The Botanist Newcastle - Children's Menu Review

After a LONG and tiring day of fun in Newcastle with my three children this half term, we were in need of a nice sit down and some decent food. We headed to the Botanist and the first thing on my mind was ordering my favourite cocktail - a Passion Fruit and Basil Fruit Crush. Just one sip and I was already feeling a lot less frazzled and able to deal with Jack who was started to feel a little over-tired - just look at the craziness in those eyes! 

The Botanist is a popular place and booking a table is highly recommended (top tip - select 'lunch' rather than dinner to book an early evening table). We were seated in a prime location with lovely views of Greys Monument and Grey Street below - a perfect spot for people watching. 

First up, I'd love you to take a look at our quick 2 minute video which gives you a flavour of what to expect when taking kids to the Botanist:

Jack's dinosaur of course had to come along and try some juice. 

The children's menu is £6.95 for 2 courses which I think considering the fun menu, location and ambience, is good value and perfectly priced for a half term treat. You will find favourites such as mini burgers and chips or chicken fingers alongside child-friendly takes on some of the Botanist's signature dishes such as their famous hanging kebabs or deli boards.

Children's meals are presented in that typical 'Botanist' way with mini plant pots full of beans and wheelbarrows filled with ketchup. Our three love this and it always encourages them to eat more. 

Child's Chicken Fingers and Fries at The Botanist

The children were given an A3 world map to colour which kept them entertained between courses. 

Jack ordered the child-sized hanging kebab - I will be honest when I say I have always steered away from ordering these myself. I have heard mixed reviews and always worry they may be on the dry side. Obviously I needed to use this opportunity to sample some of Jack's and I have to say it was delicious - the chicken was VERY succulent and tender and I'll definitely order a grown-up portion of this dish on my next visit. Jack devoured his meal and declared it his favourite part of our day. 

I have trained myself to order salads now whenever I see them on the menu and I was pleased to see there are now a selection of salads available at The Botanist. With options ranging from a Superfood salad, Tomato & Avocado salad and Caeser salad, I was spoilt for choice. I eventually decided on a Crispy Salt and Pepper Beef Salad with Soy Beans with sweet chilli dressing. It was delicious and such a large portion. Worth the £10.95 I thought. 

Onto desserts..........

Ice cream is included in the children's £6.95 meal deal. This is no ordinary ice cream though. It comes in it's own bucket with a 'spade' spoon on a beach-style biscuit crumb with a few sweets (aka shells/rocks). I happily let my three play with their food at this point and they love tucking into their own mini beach.

I didn't want to be left out, and quite frankly needed the sugar rush to survive a bus journey home with my three crazy kids so decided to treat myself and order a new dessert from the menu - Elderflower Jelly and Red Berry Pavlova with Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream (£5.50). When it arrived it was the first time in the evening that I had missed having a dining companion as there was no way I could finish the whole thing. It was huge! It was a perfect summer dessert though and although I know it won't have been low in calories it was filled with red berries so must have counted towards one of my 5 a day I'm sure :-) 

The Botanist is high up on our list of places we like to take the children to eat out in Newcastle. They cater well for kids with their fun, quirky menus and colouring sheets, the staff are super friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating and you simply cannot beat their cocktails. We have dined at the Botanist with our kids around 5 times now and have always enjoyed the experience and our visits have always been stress free and dare I say it - relaxing! I would also highly recommend their family Sunday lunches - you can even book a private dining room as an extra special treat.

Botanist Sunday Lunch

You can view menus and check availibilty/book a table via the Botanist Website

We were invited along to the Botanist during a Press Menu Launch evening and received a complimentary meal. We were not obliged to write this review but genuinely love the Botanist so much and wanted to tell you all about it.  All thoughts are our own.