Based on Chester’s St. Werburgh Street, the Botanist offers a comfy retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. With the inside themed like a mystical lodge, it’s the ultimate place to get lost in time whilst you drink some the wonderful cocktails on offer and indulge in the menu full of crowd-pleasing homely dishes.
The entrance to the restaurant sets the scene, with large cast iron gates allowing you to see right into the glowing restaurant from the quiet backstreet; around the gates, creeper covers the brick walls making the restaurant seem not dissimilar to a country cottage from the outside. Once you head inside, The Botanist is rustic in feel with plenty of wooden beams above, stripped wooden tables, and various miscellaneous items hanging from the walls and in the corners.
When it comes to food, the extensive menu is full of mostly British classics with various other influences creeping in too. Starters range from a Cumberland Scotch egg to a baked camembert to share, with cauliflower wings available as a vegan option.
‘Home comforts’ include bangers and mash, and beef stew with cheddar dumplings. On top of this there is also a variety of pies on offer including a classic steak and ale, and also a number of different hanging kebabs which come served with chips. Main course options are completed with a variety of options from the grill.
The Botanist’s simple but tempting dessert menu features a chocolate brownie version of their famous hanging kebab, served with marshmallows and waffle; there are also favourites like sticky toffee pudding and bread and butter pudding on the menu too.
The food is all very reasonably priced meaning that the Botanist is a great option for a casual meal out. A huge list of very affordable cocktails accompanies the food, with most of them costing under £8.