The Botanist Launches a New After-Hours Dining Experience

Since arriving at The Botanist from Gemmayze Street, chef Ryan Pearce has pushed the boundaries with an inventive breakfast menu that includes numbers like early morning panna cotta and addictive kahawai cakes. Now, in partnership with the crew behind Brothers Beer, Pearce is leading a new after-hours dining experience at the leafy City Works Depot locale.

Thai by Night will take over the space for evenings over summer. Inspired by fast and fresh Thai street food, Pearce has put together a light and classic Thai menu featuring favourites like chicken satay and pad Thai alongside modern takes on dishes like sticky pork belly buns, pork larb, jungle curry and drunken noodles.

The menu will be paired with a new Thai-inspired cocktail every week from Aled Retallick (Mr Tom's, Brothers Brewery, Orakei Bay Bistro) featuring ingredients like lemongrass, turmeric and ginger. Owner Anthony Browne credits a recent overseas trip as the inspiration behind Thai By Night, where he observed café owners transforming spaces into pop-ups for evening crowds. As well as the dine-in service Thai By Night will offer takeaway options.

Find Thai by Night at The Botanist (City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West). It's open Monday - Thursday from 5-8pm and late on Fridays.