Located in the vibrant heart of Chippendale, Ester Restaurant stands as a testament to the art of wood-fired cooking and refined culinary simplicity. Situated at 46-52 Meagher St, NSW 2008, this establishment has carved out a distinct identity within the Sydney dining landscape. It is a place where the primal nature of fire meets sophisticated technique, creating an atmosphere that feels both grounded and elevated. The restaurant is widely recognized for its commitment to high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a dining experience that prioritizes the connection between the kitchen and the guest.
The philosophy at Ester is rooted in the belief that food should be honest and approachable while maintaining a high standard of complexity in flavor. By utilizing a custom-built wood-fired oven as the centerpiece of their kitchen, the chefs are able to impart unique smoky characteristics to a wide variety of dishes. This approach requires a deep understanding of heat, timing, and the inherent qualities of the produce being used. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor exploring the creative corridors of Chippendale, Ester offers a space that invites you to slow down and appreciate the nuances of a well-crafted meal.
Key Highlights of the Ester Experience
Wood-Fired Mastery: The core of the kitchen is defined by the wood-fired oven, which influences everything from small plates to larger, shared main courses. This method provides a depth of flavor that is difficult to replicate, ensuring that each dish carries a signature warmth and charred complexity.
Seasonal Ingredient Focus: The menu is a living document, constantly evolving to reflect the best produce available from local suppliers. By prioritizing seasonality, the culinary team ensures that the ingredients are at their peak, resulting in vibrant, fresh, and deeply satisfying flavors.
Atmospheric Design: The interior of the restaurant is designed to complement the dining experience, offering a balance of industrial charm and warm, inviting textures. It is an ideal setting for those who appreciate a space that feels curated yet unpretentious, making it suitable for both intimate dinners and celebratory gatherings.
Commitment to Craft: Beyond the food, the service and beverage programs are meticulously curated to enhance the overall narrative of the meal. Every element, from the selection of wines to the pacing of the courses, is handled with a level of care that reflects the restaurant's dedication to the craft of hospitality.
A Culinary Destination in Chippendale
Ester Restaurant continues to be a significant contributor to the cultural and gastronomic fabric of Chippendale. By maintaining a focus on the fundamentals of cooking while embracing modern creativity, the restaurant provides a consistent and memorable experience for all who walk through its doors. The dedication to quality, combined with a welcoming environment, ensures that it remains a notable destination for those seeking a genuine and thoughtful approach to dining in Sydney.
As the culinary scene continues to evolve, Ester remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. The restaurant invites guests to engage with food in a way that is both meaningful and enjoyable, celebrating the simple joy of a meal prepared with passion and precision. Whether you are looking to explore new flavor profiles or simply enjoy a high-quality dining experience in a comfortable setting, Ester offers a unique perspective that is well worth experiencing firsthand.
The location on Meagher Street places the restaurant in a prime position for those looking to explore the artistic and historical charm of the area. It serves as a perfect anchor for an evening out, blending seamlessly into the neighborhood while offering a distinct culinary identity. For those who value the intersection of tradition and innovation, Ester Restaurant provides a compelling reason to visit and return, time and time again.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
On-site services
Takeaway
Highlights
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Great wine list
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Late-night food
Organic dishes
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service
Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet
Atmosphere
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Parking
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Menus
Photos
Reviews Ester Restaurant
Anita H
30-05-2026
Such a nice experience dining at Ester. The flavours and dishes were very unique and we loved every single dish. My favourite was the duck dumplings. Absolutely tasty… they change their menu every day so I assume the ingredients are as … More
Christabelle Denis
30-05-2026
Got the classic set menu, the food was delicious and so were the drinks. Service was great, they paid attention to your glass and kept filling the water. Also got recommended a great wine and they swapped out one of the items on the menu for another. Gave us a little candle as we'd noted it was our anniversary. More
Jayden lim
30-05-2026
Honestly, some of the best food I’ve ever tried. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was spot on—especially sitting at the bar, which added to the experience. The entrees were a fantastic start, especially their signature bread—so … More
Remee
30-05-2026
Ester is a solid choice for a meal. The standout was definitely the potato bread with kefir—warm, pillowy, and packed with flavor. The radicchio salad was delicious, and the prawn was tasty as well. Service was attentive, making for a … More
Alex
30-05-2026
I'm not sure I understand the hype. The food was good but nothing really stood out. For example, the reviews rave about the fermented potato head but it's just a nicely baked roll that you would expect out of any high end restaurant. … More
Tom Walker
30-05-2026
Can’t back here after my first visit when it opened back in 2014 (see original menu). Somewhat disappointed: although generally good food; much more expensive and far less innovative and exciting than i remember. The sight of crudo on a … More
Rebecca
30-05-2026
Food was not bad overall but expected better given the price point:
Potato bread was nice and chewy (in a good way) and paired well with the salmon roe dip, but couldn’t really taste how it was different from normal bread. … More
Bean Quach
30-05-2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cosy and welcoming restaurant with good food and great service.
The highlight for me was definitely the Sticky Pudding,absolutely delicious!
Overall, a lovely spot for a nice dinner. More
Neal Gemassmer
30-05-2026
Had a lovely meal at Ester. Warm space, open kitchen with attentive & welcoming team. Good variety of cocktails and wine list is natural oriented from smaller boutique wineries. Most of the dishes were stand outs. Reservations essential. More
Công Nguyên Đoàn Nguyễn
30-05-2026
Matt Lindsay cooking is extraordinary, hearty warmth and a rustic “granny’s house” vibe really makes it a warm interconnected experience. Service was on point, being playful enough without disturbing the customer’s space. More
Kelly
30-05-2026
We have been wanting to visit Ester for over a year now, so I was ecstatic that we had finally made it, to try out this well-renowned restaurant on 8/2/26! We came for a Sunday lunch meal and definitely enjoyed our experience.
This is what we ordered:
Entrées:
- Roasted oyster $11 ea ✨
- Fermented potato bread, kefir, trout roe $28 ✨
- Tropea onion tarte tatin $34
- Twice cooked eggplant, smoked chestnut mushrooms, sesame seed $39 ✨
Mains:
- Murray cod fillet and head, bonito butter, cime di rapa $69
Desserts:
- Rosada melon granita, ricotta pannacotta $24 ✨
✨= Would recommend
The roasted oyster tasted delicious and warm - it had an interesting, pungent smell which I realised afterwards was most likely the cheese. We loved the combination of trout roe with the potato bread, which tasted slightly salty. The twice cooked eggplant was also fantastic, I absolutely loved the crispiness to this, and it had the perfect sweet and savoury combination. Would definitely have these again!
As for the tropea onion tarte tatin, to be honest we weren’t sure what to expect as we’ve never had this before. I didn’t enjoy it, just because there was so much onion, I almost felt my eyes were watering as a placebo effect. However, it was crispy and I think probably true to a well-done onion tarte tatin (just not the dish for me, more for serious onion lovers!).
The murray cod fillet was fresh, but also just nothing too special about the flavours compared to the outstanding entrées. We finished the meal with the melon granita, ricotta pannacotta, which was loved - super refreshing, a mix of icy and creamy textures.
Service was excellent, we were seated well and taken care of. Adequate paid street parking - we visited for a Sunday lunch. Overall, a lovely dining experience! Also have heard their menu changes frequently to ensure freshest ingredients are used, according to seasonal availability.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$100–120
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Bar area, Counter seating
Parking options
Paid street parking
Siti Sulistyani
30-05-2026
Ester in Chippendale delivers an outstanding dining experience, with service that’s warm, polished, and attentive from the moment you walk in. … More
Kevin Vu
30-05-2026
Beautiful service, food and drinks.
Came here on my birthday with my partner and the whole team went above and … More
Andrea Santos
30-05-2026
ester exceeded my expectations! reserved a table here with a recommendation from reddit and food didn’t disappoint. service was friendly. ambiance could do some work, the tables were too tightly packed so it was easy to bump into your … More
Seulki Chung
30-05-2026
Had a good experience but it was definitely quite pricey (especially the bread and prawns!) Food, service and vibe were all great though. Got the fermented bread with salmon roe dip — bread was hot, crispy and fluffy inside, though the dip … More
Karin Shindo
30-05-2026
Ester used to be one of my favorite restaurant since the opening
Unfortunately the place has changed drastically , I m pretty sure the head chef left has that would have been no way they were serving that kind of food tonight … More
Hailey Bae
30-05-2026
I’m so glad I visited this restaurant! 🍽️
Every dish was carefully prepared and fresh, and the plating was so beautiful that I got to enjoy it with my eyes first.
The staff were friendly and attentive, making my meal really comfortable and enjoyable.
I definitely want to come back again.
The atmosphere, food, and service all made for a perfect experience! ✨
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
K Z
30-05-2026
Used to really love the dishes here, but menu changes quite often.
I would recommend blood sausage roll, beef tartare, king prawns, and the desserts. The desserts actually saved my mouth after I had the murray cod…
Yes - the issue was the murray cod we ordered. It was basically half raw. We asked the staff whether the fish was supposed to be cooked like that (pink inside), and they insisted it was intentional because the fish was “so fresh” that they didn’t want to overcook it.
However, the fish has the strongest fishy smell I have ever experienced in Australia - possibly in my life. When I tried to swallow the piece that someone else had put in my bowl, I almost gagged.
DO NOT ORDER FISH HERE!!!
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Group size
2 people, 3-4 people
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Mike Blackburn
30-05-2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A true Sydney gem -unforgettable evening at Ester
My fiancé and I had the most amazing time at Ester. This was our first visit to Sydney, having travelled from the UK with work, and after two long weeks juggling two time zones with very little time together, Ester gave us the perfect evening to reconnect.
The service was absolutely impeccable. Our host went above and beyond adapting cocktails to suit my fiancé’s preferences and resetting the table with such care after each course, all while making us feel completely relaxed and looked after. It’s rare to find service that feels both effortless and genuinely warm, but Ester delivers this perfectly.
The Saturday set menu was outstanding, every element felt carefully crafted, with perfectly balanced flavours that built beautifully from course to course. It’s one of those meals where you can taste the thought, creativity, and precision behind every dish.
The ambience was spot on too energised and vibrant, yet calm enough to enjoy proper conversation. It felt special without being formal, exactly what we needed.
If you’re looking for a place in Sydney to enjoy an exceptional meal with first-class service and a setting that encourages you to slow down and savour the moment, I can’t recommend Ester highly enough. We’re so glad we found this absolute gem.
Thank you to the entire Ester team for giving us such a memorable evening. We’ll be back next year.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$180–200
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservation required
Noise level
Moderate noise
Roisin Oates
30-05-2026
One of our favourite dining experiences in Sydney all year - 10/10, I can’t recommend Ester enough!
We sat at the bar, which made the evening even more enjoyable as we had such an amazing waiter. He was so knowledgable about the wine and really great banter! He brought such a nice vibe and really made our evening.
We had the oysters and potato bread to start, which was warm and melt in your mouth. After this we had the prawns, and mopped up the butter sauce with a generous helping of sourdough. The crab was a fun experience, and quite special to get a full crab in a restaurant presented in this way. We finished off the evening with the creme brûlée crepe… I’ve never had such a memorable dessert in my life. No joke, this was our stand out dish. Do yourself a favour and get this, paired with the chilled red with chocolate notes, sublime! 👌🏼
Thank you Ester, we absolutely loved everything about our evening here ✨
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100–120
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Wait time
No wait
Reviews Ester Restaurant