Botanico Waikiki

We had an amazing dinner here during our honeymoon! After visiting three nearby restaurants that advertised gluten-free options but couldn't safely accommodate my dietary restrictions due to cross-contamination, we were thrilled to find Botanical. The staff confidently assured us they could prepare my meal separately and safely, which was such a relief. I ordered the red snapper, and it was one of the best dishes I've had in Hawaii - perfectly cooked and served with clams, scallops, and shrimp. My husband's swordfish was outstanding and the best he's ever had. When we asked about the swordfish's slightly undercooked preparation, Aya Sakai kindly came out to explain the Japanese cooking style and offered to have it cooked further if we preferred. Her attentiveness and hospitality were exceptional. We also had the chance to thank Chef Tama personally for the incredible meal, and our bartender Rafael provided wonderful service throughout the evening. The food, service, and care for guests with dietary restrictions were all outstanding. Highly recommend!!!

Beautiful ambiance! Had a lovely experience with Raina, she had the best recommendations and kept us laughing all night. All the staff were extremely accommodating for my friends birthday dinner. Most surprised by the ribeye, was better than most steakhouses I’ve tried on island. Thank you botanico!!!! 😇

Amazing Italian/Mediterranean restaurant. Went there when it first opened last year and I was not very impressed, but I went back recently, and it was night and day! They have become the best Italian in Waikiki. They are not just pasta and pizza, but it's like surf and turf of Italian. You gotta try the antipasto misto and gran piatto. The servers and bartenders are very nice too.

We visited Botanico a couple of days ago with my husband, and overall it was an okay experience. It’s a new place that recently opened, so we were excited to try it. When we were seated, we were immediately asked if we wanted sparkling water, and we agreed. However, it was not mentioned that it would be charged, and we later found out it was $8 for a glass, which felt unclear and a bit surprising. The service was mixed. Our waitress came across a bit unfriendly at times, which made the experience feel less welcoming than we expected. We ordered fresh oysters and were initially told they might be out. After some time, she came back and said they had “one,” which was a bit confusing. We thought it might mean one order, but it turned out to be just a single oyster served on ice. We also ordered their gluten free pasta, which was alright. Nothing particularly stood out, but it was decent. Overall, the place has potential, especially since it is new, but there are definitely areas that could be improved, especially in communication and service.

Date night with my wife at Botanico — our first visit and a truly pleasant surprise. We were initially seated in a crowded section, but within seconds the host thoughtfully moved us to a quieter area without us even asking — great touch. The drinks were excellent, and the moussaka appetizer was absolutely delicious. For the main course, we had pasta and braised cheek, both incredibly flavorful and perfectly prepared. Dessert did not disappoint: cheesecake and tiramisu were the perfect finish. The Illy espresso tasted just like what we enjoy at home — spot on. Overall, a 10/10 experience. We’ll definitely be back. Thank you!

They had a very good appetizer menu, friendly service and nice atmosphere. We didn’t order entrees but four of us ordered pasta each. They only had 4 pasta in the dinner menu. (They offer gluten free spaghetti) Spaghetti. Pescatore with gluten free pasta and another same one with normal pasta, Vongole E Bottarga Conchiglie were overly salty and lacked flavor. We were disappointed tbh. If we were to go back, I think we will just order just appetizers.

Atmosphere is solid, not too busy or loud. Aesthetic and vibey inside. Bolognese had good flavor, but the pasta was slightly undercooked. Whole wheat focaccia was bomb. Beware, even if you order something from the happy hour menu, you have to specifically ask for the happy hour menu FIRST otherwise they will charge you regular price.

My first experience in December was memorable. Thanks to John. I decided to bring a group here to enjoy. My second time here even better. Phenomenal service and the food is delicious. Not one thing I have tried so far I didn't like. They validate parking for inside Waikiki Shipping Plaza. Bathroom is located on second floor with code access.

Had a wonderful anniversary dinner here. It was lovely here, and the atmosphere felt nice and cozy inside. Despite being at street level, we had no issues with outside noise; however, that might be different if you're seated outside. The staff was very polite and attentive, and the food was delicious. Overall, excellent.

Surprisingly, this new Italian place met my high Italian cuisine expectations! Highly recommend for everyone incredible wife, incredible food. I had a lot of enjoyment being here. My choice was a plate of seafood. I was surprised to find mushrooms there, but would they be right in a good size? For my wife, it was Bolognese pasta, and the balance between the tomato and the pasta itself was the perfect And as appetizer, we took a beet hummus… oh local vegetables are so good