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Essa Restaurant, Fortitude Valley, AU-QLD

Essa Restaurant

4.7
4.7
757 Reviews
$41 to $100
Wine Bar

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2 people
19:00
Booked 15 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Innovative
ESSA provides a destination to escape the expected.

Just like the raw interiors in which we reside, our work is simple but considered.

The ethos in the kitchen embraces collaboration with local farmers, hunters and providores, promoting an environmentally conscious approach to the menu. Harvest driven dishes provide the creative parameters for our ever evolving dining experience.

ESSA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm till late and Friday and Sunday lunch from 12pm.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, Modern Australian, Modern European
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri, Sun 12:00–16:00 Dinner Tue–Sat 17:00–23:00
  • Phone number
    (07) 3177 1011
  • Website
    http://www.essa.restaurant/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

Featured in

Experiences

  • Five Chefs, Five Plates

    Multiple dates available
    Wednesday Nights An experimental series taking over Wednesday evenings, providing the younger chefs, guest chefs and local producers with a platform to showcase fresh ideas and menu offerings. The dishes change weekly so no two weeks are the same! Please note on Wednesdays this is the only menu available and dietary requirements cannot be catered for. ALSO - WE ONLY TAKE YOUR CREDIT DETAILS TO HOLD THE BOOKING AND DO NOT CHARGE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU'RE IN VENUE, ON THE DAY OF THE BOOKING [even though it looks like we do, we don't!]
    Five Chefs, Five Plates photo

  • $68 Friday Lunches at ESSA

    A$68.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Friday Lunch $68pp It’s Friday at Essa, time for an express or long lunch Every Friday join us for our $68pp lunch + add ons The Nixon Room is open from 3pm for cocktails to finish the day ALSO - WE ONLY TAKE YOUR CREDIT DETAILS TO HOLD THE BOOKING AND DO NOT CHARGE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU'RE IN VENUE, ON THE DAY OF THE BOOKING [even though it looks like we do, we don't!]
    $68 Friday Lunches at ESSA photo

  • Leave it to us SET MENU

    Multiple dates available
    A staple dining experience at ESSA. Enjoy a produce-focused set menu celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients from long-standing suppliers and friends. Expect bold and creative flavours crafted subtly by the kitchen team. [If you're feeling extra fancy, add on the wine pairing!] $108pp! Contact the restaurant with any queries. *Please notify us of any dietary requirements or special requests in the notes section when confirming your reservation. ALSO - WE ONLY TAKE YOUR CREDIT DETAILS TO HOLD THE BOOKING AND DO NOT CHARGE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU'RE IN VENUE, ON THE DAY OF THE BOOKING [even though it looks like we do, we don't!]
    Leave it to us SET MENU photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 757 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Brisbane

    Innovative

  • Brisbane

    Hot spot

  • Brisbane

    Great for fine wines

  • Brisbane

    Romantic

  • Brisbane

    Good for special occasions

  • Inner Suburbs

    Innovative

  • Inner Suburbs

    Hot spot

  • Inner Suburbs

    Great for fine wines

  • Inner Suburbs

    Romantic

  • Inner Suburbs

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Essa Restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing food," "brilliant service," and a "fabulous atmosphere." Guests rave about the "Five Plates/Five Chefs menu" as great value and praise the staff's "knowledge and recommendations." The venue's "moody ambiance" enhances the experience, making it a top choice for fine dining in Brisbane.
757 Reviews

  1. Mikayla

    Sydney1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely fantastic meal. The staff were able to give good recommendations, informative with drinks and dishes, the attention to detail was world class.

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  2. Mel

    Brisbane1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Essa is always our go-to in Brisbane – never disappointed. The food is consistently creative and delicious, the atmosphere is intimate yet vibrant, and the service is always spot on. Whether it’s a special occasion or a casual night out, Essa never fails to impress.

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  3. Ellie

    Brisbane1 review

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great venue, great service but this time the food and value for money definitely let our visit down.

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  4. Will

    Canberra1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Five Plates/Five Chefs menu is extremely good value.

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  5. Jamie

    Brisbane1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Still one of the best restaurants in brisbane. Amazing food, Super attentive & accomodating staff to all our needs. Even better is how well priced it was for a dinner for 2 people. Everyone if they havent already, must try Essa.

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  6. Jessica

    Brisbane3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was absolutely amazing with excellent knowledge and recommendations, as well as, personable and entertaining. The food was exquisite with a delightful complexity to flavours. A beautiful venue with a moody ambiance.

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  7. julius

    Brisbane1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 8 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nduja and beignets, enough said. Great service from Chris and the tastiest of snacks!!!

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 2 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Favourite restaurant in Brisbane at the moment, food is always great, service is fun and knowledgeable and some really interesting wine on officer.

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  9. Maria

    Sunshine Coast4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Essa was fabulous! One of the best Brisbane culinary experiences we have had. Service -food- wines-ambience all amazing. Loved the set menu and how they thoughtfully swapped out the venison for a vegetarian option for my son and me. Loved, loved, loved it!

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  10. Freya

    Melbourne4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 19 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stunning service! We felt so looked after. The food was honestly the most impressive dishes I have ever seen and tasted. $66pp for a fantastic sharing menu is entirely worth every penny! Will definitely be coming back.

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FAQs

Essa Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 757 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 15 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Essa Restaurant

181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley, AU-QLD 4006

Additional information

  • Area
    Fortitude Valley
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri, Sun 12:00–16:00 Dinner Tue–Sat 17:00–23:00
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, Modern Australian, Modern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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