Restaurante Botin (Europe's Oldest Restaurant), Madrid (must see)

Dating back to 1725, El Botín is Europe's oldest continuously operating restaurant, as recognized by the Guinness Book of Records. Originally known as Casa Botín, it was founded by Jean Botín, a Frenchman, and his wife. Initially functioning more as a tavern than a restaurant, it transitioned to Sobrino de Botín ("Botín's Nephew" in Spanish), after Mrs. Botín's passing when her nephew took over.

Set in rustic interconnected dining rooms, El Botín is renowned for its signature dishes of "cochinillo" (roast suckling pig) and "cordero lechal" (lamb). Original recipes have been faithfully preserved, and the oven has been kept continuously aflame, never to be extinguished.

Throughout its history, El Botín has attracted notable figures. Spanish painter Francisco de Goya worked as a waiter at Café Botín while awaiting acceptance into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Ernest Hemingway was a regular patron, mentioning the restaurant in the closing pages of his novel "The Sun Also Rises". He wrote, "We lunched upstairs at Botín's. It is one of the best restaurants in the world. We had roast young suckling pig and drank rioja alta".

Reservations in advance are highly recommended!