The Botanist gives plant-focused dining a coastal Wellington setting at Lyall Bay. Sea views and a heated courtyard make the Onepu Road restaurant feel connected to the south coast, while the kitchen works with seasonal produce, local ingredients and flavours drawn from around the Pacific Rim. It is open across the week for brunch and dinner, with bookings, walk-in tables and delivery all part of the current service.
Dinner is entirely plant based, but the menu treats that as a starting point rather than the whole description. Spirulina dumplings bring shiitake, vermicelli and vegetables together with yuzu ponzu, and falafel is paired with whipped sesame cream and pomegranate. Battered banana blossom sits in a green-curry broth with sugar snaps, herbs and coconut, while gyros wrap plant-based chicken, pickled cucumber, slaw, fries, gravy and cheese sauce in souvlaki bread.
Other dinner dishes borrow familiar forms and rebuild them around vegetables. Carbonara gnocchi comes with plant-based bacon, quesadillas combine beans, feta, cheese sauce and a corn-and-jalapeño salsa, and tacos use banana blossom or oyster mushroom in place of fish or meat. At brunch, the distinction is more nuanced: free-range eggs remain available, but many dishes have parallel vegan versions using tofu egg, scrambled tofu and vegan hollandaise rather than asking plant-based diners to settle for a stripped-back plate.
The drinks and room complete the restaurant's botanical theme without making it overly earnest. Six rotating craft-beer taps sit alongside botanical cocktails and local and organic wines, giving the menu several directions for pairing. The heated courtyard keeps the coastal outlook useful when Wellington weather turns, and the range from pancakes and shakshuka at brunch to curry, dumplings and tacos at dinner makes The Botanist suitable for more than one kind of visit.
Address: 219 Onepu Road, Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
The Botanist Wellington Menu
Brunch Mains
Eggs on Toast
Poached, scrambled or fried eggs on ciabatta or grain toast. Gluten Free, Nut Free. add hollandaise 2; add vegan hollandaise 2
Breakfast Bao
Steamed bao, halloumi, chilli crisp, fried egg, pickled daikon, hollandaise. Nut Free. double bao 21; add fries 6
Korean Scramble
Gochujang scrambled eggs, kimchi, chilli crisp, sriracha, ciabatta. Gluten Free, Nut Free. Swap eggs for scrambled tofu (Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free) 22
Bot Benedict
Potato herb rosti, poached eggs, wilted spinach, mushroom, hollandaise, micro greens. Gluten Free, Nut Free. Swap eggs for crispy sriracha tofu (Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free) 25
Kimchi Fritters
Kimchi & corn fritters, poached eggs, smashed edamame avocado, chilli crisp, hollandaise. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Big Lyall
Poached eggs, hash brown, mushroom, wilted greens, plant based sausage, baked beans, battered jalapeños, hollandaise & toasted ciabatta. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Veganise Me
Scrambled tofu, smashed avocado edamame, wilted greens, hash brown, baked beans, battered jalapeños, vegan hollandaise & toasted grain. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Plant Powered Mains
Chia Bowl
Chia overnight oats, mango compote, toasted coconut, berry coconut yoghurt. Vegan, Nut Free
Tofu Bao
Steamed bao, sriracha tofu, slaw, pickled red onion, vegan hollandaise. Vegan, Nut Free. double bao 18; add fries 6
Edamame Avo Toast
Edamame & avocado smash, smoked feta, pickled red onion, chilli crisp & kawakawa oil on toasted ciabatta. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free. Add poached eggs / halloumi 7
Poke Bowl
Teriyaki tofu, edamame, tempura oyster mushroom, kimchi, tonkatsu kumara, pickled daikon & carrot, sticky rice, yuzu ponzu dressing. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Banana Blossom Salad
Banana blossom, charred pineapple, crushed peanuts, pickled daikon & carrot, red chilli, spring onion, sprouts, Vietnamese mint & toasted coconut salad, pineapple-chilli dressing. Vegan, Gluten Free
Sides
Eggs as you like (2)
Plan*t sausage (1)
Wilted spinach
Avocado
Scrambled tofu
Crispy pancit tofu
Halloumi
Hash browns (2)
Mushroom
Ciabatta (2)
Gluten free bread (1)
Desserts
Mango Arancini
Sticky mango rice balls, mango coulis. Nut Free
Cheesecake
Black sesame cheesecake, with mandarin, mandarin syrup, & ice cream. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Nama Truffles
Japanese whisky chocolate truffles, Duck Island ice cream & yuzu syrup. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Duck Island Ice Cream
Ask your server for current flavours Price: $12 for three
Pancakes
Ube Pancakes
Choose from: Banana, coconut caramel, toasted coconut; Mandarin, mascarpone, mandarin syrup. Vegan, Nut Free
Sharing Plates
Charred Edamame
Yuzu ponzu sauce. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Katsu Fries
Katsu gravy, fried shallots, furikake salted fries. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Bang Bang Cauli
Battered cauliflower, bang bang sauce, mango tamarind mayo. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Fries
with mango mayo. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Burgers with fries
Honolulu
Sticky huli huli chicken, cheese, charred pineapple, pickled red onion, Asian slaw, mango mayo. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Dirtyburger II
Plant based beef patty, satay sauce, pickle, caramelised onion, jalapeño, dirty sauce. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
K-Pop
Tempura oyster mushroom, sriracha maple, pickled red onion, pickled daikon, Asian slaw, mayo. Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Kimchi Dog
Plan*t sausage, kimchi, fried shallots, caramelised onion, spring onion & mango mayo in a hotdog bun. Vegan, Nut Free
Dinner – Sharing Plates
Lotus Chips
Battered lotus root chips, mango mayo, furikake salt
Charred Edamame
with yuzu ponzu sauce
Katsu Fries
Furikake salted fries, katsu gravy, fried shallots
Mochi
Kumara Korean gnocchi balls, fermented chilli butter sauce
Kimchi Arancini
Crumbed kimchi smoked feta rice balls, mango tamarind mayo, micros
Satay Skewers
Yuba tofu, house satay sauce, chilli crisp
Bang Bang Cauli
Battered cauliflower, bang bang sauce, mango mayo
Fries
with mango tamarind mayo
Dinner – Burgers
Honolulu
Sticky huli huli chicken, cheese, charred pineapple, pickled red onion, Asian slaw & mango mayo, with furikake fries
Dirtyburger II
Plant based beef patty, satay sauce, pickle, caramelised onion, jalapeño, dirty burger sauce, with furikake fries
K-Pop
Tempura shiitake mushroom, sriracha maple, pickled red onion, pickled daikon, Asian slaw & mayo, with furikake fries
Kimchi Dog
Plan*t sausage, kimchi, fried shallots, caramelised onion, spring onion & mango mayo in a hotdog bun, with fries
Bao Bun
Steamed bao with hoisin tofu, slaw, pickled red onion & daikon, mango mayo & chilli crisp. add fries 6
Dinner – Sushi Boards
House selection of hand rolled maki & nigiri. two people $24 / four people $42. Served with yuzu ponzu, mango mayo, pickled ginger, wasabi
Nigiri – Tonkatsu kumara, chilli crisp
Nigiri – Sriracha tofu, kawakawa oil, micro coriander
Nigiri – Miso glazed eggplant, chilli crisp
Maki Rolls – Sushi of the day
Maki Rolls – Teriyaki banana blossom, pickled red onion
Maki Rolls – Avocado, charred pineapple, cream cheese
Dinner – Larger Plates
Chicken Katsu
Crumbed plant based chicken, Japanese curry sauce, sticky rice, pickled red onion, fried shallots, Vietnamese mint & toasted coconut salad
Miso Eggplant
Charred miso eggplant, whipped manuka smoked tofu, pickled daikon, kawakawa oil, micro salad
Pancit Noodles
Filipino spicy pancit tofu, rice noodles, seasonal veg, savoy cabbage, edamame, bean sprouts, spring onion
Coconut Kumara Gratin
Baked curry lentils, orange kumara & coconut gratin, with garlic kawakawa oil flatbread & Vietnamese herb, pickled red onion & toasted coconut salad
Banana Blossom Salad
Banana blossom, charred pineapple, crushed peanuts, pickled daikon & carrot, red chilli, spring onion, sprouts, Vietnamese mint & toasted coconut salad, pineapple-chilli dressing
Poke Bowl
Pancit tofu, edamame, tempura shiitake mushroom, kimchi, pickled daikon & carrot, sticky rice, yuzu ponzu dressing
Dinner – Sides
Asian Slaw
Savoy cabbage, carrot, crushed peanuts, coriander, citrus dressing
Side Salad
Herb, pickled red onion & coconut salad
Sticky Rice
Dinner – Desserts
Mango Arancini
Sticky mango rice balls, mango coulis
Cheesecake
Black sesame cheesecake, mandarin, mandarin syrup, Duck Island ice cream
Nama Truffles
Japanese whisky chocolate truffles, Duck Island ice cream & yuzu syrup
Duck Island Ice Cream
Ask your server for current flavours Price: $12 for three
Snack Menu – Sharing Plates
Lotus Chips
Lotus root chips, mango mayo, furikake salt. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Fries
with mango tamarind mayo. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Charred Edamame
Yuzu ponzu sauce. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Katsu Fries
Furikake salted fries, katsu gravy, fried shallots. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Kimchi Arancini
Crumbed kimchi smoked feta rice balls, mango tamarind mayo, micros. Nut Free
Satay Skewers
Yuba tofu, house satay sauce, chilli crisp. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Bang Bang Cauli
Battered cauliflower, bang bang sauce, mango mayo. Gluten Free, Nut Free
Snack Menu – Burgers
Honolulu
Sticky huli huli chicken, cheese, charred pineapple, pickled red onion, Asian slaw, mango tamarind mayo, with furikake salted fries. Gluten Free On Request, Nut Free
Dirtyburger II
Plant based beef patty, satay sauce, pickle, caramelised onion, jalapeño, dirty burger sauce, with furikake salted fries. Gluten Free On Request
K-Pop
Tempura shiitake mushroom, spicy bulgogi glaze, pickled red onion, pickled daikon, Asian slaw, mayo, with furikake salted fries. Gluten Free On Request, Nut Free
Beer
On Tap – ask staff or check the tap board for current tap beers
Croucher Lowrider
Session IPA, Rotorua, 330ml can, 2.5%
Double Vision Red Rascal
Red Ale, Wellington, 330ml can, 6.3%
Duncan’s Yum Yum Yuzu
Lager, Wellington, 330ml can, 4.7%
Emerson’s Bookbinder
Bitter English Ale, Dunedin, 330ml can, 3.7%
Garage Project Beer
Lager, Wellington, 330ml can, 5.8%
Wine
v – vegan; o = organic
No 1. Family Estate Assembl Cuvée (v)
Alpha Domus ‘Beatrix’ Sparkling Rosé, Hawke’s Bay (v, o)
Laurent Perrier Cuvée Brut NV, Champagne, France (v)
Swiftsure by Man O War Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (v)
Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (v)
Coffee
L’AFFARE COFFEE. Milk options: Blue Milk / Trim Milk / Soy Milk / Oat Milk / Coconut Milk
Short Black / Long Black / Americano / Piccolo / Macchiato
Flat White / Latte / Cappucino / Mocha
Reg / Large
Hot Chocolate
Reg / Large
Iced Coffee / Chocolate
Chai Latte / Matcha Latte / Turmeric Latte
Tea
t LEAF TEA
Gunpowder Green / Peppermint / Strawberry Kiwi / Lavendar & Chamomile / Berrylicious / Earl Grey / English Breakfast
Juice / Kombucha / Soda
Goodbuzz Kombucha
Pineapple & Mango / Blueberry & Peach
Clover Ferments
Turmeric Spritz & Ginger Kvass / Beet Kvass Spritz
Symbiota Soda Pre+Probiotic Kefir Soda
Raspberry & Mint / Watermelon
Homegrown Fresh Juices
Orange / Apple / Cranberry / Pineapple
Almighty Organic Juices
Carrot, orange & turmeric / Guava, lime & apple / Orange, apple & mango
Cocktails
The Wellingtini
Vodka, apple liqueur, lime juice
Aviation
Gin, maraschino liqueur, créme de violette, lemon juice, maraschino cherry
Planteur
Dark rum, white rum, vanilla extract, pineapple juice, coconut milk
Spicy Margarita
Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup, jalapeño, spicy salt rim
Carafes
Sangria
Red wine, triple sec, orange juice, lemonade, fresh fruit
White Sangria
White wine, triple sec, apple juice, ginger ale, fresh fruit
Mocktails
Happy Kiwi Mojito
Golden kiwifruit syrup, lime juice, simple syrup, soda, fresh mint
Niña Paloma
Lime juice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, lemonade
Sunrise
Pineapple juice, vanilla extract, coconut milk
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Wellington
- Long black Typical in Wellington: $5.20 $5.50
- Flat white Typical in Wellington: $6.00 $6.00
- Hot chocolate Typical in Wellington: $6.00 $6.00
- Chai latte Typical in Wellington: $6.00 $7.00
- Cheesecake Typical in Wellington: $14.00 $14.00
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