With locations at Newport and Mona Vale, Queen Ester is celebrating four years of community, culture and seriously good Israeli street food – and will soon be opening its third venue…
There are some places that become part of a community so naturally that it is hard to imagine the neighbourhood without them. Queen Ester Falafel Bar is one of those.
With locations at Newport and Mona Vale, the family-run business was brought to life by Liron Mayer, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu and cooked in kitchens across Australia and Israel, and her partner Niko Styr, who has more than fifteen years of hospitality experience.
Along with two former partners, they built the foundations of Queen Ester and now continue to grow the business with care, developing new recipes, menus, and experiences while staying true to their authentic offering.
“During COVID, we moved to Ingleside and immediately fell in love with the Northern Beaches, the nature, the calm, the relaxed, friendly vibe,” says Liron. “Food has always been our way to stay connected to our roots, and we wanted to share the flavours and street food we grew up on. The community’s curiosity and support from day one were incredible.”
“People welcomed us with open arms, and became regulars,” adds Nico. “Seeing families grow, friends meet over our tables, and regulars who know their order before they walk in is really the heartbeat of Queen Ester.”
Locals, families, and visitors alike have made the Newport and Mona Vale venues part of their routines. Some come for the signature falafel pita, others for the chicken shawarma or the sabich (Israeli sandwich), but everyone leaves with a little bit of Queen Ester magic; the fresh ingredients, the vibrant sauces, and the warm welcome from staff who treat everyone like family.
The menu is enticing – and the only challenge at the laidback venues is deciding what to have. Fortunately sharing is definitely encouraged!
For brekkie, standouts are shakshuka, the cheese omelette, and Challah bread with salami and and egg. There are also divine Israeli pastries both sweet and savoury.
Day dining offers up Pita dishes or bowls with the signature falafel, shawarma and mouthwatering accompaniments all served with lashings of tahini or hummus.
There are plans for exciting updates across both locations. The Mona Vale menu will soon include more breakfast options, new sides, and some favourite specials made regular. The Newport venue will be hosting pop-up dinners over the summer, complete with fun cocktails and tapas-style dishes.
And the most exciting news of all… early next year, Queen Ester will open a new location on Manly Corso! This new space will bring everything they have learned to the next level, including dinner service and new menu items, while keeping the same heart and authenticity that have made the Northern Beaches locations so loved.
Four years in, Queen Ester is more than a place to eat. Whether it is an extended breakfast, a pop-up dinner, or simply a falafel pita with friends, Nico and Liron have created a space where community comes together to talk, laugh, connect, belong – and enjoy seriously delicious food.
Queen Ester
📍5c/7 Robertson Rd, Newport
🕧 Open: Tues-Fri, 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun, 8am-10:30am (brekkie), 11am-2:30pm (lunch)
🌐https://www.queenester.com.au/new-port
&
📍44 Darley St, Mona Vale
🕧 Open Mon-Fri, 9:30am-2:30pm, Saturday, 8am-2:30pm (brekkie 8-10:30am)
🌐 https://www.queenester.com.au/mona-vale
Manly location coming soon…
Story by Evie Scully
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