Esteban image

Esteban

Restaurant Mexican restaurant Latin american restaurant

One of the Top rated Mexican restaurants in Sydney


Address

1 Temperance Ln, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Website

www.estebanrestaurant.com.au

Contact

+61 2 9062 8565

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (788 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Sunday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Monday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Friday: (Australia Day), 5 pm to 12 am, Holiday hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (23) menu (22) service (20) Esteban (15) taco (14) restaurant (14) tacos (13) drinks (13) time (13) delicious (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jennifer C. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious food and cocktails. Cosy ambience. We had the set menu and highlight was the lamb and potatoes, (though seasoning is quite heavy). Attentive and friendly service from our waitress Chelsea who also gave us complimentary espresso martini’s to help celebrate our friend’s birthday. One of us didn’t eat coriander and they did a separate serving just for them - that’s proper service ! Will be back !
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Razel N. 2 years ago on Google
    My friend and I absolutely enjoyed dinner at Esteban. The range of flavours were exciting and everything we ordered was delicious. The chicken with mole sauce was amazing and so were the beef tartare tacos. Desserts were scrumptious. The variety of drinks was incredible. The place was vibrant and the service was really good.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kim D. 2 years ago on Google
    The ambience at Esteban is great. It’s very cozy, tables are lit by candlelight and it’s not obnoxiously loud, so a great place for date night or drinks after work. The food was nice, but not exceptional. The banana prawn taco was the highlight for me
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Travis L. 2 years ago on Google
    We loved Esteban the first time , we brought more friends along for the tequila and music. The food was amazing again for all the dishes we ordered. Only one dish (Doble Mole) we felt was under seasoned. Everything else was well seasoned and balanced. My friends loved it and definitely will be back again for more tequilas.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Parnesh C. 1 year ago on Google
    Highly recommend this place. The plates come out perfectly timed, the waiters are attentive yet give the personal space. Drinks are on point. The ambient lighting gives it another vibe to your foodie experience. Great job guys. I will be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher Q. 8 months ago on Google
    Celebrated my sister’s birthday here with a party of 6. Atmosphere was very chic, music was the perfect volume so you could hear each other during conversation. We decided to skip the tasting menu in favour of the Wagyu Steak + sides and a taco for each of our guests. Probably the best decision because the steak was so tender that it melted in your mouth like butter. Tacos were a delicious appetiser and we had a few cocktails too. Extra compliments to our lovely waitress, Fernanda, who did an incredible job servicing our table, making sure we were taken care of, and giving wonderful suggestions for our night at Esteban. Was even given a lil treat as we had our dessert! Thank you so much - a well deserved one hat for this restaurant.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Wayne C. 7 months ago on Google
    Overall we enjoyed our dinner but a few things were not as great as they could’ve been. We were happily seated at the bar and after selecting a bottle of wine to go with our dinner the bar tender decided that we’d had too much to drink and would only pour a couple of centimetres of wine at a time. At times it was difficult to get his attention to pour more wine which was frustrating. I’m all for the responsible service of alcohol but if you’ve decided we’ve had too much then we should never have been allowed to order a bottle of wine in the first place. We opted for the premium chefs menu and expected each dish to be served separately, except for the main and accompaniments. Instead the service felt rushed as multiple dishes came at the same time meaning it was hard to focus on and enjoy each dish. Overall the food was delicious with the exception of the pork belly which both my wife and I agreed was very dry and the salmon taco was underwhelming. The steak tartare taco and prawn taco were both delicious. We both enjoyed the Ling ceviche which was nice and fresh. The main course of steak with cabbage and potatoes was great. The surprise hero was the cabbage and the dressing - so good. And to top it all off the desert was divine. I just wish I didn’t have to share it with the wife.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Leonard 4 months ago on Google
    Friendly, fast, flavorful, and freaking expensive!! Never again will I pay 14AUD for a taco that I must then pay 3 more dollars for hot sauce that should already come with it. This place appeals to those who want to feel more upscale/boogie. And again while it wasn't a bad restaurant. The prawn fish tacos and the tequila mockingbird cocktail I ordered were tasty and the service and atmosphere were executed well... but not to the level of being worth the prices. The taco was too scrawny for that price and the cocktail was too low strength. Having traveled across the world in comparable cities in the US, South Africa, and Mexico I can tell you the value is sadly overrated. I've had better tacos for less and better cocktails for more. I believe the restaurant should reevaluate pricing or at least bulk up the happy hour menu. Or they could do more on the service side to bridge the gap. But currently there is a big gap I see with menu prices.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helena T. 4 months ago on Google
    This was a 5 star dining experience with exceptional food. I don’t think you can go wrong with this food menu. There’s a great selection of drinks too. You must try their margaritas. The staff are friendly and attentive. The ambience is very cozy and inviting. This was a great find.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James A. 2 years ago on Google
    Went to Esteban for the first time this week and loved it: fresh ingredients, creative approach to familiar recipes, excellent service and great vibe. Try the different tacos and ordering a margarita is Essen! I love the location - used to be a regular at Grasshopper - and wonderful to see Temperance lane return as a fun location! Can’t wait to come back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amanda B. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a fantastic dinner here. The set menu was delicious, great value for money and the lamb shoulder was a stand out. The service was phenomenal. Will definitely he coming back!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brendan Dan T. 2 years ago on Google
    From the moment you walk in you are treated to a masterclass in hospitality excellence. The service, food and drinks are sensational. This is a must visit more than once venue.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarah charles (. 2 years ago on Google
    Esteban is a great restaurant in the Sydney CBD showcasing the food of Central and Latin America. We’ve tried food at their sister restaurant, Tequila Mockingbird and loved it, so had been keen to check out Esteban for a while now. The menu at Esteban is great, they have a range of tacos, mains and desserts, highlighting traditional cooking techniques as well as modern Australian. We began with tacos; the Taco Al Pastor - adobo marinated pork (cooked over a charcoal rotisserie), white onion, cilantro, salsa verde, pina as well as the Fire Grilled Mooloolaba Banana Prawn Taco - charred tomatillo crema, salsa mexicana. The tacos were super tasty, featuring perfect flavour combinations resting on in house freshly made soft corn tortillas. For the mains, we enjoyed the Fremantle Octopus chile de arbol, green olive raisin purée, dehydrated olives, micro celery. It was beautifully presented and nicely charred. The food highlight for us was the beautiful Wattleseed Rubbed Duck Breast with aji amarillo, grilled scallion. The duck was perfectly cooked and flavoured and a real standout. Drinks here are also great and it’s all about the Tequilla, with plenty of Tequilla and Mezcal to sip or featuring in the cocktails. There’s with a huge range of drinks on the list and you could peruse the list all night. We thought the service was excellent and food was extremely efficiently prepared and delivered with little wait time, which we love. The space is dimly lit (so hence my photos are pretty bad) with high ceilings and furnished with dark wood, leather and copper. We’re keen to revisit and try more of what the menu has to offer.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sherille S. 8 months ago on Google
    Absolutely superb and fully deserving of its one hat from Good Food guide. Rustic, warm and cosy ambience. Loved the exposed timber beams. Food to die for. Everything tasted so fresh and obviously prepared with care and passion for food. The prawns were plump inside the warm freshly made tortillas. The steak was beautifully cooked and so tender with the potato side. Loved it all. Can't wait to come back. Would have preferred the Margaritas in particular to have been cheaper so I could have more of them. A very special experience.

  • 5/5 Stephen G. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome little spot, with amazing staff and an interesting menu. Amazing spirits menu, you could spend weeks going through all the tequila and mezcal options here. Knowledgeable staff make it easier to pick, and are happy to chat through the various tequila flights available. You'll need to book, as it's still popular and there is limited seating. There are a few spots at the bar, some tables for 2 and 4, and three or four tables which can be joined together for a group. Don't be afraid to start early, and while 5pm is super early for dinner it's a great time to arrive and start making your way through the cocktail and spirits list.

  • 5/5 Kev | Inovasis D. 10 months ago on Google
    Perfect lunch. Great drinks and food and huge shout out to Sarah - the perfect host. Professional, knowledgeable and above all nice - we'll be back!

  • 4/5 Hyunyoung 8 months ago on Google
    Esteban is one of my favorite restaurant. Every time I went, I had a satisfying meal and especially pink ling ceviche and roasted calamari are my favourite!! yummy tastes fresh and tangy💕

  • 5/5 Rona L. 1 year ago on Google
    My friends and family were absolutely enjoyed birthday celebrations dinner at Esteban last night. The staff was passionate and energetic. Phenomenal service, cool music, cozy atmosphere and delicious foods brought us unforgettable night. First time to try tequila and loved it.

  • 5/5 N C. 10 months ago on Google
    Absolute incredible food. Love the wood fire grill and smoky taste. Did the tasting menu, it's all amazing, special mention to the lamb shoulder with birria sauce.

  • 5/5 Sarai R. 8 months ago on Google
    Food was excellent I had the tacos al pastor and the shrimp (prawn) tacos and they were super delicious. Honestly they were pricey at 14 each taco, size of a normal corn tortillas. But full of flavor. The black bean and totopos (chips) sound simple but were super delicious so much flavour. The paloma drink was super great too. Would definitely come back.

  • 5/5 Zerefu 5 months ago on Google
    Had the best dining experience at Esteban! Food: Came with 8 dishes in total. Every dish was amazing and the portion was just right. Atmosphere: loved the dark yet warm ambience of the place. Loved the candle at every table. The macabre mexican decors were also very cool. Service: most amazing service ever by our guy Marvin. I came to celebrate my partner’s birthday and Marvin gave us both a glass of espresso martini, which were our first. We loved it and it was the perfect drink to end off the celebration. He was the most friendly and makes you feel like home. Overall, 10/10 place! Trust the other great reviews here :)

  • 5/5 Cici S. 5 months ago on Google
    Last time we visited Sydney, we couldn't get into this restaurant because we had no booking so we made a booking this time . Their food, cocktails and service are excellent. The drinks selection is too many so we just ask for the recommendation which the staff gave good recommendations based on what type of cocktails we like. The only little issue for me is sitting on the high chair in front of the kitchen or bar is not very comfortable for very short people like me. I do enjoy seeing what happens in the kitchen though. I will definitely be back but I won't be sitting on those high chair sitting 😊.

  • 5/5 crankycicada 4 months ago on Google
    A great experience. Great food and great drinks. I couldn’t fault anything. The flavours and portions were great. They accommodated very easily for a pescatarian allowing others to have the meat dishes. The drinks were great too.

  • 4/5 Timeshare C. 3 months ago on Google New
    Went for Happy Hour which is only for outdoor laneway seating. Service was great and very attentive. Not much atmosphere in the laneway compared to the inside of the restaurant which is dimly lit and amazing. The margarita ($12) came served in a very small coupe glass and was only 3/4 full and tasted like it had no alcoholic in it. The Tequila Mockingbird cocktail ($12) was served in a whisky glass and because of the larger size I held higher hopes for alcohol content - but again this was incredibly weak. Tequila you can always taste! The tacos were $9 each. The steak tartare hard shell taco was tiny. I cant imagine paying full price ($14) for one. The pork belly soft taco was a bit bigger and tasty. We ordered a salsa flight for $11 which had 3 small containers of hot sauces. The tortilla chips were not included +$5. We ordered more chips (which we mistakenly thought were complimentary like most Mexican restaurants). They were delivered to the wrong table, who ate them. Rather than admit their mistake, the waitress snapped at us that the tortilla chips had to be cooked fresh for us, which seemed unrealistic. So all up $10 for tortilla chips! This was a nice albeit expensive treat, the branding and theming is immaculate but Id be really annoyed if I paid full price for their tacos and cocktails ($20+) and got served the same as the Happy Hour fare. My friend and I went to a bar after Esteban to have a proper alcoholic drink.

  • 5/5 Vivian C. 5 months ago on Google
    Absolutely surprise! Was a random pick for a Friday dinner with friend, and everything was stunning! The only improvement I could think, is a sign on George street so easier to find the place. The staff there were friendly, and never leave the table messy or glass empty. They inform you the cooking time of the main so you know how long to expect the next course. And the food! The ceviche was fresh and best balanced with chilli and vinegar, but not over taking. The potato was crispy on the skin and smooth inside.

  • 5/5 David M. 9 months ago on Google
    I had my doubts about the address, but what a pleasant surprise. Mexican fusion cuisine. The Margaritas would be worthy to describe in terms of Sydney's best. Food is amazing. Price is well up there but for a special night out highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Dineshan G. 10 months ago on Google
    Fantastic experience. Great ambience and intimate setting. The staff were fantastic and worked so seamlessly around each other and the servings. The food and cocktails …wow… blown away at how good every flavour combination was and attention to detail it all had from presentation to portion size. Definitely a new favourite restaurant!

  • 5/5 Stephen R. 10 months ago on Google
    Had the Chef's Menu and thought it was very good and well paced. Service friendly and attentive. Very extensive drinks selection. The restaurant is very popular and the table is often booked back to back, something to keep in mind if you come for an earlier sitting. Would definitely recommend!

  • 5/5 Brad S. 9 months ago on Google
    Absolutely loved this place! The food was fantastic. So many great food options (I recommend the set menu), and you definitely won't leave hungry. The prawn tacos were a favourite for me, and I'm not even much of a seafood person! It's a restaurant you need to try for yourself to understand (it's quite hard to describe), but I daresay the best restaurant in Sydney.

  • 5/5 Pauline S. 1 year ago on Google
    Everything was absolutely exceptional. The food was perfectly cooked. The beef tartare taco and prawn taco were absolutely delicious and the the kitchen chicken was beautifully charred and was so tender it was practically melt in your mouth. My husband said it was the best chicken he has ever had. We sat at the chef’s table and enjoyed watching all the action in the kitchen plus took note of what we will order next time! We don’t often return to the same restaurant twice but we will definitely be back at Esteban to try what we couldn’t fit in. Staff and atmosphere were also excellent.

  • 5/5 Siena C. 1 year ago on Google
    We sat at the chefs table and wow it was pretty special to watch all the food come out. Absolutely tempted me to order the other dishes. We ordered the set menu + bean dip. Recommend/10 ✌️ We had a lover server as well to bring together the whole experience (it could have been Julia?) including helping us choose the best pairing wine. Wouldn’t have been special without her.

  • 5/5 Katrina M. 2 years ago on Google
    Really wonderful experience. We sat at the chef's counter where you can watch everything being prepared - despite the packed restaurant, kitchen staff were so calm and professional, very smooth operation. Food was amazing, such different flavours and beautiful presentation. We had the set menu, everything was great - highlight for us was the "Picante Pescado Del Mercado" in the Crudo section of their menu. Service was great, staff had excellent knowledge of the drinks menu and they made it extra special with complimentary espresso martinis as we were celebrating a special occasion - such a thoughtful touch and memorable way to end the night! Will definitely recommend and be back again. Thank you ❤️

  • 5/5 Fei 2 years ago on Google
    Above and beyond expectation. Every dish was delicious. Would highly recommend the 1kg wagyu and broccolini. Good service too. Perfect place to bring your date to. Thank you.

  • 5/5 Robbie V. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was amazing! Service was good… ambience was lovely with some really good Latin music played at the right volume (not loud). Good spot for an intimate date and they have a very extensive Mezcal menu… cocktails are in plenty too! If u love Mexican fine dining look nowhere else in Sydney! My only issue was the small 2 seater tables that couldn’t accommodate more than 3 or 4 big plates but the waitress made sure to keep checking and clearing them as they get empty…hopefully they would do it even when it’s crowded… over all I would give this place a high recommendation!

  • 5/5 Stephanie L. 2 years ago on Google
    Only the set menu was available however it was a great way to try some of their best dishes. We also added the banana prawn tacos (my fave dish of the night) and upgraded the main to the Wagyu which was delicious! Service was super lovely and attentive. The waitress even asked if we needed a break before serving dessert which was much needed! We also got given two complimentary espresso martini shots for my birthday which was such a nice gesture. Definitely keen to come back with a larger group!

  • 4/5 Candice .. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a lovely evening at Esteban - there were many positives: the friendly and prompt service, nice ambiance, good mocktails and overall quality of the set meal (particularly The kingfish and tamales!) There were two disappointing points though: the salmon main we ordered (as an alternate to the lamb, since we couldn't have it and the wagyu rump upgrade was unavailable) was well cooked, but quite ordinary and without much of the Mexican pizzazz of some of the earlier dishes. Also, we were charged $4.50pp for the still water we were given when we arrived (asked whether we wanted sparkling or still) which was a bit surprising. Not sure if it was bottled still water, but maybe we'll ask for tap next time. Anyway overall it was a lovely night and will return again when the ala carte menu returns.

  • 5/5 Libby W. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a awesome night here. Good and drinks were good and king fish ceviche was the best among the food we ordered. Love the atmosphere and just a bit too dark to read the menu. 😂

  • 5/5 Amanda O. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food, got the tasting menu and every dish was awesome! Lovely atmosphere, even better service! Def will be back again. Thank you Esteban 😁

  • 5/5 Anthony N. 2 years ago on Google
    We ordered the: beef tartare taco beef shank taco Kingfish ceviche Yellowfin tuna Taco as pastor The beef tartare, kingfish and tuna were the highlight of the night. Great food, atmosphere and service.

  • 5/5 Marissa M. 2 years ago on Google
    We ordered delivery given lockdown and the service was seamless and Suzana super helpful. The spicy margarita was just as we remembered and everything tasty. The only minor point was the lamb was over cooked. But happy to overlook given they went out of their way to help out and everything else proving tasty

  • 5/5 Hayley T. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food and drinks accompanied by the most attentive service. Extra points for this awesome bartender and his drink recommendations.


Call +61 2 9062 8565 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy-hour food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible lift
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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