The Botanist Sunderland

You walk into The Botanist expecting another chain trying too hard, but it's actually done with some thought. Keel Square's had its ups and downs, but this place feels genuinely invested in being good—the kind of spot you'd recommend to someone visiting, not just tourists passing through. The botanical concept isn't just window dressing; it runs through everything from the cocktail menu (expect actual technique, not just sugary nonsense) to the food, which punches above what you'd normally expect at this price point. It's the sort of place that makes you want to linger over a drink on a Friday night rather than just grabbing something quickly.