Cool Spaces: The Botanical Bar

WORDS Mary Garner IMAGES Jan Ras

The Botanical Bar, a stylish eatery and bar located at 160 Longmarket Street in Cape Town, is a celebration of local flora.

Owned by Anthony Gird, Jeanne Marais, Dennis Williams and Michael De Klerk, the space – and its food and drink selection – reflects a comforting simplicity and uniquely South African flavour experience. Half of the food options are vegetarian, with dishes such as cauliflower dip with cumin oil and pickled cauliflower, while meat eaters can enjoy dishes such as baked curried chicken samosas with yoghurt labneh.

As the bar celebrates all things locally botanical, co-owner Jeanne Marais approached the design of the interiors with the idea of bringing the outdoors in.

“Part of the concept is to celebrate what this country, the flora and the craftspeople, have to offer,” says co-owner Anthony Gird, “so naturally we included some of the traditional dishes. We just reworked them a bit to reflect where we are. I guess we’re connecting people with nature and with their own country in a small way. We as owners provide the conceptual framework for the regional drinks menu, for example, and then it’s over to the bartenders to perfect them.” This includes head barman, Peter Lebese from Gin Bar.

Signature drinks include Shrubs, a tart, fruity drinking vinegar topped with soda, while The Great Karoo combines Hope on Hopkins Esparanza Tequila, grapefruit & spekboom bitters, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, homemade grenadine and Imphepho.

This year, the team will focus on extending the evening menu, as well as open for lunch. Visit The Botanical Bar Tuesday to Saturday, from 4pm until late.

For more information, visit thebotanicalbar.co.za.