Cafe Botanica

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  8     

The thing about Cafe Botanica is you are always welcomed by a smiling face and directed to choose where you would like to sit then order at the counter. We usually drop in here for coffee which is always good but the mango macadamia flourless cake is far too tempting! Best cake I have ever tasted. Keep up the good work guys as we will definitely be back!

May 05, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

What you see is what you get. A cafe offering a reasonable choice of light snacks, "coffee and ..." type combos, as well as a few short-order mains. For the latter don't expect award restaurant quality, basic commercial type offerings seen in the supermarket freezer.

Sep 18, 2010 

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  9      Value  3     

I was rather disappointed with this place. We had seafood basket $17.50, beer battered flathead $16.90 with chips and a child's meal of fish and chips $8. Before I ordered the child's fish and chips I asked the waitress what fish they used. I was told flathead. When the meal came out there were 2 pieces (chicken nugget shaped and size) of fish and a small handful of chips. There was no way the fish was flathead and the size of the meal wasn't even enough for a 3 year old and my 3 year old is a small eater!

The seafood basket consisted of all premade frozen products except for the fish. Overall the food was very average and pricey for the portions you get. However, we had very friendly service from the waitstaff. I don't think I'll be back.

Sep 11, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

Had morning tea at Botanica this morning. Great sized kids milkshakes went down well, and latte with coffee on the side was a good idea, but milk too hot. Otherwise, their own coffee seemed to be ok.

Oct 14, 2009 

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

Went here for lunch and found the food to be disappointing and overpriced.
Mezze plate and turkish pide both $14.50 and not very inspiring. Not a very big selection of cakes either. I didn't like the blend of coffee here either. Nice location and staff were pleasant, but I don't think I'll be back, would maybe just go there for coffee when visiting swanes as there are no other places nearby.

Oct 01, 2008 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Dropped in and had lunch here with my husband last weekend after visiting Swanes Nursery. I opted for the mezza plate...the sweet potato dip was particularly nice. My husband had the seafood basket, which was typical cafe deep fried fare, though he enjoyed it along with two cups of coffee.

The cheesecake I had was nice, and I was pleased to see they had Irish breakfast tea on the menu. Overall, it's in a pleasant location and the service was quick and the staff were friendly.

May 09, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

I notice that one of the reviews for this Cafe is not very flattering. Well, I guess it's possible for a restaurant to "have a bad day". Fortunately, they were having a good day the day ate there with my wife. Admittedly I went there on a Friday, so they were not overly stretched. We both had the pie of the day, chicken, bacon and leek. We both enjoyed it immensely. It was accompanied by a nice little salad and at $13.50, I thought it was good value. They have an enticing display of cakes available at this cafe, much more choice than at most cafes I go to.

I chose the citrus tart which was fresh and tasty. The latte I had was served with a small jug of espresso "on the side" allowing the diner to choose the strength of the coffee. I found it an unusual and delicious way to serve latte. One of nicest coffees I've had for some time. When I mentioned to a member of the staff at the nearby nursery that I enjoyed the coffee in the Cafe Botanica she told me that she finds it difficult to drink coffee from anywhere else, so it's not just me that thinks it's great coffee.

The service was attentive and friendly. What a lovely place to sit and enjoy coffee and a light meal while enjoying the serene surrounds. I'd probably avoid it on a busy day though, I avoid everywhere on a busy day.

Mar 01, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  6     

Ordered the BLT following the recommendation from a fellow reviewer. Was the best BLT I have ever had as well! The dish was very well-balanced without any over-powering elements. The mango smoothie was also a delight!

Feb 04, 2007 

4 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  1     

Deeply disappointing. My family and I have had good experiences here before but today was a disaster. It took nearly an hour before our meals were served. My alleged scotch fillet steak sandwich was anything but - my order of "medium rare" was a joke as the meat was too thin to be anything but cooked to a chewy well-done, and the "glazed balsamic beetroot" was clearly out of a can. Don't even ask about the "cucumber ribbons"! And the chips were undercooked and tepid.

My nephew had the seafood basket ($17.90) - the "scallops" were battered chunks of seafood extender. My sister (it was her birthday, by the way) ordered the vegetarian Turkish Pide - the dish which cost about $15 was basically a plate of lettuce with two tiny slices of sweet potato and sundried tomato thrown onto a bit of bread. The only decent meal was my parents' "flan of the day" - thank goodness it wasn't cooked to order but a slice of pre-prepared chicken and bacon pie but their "garden salad" was, yes, more pile o' lettuce.. The last person served (of 6) after about a 45 minutes wait was my 12 years old niece who had ordered that complicated dish, the cheese sandwich on white bread. I paid about $4 for a lightly carbonated blood orange drink which I'd finished a good half hour before the meal arrived. No water was offered.

When we complained about my sister's plate o' lettuce, the waitress was apologetic but not surprised, the management who off-handedly suggested my sister might like a refund, rather than simply organising it as an offer of good will.

The cafe is popular - yes, it was busy but no excuse for the wait we endured with two hungry kids. And it's situated in one of Northern Sydney's leading gardening centres which presumably wants to protect its reputation. A big Thumbs Down! (Although the waitresses were lovely!)

Aug 20, 2006