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Ester Restaurant

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A trendy, modern Australian restaurant in Chippendale, known for its bold flavors, wood-fired oven, and curated natural wine list.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Various Dishes

Ester Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A trendy, modern Australian restaurant in Chippendale, known for its bold flavors, wood-fired oven, and curated natural wine list.

"Ester delivers an outstanding dining experience with a thoughtful mix of flavors and textures."

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekends, to secure your preferred dining time.

Embrace the Taster Menu

Consider the taster menu for a comprehensive experience, but come hungry as portions are generous.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 12PM

Cuisine

Modern Australian

Price

$$$

Phone

+61 2 8068 8279

Address

46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fermented Potato Bread

Fermented Potato Bread

A universally praised starter, this warm, pillowy bread with kefir and salmon roe is a must-try.

TikTokThe Best Restaurants in Sydney Right NowBest restaurants in Sydney+3
Wood-Fired Culinary Delights

Wood-Fired Culinary Delights

Ester's wood-fired oven is the heart of its operation, creating bold flavors and unique textures.

TikTokThe 31 Best Places To Eat & Stay In Sydney - SydneyBest Fine Dining in Sydney+1
Unique Australian Natural Wines

Unique Australian Natural Wines

Experience a thoughtfully curated wine list, with a special focus on Australian natural wines.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

What started out as a humble small restaurant & bar, with a quiet ferocity Ester @ester_au is today one of Sydney's most celebrated modern Australian restaurants, brought to you by founder & chef Mat Lindsay @mrmatlindsay also of @poly_au & @a.p.bread Centered around a woodfired oven since its inception in 2013, live fire continues to be the heart of a menu of deep, smoky & charred flavours, with...
@foodess_diaries
8 likes • 244 views

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekends, to secure your preferred dining time.

Embrace the Taster Menu

Consider the taster menu for a comprehensive experience, but come hungry as portions are generous.

The Best of Sydney Restaurant Collection PT.1 📍 Ester Chippendale | follow for honest, non-sponsored and unbiased sydney food and travel guide 😇💕 #esterrestaurant #sydneyeats #sydneyfood #placestovisitinsydney #placestoeatsydney #sydneyfinedining #modernaustraliancuisine #abalone #chickenskin #skewers #pasta #seafoodlover #sydneyfoodblogger #sydneyfoodspotter #sydneyfoodies #sydneyfoodguide #sydn...
@frenchtries
83 likes • 12.1K views
This is definitely jumped to be my top top top food this year! All 4 of us spent around $400 we were stuffed and there was not a single component that we don’t LOVE! Got to check it out! #placesinsydney #poly #surryhills #ester #finedining #hashbrown #sydney #foodie
@adrianwidjy
3.6K likes • 73.1K views

Don't Miss the Bread

The wood-fired potato bread with kefir is a standout starter that consistently receives rave reviews.

Sweet Undertones

Be aware that some savory dishes may have subtle sweet notes, which can be a surprise to some palates.

Checking out Ester for lunch today #sydneyfood
@ianthayu
101 likes • 5.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekends, to secure your preferred dining time.

Embrace the Taster Menu

Consider the taster menu for a comprehensive experience, but come hungry as portions are generous.

Don't Miss the Bread

The wood-fired potato bread with kefir is a standout starter that consistently receives rave reviews.

Sweet Undertones

Be aware that some savory dishes may have subtle sweet notes, which can be a surprise to some palates.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Ester is celebrated for its outstanding, innovative dishes, particularly its wood-fired creations and signature potato bread. Reviewers praise the attentive service and modern, inviting atmosphere. While many dishes are lauded, some find certain savory items lean too sweet, and a few felt the overall experience didn't quite match the hype or price point.

"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 simple but so good.

Now, the dumplings… out of this world. Packed with flavour, perfectly cooked, and the filling was rich and satisfying. The lamb with lamb brain was a standout—cooked perfectly medium rare, super tender, and served in a generous portion. We also tried the eggplant with mushroom and were pleasantly surprised by how big the serve was. The textures were spot on—crispy, rich, and a perfect pairing with the lamb.

Overall, the vibes were great, the service was solid, and for the quality and portions, the price was absolutely worth it. Will definitely be coming back."

Jayden lim

"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 pleasant dining experience. However, many of the dishes leaned on the sweet side, even the savory ones. The casual ambiance is unpretentious, allowing you to enjoy a good meal without dressing up."

Remee D.

"Ester in Chippendale delivers an outstanding dining experience, with service that’s warm, polished, and attentive from the moment you walk in.

The food was impressive overall, offering a thoughtful mix of flavors and textures. The highlight for me was definitely the Yamba King Prawn—beautifully cooked, tender, and full of flavor.

If I had one critique, it would be the Pork Belly. While some may enjoy it, I found it a bit too sweet and thin, which overshadowed the natural taste of the meat. It was the dish we enjoyed the least."

Siti Sulistyani

What People Like

Bold flavors and innovative dishes
Signature fermented potato bread
Attentive and warm service

What People Dislike

Some savory dishes too sweet
Occasional disconnect between hype and experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Ester is most famous for its wood-fired cooking, signature fermented potato bread with kefir, and its unique Australian natural wine list.

TikTokThe Best Restaurants in Sydney Right NowBest restaurants in Sydney+1

Yes, it is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance as Ester can get busy.

The restaurant has a cool, modern yet warm atmosphere, suitable for various dining occasions and described as romantic and dimly lit.

The 31 Best Places To Eat & Stay In Sydney - Sydney

Yes, Ester offers a set menu which is substantial, and some reviewers noted the taster menu portions were generous.

Google Review+1

The restaurant states they make efforts to accommodate dietary needs, but cannot guarantee that all food will be allergen-free.

Standout dishes often mentioned include the fermented potato bread, king prawns with fermented shrimp butter, lamb dumplings, and eggplant dishes.

Google Review

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Nor did he invent pickling, fermenting or wood-oven cooking. What he’s done, however, is meld these techniques and ideas into a cuisine that’s unequivocally his own, keeping Ester at the forefront of Sydney dining for more than a decade. Career-defining snacks, such as the blood sausage sanga and blistered potato bread with kefir cream, remain unimpeachable staples, but it’s the kitchen’s constant quest for depth of flavour that compels more than anything.

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Over in the trendy neighbourhood of Chippendale, Ester is a sophisticated restaurant best known for its innovative culinary creations. It is owned and run by chef Mat Lindsay, who is passionate about wood-fired cooking. Since opening more than a decade ago, the venue has become a trendsetter in Sydney's dining scene because its outstanding menus feature dishes perfectly prepared using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

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Located in the lively neighborhood of Chippendale, Ester Restaurant is a culinary gem celebrated for its innovative approach to modern cuisine. Specializing in wood-fired cooking, the restaurant offers a menu that showcases the depth of flavors achieved through this traditional method. With its warm and inviting ambiance and communal dining room, Ester invites guests to enjoy delicious dishes that are both rustic and refined.

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From the team that brought you much loved wine bars Vini, Berta and 121BC comes Ester, a quirky, chic restaurant tucked away in Chippendale. The cavernous space is dimly lit by low hanging globe-shaped lights, with arched openings affording diners a view to the bustling kitchen. A wood fired oven spurs much of the menu, with everything from crab to cauliflower feeling the blaze at some point during cooking.

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A firm favourite among Sydneysiders, Chippendale’s Ester makes dining alone a dinner to remember – its dining room is beautifully designed and cosy, and dishes are some of Sydney’s most famous. Upon arrival, solo diners will be sat at the bar or countertop and anything on the menu, either the set or a la carte, is available to them. Smaller portions are also possible depending on the dish and availability.

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Ester Restaurant (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide