Photo Tony Knox
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 the 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'
Or perhaps ...
Amalfi Pizzeria Ristorante 8223 1948, 29 Frome St, Adelaide - Considered for some time to be the best pizza in Adelaide, whether for lunch or dinner it's always busy and buzzy
The Apothecary 1878 8212 9099, 118 Hindley St, Adelaide - What a wonderful place to take of an apertif or two at one of the little marble cafe tables. Great wine list.
Archer Hotel (08) 8361 9300, 60 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
Art Gallery Restaurant 8232 4366, Art Gallery Of South Australia, North Tce, Adelaide - Excellent and creative food is served in a lovely space. Gaze at the art on the walls, or sit outdoors and enjoy the sun
Barendoe 8232 8889, 171A Hutt St, Adelaide
Bartons 8267 1375, The Caledonian Hotel, 219 O'Connell St cnr Barton Tce, North Adelaide - Barton's has charming views over the park a modern Australian menu and reasonable prices.
Bistro by The Food Business 8216 8744, Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Rd, Adelaide
Bocelli Caffe Ristorante 8232 3006, 81 Hutt St, Adelaide
Botanic Cafe 8232 0626, 4 East Tce, Adelaide - 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.
Botanic Garden Restaurant/Kiosk 8223 3526, Adelaide Botanic Gardens, North Tce, Adelaide - This restaurant is in the original kiosk and tea rooms in the centre of the stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
The Brasserie 8217 2000, Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Sq, Adelaide
Briccone 8223 5800, Rundle Mall Center East, Adelaide
Caffe Amore (08) 8227 0099, 162 Pulteney St, Adelaide
Cafe Tempo (08) 8410 6699, 91 Hindley St, Adelaide - Big, cafeteria like room on two levels serving better than average Italian food at very reasonable prices.
Casa Mia (08) 8267 2410, 146 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
The Chesser Cellar 8223 3791, 29 Chesser St, Adelaide - Polished wood, brass and gas lights give an old English look to the restaurant. Great wine list, good buffet.
Colonel Light Hotel 8231 4044, 141 Currie St (Cnr Light Sq), Adelaide
Crown & Sceptre Hotel (08) 8212 4159, 308-312 King William St, Adelaide
Culshaw's Grill (08) 8100 4495, The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, 55 Frome St, Adelaide
Daniel's Licensed Restaurant (08) 8232 2300, 225 Rundle St, Adelaide
Exeter Hotel 8223 2623, 246 Rundle St, Adelaide
Farina 8227 1007, 39 Hindmarsh Sq, Adelaide
Fellini (08) 8239 2235, 102 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
First 8215 4444, Richmond Hotel, 128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Flame Bistro (08) 8361 7220, 114 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
Garage Bar & Dining (08) 8212 9577, 163 Waymouth St, Adelaide
Georges on Waymouth 8211 6960, 20 Waymouth St, Adelaide - Smart casual describes Georges. Footpath tables and umbrellas give way to wooden floorboards and paper covered tables.
The Greedy Goose (08) 8267 2385, 153 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
Griffins Head Hotel (08) 8223 7954, 280 Hindmarsh Sq, Adelaide
Hotel Tivoli 8223 4790, 265 Pirie St, Adelaide
Jam The Bistro 8231 7411, 112-114 Wright St, Adelaide
Jolleys Boathouse 8223 2891, Jolleys La, Adelaide - Jolleys, no longer in the first flush of its youth, is on the banks of the Torrens with one of Adelaide's best views
Kenji Modern Japanese 8232 0944, Shop 5, 242 Hutt St, Adelaide
La Trattoria 8212 3327, 346 King William St, Adelaide
The Lion Hotel (08) 8367 0222, 161 Melbourne St cnr Jerningham St, North Adelaide - One of Adelaide's better hotels, it includes an excellent restaurant as well as a collection of bars, pokies and a low key eatery.
A-Lure at The Embassy (08) 8124 9900, 96 North Tce, Adelaide
Manna Cafe 8231 6003, 12 Waymouth St, North Adelaide
Milano Cucina 8221 0961, 80 Hutt St, Adelaide
Mutandi Ku Cafe (08) 8216 8607, Festival Centre, Festival Theatre, King William Rd, Adelaide
Naschen Bistro (08) 8212 7098, 199 Waymouth St, Adelaide
O'Hotel 8361 8801, 7 O'connell St, North Adelaide
Panacea 8232 3523, 72-24 Halifax St, Adelaide
Parlamento (08) 8231 3987, 140 North Tce, Adelaide
Piatto Cafe (08) 8223 4738, 268 Rundle St, Adelaide
The Pink Pig Wine Bar (08) 8267 2139, 50 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
Playford Restaurant 8213 8844, Radisson Playford, 120 North Tce, Adelaide
Pranzo 8231 0661, 46 Exchange Pl, Adelaide
Queen's Head Hotel (08) 8267 1139, 117 Kermode St, North Adelaide
Red Ochre 8211 8555, War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide - Fabulous position, right on the Torrens River, expensive refurb and a good setting
Regatta's (08) 8210 6785, Adelaide Convention Centre, North Tce, Adelaide
Royal Oak Hotel (08) 8267 2488, 123 O'Connell St, North Adelaide
scoozi (08) 8232 4733, 272 Rundle St, Adelaide
Silk Restaurant (08) 8232 7211, 265 Rundle St, Adelaide - Gigi Chan from T Chow and chef Chun Ho Lee from Ying Chow are challenging the ruling 'Italian' ethos of this good time strip of Rundle St.
Sparrow Kitchen & Bar 8267 2444, 10 O'connell St, North Adelaide
Spoon by Aramis Vineyards 8410 1880, 19 Gouger St, Adelaide
SQ Restaurant & Lounge (08) 8412 3397, Pacific International, 55 Hindmarsh Sq, Adelaide
Stag Hotel (08) 8223 2934, 299 Rundle St, Adelaide - New ownership and new kitchen staff have improved this once famous watering hole.
The Store 8361 6999, 157 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
Tantino (08) 8215 0244, 173 Hutt St, Adelaide
Treasury On King William 8212 0499, 144 King William St, Adelaide
Universal Wine Bar (08) 8232 5000, 285 Rundle St, Adelaide
The Wakefield Hotel (08) 8223 1622, 76 Wakefield St, Adelaide
Wellington Hotel (08) 8267 1322, 36 Wellington Sq, North Adelaide