Ride the lift to the top of Bobby's and the old department store gives way to something unexpected: a room thick with hanging greenery, botanical archways and a little indoor river crossed by two small bridges. The Botanist has taken one of the most recognisable buildings on Bournemouth Square and turned its upper floor into a bar and restaurant that feels closer to a glasshouse than a high street dining room. It is one of the more theatrical places to eat in the town centre, and one of the few with a proper roof terrace.
The food
The kitchen builds its menus around seasonal vegetables, fruit, spices and herbs, and the results are more varied than the botanical branding might suggest. The signature dish is the hanging kebab, delivered to the table on a suspended skewer with garlic flatbread, rocket and houmous alongside. Sunday brings roasts with garlic herb potatoes and bottomless Yorkshire puddings, while weekdays have a shorter lunch menu for anyone in town for the afternoon rather than the evening.
Vegan and vegetarian dishes sit throughout the main menu rather than being tucked away, there's a gluten-free list, and younger diners get their own Seedlings menu. Drinks matter here as much as the food: the cocktail list has been a feature of the brand since it began in 2012 and makes generous use of fresh herbs and botanicals, backed up by draught beer, cider and a decent wine selection. Menus and any bottomless brunch slots change through the year, so check the website before you go.
The setting
There are really three venues in one. The main dining room is the showpiece, all foliage and archways, with a semi-private tunnel of hanging plants that groups can book for celebrations. Beyond it sits a large bar and lounge with soft seating, which works just as well for a drink as it does for a meal. Then there's the roof garden, strung with festoon lights and warmed by fire pits, where you can eat outside with the town spread out below you.
Weekends have a soundtrack. Live music runs every Friday and Saturday evening, with acoustic duos, trios and full bands taking the stage, and there's a monthly musical bingo night that pulls a lively crowd. It's a place that shifts gear as the night goes on, from relaxed lunch spot to something distinctly busier after dark.
Where it is
The Botanist occupies level four of Bobby's on Commercial Road, right on Bournemouth Square (BH2 5LP). Two lifts take you straight up. You're a short walk from the Lower Gardens, the Pavilion, the pier and the beach, and well placed for the shops of the town centre. Bournemouth railway station and the main bus interchange are both close, and there's plenty of public parking nearby, though none of it belongs to the venue. Our Bournemouth area guide has more on getting around the centre.
Good to know
The venue is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms, and lift access means the fourth-floor location isn't a barrier. Dogs are welcome in the bar and outdoor spaces. Booking online is worth doing for weekend evenings, Sunday lunch and event nights, and essential if you want the semi-private area for a group. It suits a wide range of visits, from a quiet weekday lunch to a birthday party with a rooftop finish.
For more places to eat and drink nearby, browse our food & drink guide. For current menus, opening hours and bookings, contact The Botanist directly.