cherry on top? I was seated at Hernest Hemingway table. It was awesome experience.

When in Madrid... eat the world famous cochinillo roasted in the oven that hasn't been turned off since the 18th century at the oldest restaurant in the WORLD!!! Eating the cochinillo at Botín has been on my foodie bucketlist for years and it finally got it's checkmark today. I booked our 1 pm rez for 2 around two months ago (not necessary I think - spots are always coming and going but if you plan to eat earlier and not the traditionally followed Spain eating time you might consider reserving way in advance as it took me a few tries to find a rez time that wasn't around 10 pm). I made my reservation very seamlessly on The Fork and was sent a reconfirmation of reservation by the official restaurant via email the day before the special day. We arrived around 11 am as we were already hopping around the area and ended up forming a queue of other eager diners hoping to get a slot in. As many have noted, service was cold but at least the food was good. We got their serving of cochinillo (delicious and you need to sop up the juices with your bread), the lamb (ok this one is life changing and I thought deserved more hype than the cochinillo) and for a veg, some interesting white asparagus which ended up being delish. Washed that all down with some tinto de veranos and to round it out, shared an oozing overflowing basque cheesecake for dessert. There is no one to ever do it like Botín! Simply iconic and a must visit when in Madrid. Full meal totaled to roughly just under $100 USD. Great experience for simply being a Madrid and food industry icon but probably won't repeat it again. Interior was amazing!

For both the history and the food this place is a bucket-list item. A guitar/lute group will serenade you with flamenco music while you dine. And they have a Spanish & English menu there. Ernest Hemmingway has a legendary seat reserved here so make sure you check on that monument. The menu is exquisite and the wine was perfect. The bread was excellent as well. The front displays show a really cool diorama of the interior and the cobbletone streets you exit to lead you to your next adventure -- definitely go to this place!

No big deal just eating at the oldest restaurant on the planet with a medieval ambiance and enjoyed every second of it. The food is a meat lovers paradise everything just melted in your mouth. We got the Roast Suckling pig, Iberian Ham and Roast baby lamb, and which both had potatoes on the side. Service was excellent and efficient, and hosts really wanted you to enjoy your time here. You must make a reservation in advance to eat here, probably while your planning your madrid trip just to be safe! Otherwise they did not have any availability for walk ins for the time we went.

This is supposedly the oldest restaurant in the world and it was pretty good. They are known for suckling pig which we unfortunately did not get. I got the cod in tomato sauce which came absolutely drenched in sauce and was delicious. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was super yummy. Good portions of food all around. The rest of my family also really like what they ordered. A little expensive but I think it was pretty much worth it. Definitely a bit touristy but it's a cool dining experience with good food. Service a bit slow but pretty normal for Spain.

Amazing staff! They were able to accommodate our 20 person party. Service and food were great. We ordered almost everything in the menu just to try it. Our party was beyond satisfied to not only be able to get a reservation for such a large party but to be served in a timely manner and let's not forget the food itself! Highly recommend this restaurant! Reservations are needed.

We learned that this was one of the oldest restaurants in town and had a lot of expectations. It was a total disappointment! We restrained ourselves from sending the food back. Salad leafs were not fresh, meat tasteless, red house wine undrinkable. And on top of that we were rewarded with $170 bill. What a waste!