Mietta's Review
This Adelaide icon had a face-lift in 03 and since then, with restaurateur Derek Muir back in charge, the Botanic has picked up its game. It has again become a hot spot for the young and beautiful, particularly at weekends and dinner. The food has improved, the service is fine, the price reasonable, the wine list is excellent and the ambience enjoyable. A good destination in Adelaide.

Other published opinions

The Adelaide Food Guide 2010 "This East End stalwart looks as fresh and inviting as the parklands across the road. You'll see the park best from a pavement table, our pick if the weather is good, or head inside for a choice of seating, from stools at a high bar-style table to squishy banquettes"

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "The decor is as smart as the crowd which gathers here, spilling from the stylish bar on the corner. White leather banquettes flank the path to the bar, there's a changing roster of artwork lining the walls, and pavement tables overlooking the city's eastern parklands."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide * "Italian comfort food with a modern flourish is on Agenda at the Botanic Cafe. It's a good-looking place opposite the city's East Parklands, with several outdoor tables."

Adelaide Advertiser Food & Drink Tony Love 17/8/05 "The Botanic Cafe has style from portal to plate. Fronting the parklands so the pavement tables have green charm, the interior with dark tones and design elements which include banquette and table seating, a handsome bar and various edible and drinkable goodies in almost exhibition format, this would not be out of place in a Milanese fashion shoot."

Adelaide Advertiser Food & Drink Deborah Bogle 27/4/05 score 14/20 "Stylish cafe with a bustling, see-and-be-seen vibe at weekends, attractive setting and pleasant outlook. The kitchen sources good-quality local produce for dishes that are of a reliable standard, some better than others."

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Black Star, Excellent wine list,'Overlooking the East Parklands, it's a great place for lunch, but at night the subdued lighting, white banquettes and brown everything else gives a seductive attitude...a modern take on Italian classics...exceptionally well priced.'

The Advertiser, Food&Wine,30/5/03,Tony Baker,'The food is modern Italian...The Botanic Cafe made its mark'