Last weekend, my friends and I visited Botín restaurant in central Madrid, located at Calle de Cuchilleros 17, just a 5-minute walk from Puerta del Sol. Honestly, I was hesitant before going since online reviews are quite polarized – some call it a must-visit landmark while others dismiss it as a tourist trap.
About the Restaurant
This place has quite a history. Established in 1725, it’s certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Hemingway was reportedly a regular at this Madrid royal restaurant during his time in Madrid and even mentioned it in “The Sun Also Rises.” To be frank though, I mainly went for their famous roast suckling pig.
Reservations and Wait Times
I strongly recommend booking in advance. We reserved an 8 PM Saturday slot a week ahead through their official website. Upon arrival, we noticed walk-ins were facing 1-2 hour waits, likely even worse during peak season. The restaurant has two floors – the lower level, supposedly converted from the original wine cellar, has great atmosphere but feels somewhat cramped.
Dishes and Pricing
We ordered their most famous roast suckling pig and roast lamb. One suckling pig portion is actually plenty for two people – the serving size is genuinely substantial. The waiter presents it on a cart and carves it tableside using the traditional method of cutting with the edge of a plate, adding a nice ceremonial touch.
| Dish | Price | Personal Rating |
|---|
| Roast Suckling Pig | €28/person | Crispy skin, tender meat, worth trying |
| Roast Lamb | €26/person | Good quality but slightly greasy |
| Castilian Soup | €8 | Average |
| Restaurant Wine | €4-6/glass | Reasonably priced |
The roast suckling pig is genuinely well-prepared – crispy skin, tender and juicy meat, with tasty accompanying potatoes. Though honestly, if you’ve tried the authentic version in Segovia, you might find this slightly inferior. The roast lamb felt a bit too oily for my taste and became heavy toward the end.
Overall Experience
The ambiance is truly excellent – warm lighting, wooden décor, vintage photos on the walls create that authentic old-school Spanish restaurant vibe. Service is quite professional with no language barriers in English. However, it’s definitely not cheap. Our meal for two came to about €80, which is mid-to-upper range for Madrid.
If it’s your first time in Madrid and you want to experience traditional Castilian cuisine, this place is worth visiting once. But if you’ve already tried similar dishes elsewhere in Spain, you might consider exploring other Madrid restaurants instead. After all, for the same price you can find better local restaurants in Madrid. Oh, and bring both cash and card – while they accept cards, some of the older waiters at places serving Madrid tripe dishes prefer cash payments.
