About

Cafe Botanika is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in St.Petersburg. Our international menu includes innovative gourmet dishes based on Ayurvedic principles — a diet for a healthy body and mind.

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Our Philosophy

At Botanika, we offer freshly prepared international vegetarian and vegan food for 10 years! We are happy to say that we are satisfied with the quality of our food and service but we do keep striving for perfection. Although we are a small cafe, we have over 100 items in our menu. There is something there for everyone. For easy choosing, we divide our main dishes into the categories of Russian, Italian, Indian and Japanese cuisine. Of course, there are also Middle Eastern and American-style dishes to complete the picture. We try to use the ancient Ayurvedic principles of balancing flavors for food that is filling, innovative and delicious. We do not use processed foods or microwaves. Cleanliness is very important to us as is freshness and all of our employees are vegetarians. For those who like it we have a full bar, organic wine and a good assortment of teas and coffees. Children love our children’s menu and playroom. We also provide banquets for weddings or any other special occasions.

See our full menu

Our team

Michael Skigin
Co-founder. Vegetarian from 2006. Born in Leningrad, lived in Germany and Switzerland. Hobbies include trans Atlantic sailing, all extreme sports, and educational projects.
Marina Albee
Co-Founder and General Director. Entrepreneur, Educator, Author, Producer. Born in Rome, Italy. Raised in USA. In Russia since 1985. Vegetarian since 1975. I am mostly vegan since 2010. I like to swim in the Red Sea and do yoga!
Dilraj Singh
Head Chef and Partner. Trained as a Chef and a Pharmacist. Semi-Pro Cricket Player Born in Punjabi India. Vegetarian from birth (never once ate meat).
Dmitri Rizhov (Dimati)
I work at Botanika since its opening. I prepare food. I am a vegetarian since 2006. I prefer Prasad. I was born in Leningrad. I try to love God and to become a better person, but it is very hard and I am far from perfect.
Navi
Universal Chef. Born in Gwalior, India. Works in Botanika from 2012. Trained cook. Body Builder Supreme. Never ate meat.
Tavi
Universal Chef. Talvinder Singh born in Dabra, India. Works in Botanika from 2010. Long distance traveller. A professionally good person. Vegetarian from birth.
Nikita
I came to Botanika by chance in August, 2016. I am a vegetarian from 2007. I am Belarus by birth. I have a degree as a Producer.
Natalie Kharina
Barista. I work as a barista in Botanika since its opening. I was born in the Ural Mountains. I became a vegetarian in 2006, thanks to punk rock. I am interested in Eastern cultures and traditions. I adore street art and everything connected to street subculture.
Sofia Albee-Haas
Baker and Barista. Vegetarian from 2006. Born in NY, NY. Grew up in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Volunteer in Kamchatka Nature Reserve. Artist.
Antonina Kuznetsova - Server
At Botanika since 2010. I transfer the energy and magic that was created by our cooks. Vegetarian since 2008. I was born in Kurgana, but my home is St. Petersburg. I love to knit, dance, garden, travel.
Saibjon - Sanitation Engineer
I work at Botanika since 2012 as an Engineer-Technician. I am a vegetarian since 2012. I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My hobby is fixing cars!
Olessa
Administrator at Botanika since 2013. I interact with official organizations, and I handle all the documents, help to start new projects. Vegetarian since 2013. I was born in Abakan, Siberia. Interests include spiritual self awareness, reading, knitting, alpine skiing.
Alyona Filimonova (Allyo)
Barista. I work at Botanika since its opening as a server, a cook, a baker, the administrator and a barista. I am a vegetarian from 2004. I was born in Leningrad. I am an Indian temple dancer, I am interested in vedic astrology and yoga. I play the balalaika.
Manreet - Baker
Manreet Kaur born in Guna, India. Works in Botanika for 8 months. Computer Scientist and Sociologist. Never tasted meat never ever!
Seva
I work at Botanika since 2007 as a food provider. Since 1984 I don’t eat anything that was killed, in all else I am not picky. I was born in Leningrad. Only the lazy don’t know about my interests.)) I am a scary “зануда”: (a downer, a drag, a wet blanket, a nudnik) and a demagogue
Aiinoor - Baker
I work in Botanika since 2009 as a Baker and Cook. I am a vegetarian since 2009. I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My hobbies are cooking and sewing.
Ksiusha - Server
I work in Botanika since 2013 as a server. I am a vegetarian since 2009. I am a true Botanika deep down inside. I love the world of flowers and plants, and I have indoor gardens. I dream of my own Garden of Paradise.
Tosha - Server
At Botanika since 2010 with short pauses. I laugh, make friends with people, with myself and with the whole universe. Vegetarian since 2009. I prefer hot and spicy food. I was born in Leningrad. I also work as a teacher in a kindergarten. I love water and international trips, kundalini yoga, jumping and diving.
Ili - Server
At Botanika since 2014. My function is to smile sincerely at and love our guests. I am a vegetarian since 2013. I was born in Novokuznetsk, Siberia. I do research on non- normative gender studies and feminist Activism.
Katya - Server
I work at Botanika since 2013 as a server. I am a vegetarian since I was born in Lipetsk. My hobbies include relaxing, travelling and studying Spanish.
Katherine Kubareva
I work as a cook at Botanika since the summer of 2016. I am a vegetarian since 2005 and I love Indian and Georgian food. My interests include: high jumping, working with beads, punk or esoteric literature. I make cartoons with children, perform in theaters, dance and shoot and edit clips.
Ksusha
I take care of the children’s room at Botanika since it opened. I have been a vegetarian since around 2006. I also like to paint and I do yoga every day. I like Russian food most of all.
Olga Loseva aka Helga
At Botanika since 2008. I am working for the good of vegetarianism as the Deputy General Director. Vegetarian since 2006. I prefer Italian cuisine. I was born in the Tsar’s Village (Pushkin). I am also a wedding planner, a florist, a model and a travel lover.
Alexei Haas
Mr. Fix It. Vegetarian for 20 years. Born in Dniepopetrovsk, USSR. Moved to Leningrad in 1985. DJ, designer
Alyona
I work since 2016 as a server. I am a vegetarian since 2010. I was born in St. Petersburg and I study at the Academy of Arts as a curator. I love to knit, draw, go for nature hikes. My priority is spiritual development.
Natalya
I work at Botanika since 2007 as the CFO. I am a vegetarian since 2007. I was born in Leningrad. My hobbies include any handicrafts: embroidery, knitting, sewing, etc.
Svetlana
I work in Botanika for 9 since 2007 as an accountant. I am a vegetarian since then. I am from St. Petersburg. My hobby is cooking.

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Our Chef

Botanika’s food was created by the joint efforts of founder Marina Albee and Dilraj Singh, Head Chef of Botanika since 2008. They use recipes from all over the world and these classic and innovative dishes have become the favorites of our guests.

Head Chef – Dilraj Singh

Dilraj is a magical alchemist who came to Botanika as if by fate. He learned from the ground up and rose through the ranks to become Head-Chef very quickly. He perfected our recipes and added his own. Dil feels the right combinations of spice and cooking time and he knows when to simplify things. He and his team are tireless in their hard work and dedication. Dil is a partner in Botanika’s growing business and continues to study new aspects of vegetarian cooking.

Dil knows that Ayurvedic tradition uses spice and other flavors to balance food in a way to achieve maximum benefit for people of all constitutions. We believe in that principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) and cruelty-free living as much as possible. We also try to use foods that come from as close by as possible. Cleanliness is of paramount importance at all times and most important, we try to maintain a happy positive atmosphere in our kitchen at all times!

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Location & contacts

We are located at 7 Pestelya street in St.Petersburg, Russia. This is just a 10 minute walk from Nevsky Prospect along the Fontanka Canal . Botanika is in the heart of the historic center, near the Summer Garden and The Arts Academy of Baron Alexander von Stieglitz. The picture windows open to a view of the Church of Pontelimonov and Salt Lane, an exquisite pedestrian only street with restored old buildings.

VEGETARIAN

Pure and healthy international, vegetarian cuisine with vegan and gluten free options. We use only fresh ingredients. We do not use processed foods or microwaves.

CENTRAL LOCATION

Just a 10 minute walk from Nevsky Prospect along the Fontanka Canal, we are in the heart of the historic center, near the Summer Garden.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

We are open 11:00 to 00:00, kitchen open till 23:00. Summer hours on weekends open till 1:00. We offer children's parties, banquets and even weddings upon request.

INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT

See our blog for information about vegetarian cooking, Ayurveda and related themes. You can ask us questions online or in person!

We are open: Mon-Sun: 11:00-0:00 | kitchen open till 23:00. Business lunch Mon-Fri: 13:00-17:00

Feedback

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