Essen Restaurant

I’m sorry but, why??!! A very expensive meal at $89 per head to get raw vegetables and dip, mushrooms on focaccia, lamb I could easily cook myself and a bit of cheesecake slapped in a small bowl. The atmosphere was very bland, we were seated opposite the open doorway to the very brightly lit kitchen and when asked to move got attitude from the waiter in return. We moved anyway and this set the tone for the service to follow. Overall very underwhelming and we left super disappointed as we had heard positive comments from others. Can’t see myself rushing back there in a hurry or recommending to any of my friends who may be visiting Stanthorpe.

Our experience was extremely poor. I certainly don't understand the hype about this place. We arrived get taken to our table and get told they need the table by a certain time. For $89 I expect to be able to enjoy my meal without being rushed. To meet there time frames they brought three main meals at the same time. This place does not deliver a true degustation experience. I expressed my disappointment and I do now as well. It is ridiculous...we just wanted to enjoy our experience, but nothing of the sort. Don't go there...find somewhere else and enjoy that. Essen offers a very poor experience. They also seem to lack an understanding of dietary requirements. Let me say it again...don't go there, save your money and enjoy somewhere else.

This is a special experience in Stanthorpe. The food quality is far above any restaurant you will find anywhere else. Local produce dictates what you will have on your menu and it is fresh and exciting. The service is beautiful and we highly recommend for an exceptional experience in Stanthorpe.

Amazing! Essen serves a set menu that changes weekly. The staff are so professional and helpful. The food is outstanding with each dish using as much locally sourced and house prepared ingredients as possible.The house made spaghetti with home made bacon had the most wonderful al dente bite.It is only BYO so you have no excuse but to bring along a bottle of something amazing to go with the beautiful food.

From the very beginning was not impressed. I have absolutely no idea what the hype is about with this run down establishment. We did take others advice and booked in. I was asked when booked a month earlier was it a special occasion. I replied with my wife's birthday and would love a great table.Not once during our time there was any comments made toward my wife for her birthday. Why make a deal out of asking for special occasions or not when obviously no one cares about it at Essen. We we're sat looking through a wide door into the shelving in the kitchen, it was the worst table in the place and we were the only ones there at the time. I asked to move, the only waiter who had face tattoos not tribal" was not happy but we did move. The table was not decorated and only had a tiny vase with one flower in it. This was the only table decoration NOT EVEN A CANDLE. The room was loud

Absolutely delicious. Our 3rd time to Stanthorpe and we finally got a booking here. Definitely worth the wait, if you're undecided, definitely just book!

Holy shi...... I mean, WOW. Just, wow.Appetiser of frittatensuppe (a savory chicken broth with ribbons of light crepe egg and chives) was warm and nourishing, perfect at taking away the chill of the early spring evening.Entreé of beef carpaccio with salsa verde and sunflower seed tarator (an almost gritty textured white paste full of flavor) and fresh green leaves and flowers. The flavors were bright, zingy, and very fresh.Main course of duck with red cabbage, pumpkin seed BROWNIE and just. Earthy, robust, very very satisfying.Also with a side of crunchy roast potatoes with cultured cream and alliums. Amazing emphasis on the crunchy, and vegetarian friendly crunch! But altogether, the cream and sweetly tart alliums, the flavors danced so well together. I would have happily had these on their own.Paired entreé and main with the 2021 ridgemill estate Tempranillo. Perfect recommendation from the lovely staff at the wine cellar, the vintage emphasized the food, and the food then made the wine's flavors sing.Dessert was an orange parfait with whipped chocolate and fresh rosemary blossoms. I would have happily eaten another serve, and this dish will haunt my food dreams for weeks.For what it's worth, I am lactose intolerant, but honestly the dessert was WORTH IT (if I had forgotten my tablets! All good!).Waiter for the night was Chris. Professional, with just the right amount of attention and timing, and well informed with the week's menu. An asset to the business. Very impressed with the rest of the staff's work as well, based on observations of other tables' service and kitchen vibe.My taste buds are so happy right now.

A set menu from Winter 2022 with the entree, main and dessert all photographed and followed by the vegan gluten free alternatives custom prepared by the amazing head chef, Clarissa Pabst, who happily chatted with us at the end of our dinner.Really good food, well balanced and prepared with some innovation and great service.

A fantastic example of using farm fresh produce from paddock to plate! Could not fault anything. It is a must try for anyone visiting Stanthorpe!