1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Botanist is home to four diverse venues: a Cocktail Lab and Bar, Garden, Dining Room and TASCHEN Library; all inspired by the principles of botany and the Pacific Northwest. The menu features ingredients sourced from their natural landscape, coupled with contemporary techniques; designed to showcase the best version of themselves.
Before coming here, my impression was that it’d be a fancy date night spot, but that’s not the case. It definitely has an upscale feel, but I felt most of the people were families and groups, over couples. The interior has a clean white look with plants hanging and an open kitchen concept. I found lighting to be a good level and it wasn’t too loud considering how busy it was. They also have a bar and “fake patio” area for more casual seating, but I’d definitely recommend booking reso’s in advance. My mom and I opted for the 7 course tasting menu, which was $178 pp. All the items were off menu which made it seem like a surprise, but I do wish they had a small sheet to describe what we were going to eat ahead of time - I like to reach what I’m eating as the course arrives. We started off with sourdough bread from Fife Bakery served with a yogurt butter - I’d recommend asking for olive oil and balsamic over this. Being that I can’t remember all the details to the items, I’ll grave over key highlights. Once thing I enjoyed was how their meat was kept simple and they used veggies to enhance the dish. The waiter did a very good job of describing how the chef makes dishes veggie up, rather than meat down - it makes the dishes more veggie forward. Every dish served was very aesthetically pleasing, and they used ingredients in ways we hadn’t had before. For example, they brined the beets and turnips so that they were very flavourful and kept their crunch in their rose looking appetizer and the tomato water paired really well together - this was the prettiest and most refreshing dish. However, I would say the biggest highlight was the main dishes - the sea bass and duck breast. The sea bass had crunchy skin, which makes me think it was shallow fried, but the meat was also cooked to perfection where it was very tender and moist. It also came a side of green mole, which was satisfyingly smooth. They also pair it with a fried sweet potato, which balanced the salty from the fish well. Next up was the dry aged duck breast - apparently one of his specialties. I think it was sous-vide, or at least tender enough when tasting it. The duck was very flavourful and almost had a smokey taste to it. The sides was a fried onion (pretty meh) and a tart with wild mushrooms which added good texture to the dish. They also brought this unique hedgehog mushroom marinated marshmallow before the dessert. It’s hard to describe the flavour but I will say a very cool concept, although not my favourite. Lastly, dessert - they did a good job of balance the sweet with slightly tart mandarin oranges, ice cream that tasted like it had alcohol infused, scorched marshmallow and a crunchy biscuit at the bottom. However, being that it was my also my birthday, our waiter was kind enough to give us a compliment roasted pear mille-feuille. This was definitely a sweeter treat, which I enjoyed because the layers of pastry gave me buttery croissant vibes, which paired nicely with the vanilla ce cream and pears. I did appreciate how I didn’t find any of the desserts overwhelmingly sweet. Other wishes I didn’t mention was the dungeness crab chorizo risotto and potato croquette (pictures will be below). The crab was really good, but I felt the risotto had a weird texture, rather than pasta, tasted more like rice. Overall, I had a great dining experience. The dishes were unique, pretty and we had great service. My only thing was that the pacing of the food could’ve been quicker - there were periods of 15-20 minutes were we waited for our food which led to us having a 3 hour dining experience. The price was also quite hefty compared to other restaurant tasting menu’s. I would say if you truly love and enjoy food, the price tag could be worth it for a special occasion. However, it you’re just going for girls night type thing, there are better places where you can have an equally great dining experience for a cheaper price tag.
We had an amazing experience at Botanist! The food was absolutely delicious, the ambiance was exquisite, and the service was extraordinary. We were celebrating two friends’ birthdays and opted for their set lunch menu. The steak and eggs and beef tartare were absolute highlights, and to our delight, the staff surprised us with complimentary birthday desserts, making the occasion even more special. Highly recommend this place for any celebration or a memorable dining experience!
Came here for my husband’s birthday and it was lovely. We got the tasting menu, which was good but very rich. The wine list was great and their sommelier was a hoot. We’d heard such glowing reviews about this place and it the food was fine but nothing they served was so amazing that I feel the need to go back.
Our visit to the Botonist was a surprise from our friend. We had the tasting menu and it was fun! Our server was fantastic and very attentive. They offered to alter certain courses to accomodate our pregnant friend so she did not have anything raw or with alcohol. The sourdough bread was tasty! Each course came out with an explanation and story. A very nice experience into the Chef's mind through food. I really like the mushroom marshmallow, so fun! The drinks were also refreshing.
Excellent meal. We order the octopus which had a nice smokey taste. I tend not to often order steak at most restaurants since I have very high expectations of the cut, cook and seasoning but it was very nicely done especially the mushroom accompaniments. Th lamb dish was so tasty. It came with a lamb rib and piece of lamb (don't remember the cut) was also excellent. The rib seared to a slight crisp and the lamb meat was juicy. Dessert on paper didn't look interesting to us but we tried it. And was not disappointed. The texture and combination of the flavours were very good. Very enjoyable meal. Not only food was good but service was stellar. Our server gave enough space for to enjoy ourselves but checked in with us. She also listened to us and treated us as you would expect from a 5 star restaurant. Even others in the restaurant and hotel gave us excellent service too. Highly recommend here for the food and the experience.
Our experience at Botanist was exceptional, largely thanks to our server, Brandon. His attentiveness, knowledge, and genuine care for our table made a lasting impression. The entire staff displayed a high level of professionalism, which added to the overall enjoyment of our meal. The food was outstanding and served at a perfect pace. We really enjoyed our time and will definitely be returning.
Had the “We’ll Take it From Here” tasting menu. I will keep it short by saying the food was amazing. I’ve never tasted food like this before and it was a great experience. The staff, especially Brandon, did a superb job with the entire service and they deserve a ton of praise. The atmosphere was chill and the live piano music was enjoyable. Give this place a try if you’re looking for a higher end restaurant experience.
The Botanist is truly one of my favourite places in Vancouver. Breakfast. Brunch. Lunch. Dinner or just cocktails at the gorgeous bar it never fails to deliver a great experience. Today we celebrated a friend’s birthday with Saturday Brunch and it was once again fantastic. Our server was a delight and the food was amazing. It’s not inexpensive but if you’re looking for that special place for a special meal you should give Botanist a try. They also have an outstanding cocktail menu and the bar team is top notch! You must give it a try.
Wow is the only word to describe this place. Great brunch with the family. Made us feel comfortable from the moment we walked in. 65$ for two courses and two drinks is an unbelievable deal in the city. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. The open kitchen gives a great feel for any foodies in your group. The menu has something for everyone. The Buratta was delicious but the beef tartare was legendary. The lobster benny and steak and eggs were amazing and eggs were incredible. Definitely top notch if not the best in the city. The service was something else. Normally in high end fine dining restaurants they only worry about padding their pockets, not at Botanist. By the end of my experience they were giving my daughter hugs. What an amazing experience. They were great with my daughter and made us feel like family. I can not say enough about the Botanist. How this place doesnt have a Michelin star is mind blowing. This is what hospitality is all about.
A place filled with positive energy I am deeply fond of flowers and greenery. This location beautifully blended the freshness of nature with a touch of modern design, creating an enchanting atmosphere that truly captivated me. The staff were exceptionally kind, patiently explaining everything with genuine care. The presentation of the dishes was remarkable so stunningly crafted that I found myself hesitating to disturb such artistic creations. While the flavors of the food were good, they didn t quite meet my high expectations. However, the overall experience was delightful, and my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We will undoubtedly return!
4.6 star restaurant. Nice mood, romantic. Foods were good, but not amazing for that price.
The service here was impeccable. Our waiter was attentive and empathetic. Really next level great. The food was generally average and slightly overpriced. The lamb was the exception which was fantastic. The cabbage roll was hilariously bad for $42.
I recently visited Botanist to try their tasting menu. While there were definite highlights, my overall experience left me feeling a bit underwhelmed for the price and reputation our bill came close to $1,000 after tip.
Came here for a friends birthday and we had a great time.The service was good and very attentive. We all enjoyed the food but wish the portions were larger since it was so good.
Service was spectacular. Food was very good but some flavour didn t quite sit right with me but that s a personal preference.
Definitely one of the best restaurants in Vancouver, good food , happy staff
Top Notch
Bland food but at least it was pretty. The pop was free refill, too, which was probably my favourite part of the evening.
This is the perfect spot for special occasions. The food and drinks are amazing and always on point. Probably the best fine dining spot in Vancouver. #contestentry
O.M.G. A first time for my husband and me. We chose Botanist to pre-celebrate my birthday, and were utterly blown away by the exquisite food, drinks, ambiance, and service (a big shout out to Brandon who was exceptional in every way). Also, being both lactose intolerant, the level of care and thoughtfulness to accommodate this was out of this world. Honestly, a very dangerous find as we are already concocting other reasons to return ASAP All in all, truly a gem in Vancouver!
Amazing food including the burata salad, pateet potatoes,oven roasted cauliflower with vegan xo sauce and the amazing drinks and dessert including the sudachi girl as the drink and maple walnut tart as dessert amazing vibe and is a complete fine dine amazing service shout out to Brandon!!! Come here!!
Went for the first time since they opened.. everything was lovely but the service... it was stellar. Ill return for sure.
I truly wanted to adore this place. Not just because the space is aesthetically pleasing (which it definitely is) and not because the staff are inviting (which they are, a couple are a bit quirky, but who doesnt love that). But I was not impressed with the culinary experience. I went for the taking menu. It came out soooo slow....I may have been dining by myself that night, but I did not want to have to stay there 3+hrs just to enjoy a tasting menu. There were some items on the tasting menu that were alright, but it was largely not memorable. Quite a disappointment. But the vibes were definitely there... ...just wish the amazing food was as well. I do believe, however, that if i had ordered what I fancied on the regular menu that I would be singing a different tune.
Brandon, our waiter, was excellent, and the cocktails, wine, and meals were superb. It was an all-around amazing experience. Highly recommend.
Updated review: I went here a few weeks ago for brunch. I was thoroughly impressed with the food and ambience, but was disappointed with the lack of service that I expected from a fine dining restaurant. I posted my original review with my experience, and management took the initiative to invite me back. My second visit met all my expectations. From the beginning to the end of our visit, all staff we interacted with were welcoming, accomodating, and attentive. I truly appreciate the improvements I observed in comparison to my previous visit. Again, food was amazing and the ambiance was great. A special thank you to our server, Jackie, for her impeccable service, and to management for their kind invitation.
Delicious food and great service in the heart of Vancouver.
We enjoyed an excellent tasting menu and had a delightful time celebrating my wifes birthday dinner at Botanist !
We celebrated a birthday at Botanist. The food was amazing and the decor unique, what made the whole experience so memorable was our server Avital. She was knowledgeable about not only the menu (she gave us non-foodies great dinner recommendations) but also the Vancouver area in general. She paid exceptional attention to us and took extra time to answer our questions and give advice about what else to do in Vancouver on our stay. She made sure our dinner was special and a celebration, and genuinely wanted us to enjoy our trip. Thanks you Botanist and Avital!
The first time I went to Botanist the piano overwhelmed the space and the spot I was sitting in was acoustically overwhelming. The second time without the piano was excellent. Both times the food and drinks were top notch. I may try again to see if a different seat is more acceptable with the piano.
Everything from this restaurant was an incredible experience - the service, the ambience, the food - absolutely recommend for a special celebration. It is absolutely worth it.
Amazing service and tasty food! I will definitely recommend my friends, the food was 10 out of 10!
Food was too salty for me. Otherwise I enjoyed the presentation and atmosphere.
A-mazing Food!!! And... their cocktails are now Michelin rated Scallops done to perfection, Halibut poached in butter topped with crab... . A definite do over!
Excellent meal and service. The sablefish was outstanding. Best dinner out in Vancouver in 2024. Shout out to our server Jaryd, a true professional.
The Botanist holds a special place in our hearts, and each visit deepens our love for it. The food is a culinary masterpiece rich in flavor, beautifully presented, and always exceeding expectations. Service here is impeccable. On our last visit, Mihaela looked after us with such grace and care, elevating the experience even further. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between elegance and warmth, making every moment feel both special and relaxed. This place continues to enchant us, and we can t wait to return for another unforgettable dining experience.
A stylish bar with craft cocktails. The reason for 4 stars is that we didn t find anything special about it. The cocktails are a bit overpriced and the selection is a kinda odd. We didn t try the food and maybe that s the issue, but I wouldn t go back. I tried the Raincouver which was delicious, but not worth $40.
Staff was amazing!
We celebrated my husband 40th birthday here when visiting Vancouver. It was such a wonderful experience and the brunch was delicious. Staff made his birthday experience special. We would definitely come again if we get a chance to visit the area again.
Botanist is the kind of place that reminds you why you bother eating out in the first place. Nestled by the water, it flaunts a location so prime it practically begs you to linger. The service is spot on, just genuine care and attention, the way it should be. Now, the food. This isn t just dinner; it s an experience. Each bite hits you like a revelation, something you want to drag out, savoring every second because it s that good. The decor is lovely, the kind of beauty that doesn t scream at you but whispers, making everything just a little bit better. Trust me, you ll be back. I know I will.
I ve had a few bad experiences at restaurants post covid and this what not one of them. Fantastic food, great value, and amazing atmosphere. Highly recommend.
Amazing place for brunch. Can only recommend it. We celebrated my birthday there and they were super friendly. Food is incredibly good, and the price is excellent considering it includes 2 drinks.
We had the pleasure of sitting at the bar with Roland serving us. We stopped in for one drink, ended up staying for three each! He is truly a master at his craft- carrying on enjoyable conversation without missing a beat as orders came in. Each drink was carefully crafted before our eyes and was beautiful. Better than that- all six of them were perfectly balanced, and truly delicious! So glad we decided to stop by. Cant speak to the food, we only had cocktails, but we would certainly come back in for the cocktails again (especially if Roland is behind the bar!)
One of my top 3 places in all of Vancouver. The food is perfectly balanced. Nothing is too salty, too sweet, there are no flavors that are too strong. The careful balance of dozens of components in each dish is really extraordinary. Even the desserts hit perfect notes, with unusual but enjoyable flavour pallets and fun textures. 10/10 would recommend. Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating of celiac, the staff were polite and very helpful about guiding us through the menu.
We recently dined at Botanist, and it exceeded our expectations in every way! Despite not having a reservation, we were warmly seated in the vibrant dining room, complete with live piano music. Our server was exceptional - personable, knowledgeable, and attentive. Given the generous portion sizes, we opted for main courses only. The food was truly outstanding - expertly prepared, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The cabbage roll was a revelation, unlike anything Ive had before. Cocktails were crafted to perfection, and the service was surreal. We cant wait to return with bigger appetites to try the tasting menu. Highly recommended for food lovers seeking a exceptional culinary experience. Botanist truly deserves its hype!
Food is very tasty, They provide me great services. All the staff members are very friendly. Highly Recomended. Thanks for providing me your services.
Great ambience, bread, and pasta dishes. Otherwise, the fish was a bit bland, portions a bit small. Was excited for a bit more creativity. But we appreciated that they are zero waste! My favorite was the octopus dish and all pasta dishes :)
Im really disappointed to be updating my review from 5 to 3 stars. This used to be one of my favourite places in Vancouver and I would bring anyone who came to town there to experience it. The last several times have had horrible service: today was incredibly slow. Hard to find staff to help. I wasnt able to order my drink with brunch. I ordered it after and waited 20 mins for it. When I eventually tried to cancel they brought it to me with the bill. The food is still good but its hard to justify when the service is so slow and uncoordinated. They were also unable to provide a nutritional/allergen menu. Unfortunately wont be coming back. Update; the restaurant replied advising they wished that they had the opportunity to correct the situation. Despite the fact that I did speak to them in person, they only comped my water on site. And they have not replied to email. Update: the restaurant offered a free brunch that had much better service.
The spot is nice and so it the service and the decor. The food itself wasnt anything special and didnt have any wow effect for me. Ive been to much better restaurants. Sorry.
The food was excellent. I tried the beef tartare, the miso torched salmon and potatoes, and the almond creme brulee. Loved every dish - the flavors were elevated and nothing was overpowering. It all worked well together. The cherry blossom mocktail was great too. I did not care as much for the prickly pillow - the pear - one. I really enjoyed being able to try a variety of smaller dishes for brunch. Good concept. A star is being deducted for service. I had an extremely inconsistent experience. My main server was rushed in all of her interactions with me and would quite literally make eye contact for 3 seconds, ask if I was good, and she was already halfway gone from my table before I even finished responding. Very unfortunate given the upscale vibe and price point at Botanist. Some of the foodrunners were great - they took the time to explain the dish and the flavors when they presented it. Others did not or were awkward and judgmental about requests. Disappointing and inconsistent. Id say the service was negative overall.
A great bar and out of this world food...beautiful and best ingredients.
I recently enjoyed an evening at the Botanist. My servers name was Amir, he was very friendly and attentive. Amir is very knowledgeable about the details of the menu items and he has a passion for ensuring your experience is incredible. The food and specialty drinks were divine. I am looking forward to returning. Thanks. Vegetarian options: They have a great specialty drink menu
My wife and I chose Botanist to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel special and important by the staff (were just regular folks that like beautiful food). The dining room is airy and sophisticated. Cocktails are in our opinion the best in the city, exceeding even those at our favourite Keefer Bar. The food is bold, diverse, beautiful, and incredibly satisfying. Chef leads the kitchen masterfully, and the staff are well-trained and working towards the same shared goal. This is the first dining experience in Vancouver that we felt properly rivaled the Michelin-starred plates we have had in Paris. We give Botanist our highest recommendation and thank the staff for an incredible evening.
My husband and I had a delightful dinner at this lovely restaurant. I began the evening with a gin martini that was wonderfully refreshing, with interesting and distinctly West Coast notes. The highlights of the meal included a wagyu beef amuse-bouche, followed by a beautifully elevated take on Mexican street corn, and then moreish smoked duck with perfectly crisp skin. For dessert, we enjoyed a lemon panna cotta that was light yet beautifully complex and paired with a more rich blueberry sorbet. The service was warm and attentive. We left thoroughly impressed and look forward to returning.
Absolutely phenomenal experience at Botanist! Their cocktail program is top knotch, and their chef s tasting menu with wine pairing was an experience we ll never forget. The service was excellent, the sommeliers knew their stuff and created excellent pairings that enhanced the experience so much (when you thought the food couldn t get better, you took a sip of wine, and were proved wrong)! This place deserves a Michelin Star!
We had the Well Take It From Here option. Its evident that every dish was prepared with great care and attention to detail. Each ingredient was high quality and paired well with the other elements in the dish. There were great alternatives when necessary due to dietary restrictions. The tartare was a little on the salty side, and the petit fours were wayyyy too sweet. My favorite dish was the candy cap mushroom, which was a surprisingly delightful experience. Service was friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, some servers were a little too quiet in the loud environment, and we couldnt always hear the description of each dish. There was a longer than expected wait between each course. Overall, the food was great, but at $250/person (due to mocktails), I expected a little better. I dont think the meal and service lived up to the price tag.
Loved my experience here. The ambience was amazing, with a pianist playing some light jazz. Our waitress was very attentive and offered great recommendations. We got the cauliflower to share as an appetizer and the sablefish and pork chop for entrées. Everything tasted amazing, but the sablefish was especially notable. The cocktails are all very creative and interesting. Definitely recommend for a special occasion or date night.
Fantastic food, service, and ambeince every time Im at Botanist. The Dry Aged Stripling is excellent, and they have some of the best cocktails in North America
Splendid! Great cocktails, great food and wonderful experience. Thank you!
Fabulous and imaginative cocktails, among the best in North America. The service was fantastic and all the staff was very knowledgeable. I would definitely go back at my next visit in Vancouver.
Kinda pretentious
Drinks. Atmosphere. Food. Decor. Yes. Food
Distinguished cuisine, spacious and bright surroundings accompanied by greenery. I recommend Vegetarian options: Tasting menu on request for vegetarians
Love love love the botanist. Always amazing food, incredible team, wonderful atmosphere. Couldn t recommend the tasting menu enough. I make sure to go back every couple months for the new tasting menu and have never been disappointed. Dietary restrictions: Kitchen is very accommodating when it comes to gluten free, lactose free and just about anything else.
I liked the atmosphere but really not as romantic as I thought it would be. Maybe more of a fun place to go as a group. The food was also exceptionally salty and the pork dish was a huge mess.... I have no idea what they are thinking with the plating. Very embarassing imo. Personally I think there are better restaurants. The bar is cool place to hang out. Raincouver drink was pretty cool but man it is not worth the price
Great dinner with lots of different flavours and fresh ingredients. We had a full set menu with wine pairing and a full set menu in vegan / plant-based. Both were amazing and service was perfect, especially the two sommelier. We had some drinks at the bar as well, the two bartenders were the most friendly people we meet in Vancouver! Highly recommend! Vegetarian options: Vegan options available
good
Drink were amazing as well as service.
The chefs table was incredible. The sommelier was so excited for the wines; he made a great meal that much better. Everyone was so passionate about their craft and it came out in the meal and the experience.
Fantastic restaurant, a driving force in the Vancouver Food Scene. Incredible service and a highly premium service. The bar is out of this world, with one of a kind drinks. I recommend the Raincouver Cocktail, and please, don t skip dessert. The restaurant is right inside the Fairmont Pac Rim, on the second floor. You most likely need to make a reservation because it s very popular. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
Drink: 10/10, Food: 6/10, Presentation: 10/10. Unfortunately, the Botanist s food did not meet our expectations, especially considering the price. For me, fine dining means high-quality food, but that was not what I experienced at the Botanist. We ordered the carpaccio, salmon, and (i think) ribs. Only the carpaccio was excellent; the rest fell short in terms of quality. I would recommend this restaurant only for drinks and appetizers.
Went for my 14yr Olds birthday, at their request. Prices are high, but the food was worth it. All the dishes were incredible, delicious, strange, intense and would have been too finicky or impossible to execute at home. Ingredients were often botanical and it felt like eating a garden. Very well done. Cocktails also delicious (especially the Japanese garden.) Service was good, very knowledgeable and proficient. Atmosphere was loud and not cozy. Its very much attached to the hotel lobby and feels like it. The decor was beautiful, but I feel like the food calls for a more serene, escape like Atmosphere. Overall Im glad I tried it, but we wont be back
Delicious breakfast options
2024: Came back a second time during our trip to Vancouver to do the tasting menu again but this time with wine pairings. Just as before, everything was amazing and cooked perfectly. Service was also great again. The last course was a white chocolate avocado mousse creation with pineapple coconut sorbet - probably our favourite ever to date. 2022: Fantastic cocktails and tasting menu. Loved the decor and the ambiance.
Went here for my anniversary. Staff, Food and cocktails - everything was incredible. You definitely get what you pay for. Ill be going back next year for sure.
What a shame tried coming here for breakfast as it is advertised as Open on Google and other websites. When we arrived, we were told they could only accommodate hotel guests only despite the many open seats and they were turning away any walk-ins due to high season . They should make this clear from the get go was a complete waste of time waiting around to have come all the way here only for a manager to tell us we couldn t even be seated (despite being a group of 2). Seemed promising but guess now we ll never know.
Came here for a lunch date and it was perfect. The atmosphere and service was amazing. The food was so elegant and thoughtfully prepared. I had the Maitake mushroom, which was a veg option and it was all about bringing out the flavours of the ingredients rather than making a veg dish taste/look like a meat dish. Loved everything about our experience. Thank you.
Botanist is the flagship bar at Fairmont Pacific Rim, and flanks the restaurant of the same name. To find Botanist, walk past the Lobby Lounge bar and up the stairs. The centerpiece at Botanist is the cocktail laboratory, which is visible from the bar counter. The lab empowers the bartenders with a culinary-forward approach to cocktail design and production and includes modern equipment such as a rotary evaporator and centrifuge. One example of the sophisticated cocktails at Botanist is the terroir-inspired Botanist s martini, which pays tribute to the best of Vancouver: the local mountains, the pacific ocean and the temperate rainforest. Coastal gin blend, house vermouth, seaborne tincture (spruce tip tincture, verbena tincture, elderflower liqueur and salt water) and an oyster leaf and vegan caviar garnish are combined to produce an elegant martini that highlights some of the best flavors of the region.
The Botanist was a lovely place to visit by the water inside the Fairmont. I came in for a set brunch menu, and it was pleasant. Service was 10/10. Food, I would say, is 9/10, but considering the price, it goes to an 8/10. I would definitely give the cultivated mushroom toast and butter-poached lobster benedict a try. I would come here again, on a special occasion for sure.
Excellent food & service. Just the music and general noise level was very loud/high.
We had an exceptional experience last night at Botanist. The cocktails were delicious and creative and the food was sublime. We had burrata, black cod and halibut and they were as visually stunning as they were delicious. Loved the atmosphere and I can t remember a time with better service, thanks Avital! This has set a new bar that other restaurants will struggle to cheer.
Loved this restaurant. Aesthetics were beautiful. I don t remember our servers name but she was the best. Super attentive, made great recommendations, just went above and beyond. Food was DELICIOUS, such attention to detail. Great culinary experience. Will definitely be coming back. Thank you.
Came to Botanist to celebrate a Birthday and Anniversary dinner and was beyond impressed by the team. We were greeted with a hand written card signed by the Front of House team and Executive Chef, as well as complimentary champagne. Our server, Chris H., went above and beyond making our night absolutely better off than if we hadn t had him. He was quick with suggestions and prompt to our requests. We ve never come across a professional like Chris who was able to both attend to us while also being so tactful with giving us the space we needed to celebrate our night properly. Never once did any of his check-ins feel like an interruption to the flow of our conversation, nor did we ever feel like we weren t being waited on. At the end of our night he even surprised us with desserts when we couldn t decide! A master act in service. Bravo. Chris guide on the menu led us to fantastically tasty drinks that rivalled the ones we ve had at Paradiso in Barcelona to Danico in Paris. High compliments from us. And the food we had made us protest why the Botanist hasn t received its well deserved stars yet! The food has been better than starred restaurants we ve been to in NA and EU. I m sure we will see Botanist and the team led by Chef Hector earn their place high, high up amongst the scene in Vancouver very soon! Thank you all for making our night. We couldn t wait to get a warm review posted!
Absolutely love The Botanist. Located above the Fairmonts Lobby Bar, its the perfect spot for a nice date night. The cocktails are perfectly created by their talented team of mixologists and their food is so fresh and flavourful. The service is what truly stands out though. All the staff members are so knowledgeable and attentive.
This place is amazing. The cocktails are masterfully crafted. The food is delicious. The staff are warm and attentive. This place is truly an experience you must try.
Spectacular!!! Best food!
Service is non attentive.
Underwhelmed by the lack of lunch options but still ordered a buratta and a beef burger ..why not call hamburger? Odd. I was a little surprised that the server asked if beef patty should be medium or medium rare...isnt it a must for all beef patties to be fully cooked? Either way I was super hungry and ordered medium. When appetizer came, it was very underwhelming and wasnt especially tasty or good to look at (puddle of green everywhere)...the beef burger and fries have to the worst I had in vancouver priced at $34.. The burger was tiny and has a overall bitter taste and the fries have a burnt aftertaste every bite. To make things worse I started feeling nauseous as I walked back to my car.... this place is definitely overpriced, overrated and nothing fancy to show..I will never come back again...
Excellent food & cocktails with a nice ambience & great service.
The place is beautiful but the breakfast was just okay. UPDATE I came back to have dinner. The dinner experience was much better. The cauliflower was spectacular and the pianist playing was great.
We re so glad we treated ourselves to Botanist last night. My partner and I are in Vancouver from the east coast of the US and heard great things about this place. We got the tasting menu and it was worth every cent. I started with the Pacific Seas Gin and Tonic. It included cucumber and had an added salty taste to it which I LOVED. Really like getting a taste of fancy ocean water a description that doesn t do the drink any justice, but I adore seafood, and I also love gin & tonics, so this drink made me really happy. It was an awesome way to start the night and alluded to the delicious food that was to come. My partner got two of the whisky cocktails over the course of the night (Beekeeper and Gardens of Japan) that I stole some sips from. I m not a big whisky fan but I would be if I was able to get drinks like those more often! It doesn t seem like you can go wrong with anything on their cocktail list. We splurged on the tasting menu. Being from out of town, we wanted to try as many things as possible. The menu did not disappoint and I m not sure if I ll ever taste anything like this again. The flavors spoke for themselves. I m not a food expert but this meal was eye opening for me and taught me what a journey through an entire meal could be like! The early dishes incorporated some of the freshest fish I ve ever tasted. The accompanying produce brought extra freshness and each bite had just enough saltiness to make you feel like you just pulled the dish straight from the ocean. Each dish incorporated a little more fat as the meal continued which brought a level of comfort into what could have been an unapproachable experience (the bacon consumme with the sablefish and fresh peas made me feel all the warm and fuzzies). My partner described the Dungeness crab and sunchokes (I hope I m remembering that correctly) like eating a crab in a forest which made me laugh it was such a great combo of flavors that it seemed like forest-dwelling crabs should exist. We eventually made our way onto land with the aged duck breast with asparagus and mushrooms. Again, so cozy. And the vegetables tasted like they were picked straight from a fairy-tale glen. The candy cap mushroom marshmallows were adorable. Who knew that mushrooms could be part of dessert. Like, honestly. Who comes up with this stuff. Such a unique taste. The final dessert had a lot of components (avocado mousse, coconut, pineapple sorbet, some other parts I unfortunately can t remember) and was also delicious, but I couldn t help but feel sad that I was being brought back to earth after eating all that other food that tasted like it came out of a dreamland. Shout out to the espresso martinis we got with dessert :) The only complaint that I have was not being able to hear all parts of the food descriptions as they were being brought out, but I was too shy to ask the servers to repeat :( everyone was so nice and seemed to truly care about the food and experience. Thank you Botanist!
charges a very high cancellation fee. 60$ cancellation fee for 2 people is just nuts.
Very chic restaurant by Canada Place, food is wonderful as the service and atmosphere.
Came here for a quick drink with my girlfriends! We planned on sitting in the lobby bar at the Pac Rim hotel but it was too busy. We were able to get in no problem and had great seats in a quiet area. The server was great, gave amazing suggestions and answered all our questions. We each got a cocktail, and it came with some snacks too. We recommend the Cactus Kiss and the What the Flower.
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOT OPEN FOR BREAKFAST FOR NON HOTEL GUESTS I came here for a breakfast business meeting and they turned us away since we were not guests. I find it totally unacceptable that they include breakfast hours and menu on the website and did not make it clear anywhere that non guests are not allowed in. I have been to this place for breakfast before and this is a change from the past policy. Zero stars.
One of the best meals I ve ever had. Top notch service.
Few words needed when the food, service and atmosphere are equal. Had an amazing experience! Tried the octopus with the green mole, an exceptional presentation and great combination of flavors, was extraordinary. Mushroom tagliatelle was perfectly balanced with its silky texture and handcrafted pasta. Lamb duo was a unique presentation having the same protein in 2 different cooking methods. Had to try it. Summarizing it.. Would definitely come back
Parking: Not easy Food
Love this place. Creative and well balanced food.
Surprisingly food (weekend brunch) was NOT good at all.. eggs in the egg bendict were too raw; the white was completely raw mostly. The salmon also was undercooked and raw at many spots.. portions were small too. Service was great though.
I recently had the opportunity to dine at The Botanist, a restaurant located inside the PacRim hotel. While the restaurants location itself was impressive, I must express my disappointment with the overall dining experience. Contrary to the numerous positive reviews I had come across, I found the food to be lackluster at best. Despite the restaurants elegant ambiance and inviting atmosphere, the quality of the dishes fell short of my expectations. The portions, though adequate in size, failed to deliver in terms of flavor. I found myself underwhelmed by the taste and presentation of the dishes, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction. To illustrate my point, I have attached pictures showcasing the meals we ordered. As a group of seven diners, none of us were genuinely satisfied with the options available. Considering the substantial bill of over $500, it was disheartening to realize that we had paid such a hefty price for what can only be described as mediocre fare. Given my experience, it is unlikely that I will return to bOTANIST in the future. While the restaurants location may be appealing, I believe there is significant room for improvement in terms of the quality and creativity of the food offerings. I hope that the management takes this feedback into consideration and endeavors to enhance the dining experience for future patrons.
At Botanist brunch in Vancouver s Fairmont Pacific Rim, delight in the Bellini, crafts cocktails or mimosas and savor the perfection of steak and eggs or crab Benedict. Don t miss the steak tartare, a culinary masterpiece. The service is attentive, ensuring your experience is nothing short of exceptional.
It was my first experience at Botanist and tried out the cocktail bar there. I received really good service from Roland and the drink I had Tokyo Gardens was well made. It came across as more of a tourist trap establishment in my opinion and did not overly stand out.
Very nice clean and stylish place with a minimalist vibe on the second floor of one of the Fairmount Pacific Rim Hotel. Our table had a nice view of the restaurant, but also of the kitchen where you can watch them cook and prepare each plate often with tweezers to get the perfect look. The food was top notch with an interesting mix of ingredients with each dish. The drinks were classy mixes with the highball drink featuring a piece of ice as tall as the glass itself. Knowledgeable and friendly service. My only knock was that they lost my reservation and a second drink order was impossibly late. I m sure it s an anomaly.
We will not go back. The food was absolutely not worth it. The chef seems to think that mixing up a dozen spices will perk up a dish, as most new or unsophisticated chefs do. I was so surprised to have such awful food at this place.
Phenomenal brunch! Lobster meat wasn t fresh but everything else was top notch! Still gets 5 stars.
Couldn t be seated for breakfast because not enough staff. Blame Canada
This was a good experience overall and I can tell that they ve put in a lot of work with being able to provide great experiences for their guests. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel. The interior is elegant and feels bright and airy. The kitchen is open and visible from the main dining area and this evening there was a person playing the piano most of the night. We had the pan seared scallops to start. The scallops are well seasoned and cooked well and tender. There were cubes of pork jowl as part of the dish. Although I can see how they compliment each other, the fattiness on the pork jowl itself was overwhelming to me. The pork chop was bold visually with the way it is presented with the dark red mole sauce splattered at the base of the dish. I found the pork chop itself to be a bit dry on its own. Having it with the other components on the dish, like with the sauce and brussel sprouts helped give it some moisture. The mole sauce certainly has a great depth of flavour. We had the tonka bean bavaroise for dessert. This was a pleasant way to end the meal. I found the level of sweetness was perfect. The texture of the rye bread ice cream is very smooth and creamy and I really liked the flavour. The phyllo was great for some crispy flaky texture. I also really liked the wine poached pears. They were cooked well still with some crispness and were infused with a nice red wine flavour. I had the Beekeeper cocktail. It was a good drink and had a nice consistency to it. I liked the honeycomb shaped garnish on top for some crunch. As someone who loves honey, I wonder if it could incorporate some actual fresh honeycomb. Service was attentive and welcoming throughout. It felt like everyone was well coordinated and worked together to provide a good experience overall for their guests.
The drinks are awesome The food is okay If you re vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free, the dinner menu can be a bit difficult We would definitely go back for drinks The restaurant is beautiful and the service is great and they were very kind when explaining the menu and possible modifications
Beautiful place with great service. The atmosphere was cozy and ideal for dating. They had a pianist playing live there which was very nice. He played some of the Hayao Miyazakis movie music, which made it even nicer. For the food, we had mixed feelings. We got the tasting menu. The presentation was nicely done but the taste was a hit and miss. The oyster but not oyster dish was interesting but had a weird taste. The soup was very nice. The fish was good but not outstanding as what would be expected from a tasting menu. The uni risotto was odd with a really strong and unbalanced flavour. However I did enjoy the taste of the 6-month aged beef prosciutto from the risotto dish. The 20-day aged duck was the highlight of the tasting menu. Its probably one of the best duck dishes I have had so far. For the dessert, the mushroom marshmallows had a fun texture but were too heavy. I think the tasting menu would be better without it. The orange tart was, however, very nice and enjoyable. We feel like the tasting menu was not worth it. If we go back, wed just order the duck and try out other dishes on the menu, instead of going with the tasting menu.
One of my favorites
Had such a wonderful time for brunch. Food was amazing and the service by server Jay Z and the assistant manager Deepesh you definitely can t get that kind of good service anymore in the city. will definitely be back.
Visited Botanist on my birthday, and I had an amazing experience. Great service, and the food was really tasty. They had a great selection of cocktails. I tried what the flower and it was really good. Highly recommended. Their presentation of dishes are amazing, and it matches the quality. Great option for a date night or special occasions.
Are Here on the last day of a trip for our anniversary. It was an outstanding experience we had the tasting menu. Every dish was perfect and unlike anything we had ever had before. special shout out to the duck, which was to die for. Larry was our server he was so kind and knowledgeable about every dish. He made the experience truly magical.
The staff very friendly. The food very very good. I had the lamb leg, omg the sauce so good. Forgot to take picture because i am so hungry.
food is really good
It is hard to apply an accurate rating but i wanted to share my experience. I arrived in Vancouver flying from the US. Doing so required that I be fully vaccinated and test negative for Covid within 72 hours of departing. The second day of my trip BC implemented a law requiring proof of vaccination and ID to enter many restaurants and to participate in certain activities. Everywhere we went my boyfriend and I showed our vaccine card and drivers license and had no issue, so naturally we assumed the same would be true at the Botanist. When we showed up were told we could not enter because we had our drivers license and not our passport, which we had both chose to leave in our hotel a few skytrain stops away for safety purposes. I made this reservation weeks ago and at no point was I notified that having my passport would be a requirement for entry. If I had known I would have made sure to bring it with me. We walked across the street and dined at another restaurant without issue but I was disappointed to miss out considering the care I d taken to plan the trip.
Great service, tasty food, and amazing atmosphere
The server was super nice and the food was very tasty. Portions were a bit on the small side, but that was expected. Worth it. Took out one star because the server offered water without mentioning that it would be bottled. Would have refused, but she opened them before I realized so I ended up having them. BC tap water is better than bottled water and it s more sustainable. Don t assume I ll prefer paying for overrated imported WATER. At least ask, if you want to push an extra item to charge for.
Didnt have a chance to eat here, but its a lovely place to grab a cocktail. Our bartender was so friendly and knowledgeable! The drinks were expensive but worth it, especially as a treat.
This is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. My wife and I have been here several times and always done the tasting menu. It never disappoints and they have one of the best mixologists in all of Vancouver. If you are looking for an incredible meal and experience. Look no further
Wonderful brunch. Good value given the 2 or 3 courses comes with 2 drinks. Nice interior and delicious food.
Been here a few times and I Ive never been disappointed. You can taste the love and effort on the food that they serve. The staff are friendly, excellent service, and nice atmosphere. Really enjoyed the food. Kudos to the chef and kitchen staff.
What a beautiful place to grab dinner. It was my first time there for dinner and really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it. The food was absolutely delicious and fresh.
This restaurant was absolutely stunning from beginning to finish. I took my wife for her birthday on a Saturday evening. We chose to partake in the tasting menu with the wine pairing. This consisted of a 6 course meal and we were asked if we wished to be surprised by each dish-which we elected to do as we have no allergies and decided to leave it to the chef. Their team of sommeliers were excellent as they described the wines to us and how they would pair with the surprise of not knowing what our next dishes would be. Not to ruin the elements of the dishes as we were told it s a seasonal menu, but I will say that the chef was very bold with his flavors and not afraid to take chances with dishes. We ve done tasting menus before and this topped them all. It was bold, adventurous, and absolutely delicious. Additionally, the pianist that was playing was incredible throughout the night. I actually ran into him later in the night and learned his name was Winston. My wife and I were surprised that for the 3 hours we were there he was nonstop playing wonderful tunes. We noticed he had no sheet music around him so we had to ask how he did that. We confirmed our assumption that he memorizes every song and he told us he memorizes them because he enjoys looking around the room to judge the vibe and reaction to the songs he plays . Overall it was a wonderful evening and all should make a reservation if they re in Vancouver. Just do the tasting menu and spend the extra money for the wine-you won t regret it.
Bad service tasteless food
Our dining experience consisted of ordering a Caesar salad, cavatelli, and cabbage roll. The Caesar salad? four whole lettuce leaves drenched in an unappetizing sauce that carried a strong fish taste. The portions of the other two dishes were notably small, and their flavors were disappointingly mediocre. To top it off, the prices were exorbitant double what we typically pay for a comparable outdoor dinner. By the time we left, we were still hungry and thoroughly dissatisfied. Needless to say, we wont be returning
Average food, average service and average valentine s lunch.
One of my favorite restaurants in Vancouver. Comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Food is phenomenal. I will try to go when Im in Vancouver again.
So close, so close. No question: wouldve been our go-to Vancouver resto every time we visit if it were not for the little mice running around... (they were cute though). The ambience, decor, live piano music, and food was perfect. Recommend the lamb.
Such a cool place. Love the energy in the huge kitchen. The food is so unique and delicious. Service was spot on all night.
Went to take a shot at this place, but I was very disappointed. Food was bland and expensive for what it was. Presentation was nice, service was slow, there are better places out there that are a bang for your buck. No idea how this place is a 4/5 should be like a 3/5 instead.
Food was amazing. We had the salmon belly and it was cooked to perfection. Some of the best service I ve experienced at a restaurant.
We were sitting on a table of Jacki. She was amazing the most kind and friendly person in the morning she helped us a lot
The staff was amazing and very informative and passionate. We did the chef inspired menu with a wine pairing. I was a bit disappointed with the food, the octopus was very fishy and chewy but the presentation for each dish was very creative. The staff are what really make this place amazing, and the cocktails, food needs improvement.
The Botanist is a high-end restaurant located in the Fairmont hotel at Waterfront. Aesthetic-wise, the restaurant has a really nice ambience and a huge open kitchen. My girlfriend and I ordered the Valentines Day 6 course Chef s Tasting Menu. For starters, we were given a small foie crepe with cured egg topped with crème fraiche, nuts and caviar. The foie crepe had a nice soft bite and was enriched by the shaved cured egg. The caviar and nuts collectively gave the crepe a creamy and crunchy texture and the crème fraiche binded all the components together. The saltiness from the caviar and the cured egg along with the nuttiness from the nuts and the tanginess from the crème fraiche created a mouth bursting melody of flavors that accompanied one another. For the second course, we had a fermented tomato water, koji oil, and salted roasted root vegetables salad. It was fruity, light, refreshing, citrusy, aesthetic and vibrant in color, the perfect balance to a rich and creamy first course. For the third course, we had a buffalo burrata ravioli with parmesan stock, celeriac, beef tendon, and freshly shaved Italian black truffles. The ravioli was handmade egg pasta and was filled with cheesy goodness. The smell and flavor of the freshly shaved black truffles were not as strong as I d like it to be, but overall, the ravioli was a good dish. For the fourth course, we had a charred sea bass with sunchokes, cilantro, jalapeno, and a parmesan emulsion. In my opinion, the parmesan emulsion did not work. I found that its sharpness and richness counteracted and overpowered the freshness of the fish. However, the fish was cooked beautifully. For the fifth course, we had a roasted lamb saddle with a smoked beet caramelized salsify and truffle jus. The caramelized beet salsify added sweetness while wine in the truffle jus added tanginess and aroma to the dish. However, I found the lamb extremely rare and undercooked for my liking, and I am a person who enjoys both rare and medium rare steak. The fibers of the saddle were still intact, making the lamb extremely chewy and unable to dissolve or break down into pieces in my mouth. For that reason, I did not fancy the lamb too much and did not finish it. After the lamb, we were given a ricotta with wildflower honey palette cleanser. There is nothing better than fresh ricotta, so creamy and rich, melting in my mouth. The honey was sweet and made the ricotta more dessert-like, preparing the way for the last course. For the last course, that being dessert, we had a passionfruit white chocolate marquise with passionfruit curd, sparkling wine gelée, white chocolate coconut crumble, and a tropical sorbet. It was more or less a deconstructed dessert. I felt like the marquise together with the passionfruit curd were sour and not sweet enough for my liking. The white chocolate coconut crumble somewhat makes up for it, but there was not enough of it on my plate. Overall, dining at the botanist was a good meal with a few flaws. However, its location by the waterfront, aesthetics of the restaurant along with a pianist throughout the night does make for a perfect Valentines Day date.
Highly recommend the carpaccio & pan seared scallops! Intimate ambience, attentive & friendly staff, great interior decoration. There was a lovely pianist playing during dinner. Great for smaller groups or dates.
Good and tasty hotel restaurant. On expensive side, but the food quality is good. They have good cocktails menu as well. I really liked their lobster risotto. The restaurant is typically not very busy during lunch time, but they require a deposit to guarantee your reservation. To be honest, most times reservation is not necessary. Solid 4 stars restaurant
Amazing food, drinks, and service. 10/10, would recommend.
They treat you terribly if you re not a guest.
I come here all the time for breakfast with my little toddler - it s our go to spot. Chicken sausage pancakes croissant !!!!! They have the best croissant SOOO buttery so good
Second time visiting. Amazing food. Even more amazing cocktails! Atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful/comfortable for a crowded and lively place. Great service both times. All-round 5-stars for me.
Excellent. Jaryd was an utterly amazing host to our evening. The entire staff was finely tuned. We sat viewing the kitchen and enjoyed seeing the kitchen and the floor attend the guests both individually and in unison. Everyone was pleasant, relaxed, and welcoming. The kitchen operated mostly unspoken, quietly focused, or smiling. It was beautiful to watch. There was a wonderful musician playing the grand piano. It was perfect. We had: Wonderful oat sourdough with a yogurt butter that was exceptionally well executed. Stone Fox to drink. Excellent, light, refreshing, well-balanced, wonderful flavor. Cauliflower - Devine sunchoke sauce and a virtually indescribable umami topping with adorable tiny mushrooms (we watched the chefs handpick each element). Carpaccio - the cut was outstanding, beautifully presented, delicately dressed, and paired by the sommelier with a 2020 Portugese Herade Arrepiado. SO MUCH FUN! He brought 3 unique reds for me to choose from. Im still pleased. Lamb and lentils - perfectly cooked, who knew lentils should be al dente? Probably you but not me. Excellent flavor, well-paired with a wonderful 2017 Cháteau Margaux Bordeaux (also selected via tasting). We bagged the bone for the puppy. Pepper crusted salmon - Devine. The texture, the flavor. How did the chef do that to the pepper? And then they poured the beautiful smoked buttermilk sauce into the dish and it was just... Wonderful. I have no words. All with another pairing by the dizzyingly fun sommelier, landing on an Illahe Pinot from Oregon. I think it was a 2015. Beets -Delicious, although the least exciting presentation and I admit it impacted the experience. I loved the chopped, crunchy candied nuts. Pavlova - Just incredible. Spiced, tart, sweet, light. They must have watched those cranberries like hawks. Perfectly cooked and spiced, delightfully intact. Apple brown butter cake - one of my two favorite flavors of ice cream, brown butter, and an excellent apple atop the perfect cake. All in all, heaven. Cant wait to come back... Anniversary? Next end of year to try the tasting menu? Time will tell, but we will be back. Dietary restrictions: Attentive to restrictions.
We went for dinner around busy holiday season. The waiter was super nice and attentive, recommended good cocktails. I had What the flower and my partner had Me Time. For food, we ordered wagyu beef carpaccio, grilled octopus, kurobuta pork chop, and black pepper crusted salmon. My favorite was the pork chop and grilled octopus! The salmon wasn t my best taste because the soup was quite sour. Overall the food quality was really good and interior was really nice! I would come back again
I d wanted to eat at Botanist for awhile now and finally had the chance last night. Like wow! I had very high expectations and it did not disappoint. We were blown away by both the food and the service at the bar. Definitely a memorable meal, I can t recommend this place enough. I m going back before I leave Vancouver. And every time I m in town. A special shout out to Jeff and Matt. Jeff makes some of the best drinks I ve ever had, and Matt s enthusiasm combined with the ability to nail every wine recommendation is stellar. Thanks!
Had an amazing lunch here. Service was top notch. It was fun to see into the kitchen. Everything was great.
An excellent choice for our anniversary dinner. All the menus we ordered were beyond satisfying. I absolutely loved the atmosphere and our server was super friendly and attentive to our needs.
Dined here based on a recommendation from a colleague. It is located in the Fairmont hotel near the waterfront & is spacious & airy. We decided to order from the tasting menu & it did not disappoint. Each entree was a piece of art that was thoughtfully prepared from the presentation & garnishes to the combination of the right pairing of accents to highlight the taste & texture of the main. The bread appetizer was warm & buttery, had to resist filling up on it. Favorites were: Chicken amuse bouche - so very tender & too pretty to eat Gazpacho with basil sorbet - chip garnish provided a nice light crunch & the basil sorbet provided a cooling sensation, couldve eaten it just by itself in a bowl Halibut in smoked buttermilk - tender, not fishy & light milkiness/creaminess from the buttermilk, the herbs enhanced the neutral taste of the fish Butter infused candy cap mushrooms - light caramel tasting foaminess, quite the experience Service was thoughtful & attentive without hovering. Overall, a very satisfying dining experience.
Moderately good. Portions very small, ambiance and service good. Big issue here is reservation policy - $50 per person charged to CC for cancellation within 24 hour window. Total lunch cost for our party was $50 p/p - so the optimal outcome for the restaurant is no-shows. If you need a reservation, I recommend looking somewhere else.
Absolutely incredible location, wonderful decor and atmosphere with the live pianist, and top -notch drinks (especially if you like a tea-based alcoholic drink). Food and service were incredible!
Our server Alex was amazing in recommending dishes and making sure my partner and I were doing ok. Our brunch here was pretty good for price points, atmosphere was insane, I absolutely love botany aspects in the restaurant as a plant lover myself.
Was lucky enough to share the experience of the tasting menu with a long time friend of mine at this beautiful restaurant! The food looked like artwork and everything we had was very tasty. The duck breast in particular was very memorable. The shortbread cookie to go was a nice little touch! Our server Brandon provided great service. What a wonderful evening! I would definitely recommend Botanist as a place to celebrate something special.
Amazing brunch, visited on a Friday. Service and flavors were amazing. Well crafted options thru out the courses, Chili kissed salmon stood out for me.
Top notch dining experience - been here twice for brunch and I d say it s a good deal. From ambience to service and of course the food, it s a luxurious affair. Their cocktails are also terrific. We ll certainly find more reasons to dine here again.
Came for brunch and dinner. I prefer their brunch menu. Service was really good. Will come back again. Vegetarian options: Vegetarian friendly
I came here for cocktails. Im sure the food is great, and ideally, I would have enjoyed the chance to taste it, but I only had an hour and Id heard amazing things about their cocktail program so that was my only intention. And it was worth it. There are a lot of bars on the official Best Bars of 202_ and of the ones Ive tried, often theyre pretty underwhelming. I dont know who chooses them or how much money a bar has to pay to be on them, but most of the time, it doesnt seem to match with my experiences. Botanist, however, does belong on that list. Is it the best cocktail bar ever? No. But it is an exceptionally good hotel bar? Yes. Arguably, hotel bars have a much more difficult task than a regular cocktail bar because they have to appeal to a much wider range of tastes, people, and experiences. Generally, theyre fairly generic, and play it safe with flavours, never straying too far from trends or accessibility of the most inexperienced tourist. Thats why Botanist is special. Sure, sitting at the bar, I saw people be boring and order Aperol Spritzes and wines and espresso martinis. But the cocktail menu is so much more. Its big, for one thing. Has a great deal of diversity. You can find any sort of drink from a fizzy, sweet concoction to a serious spirit-forward sipper. What I enjoyed most was the marriage of very BC/Canadian ingredients with spirits, some of which are fairly rare to find on a hotel bar cocktail list. Both that I tried were delicious, and mostly important for me, you can actually taste and feel the booze. Sure, one of them (Council of Trees -- amazing name!) seemed pretty juicy and easy, but you could *feel* it by the last sip. What a sneaky drink. I loved it. Thats what Im looking for: cool flavours, mixed and balanced so well that I barely can tell its a cocktail but hits hard enough that I dont say, Well, I could have just ordered a lemonade. Dont get me wrong, you can taste the interesting scotch, but it wasnt too much or too little. Im going to be honest: I saw the Council of Trees on their menu online weeks ahead of time when planning my trip and knew I had to try it. I adored the botanical ingredients, and even its little cryptic blurb on the menu. If nothing else, I was going to try it. And it did not disappoint. The second cocktail (Stone Fox) was a lot heavier, and very spirit-forward, which I appreciate on a cocktail menu. Especially hotels. As a cognac lover, I had to try it. It was a little heavy on the sweet apricot for me personally, but a lot of people would like it this way. Shout out to the great bar snacks, too. They do not skimp. It was almost like a tapa, thats how much you get and its good quality too. Bartenders were sociable but not overbearing and seemed to nail the choices for other patrons. The bar area itself is small, and not exactly the coziest as its right in the corridor leading from the entrance to the restaurant, but if youre only having a drink or two, its totally fine. Hostess was super-nice and accommodating. Would definitely come back.
This was my second visit all the way from Toronto. We had a great night and my brother was surprised! As it was also his birthday. Again thanks to our server and the kitchen team for making the night memorable and incredible.
Unique cocktails, top notch food, excellent service.
Commenting on food as we didn t drink any of the cocktails this place is known for. The lobster Benny reminded me of a cheap diner meal - the muffins were oily, the lobster was cut in very small pieces so got completely lost in the heavy mushroom taste. Seasoning not present. My friend had a the $22 mushroom toast that left her hungry and underwhelmed. Staff was nice- especially the hostess
We had an amazing time at the restaurant. We enjoyed the chefs tasting menu, one of our guests had some dietary requirements and the kitchen expertly pivoted and created a tantalizing spread of food. The efficiency and care of service was very apparent our service was above average and our server went to great lengths to go above and beyond to ensure every guest was satisfied with the tasting menu and their experience with the restaurant. It truly is a magical experience dining somewhere where you are taking such great care of and the use of unique and beautiful ingredients are so present. Dietary restrictions: Gluten and dairy free options present
Service here was super welcoming. Shocking for such a high end area. Especially for how they treat people of color. Impressive. Food was really good, overall the menu has things other restaurants do but everything is served and made meticulously, you can tell there s a lot of effort put into everything. Servers are friendly and flexible. Good experience and the atmosphere is welcoming too!
Excellent attention to detail made for an elegant dining experience. This is the kind of upscale restaurant that might make some feel nervous if they arent already familiar with the rituals of fine dining, but the staff were so warm and unobtrusively invested in our experience that we felt welcome and at ease. The burrata salad was generous and perfectly accented by both earthy and acid tones. The lobster Benedict was rich and savoury with a curious note of almond. I cant tell you how my friends sable fish was because she was bewitched and left me none. We shared the black forest dessert, presented to me as a surprise for my birthday celebration. Such a beautiful take on an apple fallen to the forest floor with bark and soil, and an apple-shaped cherry mousse that revealed more and more flavours as you worked towards its core. I loved it! Only 4 stars for atmosphere because the chairs are lovely to look at, but you have to sit bolt upright unless you want to lean back at a 45° angle.
Awesome place to go! Food was amazing and the sommeliers know what they are talking about. The chiefs menue is to die for, great date night. Cant wait to go back
Food was cooked perfectly, and was delicious. The menu was very well thought out, with classic items paired with surprising goodies on the side ( the sirloin had some gnocci-like chewy tidbits) The music in the curved seats area was a bit too loud for conversation. I went for my birthday and recieved a card signed by the staff, which was very sweet! Parking: Its a hotel so valet parking is available probably, but street parking a block or two away is not too expensive
I used to be a regular here. The staff are lovely and unfortunately it seems management up top wants to cut costs and skimp out on the quality of food and drinks. They used to have these awesome theatrical cocktails that had smoke coming out of them and stuff, and now they cant even bother with those but demand higher prices. If I were the head honchos at the botanist, Id smarten up and put in the effort before all those new shiny michelin recommended bars steal away your customers, and rightfully so. But again, BEST STAFF in the world!!
Had brunch here on a Sunday while in Vancouver for the weekend. First off the hotel is beautiful! You walk up a marble staircase where you are greeted by the hostess. You definitely want to secure a spot with a reservation. Everyone was attentive and very nice. During brunch you can choose either two or three courses which also included either sparkling wine or a mimosa to start. You also get a cocktail with the main dish. Several items to choose from in the first and second courses. Third course is dessert (two options). I highly recommend the mushroom toast, lobster Benedict, and black forest cherry dessert.
Delicious brunch, beautiful atmosphere.
Great food with surprisingly sizable portions for a restaurant of this quality. Server was knowledgeable and kind to us. Free champagne for our anniversary was a nice addition. Great cocktails and overall a nice experience. Staff were all cheerful and patient.
I have traveled throughout Canada a lot and Botanist is literally my favorite restaurant of all time. Every time I visit Vancouver I come to the Botanist and bring colleagues or friends. The space is gorgeous and a jungle meets modern dreamscape. The staff is so attentive and the food literally lives RENT FREE in my mind. The plates themselves are tiny works of art you get to enjoy in such fleeting and superb moment.
Incredible experience all around! Angela was our server, and she was an angel. The perfect mix of professional and personable. The 2 & 3 Course Brunch options are very smart, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. I will definitely be back again. Thank you!!
Great meal. Even better drinks. Dress up ;)
delicious special night out to celebrate the end of our busy season
It was difficult to book a reservation here since it s so popular! I managed to get in to celebrate my wedding anniversary. The staff gifted us a congratulatory card signed by all the staff members along with delicious champagne. The server was very knowledgeable so we went with her recommendations for both appetizers and mains. The scallop appetizer was BOMB. I would definitely order again. The burrata was too basilly for my taste. My husband really enjoyed the lamb which comes with lentils. I wasn t too hungry so I went with the appetizer sized pasta dish which was average. The dessert I wanted to order everything on the menu but went with the strawberry yuzu tart that comes with a scoop of strawberry sorbet. I would go back to try the rest of the dessert menu. It was a perfectly balanced dish. Although this restaurant is located in the Fairmont Pan Pacific hotel, we were pleasantly surprised by the decent pricing compared to other restaurants. We ve booked our next visit here on Christmas day and are excited to try their brunch menu . Parking: We were lucky to accidentally park in the underground lot via an entrance attached to the cruise docking area but not sure if there is another way to get in.
Unfortunately Im going to have to rate one star. I had been to the Botanist previously and had no issue, but last summer while having brunch, I discovered pieces of bone after taking a bite out of one of the dishes. A pork poutine. It was humiliating enough having to spit out my food in the middle of a busy restaurant, as swallowing bones can be quite dangerous, but after bringing it to the attention of my server, the response of the management team was to simply offer me a free alcoholic beverage, at 11 AM. Then, after refusing, they brought one to my table anyway. I was too tired from traveling to complain further, but a restaurant of the botanists caliber ought to know better. Damage control was non existent when I was dining there. Instead of simply offering me alcohol to compensate, they should have asked me what they could do to make things better. Very disappointed in my visit July 2023, and will not be returning again.
Celebrated a birthday lunch here - cocktails are amazing, food is beautiful. Garden area wasn t open but it s stunning. They have a couple private rooms avail to book. The Botanist bar has its own menu but is only open for dinner service. Service was kind but not exceptional, didn t recognize or acknowledge this special day for us. The fresh bread was forgotten, we had to ask but then promptly delivered. Burrata salad and tartare was underwhelming. Hanger steak was delicious.
The service was amazing, they even remembered your name throughout the whole dining. I was here for brunch and it was great experience. However, the food can be better, it was nicely presented but I didn t enjoy the medium rare steak. The coffee smelled good but they can do better, it was watery for me.
Great restaurant, but the menu is a bit boring, and rarely changes.
Cocktails are amazing and service was above average.
The service was just as amazing as the food! We went for a birthday brunch and between the great service and the delicious plates, Botanist completely made our trip to Vancouver a great one!
Always delighted to enjoy time here. Dietary restrictions: GF - oriented Food : 5/5 |
Great value brunch! $68 for 2 courses and 2 drinks. We got beef tartare and burrata as first course. Beef tartare looked very saucy but it was actually good. The sourdough was amazing. Burrata could be better. French toast and lobster benedict were great. Drinks were also good. Great service and ambience. Good portions.
Exceptionally creative and delicious food, beautiful space, and fantastic service. Great spot for an important business lunch or celebratory dinner.
We had our holiday season Christmas kick-off dinner. Everything was amazing, delicious, beautiful and comfortable. Great night. The piano player was amazing. Noticed a couple of anime themes slipped into the soothing piano selections.
Ok, so this has been one of our favorite restaurants in Vancouver for quite sometime. It is now sitting at our Number 1. It has been consistently amazing! We went there again last night for my birthday. From the moment you arrive you know that this is not your typical restaurant. They greet you with respect and immediately make you feel comfortable. The food is completely off the charts when it comes to presentation and of course flavors. Our server Chris did an amazing job of tending to us and explaining everything in detail. I believe we had a least 5 different servers tending to us, one would be pouring our wine, one would be bringing our dishes etc. Amazing! If your interested we started with the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, which melts in your mouth. My wife had Kurobuta Pork Chop, which was delicious and I had the Striploin. The recommendation for desert was the Apple Brown Butter cake which once again was incredible. Botanist does everything right! This is fine dining at its best. Thank you all for making it an amazing dining experience for my wife and I, especially Chris. We will be returning soon.
Had a fantastic experience at Botanist! The food was delicious, and the service was top-notch. From start to finish, everything exceeded expectations. Highly recommended for a delightful dining experience!
My friends and I went here for a 3 course brunch. It was delightful. Every server was Amazing and Friendly. The atmosphere was aesthetically pleasing. I love the food. I would rate 5/5. I would come back to try the dinner menu. Compare to their other partner restaurants, this is the best fairmont restaurant that I went to.
Incredible food, hands down. Had a bit of a negative/bizarre situation whilst dining involving a rodent unfortunately. I wasn t sure whether to share (it was almost 4 months ago) but I feel it s important I post my experience here and explain. Simply giving a low rating without proper context doesn t feel fair to the effort both the front of house and the kitchen put into creating a magical dining experience. We came to The Botanist for our anniversary after wanting to check it out for over a year. We had 2 cocktails each (which absolutely wonderful - balanced, strong, whist delicate), a beautiful bottle of wine and moved onto mains and dessert. Ordered the tagliatelle and the duck breast which were both fabulous. It was so good, it was as if the duck had been both shot and magically aged that very day. It was beautifully rich and flavourful. The fat had emulsified into the meat entirely producing deeply silky bites. Also had the tagliatelle which was divine. I guess the best way to describe the food is that it s almost like you can feel the level of intention put into every element. Certainly an elevated dining experience. Service was fantastic by our server when it came to menu knowledge and personality. But this is where things got a little bizarre. I was sitting in the booth by the wall when you first walk in on the left. The decor is beautiful and bright by the way! Anyways, as the expediter brought out our duck breast I reached for my purse to grab my lactose pills and to my surprise, there was a MOUSE curled up beside it!! I instantly let out a little yell and it jumped down off the bench, scampered over my partners shoe and then ran along the booth and into the wall! The expo saw it and was almost too shocked to respond. He did apologize (and brought me a water? which was funny but cute:) but it became fairly awkward after in the sense that he sort of just froze. My partner ask him if he wouldn t mind speaking with the manager so he ran off to find him. My partner and I spent the next few minutes standing up to check out our seats and bags to make sure it was the only mouse and confirm it wasn t a family affair. We even got down and put on our phone flashlight to see if there might have been a mouse hole at the bottom of the booth but we did not see anything. We waited for the manager but after about 6 minutes or so we decided to just start eating. Like I said, the food was delicious but it was really only the next day that I realized how the whole vermin situation somewhat ruined the mains portion of our dinner since once we finally started eating the food wasn t very hot. Certainly not what one would expect to experience at a nice dinner out where the bill ends up around $374. ($320 + 17% tip) We consider ourselves very easy going since we ve both worked in hospitality at one point, but what made it worse is that the manager NEVER even came by once! Our server did swing by and quality check (about 10 min later once our food was basically finished) but didn t mention anything about the mouse. Since the expo said he d speak with the manager I assumed that they would bring it up before we paid but it was just never spoken of again. Not only that, but we never actually saw our server again and had to ask for desert menus and our bill from whoever s attention we could get. Maybe there was a shift change but we ended up paying our (substantial) bill with an impersonal staff member who seemed that they were forced to be there. Not the greatest feeling after spending the equivalent of 2 weeks worth of gas in one evening. We had a nice bottle of wine, multiple cocktails, mains and desserts but it felt as though once we received everything we were sort of forgotten about. The restaurant was extremely busy at that time but it still was unfortunate. Although they weren t able to control the mouse choosing to cuddle up to me, I felt the least the manager could ve done was to stop by our table and acknowledge the inconvenience. Amazing food but unfortunately won t be back.
Be sure to make reservations far in advance because you wont want to miss this lovely eating and drinking experience. Great service (Chris was terrific, the sommelier was kind, engaging and very approachable) the food absolutely delicious through every course, the cocktails entertaining and unusual, and the wine list to complement every taste and budget.
Great food and even better service. We also stayed in the hotel and everything was perfect. Couldn t recommend this place enough. The scallops for an appetizer were hands down best I ve ever had.
Must go place when in Vancouver. The drinks are amazing. They also served small side of chips and dip as complimentary.
Beautiful place. The chicken was the best tasting out of the other dishes my friends ordered. UPDATE: I went there again and ordered the salmon dish. It tasted great but there was tons and tons of salt. Despite drinking lots of water I got food poisoning at night. And woke up with a very bad stomach with cramps.