Chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone has always cooked with a strong sense of place. Over her 24-year career, she has built a reputation dedicated to celebrating the best regional produce and hyper-seasonal treasures while supporting farmers with ethical and sustainable practices. Her menus pay homage to comfort cooking and nostalgia but always with a special Alanna twist and an elevated execution.
She previously led the award-winning ARC Dining in Brisbane, where, as Head Chef, she earned one hat in its first year and a swag of accolades including Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent, Courier-Mail’s Chef of the Year, and delicious. Unearthed Next Gen Chef.
Alanna also served as Head Chef of the acclaimed three-hatted Saint Peter in Sydney, and has gained broader experience cooking in Japan, Italy, and Arnhem Land—each place further influencing her craft and deepening her food philosophy.
In 2020, she launched Esmay as a three-month waterfront pop-up restaurant in Noosa, connected directly to her own farm—created during the height of COVID. This later evolved into a travelling pop-up, bringing her food to small towns and big cities alike.
Now in Adelaide, Esmay has found its permanent home. Here, Alanna is building a community of local growers, producers, and diners to helped shape Esmay in-with the hope that every guest leaves feeling nourished, welcomed, and part of the story.
History of Esmay
When Chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone launched Esmay in 2020, it was designed to last three months. Born from the sudden closure of her award-winning ARC Dining & Wine Bar in Brisbane during the pandemic, the pop-up was a way to keep cooking, connect with customers, and test a leaner, more agile hospitality model.
The initial Noosa residency, in the former two-hatted Wasabi space, proved a rapid success—built on an adaptable menu, a small footprint, and a focus on hyper-seasonal produce. That momentum prompted Sapwell-Stone to take Esmay on the road, operating in a variety of venues across Australia. These included the Ritz-Carlton restaurant in Perth, heritage pubs in Brisbane, and wine bars in Canberra — just some of the settings where the concept was tested and refined.
“Every stop was like a live market test. We were constantly tweaking the concept—with travelling we had different staff, various different venues, seasons, and uncovering produce unique to each place. But the best part was getting real feedback from each community and seeing what resonated with people in each place.”
OPERATING HOURS
Reservations welcome:
Thursday 5pm – 8.30pm
Friday 12pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday 12 – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Sunday 12pm – 3.30pm
Closed for Christmas, Boxing day & new years day.
BOOKING POLICY
Public Holidays
Should your reservation date fall on a public holiday, a surcharge of 15% will apply to all food and beverage prices.
Cancellation Policy
Credit card details are required to secure all reservations at ESMAY. We kindly request that you provide us with a minimum of 48hrs notice for cancellations, reduction in guest numbers or change the date requests.
Group Bookings
We welcome groups of up to 8 in the main dining room. Our Private Dining Room is coming soon and will be the perfect option for groups between 10 – 40 guests. The Private Dining Room will be able to be booked online through our reservations system (minimum spend applies). For more information, please contact [email protected]
LOCATION
ESMAY is located at 95 Hackney Road, Hackney, SA, 5000
ENQUIRIES
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 08 7077 0070
FAQs
Do you cater for dietary needs?
We can adjust our offering to suit most dietary requirements with 72 hours’ notice. Please inform us when you make your reservation.
Do you cater for children?
Our menu is tailored towards an adult dining experience. Having said that, if the children are comfortable dining with our menu we encourage the whole family to dine with us. Due to the intimate nature of our dining room, we are unable to provide highchairs or space for prams.
Is there parking available?
There’s a public car park on the corner of Richmond St and Hatswell Street, which is approximately 70 metres from Esmay.
Is Esmay wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Esmay is wheelchair accessible. We ask that you please let us know prior to your reservation so our team can arrange the best access for you.
Do you welcome BYO?
In short, yes. We understand that there are special bottles of wine to enjoy with loved ones. However, we ask that you adhere to our ‘bring one, buy one’ policy and charge $50 per bottle.
GIFT VOUCHER
The perfect gift! The value of the gift voucher can be customised, and is valid for 3 years. The gift voucher is delivered via email to the recipient. Gift Vouchers can be used at Esmay at any time.
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