Esther Restaurant
Esther Restaurant offers a charming Mediterranean escape in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, featuring celebrity chef Sean Connolly's exquisite cuisine.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Esther Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Esther Restaurant offers a charming Mediterranean escape in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, featuring celebrity chef Sean Connolly's exquisite cuisine.
"Consistently tasty, interesting, and well-made food that keeps people coming back."
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table at this popular Auckland dining spot.
Complimentary Soup
Don't miss the flavorful complimentary egg and lemon soup to start your meal.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Price
$$$
Phone
+64 9 379 9123
Address
4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website
estherrestaurant.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mediterranean Ambiance
Experience the charm of the French Riviera or Greek seaside with a cozy atmosphere, pastel decor, and an open kitchen.
Sean Connolly's Cuisine
Savor Mediterranean-inspired dishes crafted by celebrity chef Sean Connolly, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and fresh seafood.
Unique Menu Offerings
Indulge in distinctive flavors like pumpkin hummus, truffle ice cream, and various authentic pasta dishes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table at this popular Auckland dining spot.
Complimentary Soup
Don't miss the flavorful complimentary egg and lemon soup to start your meal.
Diverse Menu Choices
Explore a wide range of options, catering to both vegetarian and meat-lover preferences.
Quieter Dining
Visit on weekdays or during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and intimate dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table at this popular Auckland dining spot.
Complimentary Soup
Don't miss the flavorful complimentary egg and lemon soup to start your meal.
Diverse Menu Choices
Explore a wide range of options, catering to both vegetarian and meat-lover preferences.
Quieter Dining
Visit on weekdays or during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and intimate dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Esther Restaurant receives praise for its charming Mediterranean ambiance and the culinary expertise of Chef Sean Connolly. Diners particularly enjoy the unique flavors and fresh ingredients. However, some reviews mention occasional issues with service consistency and noise levels during peak times.
"This was my first visit to this place to celebrate my sister's birthday, and this weekend, we had the Monaco lunch. The dishes are served according to the course, and everything was delicious. The seasoning was perfectly balanced—not too salty, not bland, and not greasy—so even someone like me, an East Asian, could really appreciate the flavors of French cuisine. The atmosphere of the place was also great, and watching the open kitchen added to the experience. The staff were incredibly bright and friendly, which made the meal even more enjoyable. Now, whenever I visit Auckland, this is definitely one of the places I want to dine at with friends."
Daae Lim
"Went for dinner whilst staying at the QT hotel and was happy with most things! I had the seafood spaghetti which was fine, a little cold, and we also had the lamb and watermelon tomato salad which was lovely. We had complimentary egg and lemon soup which was honestly the highlight!
Service was wonderful, except I absolutely hated the outfits the female servers were wearing! They need a collared shirt and comfortable pants!
Atmosphere was superb."
Emma Shute
"Went there for the restaurant month menu. Food was quite good and nicely presented. All three courses were yum, did expect slightly better dessert than pop corns in caramel sauce though.
The only thing we were quite unhappy about is the waitress kept taking the plates away with food in them. We kept telling her off but somehow she didn’t get the message or chose to ignore us. This made the experience quite unpleasant for some of us that lost a lot of food."
Khurram Aziz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Esther is known for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine by celebrity chef Sean Connolly, a cozy atmosphere, and unique dishes like truffle ice cream.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table, especially during peak hours.
Guests often recommend the complimentary egg and lemon soup, steak, and the unique truffle ice cream for dessert.
Yes, the menu has diverse options that cater to vegetarians, alongside meat and seafood dishes.
The restaurant offers a cozy and welcoming ambiance with pastel decor and an open kitchen, reminiscent of the French Riviera.
Esther is a popular spot on social media, with many TikTok videos showcasing its ambiance and dishes.
While not explicitly stated, the atmosphere suggests smart casual attire is appropriate.
Opening hours can vary, it's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Auckland's Most Romantic Restaurants | URBAN LIST NEW ZEALAND
Whisk your love away to the sun-soaked shores of the Med when you dine at Esther. Located on the ground floor of the QT Hotel, this gorgeous spot has all the charm (and flavour!) you'd expect of a trip to the French Riviera or Greek seaside, pairing a warm and welcoming fit-out with a rustic, flavour-packed menu courtesy of celeb chef Sean Connolly. Cosy up next to the huge country-style kitchen complete with gold woodfired pizza oven, then work your way through chef Sean Connolly's famous steak tartare—linguine with lemon, saffron and Parmigiano—and a slice of baked Basque cheesecake for afters.
The Best Mediterranean Eateries In Auckland
Headed by celebrity chef, Sean Connolly, Esther brings the Mediterranean to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Situated in the luxurious QT Hotel, Esther’s open country-style kitchen sets the scene for a homely welcome, with intimate, comfortable seating adding to Esther’s wistful European charms – whisking you straight to the golden beaches and al fresco restaurants of your favourite travel memories. The menu is compiled of plenty locally-grown ingredients, as well as an abundance of seafood, favourites such as souvlaki and steak tartare, and a variety of fresh authentic pasta dishes.
The best private dining rooms in Auckland
Catering to groups of all sizes Viaduct Harbour restaurant Esther (housed in the QT Hotel) boasts a number of private dining options for those looking for somewhere special. Its Limáni dining rooms provide warm, high-ceilinged spaces bathed in beautiful light, where diners will be treated to Esther’s signature, locally-grown European-style flavours via sharable feasts or tasting menus created by the restaurant’s Head Chef, Sean Connolly. Location: 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBDSuitable For: from 17 to 60 guests
The Dish: Margo’s Opens on K Rd, The CBD’s New Salad Bar & More Delicious Food News
On the second Saturday of each month, Esther is putting on a three-course lunch themed around different destinations in the Mediterranean. From Capri to Monaco, Casablanca and Santorini, Barcelona and Lisbon, these lunches are designed to feel like a European holiday without leaving Auckland. At the Monaco lunch, you’ll dine on pissaladiere, salad niçoise, bouillabaisse and duck a l’orange.
Best Romantic Dining In Auckland
Esther brings the authentic tastes of the Mediterranean’s sun-soaked shores to QT Auckland, situated by the marina at the Viaduct Harbour. Renowned head chef Sean Connolly uses home-grown ingredients to share flavours that transcend Sicily to Southern France and lure you towards the magnificence of Morocco. The open country-style kitchen sets the scene for a homely welcome to Esther’s ...
Dining in Auckland - Restaurants, Wineries & More
Esther brings the authentic tases of the Mediterranean's sun-soaked shores -inspired by travels chasing the sun, renowned head chef Sean Connolly uses home-grown ingredients to share flavours that transcend Sicily to Southern France. Esther is in the QT Hotel on Viaduct Harbour Avenue.
Eat and Drink | Viaduct Harbour
Esther brings a taste of the Mediterranean to the convivial ground floor of Auckland's QT hotel. Under the guidance of executive chef Sean Connolly, Esther mixes simplicity and wonder from their inviting country-style kitchen.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit