Botanica in Horsham

Overpriced food. Pathetic portions. A huge amount of money for tiny portions of food. We went for lunch and came away hungry! Wouldn’t go back. Massage with Jane was lovely though. Lovely lady. We were here in October. This was a gift so I’m glad I didn’t pay!

The food is really outstanding! All meals we had were full of flavour and cooked to perfection. A regular of ours. Atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. Parking is free and there is plenty of it. Very clean with beautiful views of the countryside.

Although the place was lovely, the food was terrible. It was literally like going back to the 1980s. The only thing for vegans in one restaurant - Botanica - (and as plant-based, we were advised that this was the best restaurant for us) - was salad and chips. Abysmal vegan menu.

My wife and I had an excellent anniversary dinner, the food was fantastic and well matched by the service. In particular our server, Esther, who really went above and beyond. Her recommendation, the gnocchi, was incredible, though all dishes were so tasty. It was our first time but we will certainly be back.

I had a two course lunch as part of a spa day. The restaurant is well appointed with a mix of spa guests and non spa. So there are lots of guests in bath robes - very relaxed and comfortable! The food was good. My “small plate” was literally on a teeny tiny plate which was a bit impractical if you want to put your knife and fork down. It was tasty but super rich - lamb with lentils. By contrast the main was fresh, zingy and light - the gnocchi. The texture was perfect - crisp outside and fluffy inside. I could eat this every day. All accompanied by a fresh, crisp glass of Ridgeview. It was good value also. I would come again!

Great ambience and service but poor food and very overpriced for what it was. The main was ok, however the pudding and coffee were awful. The chocolate mousse cake was like an inferior chocolate whip and the non dairy coffee disgusting. Overall very disappointing. I would have made the staff aware, but couldn’t as I was with a friend.

We had dinner and breakfast at Botanica as part of a stay at the hotel. I have to say that the service of the restaurant manager really made our stay. I’m afraid I didn’t get her name, but she was so encouraging when it came to ordering what we would like at breakfast (all included in the package but we couldn’t decide/weren’t sure if we were ordering too much). We started with delicious pastries, had a main brunch item each and then the chia pudding to share. This was a perfect amount and each item delicious. The view was stunning and we were really relaxed- we joked about it being like a utopia. We had eaten so much the night before that we moved our breakfast booking to 11am which was as perfect for us. We appreciated the option to be flexible. At dinner, the same helpful manager offered to bring me some of the Stopham wine to taste. This was delicious so I happily ordered a glass and then went online to order some from the local vineyard. It’s lovely to see they support local producers. Our favourite small plates were the tomatoes, arancini, humus and focaccia, although it was all delicious. We both eat dairy and were surprised that we didn’t realise until ordering desserts and tea that the restaurant is dairy free. We didn’t miss this and I’d say don’t let it put you off in the slightest. The spa was also a delight on a beautiful summers day and the yuzushu spritz in the hotel bar is my new favourite spritzer! Overall, quite a bit of a splurge for a last minute getaway, but the food and service at Botanica made it feel worth it. Thank you!

Very poor. The food is miserable and overpriced - it's a great place for people who don't like eating and prefer to push food around their plate. I get that it's supposed to be a concept on health, but it could have been interesting. The service is also incredibly slow. Overall it's one of those occasions where you're frustrated when a big bill arrives at the end.

Great breakfast and dinner experience

10/10 experience! Friendly knowledgeable staff, chill atmosphere and tasty food.

Our go to for a delicious brunch and friendly service.

I got fish and it is really delicious. We are now considering to try their hotel as well.

Beautiful Mediterranean inspired cooking in a modern setting with a view - highly recommend the lamb croquettes which were slow roasted to perfection with flavoursome garnish. Perfect proximity to spa

My wife and I came for lunch and were greeted by Mee Mee, who was so friendly and helpful. She recommended some great items from the menu and took some time to tell us more about South Lodge. The food was great but the whole experience was elevated thanks to her service on the day. Will definitely be returning again soon.

My partner and I had the most fabulous experience at Botanica on our 2nd anniversary. I was over the moon that the restaurant has taken the brave decision to go dairy free, in recognition of the harm that the dairy industry does to the environment and the terrifying treatment of sentient animals bred so another species can steal its calf milk. The food was wonderful at Botanica and we spent two hours savouring it with the views of the south downs in the background. Mimi the waitress was absolutely lovely and we look forward to returning very soon.

Lovely lunch at botanica today the young lad with superman tattoo was attentive and v polite He was most concerned by the delay in receiving our sweets can't fault his kindness

Great menu and well portioned dishes. We had a great breakfast and attentive waiter. Really enjoyed everything and not put off by the front of house welcome who seemed put out that we were 3 and not 2 (as booked) which at 8am with nobody else in the restaurant was a joke. When we left there were only 2 other tables occupied - what a pompous joke.

Delicious, healthy and unique menu

It’s been an absolute delight to eat in such a wonderful restaurant and having so much plant based options to choose from. The staff are lovely and very attentive, the chefs produce some incredible tasting dishes. 100% support your decision to remove dairy from your restaurant, I look forward to the day it’s fully plant based :) Will definitely be returning again and again. Thank you for leading the way

I feel bad for not giving 5 stars but unfortunately the food just wasn't too my liking. Admittedly the whole ethos of the menu was about plant based and healthy living but that's just not really my thing. Other part member said the food was too salty for them. Can't fault the staff though who were super friendly and helpful and the atmosphere and views were second to none.

The most wonderful lunch and dining experience! Staff is friendly, we simply love the amount of plant based options but also the focus on sustainability and using products that are in season. Every meal feels very special, and the desserts are divine!

Lovely setting and very atmospheric. Staff very attentive, especially the lovely lady from Malaysia with freckles who served us today 😍. Deserts were devine. Bloody Mary chips great. Areas for improvement - chicken quite dry, slow cooked pork belly needs potatoes to contrast saltiness to rest of dish, caser salad needs more dressing and cheese.

Lovely food and venue. Service was excellent, especially Mimi who was really friendly and helpful!

I love Botanica, and I often go for special occasions, but I messed up bringing my mother here for a late mother's day treat. Previously we enjoyed the steak or the fish without issues, but those simple but delicious dishes are now gone from the menu. We were a bit stuck as to what to order. My mum has a fructose intolerance so she can't eat many vegetables or fruits, so well done to the chef and the waitress who patiently dealt with my faux pas at choosing probably the only restaurant in the area with a menu that is now mostly plant based and citrus flavoured! However, Botanica, as your ethos is to eliminate allergens, please be aware that fructose intolerance is quite significant and is linked to SIBO and IBS, and that protein rich meals are not necessarily the route to all evil. Being a spa it is worth having a couple of dishes that cater to people with these intolerances - not just for people with gluten an dairy intolerances. Similarly, your ethos is focusing on local produce, but you provide coconut based smoothies. Coconut is fashionable and considered the holy grail of health food, but is high in fructose as well as salicytates which can be very detrimental to some people. Fructose intolerance is also linked to Fructans found in wheat, and non celiac people claiming to feel better on gluten free diet are often intolerant to fructans - not what they assume to be gluten! At least my sons (also fructose intolerant) gastroenterologist says. I have given three stars, because even though its not Botanicas fault their menu changed, their drunken burger was dry and bland. I love the ambience at Botanica but sadly I won't return.

South Lodge is a special place to us and the spa is I think, the best I have been to. The Botanica is the perfect restaurant for the spa with interesting food choices for folk who are interested in healthy eating. The chef's must wrack their brains to keep things interesting. Hats off to them. My husband, a real foodie and knowledgeable with it, really enjoys the choices available. And there's wine!

Just back from Botanica for a brunch with friends ( second visit). Will not be back. No dairy options so no choice. No milk for tea or coffee: no croissants, no cream cakes, no custard tarts or pastries, …. What has happened to customer choice? Sustainability? I don’t think so! Very disappointed.

Wonderful food, setting, and staff.

Very nice location and relaxed setting. Worth a visit. Nice to see an open chefs kitchen and great service as always with South Lodge.

Dropped in for quick light lunch. Had the salads, pretty basic, with fresh juice. Coffee was great, friendly attentive service

Lovely setting, food is good bistro standard but you cannot have milk in your tea or coffee, you have to have plant-based alternatives.

Always a pleasure to dine here. Great now the summers here and they’ve opened up the terraces as well. Try the matcha milkshake it’s delicious.

Lovely place and atmosphere. Food was very nice too. Will be back again :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience of Botanica Restaurant. The setting is lovely, the staff are attentive without being intrusive and the food was exceptional. I’ll definitely be back to try some of the other delicious options on the menu.

Great food selection for a SPA restaurant.

Delicious brunch after the spa - the staff were super helpful and fast delivery

Went to restaurant for lunch today and the food and service were amazing. Every dish was a delight for the taste buds. We can’t wait to return.

Delicious food and gorgeous setting! Coffee could be more artfully presented.

We sat outside on two early evenings. Lovely countryside views, excellent steak, and good wine advice from Billie. A little over priced. (We could BTW see how murky the swimming pond was and how little it was used. Not attractive)

We had lunch for 3 today. Table was booked for 2pm. I don’t think the restaurant could have been described a busy. The good stuff- lovely G&T, tasty menu, and when it arrived, the food was good. After a warm welcome and being taken to our table, the service was hopelessly slow. There seemed to be just 2 staff on duty, who seemed oblivious to our presence most of the time. Shame, as, if they had been quicker off the mark, we would have ordered more drinks and coffee. We had to ask to order. We ordered one brunch item and 2 small plates. We finished and then sat with empty plates in front of us after our first course for about 20 mins, staff just didn’t seem to notice. I had to call them over and ask for the dessert menu at which point our plates were cleared. Another wait to order, though a second staff member came over after we had ordered, unaware that we had ordered 5 mins earlier. Desserts arrived after another 20 mins. We once again to ask staff to come over in order to ask for our bill. It took 1 hr 45 mins to serve 2 courses...shame.

Just great - they have got this spot on. Really nice atmosphere in a light and airy space. Great service and fantastic food. For the quality of the entire experience the price is reasonable as well. This was my first lunch there (have had brunch previously) and I’ll be keen to return soon.

Fantastic food at Botanica! Highly recommend the chickpea shakshuka which was delicious. Setting is beautiful on a sunny day with seating outside and very friendly staff.

Al fresco dining (not a necessity) overlooking the South Downs Very comfortable seating for outside locationThe menu was very interesting with good mixture suitable for every tasteVery tasty and one course was plenty fillingThere is lunch and brunch and small bites available on the menuThe food is comparably priced to the local country pubs, with full bar menu

Very disappointing evening meal on Thursday at the Botanica. No social distancing here 😢 No masks, shields, staff came up close and tables just as before. Food was nice but very overpriced for what we had but staff didn't even bring us our actual bill as I gave in vouchers and just told us that we had nothing to pay. Shocking!!! and disbelief. We had a cocktail, main meal a pudding with a great, hot cup of coffee and for two persons. £100 🤔😲 Breakfasts are fantastic though but not recommending to friends, family etc. Left disappointed.

Delightful staff, beautiful views over the Downs, food was interesting, fresh and cooked right there and then.

What a lovely lunch we had at Botanica, all thanks to Ella and her lovely team! The food was amazing and drinks to die for! An amazing experience and wonderful service, fromElla especially, she really looked after us - THANK YOU! We will be back very soon!

We had the most beautiful experience and meal. The service was exceptional, especially by Ella who went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable visit. The food was outstanding and the knowledge of the team was great.We will definitely be coming back again, and excited to explore more of the menu!If it’s a nice day, make sure to ask for a seat outside to watch the sunset! Thank you!

Beautiful views and delicious menu.. what more could you ask for? Not our first time at this restaurant for breakfast which is one of the highlights of the new Spa area within the already stunning South lodge hotel.The booking process was straight forward and the usual welcome is always more than just the basic pleasantries. We had a table overlooking to spa area and grounds and the food was perfect.The restaurant offers a more modern and healthy menu and each dish was beautifully prepared and enough to satisfy your appetite.. although if you are looking for more traditional ‘full English’ then the camellia restaurant within the main hotel is better suited.Great food was once again complemented by attentive and friendly service. We’ll be back again soon!

Given how challenging it is for hotels during COVID-19 pandemic, it is amazing how well South Lodge has done to get its guests back. From temperature checking on entry (great technology), hand sanitiser stations and clear signage ... they really have done superb job.The new Botanica restaurant is amazing and the food was great. Lovely options both my husbands and my lunch were delicious so much so we returned the next day!All in all, a massive thank you to everyone for making our anniversary weekend such a treat. All your efforts to make everyone safe whilst having a great treat away are beyond appreciated. Must be challenging and hard for staff to operate in this new normal but they are doing an amazing job so thank you.Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back!

Lovely tasty seasonal food. Friendly staff. Quiet and calm atmosphere. Lovely for a being with the ladies x

Been here a quite a few times to use the spa and into Botanica to eat, each time hoping I would enjoy something on the menu. Unfortunately the only thing I have enjoyed to date is the Granola fruit breakfast. Everything else way too fussy and very over priced. They should have a more basic option for those who dislike fussy food so it caters for all users of the hotel and spa’s guests.The staff seem great and very attentive but very let down by the menu. Even the portion of chips weren’t “normal” chips. Over fussy and truly disliked the taste. It’s a shame as this is the only place to eat so if you’re planning a spa day you are likely to go pretty hungry if this style of food doesn’t suit your pallet.Please Botanica, have just 2 or 3 basic dishes for those of us who like plain food.

Very disappointing breakfast. The fresh juices were small& mostly ice (didn't taste freshly juiced, more like carton juice). Portion size really small, terribly overpriced and very disappointing .

Fabulous food, excellent service.

We are here 3 times over our visit to the spa/hotel and loved it every time. Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. We will definitely be back soon.

There is a lot of inventiveness that goes into the food at Botanica. It's delicious, healthy and the ingredients are locally sourced making it more sustainable. The staff and service is faultless. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. Quite strange to see guests from the spa sitting at tables their dressing gowns though!

Highly recommend this restaurant - complements the spa beautifully with a varied menu using local produce

I've visited the Botanica for brunch a few times now and have always had excellent food and service. The chorizo beans on toast is my favourite and I love the beetroot juice and matcha green tea shake. Definitely recommend visiting here and on a sunny day, the sliding doors are open and it's a perfect spot to chill eat/drink with friends!

Fantastic spa restaurant with delicious food and very attentive staff. We had afternoon snacks & drinks at Botanica whilst staying at the hotel, and then brunch here the following morning, which was amazing! The staff were relaxed and cheerful and on hand to answer questions about the menu, and the chef really seemed to take pride in food preparation and presentation. Thank you! Keep up the great work - we will definitely return!

Visited south lodge for a birthday treat. Had lunch in botanicals and the initial welcome by the waitress sporting pride hair was very welcoming and warming . Unfortunately from this point on the service was random. We waited 15mins to be asked what we wanted and this delay for service seemed to continue throughout our meal. The food was lovely although it is expensive for the portion sizes. My streak was delicious but the salad accompanying it was minuscule. We returned the following morning for brunch ( which is offered until 12.00 if you stay as an alternative to breakfast in the hotel . A lovely concept and one that more hotels should offer ). Again we were welcomed by the lovely pride waitress and again from this point on the service was random. My husband waited 25 minutes for his latte which they acknowledged they had forgotten due to a technical fault and then it still didn’t arrive ! The food again was delicious and unusual which we appreciated . The ambience is lovely and the concept great . We just feel they are lacking in service organisation and attention to detail and customers needs . From the prices you would expect a better standard of service.

Delicious interesting food served with style in this unusual location with stunning views. Good value for such exceptional food. Only 4* due to irritating lapses, such as long delay between serving our individual Little Plates and the warm water. Charming staff.

Gorgeous spa and restaurant! Great service and food! Great place if you want a day at the spa or just meet up with friends to share an excellent meal. For EV car owners there is charging in the car so both you and your car are replenished after a visit!

This spa has everything we could have hoped for : a serious pool, sauna ( with a great view!) , steam rooms ,gym , large outdoor hot tub ,numerous comfortable relaxation beds and lovely changing rooms. There is a wonderful outside terrace to eat or drink on , a large beautifully light dining room opening on to it and a good menu . We had drinks here in the evening and a great breakfast the next morning . Sadly we did not have time to experience any of the treatments on offer - this will have to wait until our next visit

Staying at the South Lodge Hotel, we had our breakfast there as the restaurant is one of the breakfast options - and we were impressed by the quality, friendliness and atmosphere of the restaurant. So we tried dinner. It won‘t be the last time!The food was excellent, creative, nicely presented - and super-yummy! And above all, the choice was health-orientated, so gave you a good feeling. They offer small plates to share as starters, we had grilled stem broccoli with a tahini sauce, roasted cauliflower on lentils and a tomato, basil, bread and mozzarella salad. All great.Mains were hake and a bavette steak, again beautifully presented and extremely tasteful.Desert was chocolate tart and one of the best crème brulées I have ever had, set on rhubarb compote.

We had brunch here and it was amazing. The restaurant is beautifully decorated inside and maximises on the beautiful landscape that you can enjoy from the terrace. The brunch was delicious with my favourite being the salmon Royale, almond shake, and orange juice with immunity tincture. The service is fantastic- everyone went out of their way to make sure we were accommodated and even catered to our baby. Great example of tasty, nutritious dining! Botanica was perhaps my favourite part our of our stay at South Lodge and can’t wait to visit again.

Visited on Friday evening for an early dinner and it did not disappoint. My starter portion of sardines was amazing, tastier than any that I had on a recent trip to Spain and certainly enough of a reason for a return visit. It was very filling and I wondered how I was going to manage the main course but the hake was a manageable portion and delicious too. My husband had the roasted cauliflower as a starter and again this seemed a large portion, possibly two starters for me next time! All in all a lovely meal and very friendly service. One possibly drawback is that the restaurant combines with a bar and there was a large crowd (20+) ladies enjoying a drink or two, may be off-putting for some.

Good healthy breakfast. A significantly huge cup of cappucino is available to order(see photo) Breakfast food is alacarte compared to main restaurant at hotel where buuffet selection is available. The view is awesome. Service is friendly. The restaurant decor is soothing.

Really healthy new addition to dining around Horsham. A fresh twist to a brunch and brasserie menu . Excellent service, excellent quality , fantastic views over the downs, well worth a visit.In the summer it should go up a notch again once you can sit outside. We will definitely be back. Well played Tomasso and team...

Visited on Good Friday and received brilliant service from the staff, Ella was particularly welcoming and explained the menu to us and seated us outside with the amazing view. Food was sublime and the setting gorgeous. Will definitely be returning soon!

A birthday treat for my daughter. The surroundings were lovely, the weather was perfect and the large doors were open. Our waitress explained the menu to us but a bit too quickly and we had to ask her to repeat herself after we had looked at the menu. As soon as she said the word 'tapas' we knew we were in trouble. My husband does not eat meat and I do not eat pork so 'sharing plates' do not work well for us. The drinks order was not taken first so they arrived just a minute before our food. We saw diners who had arrived after us get their drinks much more quickly. The food was ok, my husband enjoyed his hake and my daughter's vegan burger was a bit too soft but the chips were tasty. I had the large portion of tortellini but it was a bit bland, the small portion must be really small.The best part of the meal were the desserts which were very nice. The service was better after the initial hiccup with the drinks. I would advise diners to check out the menu before visiting and bear in mind that the portions are quite small and the resulting bill is quite large!We will not return.

Just eaten breakfast here. Stunning views and sunshine on the terrace, delicious but healthy breakfast, friendly staff. If staying at south lodge then it is included with your room so bonus. Highly Recommended! Ben & Tracey

Botanica is located in the Spa facilities at South Lodge - giving you the opportunity to eat and drink in your spa robes without having to get dressed and go to the hotel. Salmon on toast was delicious and the chips are spot on - crispy and delicious. Cocktails very refreshing too. Staff cannot do enough for you - all very pleasant. Highly recommend!