Alby and Esther's

Alby and Esther's

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Posted 2016-12-02 by Jane Wongfollow


Can you tell me a bit about Alby & Esther's?

Located in the heart of Mudgee, a town in the Central West of New South Wales, Alby & Esther's is a (literal) hidden gem - you have to walk up the brick alley along Market Street in order to reach the place! Open 6 days a week (sometimes 7) as a coffee house by day and wine bar by night, this versatile eatery is a must-visit for locals and travellers alike. With great food and friendly service cemented by a relaxing ambience, Alby & Esther's is sure to exceed your expectations in more areas than one.




What seating options are available at Alby & Esther's?

There is ample seating including both indoor and outdoor options - dogs are more than welcome to sit outdoors with their owners. The outdoor seating is in a courtyard-esque area, complete with leafy trees that serve as a canopy over diners' heads. The furniture out here is basic and simple, but they go together nicely and matches the relaxing ambience of the place. There is also additional outdoor seating in an almost hidden laneway towards the back of the cafe, a perfect choice for more intimate meals.





For those who prefer sitting indoors, there are again plenty of seating options. One option is to sit inside the actual cafe, where the counter and kitchen area - there is a comfortable suede couch that circles the perimeter of this space, alongside rustic wooden tables. Complementing these are bright and vibrant paintings that line the walls of the cafe - it makes for a positive place for one to sit down and have a meal in. Another indoor seating option is a separate area that combines an art gallery with more seating. With larger tables, this would be a good choice for bigger groups. It's also a great choice if you appreciate good art.






Is the artwork displayed in for sale?

Yes, they sure are! All the artwork displayed inside the cafe and the gallery are available for purchase. For more detailed information on pricing, please _Esthers/contact.html contact , or pop in for a visit next time you are in the area. display a different artist's work every 3 months, so there will always be something new to look at.


What food is available at , and how is it?

There is a wide range of options available at , with reasonable prices ranging from $10 to $18 (without adding extra sides). There are also specials available each day, so check their blackboard in the cafe to see what's on! In addition to cooking food fresh to order, endeavour to use local produce to support their local producers whenever we can - "every dish has a local accent". The majority of their food sources are from within Mudgee, including High Valley Wine & Cheese , Mudgee Bakery & Cafe , and S S Meats - just to name a few! Their menus change with the seasons - similar to their art pieces, you'll always have something new to look forward to.



Unfortunately, I arrived in Mudgee after their kitchen had already closed, but one of the friendly staff said they still had jaffles with locally smoked ham, farmer brown egg and swiss cheese with relish available for $10 - I was starving so I said I would take one. It was unbelievably good; so good in fact, that I returned the next morning for another, before leaving Mudgee. I had a chance to look at the menu on my second visit, and saw that the jaffle was listed as 'Our Famous Jaffle', which has - with a jaffle this good, it's no wonder they're famous!



also have a range of freshly baked goodies available at the counter inside the cafe, including melting moments, muffins, and croissants.


What drinks do have available?

have an extensive drinks menu - more specifically, there are 2 whole pages of options to choose from! Their range includes coffee (predominantly Brazillian with Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Columbian and Sumatran - a sweet, smooth, and textural palate), loose leaf teas by Teacraft , local cruit cordials, soft drinks, juices, and milkshakes.





I opted for the English Breakfast Tea - a loose leaf tea by Teacraft. The tea was brewed to perfection, complemented by an aesthetically pleasing presentation in the form of a rustic blue mini kettle.



If you're a coffee lover (or caffeine dependent), it's also worth noting that have a rewards system - buy 9 drinks and get your 10th free! With many locals popping in for a takeaway coffee every day that they are open, get through a whole heap of coffee beans each week. To do their bit for the environment, recycle their coffee grounds, so feel free to bring in a plastic bucket and collect it filled with coffee grounds! They can be placed straight in your garden, used to feed worms and repel snails, or added to your compost for a nitrogen rich boost.



If none of the drink options catch your eye, there is of course also water available, with a self-service water station outside the cafe - dog bowls are provided too. Thanks !




Did you mention that Alby And Esther's are also a wine bar by night?

I sure did! On Fridays and Saturdays, extend their opening hours and are open till 10pm, bringing you a range of alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) beverages from wines to cocktails, and beers to ciders. For a full menu, see their _Esthers/menu_files/glass%20wine%20may.pdf website . Mudgee is a major wine producing region - you can't visit Mudgee without sampling some of their fine wine, and what better place to do this than at ?


Any final comments about ?

In terms of logistics, day bookings are taken for groups over the size of 6, and bookings are recommended for the evenings as it can get quite busy. In terms of my experience, Eddy and I had the most wonderful time - despite visiting alone on both occasions as we were doing a solo road trip at the time, we always had people, both staff and other patrons, come up for pats and chats which we very much enjoyed! The food and drink was amazing, and service was fast and friendly - I couldn't have asked for more.



"To eat well is to live well; to drink well even better. Some wise person's words. Our philosophy at Alby & Esther's is simple; make everything uncomplicated but delicious. If this sounds like your style of dining, we are the place to be." -

We look forward to visiting again the next time we are in the area!

#breakfast
#cafes
#dog_friendly
#food_wine
#near_mudgee
#restaurants
%wnmudgee
79815 - 2023-06-11 05:22:09

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