November 25, 2024
In yesterday’s blog, I educated my gentle readers about the oldest hotel in the world. This might have led some of my readers to say “That begs the question: what’s the oldest restaurant in the world?” Please tell me you didn’t say that. That’s not how the phrase “begs the question” should be used. Just stop. Seriously.
On the other hand, perhaps it does RAISE the question: what’s the oldest restaurant in the world?
And, in this particular instance, it depends on whom you ask.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, that distinction belongs to Sobrino de Botín, which has operated in Madrid continuously since 1725. But it earns that honor only because, unlike several older restaurants, it is in the same original building with the same original interior.
The White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, which is in a building that was constructed in 1652 and which opened as a tavern in 1673, is probably the oldest restaurant in the United States. It does not qualify as Guiness’ oldest, however, since it underwent a massive restoration project in 1954.
Zur Lentzten Instanz, in Berlin, Germany, was established in 1621, but underwent considerable renovation after being damaged during World War II.
Zum Franzikaner, in Stockholm, is Sweden’s oldest restaurant, founded by German monks in 1421. Although it is not located in its original building, the food and drinks have remained the same since it first opened nearly 600 years ago.
The oldest restaurant in the world appears to be St. Peter Stiftskeller in Salzburg, Austria, which dates back to the year 803. It was here that Alcuin of York is said to have served Emperor Charlemagne and Bishop Arno of Salzburg. Although the building has gone through many renovations, many of the original dining rooms still stand as they were carved into the stone cliffs adjacent to the Abbey’s original structure.
My father once told me a story of a man who went to the oldest restaurant in the world and, once seated, told the waiter he wanted to order lark for dinner. When the waiter advised him that they didn’t serve lark, he responded, “well, you used to!”
The story may be apocryphal, but it’s mildly amusing.