SPAIN’S Restaurant Botin is officially the oldest restaurant in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

The eatery is located in Madrid, close to the iconic Plaza Mayor, although the name to be found in the facade is Sobrino de Botin (‘Botin’s Nephew’).

This is because the restaurant was first opened in 1725 by a French cook, Jean Botin, and his Asturian wife, who did not have children.

The restaurant was then inherited by their nephew Candido Remis, who sold pastries, but still kept the continuity of the establishment. 

This is why adjudicators from Guinness World Records have said that this restaurant is the oldest in the world, as opposed to others that were forced to close due to World Wars – or Civil War in the case of Spain. 

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Plenty of establishments located around the world may have opened their doors at an earlier date, but they may have not always stayed open consistently or currently operate as the same outlet.

Some of these include La Tour d’Argent (Paris), Honke Owaiya (Kyoto), St. Peter Stiftskeller (Salzburg), Bianyifang (Beijing) and Zum Franziskaner (Stockholm). 

Botin has been visited by many popular figures, including Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Quentin Tarantino and Ernest Hemingway.

Writers such as Benito Perez Galdos even mention Restaurante Botin in their work – not to be confused with other establishments that have shared history and similar names spread across Madrid. 

As to food, traditional Castilian style suckling pig is its signature dish, made following the current owner’s grandfather’s recipe. 

Botin restaurant has been awarded the third position in Forbes’ 10 Classic Restaurants list, making it even more attractive for foreigners as well as locals. 

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