Vegan
Italian
Organic
Raw
Salad bar
Juice bar
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Catering
Fusion
Vegan restaurant in support and respect for the planet and the living beings that populate it. Serves both cooked and as raw plant-based cuisine as well as offering desserts like chocolate mousse and raw mini cakes. Est. 2015 previously at Via San Rocco 16 and moved here in 2016. Open Tue-Sun 12:30-15:00, 19:30-22:00. Closed Mon.
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- Outdoor seating
- Reservations required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 14 Aug 2022 by j.causley11
Update business info -
Added by Alessandro on 20 Jul 2015
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201 Reviews
First Review by Vegan_Saxman
pboy
Points +26
Freundliches Personal und gut gelegen - Edit
Leckeres Essen und gute Drinks. Meine Freundin hat zumindest genau das richtige gewählt. Ihr Essen waren absolut 5 Sterne und meins eher 3😅 aber trotzdem ein absolutes Muss wenn man in Bologna ist.
Read moreGuest
onegreenbean
Points +377
Nice vegan destination in Bologna - Edit
I really loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, felt very fancy and romantic!
Read moreThe food was okay-I ordered the vegan buddha bowl which was not really what I expected. It didn't look like any of the buddha bowls I've had before, it was more of a plate of random assorted ingredients. Still, it was quite tasty and I enjoyed it.
For dessert I got the vegan creme brulee which was nice, but the addition of turmeric ruined it for me a little bit. I enjoy turmeric but not sure if it goes well in this dish.
Pros: Lovely atmosphere, Polite staff, All vegan
Guest
arianna.terzago
Points +797
Buono! - Edit
Eravamo in quattro e a tutti sono piaciuti moltissimo i piatti che ci sono arrivati!
Read moreGuest
BridieCorr
Points +203
Decent - Edit
Food was good but a bit underwhelming after seeing such great reviews? No complaints but maybe we picked the wrong thing! This was September 2023 though (late to post!)
Read moreGuest
Vegannemiek
Points +360
Hip vegan restaurant - Edit
Beautiful restaurant with good looking vegan dishes which tastes good as well 👌.
Read moreQuite busy so (on-line) reservation is recommended.
Pros: All vegan, Beautifull restaurant, Tasty dishes
Cons: Chairs on terras do not look very comfortable
Guest
mariachiara.6
Points +18
A spot you don’t wanna miss - Edit
I would order all the menu of this restaurant if I could :D. Every dish we had was really tasty and high quality. Especially the fillet was incredible, hard to tell it was not actual meat and with a delicious sauce. Also, the place looks very beautiful and stylish in every detail, and the staff is friendly. Overall you’ll fiind a lovely, relaxing atmosphere and high quality food, here. Unfortunately I live far from Bologna, but I will 100% come to Botanica again if I happen to be in the city in the future.
Read morePros: Plant-based fillet, Chic and relaxing atmosphere
Guest
Sanne86
Points +320
Great food, great staff - Edit
Wonderful tasting menu, four great courses. Lovely and professional staff.
Read moreGuest
K24A
Points +113
Fantastic Italian vegan food - Edit
Such a joy to have a real Italian food experience: pasta plus a chocolate desert. We shared a starter of courgettes flowers then a gnocchi and a ravioli - gnoccietti and green triangles. It was lovely. The staff were brilliant. If you want a treat in Bologna this is it
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-10
Guest
potato69
Points +67
Fancy - Edit
Food is tasty but would need some more salt/spices and one portion is not enough to be satiated. But in general a nice place to go out for a special dinner
Read moreGuest
mycoffeeheart
Points +171
Very nice cafe in Bologna - Edit
Very good pastries and vegan drinks
Read moreGuest
moritzvgn
Points +23
Unfortunately only average - Edit
The restaurant is nicely decorated and the service is friendly and fast. The flavour quality of the food unfortunately varies greatly. We had 4 different dishes/side dishes and only one (the fillet, which is the most expensive dish, around 24 €) had a convincing flavour. The dishes are hardly seasoned at all. That's a shame, because the flavour should be just right to make you want to come back. Only the fillet had a special, very good taste though. The drink „Botanical“ (ginger beer with chai) tasted also good.
Read moreThe side salad came without any dressing but oil and vinegar and the salad quality didn’t seem very fresh. There was no dip for the fried potatoes. That’s just not very inspirational or creative. In addition, the portions are too pricey for the amount of food. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to rate the food as average. We really wish we could write something else in regards of the quality because the general impression of that restaurant was good actually.
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-31
Pros: Service, Drinks, Food presentation
Cons: Average flavour quality, Side salad not very fresh, no special dressing, Small portions
Guest
hannah.wrf
Points +508
Well thought through - Edit
I had the tasting menu and and my friend a second pasta dish, it's a really good restaurant for a more fancy dinner.
Read moreGuest
Tulipanna
Points +110
Speciale - Edit
Sono rimasta estasiata da questo ristorante e dal piatto che ho mangiato, veramente squisito! Avrei voluto provare tutto il menù! Non vedo l’ora di tornare a Bologna e da Botanica Lab, ti rimane nel cuore
Read more❣️
Guest
LeviSekardi
Points +20
Amazing vegan food - Edit
A little expensive, but absolutely worth it. I especially liked the filet
Read moreGuest
Roparzh
Points +3462
A refuge from the inferno outside - Edit
Bologna, heatwave capital of the universe, sun pounding the cobblestone streets like a mad drummer on a relentless bender.
Read moreAt 1 PM, I stumbled into "Botanica Lab," a vegan hideaway, a refuge from the relentless inferno. The name, a promise of cool shade in a world turned to white-hot madness. It is an unassuming sanctum of greenery tucked away in one of many alleys of Bologna. The fresh air inside hummed with the low murmur of hushed conversations and the faint aroma of Italian spices. The walls, decorated with memories from the past, seemed to breathe, drawing in the night’s chaotic energy and exhaling calm.
Inside, the dim light is a balm to my sun-scorched eyes.
I collapsed into a corner booth, the wooden chair cool against my skin, and scanned the QR code menu.
“Gnocchetti estivi”, it read, the words leaped off the page like a lifeline. I ordered, the anticipation a sweet agony. The waiter nods, a silent understanding passing between us.
The staff here, invisible sentinels of service, seem to understand the need for space, for quiet in a world gone mad with heat. They moved with a practiced grace, an unspoken language of care and precision.
The dish arrived, a vision of verdant perfection. Plump wholesome gnocchi, soft pillows of potato, swathed in a rich and captivating, emerald pesto with the addition of crushed pistachos.
I savored each bite, the coolness of the pesto a sharp contrast to the fiery world beyond these walls. The gnocchi are a revelation - tender yet firm, the perfect vehicle for the vibrant green sauce. Each forkful is a journey, a reminder that beauty can still be found in the midst of chaos.
As I finished my meal, a glass of chilled Passito arrived. I took a sip, the crisp, fruity notes cutting through the richness of the pesto, a final flourish in this symphony of flavor. I leaned back, a contented sigh escaping my lips, and glanced around the room. Others were lost in their own culinary reveries, the heat outside nothing more than a distant memory.
“Botanica Lab" is more than a restaurant - it is a haven, a place where the boundaries between sustenance and sanctuary blur. Here, in the heart of Bologna, I have found refuge, not just from the heat, but from the madness of the world.
And in that moment, with the taste of pesto still lingering on my tongue, I am at peace.
Updated from previous review on 2024-07-28
Guest
charlottehurling
Points +198
Tasty and great value - Edit
I tried to walk in on a Thursday night but they were fully booked so I booked for Friday lunch time. It seems to be quieter at lunch than at dinner. I had the “Not Fried” vegetables to start and Gnocchi for main. The menu is small but I didn’t mind as I wanted to mainly try vegan pasta which they had plenty of. Both my courses were delicious and really healthy portions. I probably didn’t need a starter. And for €21 all in I think it was a great meal!
Read morePros: Price , Taste, Location
Cons: Small menu
Guest
habitat20
Points +30
4 course tasting menu falls a bit short - Edit
Presentation of the dishes is really great. Tastes however remain quite basic and very filling. Ricota. Gnochi. Eggplant. Not very sophisticated, which the presentation actually suggests. Could not finish all dishes.
Read moreCheesecake also quite basic with cashewnut. Tastes okay thanks to the mango.
I had an excellent spicy white beer.
Overall, was expecting more from the best vegan in town (not fast food) in such a culinary town.
Pros: Terrasse, Presentation of the dishes, The white beer
Cons: Too heavy, Tastes remain somehow basic
Guest
JerryFisher
Points +321
Average vegan restaurant - Edit
We were expecting more for top restaurant in Bologna
Read morePros: Culinaric, Big portions, Nice terrace
Cons: Taste was not perfect, Avocado was not fresh
Guest
shoetwo
Points +124
Amazing - Edit
I was so happy to get a reservation here when I was in Bologna (they are needed). The food was absolutely delicious. The restaurant is lovely, the staff is friendly. I love finding vegan gems when travelling. If I was in town longer, I would have gone back. If you can, save room for dessert.
Read moreGuest
noshortcuts
Points +111
Felt like we ate a proper meal with veg - Edit
Very good tasty pici and lovely subtle ravioli with sage and lemon zest.
Read moreVery good “not fried” vegetables.
Mango sauce wasn’t quite zingy enough for me on the cheesecake and a sprinkle of salt on ravioli and veg would have topped off the food.
Lovely service and good value. Well presented food.
Pros: Well cooked and presented food, Service, Good value
Cons: A little More seasoning
Guest
EvaK
Points +166
Will come back! - Edit
The main courses, pici and ravioli, were a bit bland, but the desserts, tiramisu and cheesecake, were outstanding! I will definitely return to try more dishes when in Bologna.
Read morePros: desserts, fresh pasta
Cons: portion size
Guest
Olzoone
Points +437
Amazing - Edit
So...it was an absolute delight to visit Botanica lab. We hadn't made a reservation but were there when they opened and got the last table (a tip is to actually make a reservation :)). The staff was very nice and attentive. We ordered and got our food quick and it was so amazing. I actually think it's the best pasta I've ever had!! :-)
Read moreMy company had the burger and I sneaked-peaked to the other guests plats, and everything looked great. I give them my warmest recommendations!
Tvo meals two glasses of wine and water=40€.
Guest
usbeizbsianwhss
Points +28
High quality food - Edit
Probably the best vegan restaurant of the city. They served food very fast. The dishes are original and the atmosphere is nice.
Read moreGuest
rp1989
Points +38
Vegano a Bologna da provare - Edit
Locale molto bello, personale gentilissimo e piatti uno più buono dell’altro.
Read moreGuest
PogonPop
Points +34
One of the best dish ever - Edit
Artichoke was amazing as well as nut-creme brulle. Staff was very nice.
Read morePros: Delicious, Nicely served, Great staff
Cons: 10% tip is not included so be aware
Guest
OsvaldoP.
Points +57
- Edit
Locale stupendo, arredato benissimo, proprio dietro a piazza maggiore. Staff preparato e molto cordiale, buddha bowl ottima, pici al farro molto buoni, filetto WOW. Ottimi dolci!
Read morePros: Stupenda location! (E poi è Bologna
Guest
reisaacs
Points +29
lovely restaurant - Edit
Delicious food and very creative - we ended up eating here twice while we were in Bologna! Worth booking in advance.
Read moreGuest
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