Bobby’s is the grand old department store on the corner of the Square, and The Botanist has taken over its top floor — which is the first thing worth knowing, because the ride up is part of the experience. Step out of the lift and the room disappears under greenery: hanging plants overhead, an indoor stream crossed by two small bridges, and a rooftop garden beyond, strung with festoon lights and warmed by fire pits. It belongs to a national group and it is a polished operation, but the setting is genuinely its own, and the outlook over the town rooftops is hard to argue with.
The food
The kitchen’s calling card is the hanging kebab — skewers brought to the table on a stand, with flatbread and hummus alongside. Around it sits a broad menu of sharing boards, grills and pub-leaning mains, with dedicated vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices and a children’s menu. Weekends bring bottomless brunch and a Sunday roast, and the bar leans hard into cocktails, with a weekday happy hour. It is food built for a group and a few drinks rather than a quiet dinner for two, and it does that job well.
The setting
The design does most of the talking. Plant-draped and conservatory-bright by day, the room turns warm and low-lit after dark, and the semi-private booth running along one side suits birthdays and larger tables. Live music plays every Friday and Saturday evening, with musical bingo landing once a month, so weekend nights are loud and sociable rather than restful. Dogs are welcome in the bar and outdoor areas. The rooftop garden is weather-dependent, but it is the best seat in the house when it is open.
Where it is
The Botanist is at the top of Bobby’s on Commercial Road, BH2 5LP, on the edge of the Square where the town centre meets the Lower Gardens. It could not be more central: walkable from anywhere in town, a few minutes from Bournemouth Pier, and close to the other rooftop at Cosy Club. There is no parking of its own, but the town-centre car parks are all within reach.
Good to know
The bar keeps late hours, later still at weekends, though times shift with the season, so confirm before a special trip. Book ahead for brunch and for any weekend table, when the live music draws a crowd. For more town-centre options, browse the restaurants guide, and if this is an early stop on a short break, our first 48 hours in Bournemouth guide sets the scene.
