Rome's oldest restaurant challenges Madrid restaurant for world title.

La Campana, the oldest restaurant in Rome, has asked the Guinness Book of Records to accept it as the rightful owner of the "world's oldest restaurant" title, currently held by Sobrino de Botin, founded in Madrid in 1725.

The Trancassini family behind La Campana says it has archival documents to prove that its ancestors established the restaurant in Rome in 1518, and that is has been in business for just over 500 years.

Located in the city's historic centre near parliament buildings at Palazzo Montecitorio, the restaurant boasts illustrious former customers ranging from Caravaggio to Keith Richards.

Over the centuries it has served the royals of Belgium and Spain, former Italian president Napolitano, French president Macron, actress Anna Magnani and film director Federico Fellini.

Goethe even described a visit to the restaurant in 1787, and his meeting with the owner's daughter Faustina, in his book Italian Journey.

Photo Agrodolce