Welcome to 2025 with BreeLeaves: Kicking Off the Year at the World’s Oldest Restaurant

Happy New Year, BreeLeaves family! As we step into 2025, I’m thrilled to bring you along on my first adventure of the year: an unforgettable dining experience at Restaurante Botín in Madrid, Spain. Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world, Botín has been serving guests since 1725, and I had the privilege of exploring its rich history and savoring its legendary cuisine through The Botín Experience, booked via Insider’s Travel.

The Botín Experience

Booking The Botín Experience was seamless with Insider’s Travel, who work exclusively with the González family—the current stewards of this historic gem. The experience began with a guided tour of the restaurant, offering fascinating insights into its nearly 300-year history. From its humble beginnings to its evolution into a global icon, every corner of Botín seemed to whisper stories of the past.

The Tour

Your journey begins when you meet your guide at 12 PM or 7 PM, 45 minutes before Botín opens its doors to the public for lunch or dinner. This small group tour accommodates between 2 and 12 people. Unless you indicate on your booking form that you’re willing to share a table, you’ll have a private dining experience—though sharing a table increases your chances of securing a booking, especially if you’re booking within a month of your desired reservation date. Solo diners are also welcome!

The tour takes you through:

• The Four Dining Rooms: Each steeped in history and charm.

• The Medieval Cellar and Underground Tunnels: A glimpse into Botín’s fascinating past.

• The Original Oven from 1725: This oven has never been turned off—not during the Spanish War, not even during COVID. An employee came daily, even when the restaurant was closed, to keep it warm and ready. It’s a testament to Botín’s enduring legacy.

After the tour, your guide will seat you at your table just as the restaurant opens for lunch or dinner. Then comes the best part: the food.

The Food

Here’s the good part—was the food any good? Shockingly, yes! Of course, I had to try their signature suckling pig, roasted to perfection in the original oven. The crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat lived up to every bit of its legendary reputation. I’ll include a photo of the oven, showing how the pigs are stacked up and ready to go—it reassured me I was making the right decision.

For my vegetarian readers, worry not—Botín offers equally delicious alternatives. The Botín Experience Set Menu was a feast for the senses, featuring:

• Starters:

  • Cured Manchego cheese

  • Iberian ham & chicken croquettes

  • Roasted red peppers with tuna belly

  • House scrambled eggs with morcilla blood sausage & potato (or scrambled eggs with asparagus upon request)

  • Segovian mushrooms with ham

• Main Course:

  • Suckling pig or roasted lamb

• Dessert:

  • A homemade dessert from the menu

• Drinks:

  • Rioja crianza wine (or sangría, beer, soft drink) & mineral water

This is really a deviation from the usual vacation food, but if you love history, it was cool to know you’re eating the same meal Ernest Hemingway ate. He even has a special table in the dining room dedicated to the area where he would sit during his many visits to the restaurant. This historical connection made the experience even more special, as I felt like I was tasting a piece of literary and culinary history.

Booking Details

If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend booking The Botín Experience through Insider’s Travel. A 29-euro non-refundable deposit per person secures your reservation, and trust me, it’s worth every cent. I had no problem booking just 48 hours in advance, but it’s always better to plan ahead.

Why Start 2025 at Botín?

For me, travel is about connecting with history, culture, and cuisine—the three pillars of BreeLeaves. Botín perfectly encapsulated all of these, making it the ideal way to kick off a year of adventures. As I sat in a dining room steeped in history, savoring flavors that have stood the test of time, I felt a renewed excitement for the journeys ahead.

Here’s to a year of discovery, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned for more stories, tips, and travel inspiration. And if you’re in Madrid, don’t miss the chance to create your own Botín memories. Cheers to 2025!