I stopped in to Esther's for a late lunch today. I've lived in the area for 26 years and for some reason this is my first time here. This is such a quaint and charming little spot. The owners were lovely. It's now owned and run by a Latino couple. They told me they purchased the place about 4 years ago. I ordered the bratwurst in a bun (I chose the polish sausage) and a side of potato salad. The total for the two came to $20.10. The polish sausage was good, the pretzel bun was delicious. I actually sliced up the sausage and ate the sausage and bun separately dipping both in the German mustard. The mustard was the star of the plate! It was absolutely fantastic. The potato salad was supposed to be a traditional German potato salad (made without mayo) but it was very runny and had no flavor. More like bland runny mashed potato's (but with no butter or cream) with lumps of potatoes in it. It was $5.95. I would suggest to pass on this item. I couldn't leave without trying dessert so I tried the almond lemon torte and a berry cream cake. The cake was a very light sponge cake with whipped cream filling. The lemon torte with the light almond crust was delicious. I would highly recommend! The two items came to a total of $17.90. The breakfast seems to be pretty popular and looking at the menu I can see why. I'll be back again to try some of the breakfast items and a few items I noticed on the lunch/dinner menu. (And I really want to try one of their large pretzels,made in house, with that delicious German mustard) read more

See all

I don't know if I've ever been so sad after visiting a beloved old haunt. This place used to be brilliant, delicious, authentic German and packed with customers waiting in line to get their awesome baked goods. Now it's still got the old name but instead of serving delicious authentic food they are serving stale ( from a microwave??) disgusting pretzels and the service is also horrible. Please don't go here. It's beyond the time to find a new place to eat German food. I feel like we should have a little sad fest missing what this awesome place used to be. Esther will live forever on our hearts, but you won't find any hints of her here. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - "german Pretzel" (not authentic, not even good for in-authentic) - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

Live Bavarian music 2nd Thursday, 12:30-2:30. Great German bier on tap. - 4.6/5: Potato pancakes with lox: they are definitely made in advanced and warmed up, but they are good. - 4.6: Kasse Spaetzle. Al dente. Consistent. - 4.6: The bratwurst in a pretzel bun is quote good. Much more flavorful than expected. - 3.5: The Napoleon, with chocolate, vanilla frosting, and cherry topping, is ok - 3.0: The chocolate torte is not worth the calories. - 2.2: Burnt almond cake. Not nearly as good as the one at Sugar Butter Flour. read more

See all

Came here twice already. Once for the pancake and then the second time, I thought I'd try the lunch options. The schnitzel was SO good! The seasoning was tasty and the chicken tender. I could've done without the salad. The special was also very tasty. I wish the pasta had soaked up more of the stew flavor, but overall it was good. Had to get the Pfannkuchen again because it's that yummy. You don't even need syrup on it. Also, give their mocha a try, it was so creamy and chocolaty. read more

See all

Very good food! Super good potato pancakes and lox!! Maybe not a signature dish but should be.. it's my go-to. Delicious!! read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - The German pancake with raisins, thicker than the super thin pancakes, but same flavor. Pretty good! - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

See all

My friend Jinsol and I came to Esther's Kitchen for some brunch a number of years ago. She was Korean and we had Korean food places closer to where we both lived in Albany. Trying to find a place for one of my ethnicities, I found Esther's Kitchen as a place offering German food. Inquiring if she would be interested in trying it out, she said yes, so we tried it out. On our visit, she was particularly spellbound by the bakery offerings, including bread, that was rapidly dwindling with a long line of eager customers snatching it all up. We opted for in-restaurant dining, each going with a plate meal. My order was a Bavarian breakfast (yes I even have ancestors who hailed from Bavaria), which consisted of poached sausages (weisswurst), pretzel, sweet mustard, and radish. I found the items tasty and well-executed, enjoying the adventure of figuring out what order to eat the items in/how to eat the items. She thought it was different, in a good way. Workers were professional and quick in our interactions. read more

Delicious german food, giving a bit more cafe vibes actly (but i didnt know theres outdoor seating). My husband got pork schnitzel and i got the german pancake. I actly hate getting any type of brunch pancake but my husband wanted one savory and one sweet so i relented. Best pancakes ever. Idky every other brunch place is all dried out floury pancake, utterly unpleasant. But esthers is crispy on the edge and soft on the inside with apples in the center, almost like mochi. Very delicious. My husband's schnitzel was also perfectly fried and for something with no sauce, its flavorful. The potatoes were also good. & Again im comparing it to brunch where everything is over fried and overly crispy. Esther's chef took care to make sure things were well prepared. Gotta get the sauerkraut and red pickled cabbage. I also got a blueberry banana smoothie, prob artificial but its good. The establishment is very bright and clean. Service was nice - she recommended the goulash which we'll prob get next time! I also noticed it was near their afternoon closing time and she didnt rush anyone out. read more

We've gone to Esther's a couple of times and I've been impressed with the attentive service and delicious food! The inside has plenty of tables but the back outdoor patio is super cute. Their beverages range from espresso to large pints of German beer. Their German pancakes are a must (with apple is my favorite)! read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Pfannkuchen with apples and schlemmer breakfast! - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

This place is a hidden gem I have never had German food and was a bit skeptical but honestly beat my expectations breakfast was delicious! Enjoyed my whole meals and definitely will be coming back. The owner is super friendly and explained what each dish was. The inside is beautiful but if you want nice fresh air with a good ambiance I recommend sitting outside, it is hidden in the back but I do recommend it. Food was a 10/10 read more

See all

Don't even bother visiting. I try incredibly hard to avoid 1 star reviews unless I feel strong about it. I should've used my instincts when I came in to this crowded unclean restaurant that this was the beginning of a terrible experience. Floors aren't swept, tables covered in food and dishes, people crowding the register. But like most adventurous people who respect the food industry, I get that staff can be backed up or some orders take longer to cook, or maybe there's just a large party dining in. I truly get it. I wanted to give this a chance as it seemed like a diamond in the rough due to the current review status. Boy was I so wrong. I waited for over an hour for a soup, salad and pork Schnitzel (still waiting as I type this review) . Staff did not give us any update, nor did they seem to remember what we ordered, no sense of urgency. What's the point of giving us a receipt number, or table placard with numbers if no one is following it, and there's a handful of people asking for a status update? It wasn't until we asked for a refund IF they haven't started with preparing our order did they actually care. Mind you now it's 30minutes before closing, they are still taking orders and they still haven't served others who are just as upset for not being served. Maybe it was a bad day, but it affected me and family enough to not consider coming back. Good luck to you Esther's Update: after 1hr 45min, They forgot our salad, the soup of the day was sub par Campbells soup, and their pork schnitzel was lackluster. read more

Super cute place! Hidden gem between Mountain View and Los Altos. They have a lot of authentic German options and fun selection of dessert. The staff is very nice, Patient and considerate. I recommend for a calm breakfast or lunch. read more

So TLDR, the original Esther's is gone. I stopped by having missed they are under new management and now operate as a restaurant only, serving mostly reheated items made elsewhere. For example, the Bavarian breakfast has a similar menu description, but instead of transcendental house made German pretzels, it's served with the previously-frozen-and-reheated American soft pretzels - the kind you buy in the freezer section of a Safeway. Sweet Bavarian mustard missing, just served basic deli mustard. Sauerkraut is the standard jarred stuff and the sausage seems previously frozen and reheated. The food would be fine at a lower price point but the prices are still set to "special house made items" level even though it's more of a "reheated and plated" items spot now. The dishes are overpriced for plated packaged food (I spent over $20 for what I could buy and reheat at home for around $8), but if you're just looking for a middling Germanesque restaurant and don't care about the markup, it's not bad for what it is. I'm sure the new folks are doing their best to offer a similar menu given that they likely don't hold same expertise or vision as the original German bakery owners and need a different business model that reflects that. The service is fine and they retained the Esther's aesthetic. However, the original Esther's offerings were special, built around the backbone of exceptional in house German bakery items. In comparison, this new version of the place feels like a pale (and overpriced) shadow, which is disappointing. On its own merit, this place is a 3/5. If you came looking for the original Esther's, it may feel more like 2/5. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Bavarian breakfast, no longer with house made pretzels - now reheated previously frozen-and-reheated American soft pretzels - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

-The food & service & ambiance is outstanding. :) -We have been coming here for many many years. :) -All the food is so delicious. Especially the Beef Goulash & Chicken Schnitzel & Sandwiches & Potato Pancakes, Omelettes & the Beer & Desserts. :) read more

Frozen butter, ordered 2 eggs got half an egg at max, microwaved bacon tool AT LEATST 20 minutes

Real hole in the wall place that I only noticed because I walk by it every week on the way to my acupuncture treatment. I'm pretty easy to impress, so I was originally going to give it a 5-star review before reading Monica S.'s 3-star review on here. Apparently there was a change in ownership that led to a serious quality decline. I have once again shown up somewhere past its peak as it circles oblivion. Story of my life. read more

This place has gone downhill in recent years. I came in for some pastries and they no longer have the bee sting cake, apple strudel or plum cake. The display was pretty empty and nothing German. The Berliner jelly donuts are the only ones left. The prices have gone up too. Unfortunately I can't recommend this place and won't be back. It's not really German anymore maybe German inspired at best. I just left disappointed. read more

The food here was very good and did not disappoint! I enjoyed their omelets. It was so fluffy and light. Their German pancake was probably my favorite. It was very tasty and I love how light it was. Never tried it with apple sauce before but it totally worked! I also got her Bavarian breakfast which is served with pretzel and their traditional sweet mustard. Honestly I loved it. Not sure why others didn't but I love how simple it was! I would definitely try it out and see for yourself. I had a good experience! read more

This is no longer an authentic German place. I wish the new owners didn't try to continue to advertise this as a German restaurant because it simply isn't. Sure, they still have some German packaged goods, which they probably get from Dittmer's across the street, but their baked goods are not authentic. The good Laugenbrezeln have been replaced by American versions. The cake display looked pathetic. They had the audacity to label a weird chocolate cheesecake a "Black Forrest" cake. I'm German and can tell you it's everything but a Black Forest cake. Please stop riding the wave of a successful German authentic business and at least call yourself a "German-inspired" place to level set with those who used to love Ether's. read more

Food was delicious, fresh and warm . We went to have a brunch with a friend after our walk . The smell a fresh coffee invited us and was an excellent choice. 100 % recommended read more

I seem to remember when Esther's first opened there was a brighter ambience with a more communal feel in the restaurant. Now it feels rather dismal to be one of the few guests dining on too-expensive for grocery-store quality, frozen-defrosted food. The cashier could have cared less whilst on his phone for most of the hour we were there. The bakery case used to make me crave for more. This time, it made me want to go get mall pretzels. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Plastic-like pretzel - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

Esther really knows how to cook up a mean breakfast. One of my favorite places to eat Breakfast in the Valley. It'll be like you stepped into the old world in Europe. We hiked at Rancho San Antonio and were hungry for a bite to eat. The best thing is the Pfannkuchen (pronounced fan-kugen) with apples. It's not your typical, dry, limp pancake. It is crispy on the edges and buttery. I really liked the cashier's recommendation for the German omelet which was a frittata like with potatoes, eggs, bacon, and sour cream! It was delicious. Next time I need to try the baked goods, especially those big pretzels next to the cashier. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - German Omelet - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

See all

Great food and atmosphere. This was close to our hotel and easy to find. The service was outstanding as well

Not great. Latte was watery. Omelette was pretty flat tasting, eggs did not seem fresh. Toast was boring store bread toast. Tables were inconsistent with condiments, customers got up to get jam or salt and pepper, ketchup from other tables. Service was slow. I am sad to give an honest review of skip this place for breakfast. It seemed like it could be a charming spot, and I looked forward to trying it but it missed the mark. read more

It's a cute deli. Food is flavorful we enjoyed it I ordered the schnitzel and my husband ordered breakfast.

I was sooooo disappointed. I came to Los Altos to visit family. I used to eat here all the time. But the original place is no more! It is now just a normal coffee shop and is not that great. read more

The food was good and there were two of us. We ordered the butcher block and they said it was enough for two people. The portions were very small for the price of the board. Two small sausages and a small dry pork chop and two very small side dishes read more

I'm sorry to say that I had very disappointing experience at Esther's this past Saturday. My sister and I ordered the suggested Butcher Block for two people priced at $35. What we got was two small sausages, no more than 3 bites each, a piece of dry pork about 4 ounces, 1 pretzel, and a very small bowl of sourcraut and potato salad, approximately 3/4s of a cup each. We left hungry and feeling, frankly, ripped off. We ended up going next door for a taco, which was delicious. We wished we had just gone there in the first place. I hope Esther's takes these comments to heart. They are extremly overpriced for the portions. read more

Went for Lunch Food - 5/5. Schnitzel was a beautiful golden brown having a crispy bite with tender pork. Mushroom gravy was delicious with a balanced flavor that brought life to both the schnitzel and spatzle. Despite being a cream-based sauce, healthy amounts of herbs kept the flavor fresh and vibrant. Spatzle had good bite on them with a nice sear. Service - 4/5. Quick and friendly. Value - 5/5. Their jagerschnitzel is priced at $22, including the spatzle. Portion sizes are huge with the schnitzel nearly covering the whole plate with just as much spatzle underneath. Fantastic German spot! Parking - Mall Lot (Free) read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Pork Jagerschnitzel - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

I had to stop by this German cafe during my time in Los Altos (it reminded me of a German bakery my mom loves in Berkeley). Great quality pastries and relaxing atmosphere! I tried the bee sting - creamy center and loaded with crunchy almonds! I will come back to try their savory food options when I'm in the area again! read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Bee Sting - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

See all

We love coming here to enjoy a delicious Authentic German brunch or just a quick pick-me-up pastry and coffee. They have so many offerings and everything is top notch and scrumptious! Our favorites are German Omlete (potatoes, onions, bacon, sour cream) & their Schlemmer Breakfast ( smoked salmon, cold cuts, cheese, boiled eggs, bread and jams) . Their Pork Jägerschnitzel is very good! Served with creamy mushroom sauce and spaetzle. Their coffees & pastries are always fresh and amazing! We love their Beesting cake, Almond Horn & Apple strudel! We will definately come back to try the other items on their menu! read more

See all

I found this place a few years ago, and my German friends were all so happy with its authenticity (so much that one friend religiously bought bread from here every Saturday morning). My husband and I also found the food incredibly delicious. Back then, I would have given this place 5/5. Our most recent visit was less positive (3/5). While the coffee was nice, the cake tasted a bit stale. We also went with a new German friend and she wasn't impressed. The place didn't feel as authentic, as evidenced by the fact that there wasn't any German bread on display. The server also got our order mixed up despite confirming our food with us twice. I would like to give this place another try, but I'm not in a rush to do so. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - German chocolate cake - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

So, I'm a person who drinks out of hoses if necessary but Esther's standard of cleanliness dips even below my standards. The glass of water I requested(half full, no ice) had gummy streaks which I could scrape off with my fingernail. I asked for a clean glass and the server argued that the the glass was just old, not dirty and grudgingly gave me a new glass which had lip prints around the rim, obvious enough that I could wipe them off with my napkin. I give up.. Bill for their "bratwurst plate", one beer, and "veggie scramble", grey and tasteless, was 48ish bucks. read more

Great service great food highly recommend...the egg sandwich was amazing and ample seating

Disappointing. I know I'm spoiled and my expectations are too high after having lived manybyears in Germany. My wife and I each had the frikadellen sliders (what we used to call freaky deakies back in Deutschland) and splitva knusprig. The freaky deakies were okay but not like thecreal deal. Not sure if it was seasoning that was lacking but each of us had only one bite that really tasted like the reall thing. The knusprig wass good but a bit thicker/doughier than a knusprig from Barbarossa cafe, a chain backerei throughout Germany. The menu is pretty limited. If you are seeking true German cuisine skip Esther's read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Knusprig - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

Cute cafe we came about while exploring the area. Free parking is offered in front of the place but it is small. We ordered two plates, the Pfannkuchen with apples and Bratwurst plate. Both tasted fine but we left still feeling hungry. Service was okay, the cashier wasn't that friendly as she only pointed to the menu with no greeting. There was also a small hair in my water (they exchanged it out). read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Bratwurst Plate - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

See all

While staying in the area, Yelp led us here for a breakfast. What seemed very promising wound up being a disappointment. I ordered coffee and German omelette, my wife had the Bavarian breakfast and tea. Pretzel was cool and sausage was tepid. My bread was room temp snd pat of butter so cold you couldn't spread it. Maybe that's the way they mean to serve it, but... Never any follow up, and wife finally took her plate to counter to get warmed up. Waitress returned grudgingly and deposited plate with barely warm sausage and still cold pretzel. Table itself was sticky with spilled syrup and such. Wife mopped up with napkins and sanitizer-napkins turned black. Won't be back. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - German Omlet - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

This review is only for the bakery. I have passed this place a few times as I begin to explore the Mountain View/Los Altos area. It's small and can be easily missed but definitely requires a stop if you like pastries. I went on a weekday morning around 10:30 am and was promptly helped by two young ladies. I ordered two salted pretzels (the lady asked if I'd like some mustard and of course I said yes) as well as a Napoleon and a Bee Sting cake. So far I've only had the pretzel and I have enjoyed it. Pet soft and part hard with tasty mustard! I'll update/edit my review once I try some of the sweets. I definitely want to try their German food when I have the time. Others Yelp photos make it look good! Limited street parking on the front and located next to Armadillo Willy's. read more

See all

Esther's always does it right? The ambience is awesome, the food is great, the beer is phenomenal. Family own business that caters to what you want to eat? Good German food. And the pretzels wowsers.... Did I mention the beer :0) read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - German breakfast....jk, appetizers - German Near Me - Los Altos, California

See all

This is a rare place you can get German breakfast and draft beer in the morning, which is prevalent everywhere in Germania but not America. They struggle being open from 9AM to 3PM because they could have a great evening business but they instead focus on pastries and breakfast, with only 4 beers on-tap. They try hard and obviously don't have the expertise the previous owner (who likely was from Germany) but the German omelet was excellent and the schnitzel I saw being served looked good. The small outdoor beer garden is mostly covered. It'd be killer if they had some umbrellas for the tables out front. They have a small TV out there if folks want to watch sport, or leave it off and enjoy conversation, which is how small cafes in Europe are. The beer's good, but far too limited. They need to add popular German staples on draft, like Spaten, Hofbrau, Bitburger, Stiegel and Ottakringer. It's is nice they do have a Schartzbier. The current owners don't really understand what they have is the biggest problem not mentioned already. This place should have more beer and less pastries they don't understand or have experience making. The food is quite good given the circumstances, but they need to focus more on food and beer. Normally, I'd award 3-stars, but I can tell the owners have made strides since reading other reviews and my first visit. They apparently had very good, authentic baked goods that are hard to duplicate now, but they should expand the beer and scale the bakery stuff back; it looks like a Le Boulanger when you enter and it should be more focused on food and beer. This place was relaxing with soft jazz playing, interesting patrons and I'd visit here again. It just needs some tweaks. Being located next to a brewing store, you'd think they'd have figured out they have a beer garden to serve lots of beer, not just 4 things. They manage to ride the balance between a breakfast eatery and light German cafe in a unique way. They should have an afternoon happy hour and get some retired German folks to work a few days a week, that would really help. read more

See all

The ownership changed. Esther's German Bakery has become Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden. Food, service and atmosphere are still wonderful. The breads and baked goods of old are,however, gone. Point 1) I have had the pfannkuchen and kaiserschmarrn for breakfast. They are sweet, tasty breakfast treats. The portions are a good value. Point 2) There are a few parking spots in front, with plenty of parking in the rear. Point 3) They have a menu up front by the cashier. Look. Order. Pay. You are given a number to put on your table. They bring your order to you. Please note: I suggest that the new owner update the "From this business" section of this Yelp webpage. It still reflects previous ownership rather than current. read more

Esther's Kitchen & Beer Garden - Kaiserschmarrn - German Near Me - Los Altos, California