ESMÉ Bar & Kitchen - Coffs Harbour, NSW

ESMÉ Bar & Kitchen is the new restaurant everyone in Coffs Harbour is talking about – named ESMÉ as a tribute to owner Nicole Donovan’s late grandmother.

The menu, and interior design is Mediterranean inspired, and the restaurant is awash with fresh coastal colours featuring blue and white.

How did ESMÉ Bar & Kitchen come about?

Nicole and business partner Damien Attwood were working together as local hospitality consultants. With their combined restaurant and hospitality experience they thought… "Let’s open our own restaurant and offer something different to what is currently available in the area."

When the prime corner location at the Jetty village became available, it was serendipity.

Nicole explained, "We want to create food and cocktails from sunny lands. Our menu is inspired by Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, and Italy to name a few."

The current menu includes tapas, chargrilled Greek Souvlaki, Eye Fillet with Paris Butter, Chicken Milanese, Moroccan Chickpea Curry, Greek Fried Potatoes, Cauliflower Shawarma, Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts, and more.

The Beef and Chicken Souvlaki is fast becoming a favourite, and the Cauliflower Shawarma leans into Middle Eastern flavours using pomegranate seeds and tahini. ESMÉ is the perfect place to enjoy dinner on a balmy summer evening, indoors or on the outdoor deck overlooking Harbour Drive.

The restaurant aims to revitalise the friendly and welcoming energy that made Coffs Harbour Jetty a vibrant part of the community.

In a welcome move for locals and tourists, Nicole and Damien’s restaurant offers consistent, tourist-friendly opening hours, 7 days a week.

Cocktails and bites are available from 3pm, and dinner service starts at 5pm and runs until 9pm.

The menu is continuously evolving, with plans to offer take away and home delivery options.

Nicole is looking for a local maker of flatbreads for their souvlaki, shawarmas, and kebabs. If anyone you know has these skills she would love to hear from you.

ESMÉ Bar & Kitchen, Jetty Village, 59/361 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Book online: esmebarandkitchen.com

Food Review written by Awia Markey and published in the Mid North Coast Arts Guide, January 2024 issue.