Food & Drink
Spanish tavern challenges Hemingway’s favourite Madrid eatery for title of World’s Oldest Restaurant – but Italy also has a challenger
FOR years Madrid’s legendary Sobrino de Botin has proudly held the Guinness World Record for being the planet’s oldest restaurant – but now it is being challenged.
Founded in 1725, this culinary icon – a favourite of literary giants like Ernest Hemingway – celebrated 300 years of serving up classic Spanish fare earlier this year.
Its famous wood-fire oven and prime spot near Plaza Mayor have long cemented its place in history.
But now, another Madrid eatery, Casa Pedro, is making a daring claim: “We’re even older!”
The restaurant’s owners are convinced their establishment survived the brutal War of Spanish Succession in the early 1700s, which would put its opening date firmly before Botin’s.
“It’s really frustrating when you say, ‘Yes, we’ve been around since 1702’, but… you can’t prove it,” admits Irene Guiñales, the eighth-generation owner and manager, whose family has run the place for centuries.
“If you look at the restaurant’s logo, it says ‘Casa Pedro, since 1702,’ so we said, ‘Damn it, let’s try to prove it!’,” she told Euronews.
The Guiñales family has now hired a historian, who has unearthed documents proving Casa Pedro was cooking as far back as 1750. But the hunt is on for that crucial evidence pushing the date back to 1702.
But just when you thought this Spanish showdown couldn’t get spicier, a sneaky Italian rival has entered the ring. La Campana, a trattoria in Rome’s historic centre, boasts ‘more than 500 years of operation’, citing ancient documents and its own self-published history.
Its owners are now reportedly compiling all the necessary paperwork to challenge both Spanish contenders for the world’s oldest title.
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Food & Drink
Famous wine region in Spain unsurprisingly wins best destination for a vineyard mini-break this summer
NORTHERN Spain’s Rioja region has been named Europe’s best destination for a holiday among the vines this summer.
Travel insurance experts Quotezone ranked the top wine regions across the European continent, including Rioja, Italy’s Tuscany and France’s Bordeaux.
READ MORE: Glasses raised for €100 million lottery win in wine-making La Rioja region of Spain
Ranked on several factors, including the average costs for a winery tour, a bottle of wine, and a three-star hotel stay, Rioja took the top placing.
Located below the Cantabrian Mountains, Rioja has a renowned local wine industry, with more than 65,000 hectares of vineyards growing across the Ebro Valley and surrounding the old town of Haro.
It’s Spain’s largest wine region with more than 600 wineries.
Enjoy summer festivals all about wine like the Batalla de Vino, and visit local bodegas where you’ll find small, traditional wine cellars, as well as major commercial wine producers.
There’s great summer weather with warm temperatures and a low chance of rain.
The prices are relatively low compared to other famous European wine regions, too, with an average winery tour priced at £19 and a bottle of wine costing an average of around £22.
Italy’s Piedmont and Tuscany regions take the second and third placings for the best European wine regions of 2025.
READ MORE: Move over Cava – sparkling Rioja is on its way
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
Food & Drink
Famous Wine Region In Spain Unsurprisingly Wins Best Destination For A Vineyard Mini-Break This Summer – Olive Press News Spain
Celebrate Japan’s exciting Tanabata festival at Mao Asian Street Food on July 7
IT has already brought a slice of Eastern paradise to the western Costa del Sol.
Now Mao Asian Street Food restaurant is going one step further with an exciting Japanese festival this Sunday.
Called Tanabata, or the Star Festival, it always takes place on July 7 based on the stars Vega and Altair.
Based on an ancient Chinese legend and celebrating the reunion of two celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, it is a celebration of hope and love.
The restaurant in Mijas Costa promises a ‘magical evening’ to celebate the Japanese Star Festival.
“Expect an unforgettable night with live entertainment, festive vibes, and a one-night-only special menu inspired by the flavours of Japan,” explains a spokesman for the Metro Group, that also runs next door Max Beach.
Whether a regular fan of Mao, or a first time visitor, this is the perfect occasion to experience something very different.
As spaces are limited make sure you book your table so you can make a wish under the stars!
Click here to read more Andalucia News from The Olive Press.
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