Restaurant Botànic — Restaurant in Palma

Egoistic, Shallow, and Exclusionary – A Disappointing Experience at Restaurant Botànic

As being on a plant based diet for over 30 years, I often face the challenge of finding restaurants that cater to my dietary preferences while traveling. So, discovering Restaurant Botanica during my trip to Mallorca felt like a stroke of luck. I was genuinely excited to treat myself to a nice dinner. Unfortunately, my experience was far from the warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment I had hoped for.

After a beautiful day exploring the northern part of the island—swimming at a hidden beach surrounded by cliffs, watching the sunset, and enjoying the natural beauty of Mallorca—I looked forward to ending my day with a delicious meal. I had traveled all the way from the U.S. for a yoga retreat and was eager to experience what I thought would be a place that embraced wellness and healthy living. After my relaxing day, I took a taxi from Palma Norte, expecting Restaurant Botanica to be the perfect spot.

However, upon arriving, dressed in a long, flowing skirt, a white tank top, with my hair up in a bun after a swim, wearing white Birkenstock slippers (I know - not fancy), and carrying a small backpack, I was met with an unexpectedly cold reception. Despite the restaurant being visibly empty, I was curtly informed that there were no available tables. When I politely asked if I could look around or wait for a table, I was flatly denied.

I couldn’t help but feel judged based on my sun-kissed and adventure-kissed appearance. I wasn't in a formal outfit, but I was presentable, and ready to enjoy what I thought was a welcoming haven for healthy, plant-based cuisine. Instead, I was met with what felt like a wall of egoistic, stuck-up pretentiousness. The dismissive attitude made me feel unwelcome, and I left with the distinct impression that the staff were more interested in catering to a certain type of clientele rather than offering genuine hospitality.

This experience was particularly disheartening. As a Global Director at a mid-sized tech company, I have traveled extensively and dined in various establishments around the world. Never have I encountered such an exclusionary and judgmental environment. But this isn’t about my job title; it’s about basic human decency and respect. I value inclusive places that embrace diversity, where people are treated with kindness regardless of their appearance or background. Restaurant Botanica, however, seems more interested in maintaining a shallow, elitist image than truly celebrating the values of inclusivity and healthy living it supposedly represents.

I came to Restaurant Botanica with high hopes for a delightful dining experience, only to find an atmosphere of superficiality and pretense that was both disappointing and off-putting. I hope the management reconsiders their approach to hospitality and creates a more welcoming environment for all guests.

Conclusion: Overall, my experience at Restaurant Botanica was a complete letdown. For anyone looking for a genuinely inclusive and warm dining experience that aligns with the principles of healthy, plant-based living, I suggest looking elsewhere. This place might have a nice menu, but its attitude is anything but nourishing.

Suggestions for Improvement: I would urge the management of Restaurant Botanica to reconsider their approach to customer service. A genuine welcome and a willingness to accommodate guests, regardless of how they might be dressed, would go a long way in creating a more inclusive and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's ethos should reflect not only the food it serves but also a culture of kindness...

We were at Botanic today. I have to say the atmosphere and the garden the whole interior design is amazing. A really stunning place with a beautiful energy.

Concerning the food, we were three adults, and toddler.

We had two vegetarian tasting menus, and one with meat . Which was a little bit complicated because usually they only do every menu (vegetarian or meat) for at least two people.

But we had a very kind waitress that tried to make everything possible for us, and she arranged that we have two vegetarian, and one with meat (she told us she will book 3 vegetarian menus, and simply exchange two of the courses for me for meat ones)

But I think this created some confusion in the kitchen, and also with the waiters, because every course was brought to the table by a different waiter.

Our reservation was at 2:30 PM and we arrived hungry. Luckily, the pasta for our son as well as our aperitivos and The first two courses came quickly.

However, then the confusion somehow started . We received after a while, our third dish. All of them didn’t have any carbs. So after three courses, we were still pretty hungry, although we additionally ordered a bread that we ate.

Then, for some reason another waiter brought the third course again (the aubergine) so we send it back to the kitchen and said we are waiting for the next course.

After another five or 10 minutes, another waiter brought the same course again (again the aubergine). so slowly, we became a little bit impatient and also our toddler was getting annoying since It already took a long time.

Then a meat course came that was supposed to be only for me, but for some reason was three portions to share. (I think it was the Iberian pork.)

This again was difficult to explain to yet another waiter that brought it to us, because he had no idea of the arrangement we made with our first female waiter . Who told us she will just exchange two of the vegetarian courses for me to meet courses.

My wife became a little angry because she was still hungry so I went to the waiter again since they were discussing what was missing that just checked the vegetarian menu and could point out the dish that was missing for them .

Finally everything arrived but before I could finish the dessert, I left with my boy because after two hours he was just through and need to move .

After that, my wife told me that they made her pay around €20 extra for the last vegetarian course Although, in my opinion, it was their fault that they brought the meat course for three people, instead of only one as discussed with our waiter.

But as I was not there anymore and she wasn’t sure about our initial arrangement she just paid it and we left with a bill of €240.

May I suggest something to the . I think the whole organization of the waiters is a bit confused, or creates at least confusion, and I think since there are at least five waiters, every table should be assigned One designated waiter So he knows exactly what dishes have been served, and what has been arranged with the clients. Just an idea.

I very much enjoyed the atmosphere , the drinks were excellent, the different different courses were between good and great.

I would have preferred for the courses to come quicker, since there were very little carbs. But I can’t understand that others might enjoy to have a bite here and by there and a couple of drinks in between.

I gave three stars for the service, not because of the waiters, because they were very friendly and very nice but I didn’t like the they made us pay for the “corn course” extra which was included in the two...

Delicious main course, underwhelming starters and disappointing service .

I always make an effort to support plant forward restaurants when I travel so I was excited for my dinner reservation at Botanic. I was welcomed immediately and was taken to my table on the terrace and was impressed by the ambiance and natural beauty. The waitress greeted me gave me the menu without any explanation and throughout the night was short, cold and unfriendly. I considered that maybe she wasn’t as confident in speaking English, was having a bad night or this was just her personality- after all we are all humans.

After ordering I asked for a wine list and ordered. I noticed my waitress gave me a small pour, which I realized only after seeing the other tables nearby receive much larger pours from other waiters. My food arrived promptly and I appreciated the other waiter who brought out each of my courses and took time to explain and highlight each item. The lettuce tacos were tasty but comparable to a plate I’ve had numerous times at cheaper chain restaurants. The tomato had an interesting combination of flavors but again not something I’d expect at a fine dining experience. The nori wrapped fish was delightful and light and the flavors were perfect.

Even though the terrace was not full, it took time for me to get the attention of another waiter to ask for a recommendation for another glass of wine. The sommelier gave me a wonderful recommendation and a normal size pour, which validated my suspicion about my previous weak pour.

As the night progressed however, I noticed my waitress seating other English speaking tables nearby and spent time asking if it was their first time at the restaurant, and taking time to explain the menu, make recommendations, have small talk, and overall provide a friendly and more inviting atmosphere.

It was then that I decided not to order desert and end my evening there. I asked for the bill and paid over 100 euros plus a 20% tip. Only after seeing the tip did the waitress’ demeanor change and she instantly became friendly, making conversation. I thanked her for the delicious meal and kindly explained that I had noticed the difference in how she treated other customers beside me, and that I didn’t appreciate being treated that way. I respectfully suggested to her that the next time a solo guest who looks like me, a Black, English speaking woman dressed nicely, comes into the restaurant, to think twice about her prejudice and try treating them with the same courtesy and respect as other guests.

I left feeling disrespected and disappointed wasting a lovely night and money where I wasn’t welcome. I won’t be returning and won’t be recommending...