The Botanist

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#137 of 814 Restaurants in WellingtonCafe, International, $$ - $$$

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The Botanist

Review

At a glance

Open until 10:00 PM

, 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Website

+64 4-891 0198Improve this listing

About

Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautifully renovated building by the seaside. Plant based with an emphasis on innovative cuisine using organic, local and sustainable ingredients. Local craft beers, vegan wines, botanical cocktails & the excellent local L'affare coffee.

Features

CUISINES

Cafe, International, European, Healthy, New Zealand

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free off-street parking

Full Bar

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

219 Onepu Road Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022 New Zealand

Lyall Bay

Free off-street parking

Does this restaurant offer delivery?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 10:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Monday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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3.9

231 reviews

Excellent

100

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

marklarge

Auckland Central60 contributions

Random

Mar 2023 • business

I have been here before and it was ok However this time it was a bit random. Unfortunately our waiter could not tell us what additives were in the food aside from those listed on the menu card. Given one of us had allergic reaction to some common vegan additives (including mushroom powder) this was a potential issue. The food we did settle on was pasta and the so called "pork" neither were expectional. We finished with cheese cake for dessert which was ok. However overall I dont think we would repeat a visit..

Written March 13, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kate

Wellington142 contributions

Recommend the buckwheat pancakes!

Dec 2023 • family

Wait staff are pleasant and relaxed. We arrived around 11.30 on a holiday Wednesday and easily found seats, the restaurant did fill up while we were there. We both had the buckwheat pancakes and coffees. I had the tiramisu pancakes and my cousin had the lemon. They were delicious, light in texture, and ultimately quite filling. We should done a lot more exercise before sitting down! My only criticism of the meal is that the froth on my flat white was already dissipating when it was brought out to me.

Written December 28, 2023

Kelly

Upolu1 contribution

Not great

Oct 2024 • family

I feel like this place has gone downhill. The waitress didn't even clean the table for us - I found a fingernail on it. There was dust and dirt all over the window and skirting boards. Had to repeatedly chase them down for more drinks, menus etc. They cleared half the plates when we were done but not the rest, it felt like they didn't really care that we were there.

Written October 27, 2024

John H

Marple32 contributions

Gave it a second chance, unfortunately!

Jan 2025 • family

We first visited the Botanist for drinks and desserts. We were happy with the quality of the food and drinks but the service wasn’t great. It was slow and inaccurate. We decided to give them a second chance a few days later and that was a big mistake! The service was even slower and the hot dish we ordered was stone cold when finally served. We were given a refund but no apologies at all. There won’t be a third chance! Ps we understand the woke concerns of many establishments but to only have toilets that say “Whatever” on the door was rather off putting

Written January 25, 2025

Jonylawson

Auckland Central5 contributions

From 5 star to a tragic 1 star ..

Jan 2024 • couples

Gosh..I used to come here weekly when I lived in Wellington over 4 years ago ..I had been raving about it to my partner and finally I took her ..full of praise for the incredible fish and chips etc .. I am presuming this place must have new owners?? My god we were served two awful meals ..firstly the egg plant "steak" ..pureed slop on what appeared to be pureed slop ..with a few green beans .. My partner had the fish and chips ..the "fish" was so utterly flavourless we politely put them both to one side and left Utterly disappointing..sorry guys but it truly was awful

Written January 5, 2024

John S

1 contribution

Rude staff

Jan 2022 • friends

Food and drink took ages which is fine, but when asking the Waitress if the drinks are still coming I got a snarky "Probably" reply. Drinks never came. A simple I will check would of been perfect, I understand things get busy, just no need for rudeness. When paying they also tried charging us for the drinks, when told they never came they didn't say sorry or querry, which made it worse. Won't be coming again.

Written January 1, 2022

Escape13666142392

1 contribution

Terrible.

Jan 2025 • friends

We hadn't been for quite awhile, but sadly nothings changed, its pretty bad. The guy who manages the place is terrible. It was a Saturday evening but there weren't many customers. You would think he would be attentive to those who were in the restaurant, but nothing. The young lady who served us was the only saving grace, as the food we ordered was poor. Won't ever go back.

Written March 1, 2025

HASN

Wellington4 contributions

Usually love the Botanist but this time it was just BAD!

Jan 2022 • none

I have been many times, but the quality of the food and service just seems to be going down hill! This was the first time my dish veered on inedible. The dumpling bowl was drowning in a pungent vinegar & soy sauce mix. It made your mouth feel shrivelled. There was so much vinegar that the smell just hit you in the face. Between two of us we managed to eat about half the dish and couldn't do anymore. The Kaitaia fire burger came out with literally no Kaitaia fire, chilli or spice anywhere in it, very very bland. We managed to get some Kaitaia fire to add ourselves. I was hoping to let staff know about the dumplings and order something else, but nobody came to check on our meal or offer deserts. We waited a long time but ended up deciding just to leave and eat toast at home. When I told staff whilst paying about the meals they sounded uncaring and gave me my pot of tea free. Which is a nice gesture but given I had complained that it was that bad and that I couldn't really eat it, my expectation would be a more sincere apology and not to have to pay for bad the meal OR be offered something else. Must be noted our waitress who took our orders was nice and enthusiastic and the chips and tea parts of our meal were good. I am a big supporter of Vegan restaurants but i feel like this meal gave vegan food a bad name. Not from bad ingredients or recipe's... just badly served/ flavoured!

Written January 18, 2022

sophiec6785

Copenhagen6 contributions

Disappointing service at a usually great spot

Jul 2021 • friends

Had a disappointing experience here recently. Have previously had good experiences and love the vego food but this time the service was disappointing. We waited 45 minutes for our meal which was okay as we were warned there would be a 40 minute wait. However when the food arrived my friend and I had been given a breakfast burger with egg instead of the vegan breakfast burger. The meals were taken away and we were told it would be fixed. As we were really hungry we asked if we could have some chips while we wait. The server brought out the chips that had been on our previous meal, which were cold. We asked if we would be given new fresh chips with our meal and she said no, this is it. When we went to pay the woman said ‘I heard you guys had an issue with your meal, we’ll give you 10% off..’ we both got $3 off each of our $35 meals (including a coffee and smoothie). Thought this was pretty average and if you’re only offering 10% discount, don’t bother. Would’ve been nice to at least have a drink off the bill.

Written August 13, 2021

rachael

Sheffield579 contributions

Lazy staff

Jan 2024 • couples

We just walked out (Tuesday 23rd Jan) after being told by staff at the bar (2 females) that they wouldn’t serve us, 45 mins before they closed. I explained I only wanted a cup of tea and a slice of cake so wouldn’t trouble the kitchen. They still refused service. The establishment obviously doesn’t need business. We Went elsewhere. How very poor.

Written January 22, 2024

Mobile745922

1 contribution

Poor service and average food

Jul 2024 • family

Waited 35mins for a bowl of chips and very salty soggy poutine. Smoothie was pre-made bottled, not a freshly made smoothie. Not impressed with food or service. Wasnt even busy, so unsure of why a long wait. Wouldn't recommend.

Written July 29, 2024

me42024

Wellington1 contribution

Overuse of tofu and soy based products

Apr 2024 • none

Food is good, but we were not impressed by the server’s knowledge about alternatives for food sensitivities. There are also so many different meat alternatives that we were quite disappointed to find only soy based products used. The menu is extremely limited for someone with a soy sensitivity!

Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz

This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.

Written April 26, 2024

Chanelle R

Wellington86 contributions

Terrible service

Dec 2023 • couples

I’ve been here many times before and the service seems to get worse and worse. Yes they were busy today, but we were not warned of this nor of any delay. Waited 10 mins before anyone even took our order. 25 mins later no food or drinks arrived despite us asking. On asking on the second occasion she says sorry there’s a delay it’ll be another 30 mins! Wtf! So we left and went elsewhere. Best avoid these holidays!! You’ve been warned!

Written December 27, 2023

Elizabeth M

Wellington23 contributions

Not as good as it was

Jan 2022 • friends

Three of us went for dinner and had high expectations based on previous visits. Our first challenge was to have some water to go with the glasses the waitress provided and some time later to chase up the drinks she'd forgotten about. We felt the menu was rather lack-lustre and unimaginative. Eg, the pasta and mushrooms was basic, the fake chicken schnitzel looked like a grey hash brown (personally, why would you bother?), although I must admit my aubergine bao bun was delicious. We're not vegetarian but would have loved some creative meals featuring seasonal summer produce...but not this time.

Written January 31, 2022

Lily G

Nelson10 contributions

Good but not amazing

Jul 2020 • none

It’s pretty good but just nothing really special and a couple things were a bit disappointing. The $8 smoothies are just the pre made smoothies in a bottle that you get from the supermarket for $4 and really small, got given a flat white instead of the latte I asked for and still wasn’t very good for a flat white, the staff were really nice but seemed a little stressed. Nice food and really cute decor but probably wouldn’t go out of my way to visit again

Written July 24, 2020