"If you haven’t been to Esters, then prepare to add a new breakfast spot in your rotation. The menu at this beloved Stokey cafe varies, but is always creative and very good. Think oat congee with maple miso mushrooms, or an ice cream sando with a brown butter blackberry ripple. It’s a no-way-to-avoid-the-queue thing, but get there close to opening—at 8am or 9am on Saturdays—and you’ll be fine. Note: it’s closed on Sundays." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"Esters is a spot in Stoke Newington where locals swear by the eclectic breakfast and brunch options. Things are always changing here, from their soy-glazed, pork-filled milk buns, to meatball and labneh sandwiches, or wildly delicious takes on french toast. Expect flavourful dollops with every golden yolk, be it a spoonful of anchoïade or a smear of chimichurri. It’s walk-in-only, but the turnover is fast." - jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley
"The Stoke Newington cafe is best-known for its weekend brunch that has N16 locals lining up outside like it’s a YMC sample sale. But the equally lovely weekday breakfast, served from 8am until noon, is a much less busy affair. Like the brunch plates, breakfast at Esters is equal parts comforting and creative. Bodega-style breakfast sandwiches (if said bodega stocked Perelló olives and biodynamic wines) with egg, honey mustard mayo, cheddar, and wild garlic are the perfect example." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"Come to Esters for one of the best breakfasts around, stay for (several) mince pies in December. The Stoke Newington cafe adds an all-important glug of Somerset cider brandy. They’ve also promised that the pies will be even flakier than last year." - sinead cranna
"Though Esters aren’t making cups of coffee, they are still delivering bags of Hasbean coffee - and a few other bits - every Wednesday and Sunday. If you live nearby, hit this link." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak