Botanero

Overall, the restaurant experience was just above average. The food was tasty and the service was fine. I would say the reason I didn’t give it five stars is that the portions didn’t feel like I got the value for the cost and there were limited items that we could order. From a Mexican restaurant in Chicago, I expect more options. Still what I did eat was tasty.

Came to this place for a happy hour event that was supposed to be from 7:30p-10p on 12/18. For whatever reason when we arrived to the event we found out that the restaurant was no longer doing the happy hr. This was very odd & unprofessional given that the happy hour menu was up on their site around 3p the day of the event. When I checked the site again while I waa at the place around 8:15p, it was no longer there. Given that the event was advertised as a happy hour the menu shouldve been honored regardless of whatever else was going on. I am looking forward to speaking with their team to find out what occurred b/c this is bad business. In addition to this the service was extremely slow. There was 1 server for the entire restaurant & 1 bartender. I got there at about 8:15pm, no one came to take an order until about 9:30p and when they did they only asked if we wanted a round of drinks. Never offered water or anything. I understand this is a newer business but they won't be in business long if this is how they operate, very disappointing.

Had a great experience at Botanero. Their golden carajillo cocktail was well-made and delicious. Two of us shared several items: guacamole, flauta, empanadas, steak tacos, and a potato dish they had on special, which was along the lines of puréed potato with a phyllo topping (it was excellent). The chicken flauta was a highlight for me, but everything was really good! Our server was also very sweet and attentive. Great date night spot in the neighborhood!

This place is such a hidden gym! A cozy contemporary Mexican restaurant with thoughtful service and amazing flavors. Really loved the complementary bisque that was provided at the start of the meal. The complimentary bisque at the start was a lovely touch. The barbacoa was the star - tender, well-seasoned, and perfect with their house tortillas. Other highlights included the refreshing aquachile, flavorful octopus tacos, and a beautifully balanced pisco sour. A modern take on Mexican cuisine that’s memorable from start to finish.

Cute small place with friendly staff and great food! The elote costillas were delicious as well as the Baja shirmp tacos, but the chicken flauta was the star of the show - was so good we had to order a second.

Botanero has become one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city. I’ve been here five times in the last three months, and every visit has been incredible. Whether it was a date night with my fiancé, a birthday dinner for my brother, or a night out with friends, Botanero consistently delivers amazing food, cocktails, and atmosphere. The owner Richard brings so much energy to the space and always finds ways to make guests feel welcome. The vibe here is perfect for any occasion—burlesque shows on Thursdays, DJs on weekends, and an overall lively yet classy atmosphere that works for both an intimate dinner and a fun party night. The food is the highlight. I’ve tried everything on the menu and it’s all outstanding. Every dish is packed with flavor and beautifully presented. After living in Chicago for over 10 years and dining at countless restaurants, I can confidently say Botanero’s flavor profiles stand out among the best in the city. The cocktails are also a must-try. Huge thanks to Marco, who creates some of the most well-balanced and creative drinks I’ve had in Chicago. They’re complex, flavorful, and clearly designed with care. If you’re looking for a top Chicago restaurant for date night, birthdays, girls’ night out, or weekend nightlife, Botanero should be at the top of your list. Between the amazing food, world-class cocktails, and unforgettable atmosphere, it’s a place I recommend to everyone.

Botanero is a hidden gem you can’t miss. The food is absolutely delicious modern Mexican cuisine with bold, creative flavors in every bite. The drinks? Perfect. Strong, well-crafted, and full of personality. The decor is stunning modern with a beautiful Mexican vibe, and the location is just right. This place is a whole vibe. 100% recommend, it’s gonna be a hit!🍹✨🌮

Hospitality + deliciousness = can’t wait to return. The staff could not be friendlier and the food is fantastic. Do not miss the corn rib app mushroom tacos and churros for desert. Looking forward to returning to try more. Happy hour goes until 7:00 and includes drinks and food. Gracias!!

I recently visited Botanero and tried its three course tasting menu with cocktail pairings. I can highly recommend this restaurant. First, the food was creative, delicious and inventive. The first course was elote costillas that was paired the la piña. It's a play on the traditional Mexican street corn. The corn was left in the Cobb, but the Cobb was cut so twisted in spirals. The second course, and my favorite, was the barbacoa. It came with a few tortillas so you can make tacos if you want. The meat was super tender, pull a part and delicious. This course was pared with the PPP. For third and dessert course, I got the caramelized popcorn panna cotta paired with gold carajillo, a play on an espresso martini with eatable good flakes. If you like sweet desserts, this is the one for you. Not only was it beautiful, but the panna cotta was yummy and flavorful. Second, the vibes and ambiance are amazing. The restaurant is small, and intimate, but not noisy. The low light with red accents gives it a playful, but relaxing atmosphere. Third, the service was excellent. My waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable about the dishes and drinks. Also the courses came out at with perfect timing. In sum, Botanero is a must visit spot.

Disappointing Experience - Poor Food Quality I had high hopes for the restaurant since it was highly recommend by a friend who was having his birthday party there. But, unfortunately, my experience was underwhelming. The food quality was far below expectations. I ordered the "grilled octopus, tamale" it was a very soupy, not grilled octopus. My husband ordered the New York strip and ended up getting a totally different piece of meat that our waiter confirmed and apologized for. The touch of the chef coming out and engaging with the customers and serving you each individual dish is a great touch. She was very kind and very attentive . The owner is a great guy very friendly and I wish him the very best. I just hope that moving forward they improve their menu descriptions. The ambience is quiet and elegant. With very little lighting. You cannot see your food. We had to pull out our phones so we could see what we were eating.

Amazing dining experience, if I could give a sixth star I would. The interior is chic but cozy; dimly lit so perfect for date night but definitely lively enough for a group of friends. Service was awesome, the chef even came to the table. Now to the delicious food and beverages, which were perfectly executed. Margaritas were tasty, potent, and clearly made with fresh ingredients and homemade syrups. The food was so good I forgot to get photos, but everything we tried was awesome. Highly recommend the sharable dips. This isn't your typical chips & salsa. All of the items had a special little creative twist to them, I don't want to play spoiler so I will just say check them out yourself!

We live around the corner from this spot and were so excited to try it out. It did not disappoint! New favorite neighborhood spot. We've visited twice now and haven't tried a single cocktail that wasnt unique and delicious. The staff is incredibly kind and fun! The food is equally phenomenal -- the trio of dips and the short rib curry was amazinggggg. Really looking forward to trying their brunch.

I've gotta say - this was an unexpected discovery. There's nothing I love more as a foodie, to experience food through the lens of chef and understand their take on a dish. Botanero provided me a wholesome experience and immersion of flavors that captivated my palette. Served tapas style by hand of chef, this dining experience far exceeded any expectations and the food was so well balanced in aromatics and flavor. I was highly impressed with this place and would surely recommend it further

Great ambience the second you walk in. You feel like you're transported to somewhere outside of Chicago. Music's great and the food is even better. The complimentary soup in the beginning is phenomenal - still dreaming about it. Everything else was delicious - the sikil p ' ak dip, elote, and flautas. Can't forget the margaritas, they make them how they're supposed to be and without all the sugary bs. Will be back!

So happy we chose this new spot for a date night! Unique dishes, drinks, and flavors + our server was incredibly attentive and made great suggestions. Favorite dishes were the shared dips (especially the sikil p'ak and carrot hummus) + flautas This would make a great date/first date spot. We truly have zero negatives to say, and can't wait to come back and try brunch!

The food, service, and ambiance was all great! I got the barbacoa and it was absolutely delicious. So was the goat cheese cheesecake! The chef brought out all our food and was so nice! The drinks were fun and delicious as well. Highly recommend. We will be back!

We had a great experience at Botanero! The staff was so thoughtful -- they gave us a little soup as a complimentary amuse bouche. All the food was fantastic. We shared the dip platter as an appetizer, which was delicious, though if you're sharing between two people, it is filling, so you may want to box some of it so you can save room for entrees. I had the barbacoa, which was amazing -- perfectly cooked, perfect flavors. And the drinks were fab! Everything was presented beautifully. Will definitely return.

Stopped into Botanero without a reservation and they were very accommodating. The restaurant is in a beautiful space, has delicious & creative cocktails & delicious food. Service was excellent. Will definitely be back.

awesome spot; vibes were super chill - Jorge is the best bartender to get serve by, he's super friendly and accommodating and attentive! definitely would recommend swinging by for a drink or dinner, food is absolutely amazing!

Truly a terrible restaurant. Very rude staff that felt shocking how poorly they could treat a dinner guest. Be wary booking reservations here.

Wowwowow stumbled in here last night after not being able to get a seat at Mott St and I am so glad I came here instead! My friend and I sat at the bar and only had drinks but I will definitely be back for food. Our bartender was so sweet and knowledgable and the cocktails were delicious. Also, really love the vibes and energy of the space. I can't wait to go back and try the food!

Fantastic place!! Perfect service and cocktails with chill vibe! I will definitely recommend this bar to everyone