Ester Restaurant

Ask any serious eater in Sydney where to book for a milestone, and the answer is invariably Ester. Tucked into Chippendale just a short stroll from Central Station, this is culinary wizardry at its peak. The daily-changing menu completely sidesteps the usual dining tropes—expect hyper-creative, fiercely Australian plates. You have to start with the roasted chicken fat oysters. Utterly ridiculous in the best way. Then there’s the blood sausage *sanga*—a brilliant, elevated nod to the classic backyard staple—and the legendary potato bread slathered in kefir and popping with trout roe. Even the vegetables command total respect; a seemingly simple Saku cabbage preparation is so deeply savory it routinely triggers existential crises for carnivores. Service is razor-sharp but disarmingly warm, armed with deep knowledge of local pours to nail the wine pairings. Finish with the crêpes brûlée or the ricotta panna cotta—if the mille-feuille hasn't already sold out. Book it. Trust me.