I never even would have given a thought as to what is the oldest restaurant in the world — but when I found out that I was in the same city as this restaurant, I just had to eat in it.
Restaurante Sobrino de Botin — or Restaurante Botin for short — has been in business since 1725 and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world. It has been featured in literature – such as in the book The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, who dined on suckling pig in the restaurant.
As I am not fond of eating most kinds of pork — and because I did not want to pay 44,45 Euro for the privilege even though the price included Andalusian gazpacho, ice cream, bread, and a choice of beverage — I did not opt for the suckling pig. Instead, I decided on garlic prawns.
To get to my seat in one of the dining rooms, the maître d directed me through part of the kitchen. That was a first for me.
The garlic prawns — six of them for 21,70 Euros; or approximately $4.54 per prawn without including the gratuity — came to my table literally sizzling hot where the liquid in the dish was bubbling furiously for several minutes. They were delicious. I especially liked the crunchy pieces of garlic with the prawns. I just wished that there were more of them on which to dine.
Restaurante Botin — which has several dining areas on three floors — is located on Calle de los Cuchilleros 17, Madrid, 28005 in Spain, which is just south of Plaza Mayor. Reservations are not necessary — at least for lunch — but they are recommended.
