Restaurant Botanic

The award-winning Botanic Gardens Restaurant has been reborn as Restaurant Botanic.

The unique heritage building has undergone a stunning renovation, with a new open kitchen allowing chefs to present a 'chef's table' dining experience.

Globally acclaimed Executive Chef, Justin James, has recently joined the team and is well known to foodies from his tenure at celebrated Australian and international restaurants.

Key features of the renovation and enhanced dining experience include:

• A new open kitchen, with 10 seats surrounding the culinary action, allowing Justin and his team to present interactive 'chef's table' dining. This includes a kitchen bar, where the chefs themselves will present a range of expertly crafted cocktails.
• Investment into fermentation and preserving, capturing ingredients at their peak to be served year-round. Over 1,500 kilos of produce, sourced directly from the gardens and local growers, has already been fermented or preserved in advance of the re-opening.
• A new restaurant wine cellar, where the very best South Australian wines will be complimented by exclusive wines and champagnes from around the world. Appreciating that wine is not for everyone, Justin has also created a special 'temperance menu', presenting flavoured kombucha, fermented & infused juices, garden blend teas, mocktails, and more.
• Full redecoration of internal spaces including new flooring, art, and other features.

Justin paints a picture of the experience that will soon await diners. "For our guests this will be more than a table in a restaurant. A visit to Restaurant Botanic will be a culinary and sensory escape, where they can forget all of life's pressures, embracing our wonderous botanical setting whilst enjoying exceptional diversity of food & beverages, warm ambience, and engaging service."

Justin went on to describe the restaurant's culinary philosophy. "Every ingredient used must be as close to perfect as it can be. Whilst challenging to achieve, this endless pursuit is what drives us every day. These are products that are typically found where you least expect them, that have been carefully cultivated at every point in their life cycle, and whose aromas and tastes sing to your senses."

He adds, "Innovation and creativity are important to us, and we will constantly seek new flavours. Cooking over fire and steam, fermentation, curing, drying, and raw preparations will compliment traditional methods in order to present delicious memorable food."

See a sample menu here.

Opening hours

Lunch
Friday and Saturday

Dinner
Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Closed
31 December 2023 - 19 January 2024

Private Events
Exclusive breakfast, lunch and dinner events are available 7 days by appointment.

Bookings are essential.

Visit the Restaurant Botanic website for more information, menus and online booking, or call (08) 8223 3526.

The restaurant, cafe and kiosk in Adelaide Botanic Garden are a business of Blanco Horner Hospitality Management.