The Botanica restaurant is an oasis situated in a new development in upmarket Vaucluse. It’s full of lush greenery (both inside and outside) amid a glamorous velvet-heavy decor, setting the scene for one of the most picturesque locations to enjoy some brunch in Sydney.
Surprisingly, the prices on the menu aren’t all that much more than your average brunch options elsewhere in Sydney, despite the more luxe surroundings.
We went with four of their hot breakfast options to share, the highlight being their Crispy Slow Cooked Pork Belly. This was cooked to perfection, with the tender melt in your mouth meat and crackling paired with a tower of delicious cheese stuffed hash brown, served with avocado and pinto beans.
Crispy Slow Cooked Pork Belly, $26
Next up were the Sweetcorn, Polenta and Quinoa Fritters, which had an intriguingly crunchy texture. These bite sized morsels were served with slivers of smoked salmon, as well as poached eggs and an interesting corn and turmeric relish for an exotic twist.
Sweetcorn, Polenta and Quinoa Fritters, $24
On the day we visited, The Botanica had two omelette options available – one was their Corned Beef, Bubble & Squeak, Chive & Cheddar Omelette from their standard menu and the other was a vegetarian omelette from their specials menu featuring romanesco broccoli and creamy burrata.
Corned Beef Omelette, $22
The omelettes were both airy and light, although the Corned Beef/Bubble & Squeak variation was more flavoursome, inspired by traditional British breakfast flavours. Both omelettes came with a side of The Botanica’s signature Teff and Quinoa Toast, which is a neat way to pack in a healthy helping of super grains, served with gourmet Pepe Saya butter.
Special Omelette, $22
Teff and Quinoa Toast
There’s no denying that The Botanica is a beautiful (and very Insta-friendly) spot to enjoy brunch, particularly if you’re in a group as they have some generously sized round tables that work well for larger parties. Their menu is not especially extensive, but there’s enough to keep things interesting while soaking up the ambience with some coffees and bellinis.
The Botanica
2 Laguna Street, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Phone: (02) 9191 8989
