Absolutely loved my experience at Botanika! The ambience is stunning—filled with lush green plants and beautiful wooden elements that give it a wonderful, relaxing nature vibe. It is the perfect spot if you want to taste authentic, high-quality Indonesian food. Great flavors, beautiful presentation, and a lovely atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Surabaya!

+1

Botanika - Kertajaya Indah really stood out for me. The Indonesian dishes felt authentic and tasted very fresh, which made the whole meal enjoyable from start to finish. I liked that the flavors felt genuine without being overcomplicated. It’s the kind of place I’d happily return to when I’m in the area.

+3

Botanika in Surabaya is known as a restaurant specialising in modern Indonesian cuisine, with a strong identity centred on the concept of ‘Sharing the Flavours of Indonesia’. Located in the Kertajaya Indah area of East Surabaya, Botanika places a strong emphasis on Indonesian dishes, catering to family meals, casual get-togethers and group events. When it comes to atmosphere, this is one of Botanika’s real strengths. Almost all public descriptions portray it as a restaurant with a tropical green ambience, high ceilings, large windows, wooden and rattan elements, exposed brick pillars, and botanical murals that make the dining area feel bright, spacious and photogenic. It gives the impression of an indoor garden combined with a modern family restaurant. To start, we ordered Fried Tofu and Piti. The tofu was served as pale, round pieces of fried tofu that looked light and soft, rather than the dry or very crispy type. When bitten into, the outer layer was thin and light, whilst the inside was soft, warm, and fairly neutral in flavour. Botanika describes Piti as “a cup-shaped rempeyek dough filled with 2 urap vegetables, 2 pecel, and 2 portions of yellow rice with rendang.” So this is actually a rather unique concept of an Indonesian snack or mini platter: the container is a crispy cup made from rempeyek dough, whilst the filling is a mix of various traditional Indonesian elements. For the main course, I ordered Nasi Rendang. This dish consists of white rice with beef rendang, cassava leaf curry, dried tempeh, yellow pickles, and emping crackers. The main strength of this dish lies in its composition, which feels very well-balanced in flavour. The beef rendang is the centrepiece: typically rich, deep, savoury, and full of spices, with a robust yet satisfying character. As it is served with white rice, Botanika seems to have deliberately allowed the rendang to take centre stage without being overshadowed by an overpowering rice aroma. The cassava leaf curry adds a softer dimension, with a hint of creaminess from the coconut milk and a slightly earthy note from the vegetables. The crispy tempeh and yellow pickles serve as crucial accents. The crispy tempeh adds a crunchy, sweet and savoury texture that brings every mouthful to life, whilst the yellow pickles provide a fresh, tangy touch that cuts through the richness of the rendang and the cassava leaf coconut milk. Without these two small components, a rendang rice dish like this could feel too heavy. It is precisely because of these contrasting elements that the whole dish feels more balanced and doesn’t tire the palate too quickly. Well worth a try.

+2

Without a doubt, this is one of the best restaurants I have experienced during my three days in Surabaya. The restaurant features a beautiful design, serves delicious food, and maintains very clean washrooms. I highly recommend visiting. You won't be disappointed.

+3

This fine dining spot serves up impressively plated dishes that taste just as good as they look. The ambiance is nice and relaxed, making it a solid choice for an upscale meal.