Sydney Eat Street: 10 places to try in Botany
ONCE a large garden estate that included Sydney’s first zoo, this south-eastern suburb still has much to explore and plenty of foodie finds along the way.
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ONCE a large garden estate that included Sydney’s first zoo, this south-eastern suburb still has much to explore and plenty of foodie finds along the way.
Take a tour of the area’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram.
CROQUEMBOUCHE PATISSERIE
A MERE mention of the croquembouche, a cream-filled profiterole tower made famous to Australian audiences through its notorious appearance by the master of sweets Adriano Zumbo on MasterChef, still instils a bit of awe, delight and even intimidation.
Same goes for the lovely selection of sweet and savoury options at this charming Parisian patisserie, with the truly daunting task of resisting the temptation to buy it all.
Coming from a long line of French chefs and patissiers, Frederic Caillon, since opening in 2000, has kept true to his family’s original recipes for mouth-watering petit fours, tarts and cakes modifying them only slightly to reduce the amount of added sugar.
On the savoury side, Frederic’s wife, Laurence has taken her love for bread to the next level, with sandwiches piled high with everything from haloumi and avocado to decadent eggs benedict with salmon.
Their housemade crepes, frittatas, wraps, and even smashed avocado are also popular choices. A bit of France right here in Botany.
— 1635 Botany Rd
BANKSIA STREET CAFE
ENTHUSIASTICALLY touting the scrambled eggs with its award-winning Spanish chorizo and corn fritters stacked alongside tomato and avocado salsa, you know you’re speaking with someone who’s had a passion for the place for years.
And technically you’d be correct as cafe manager Andre Tasselli has been at Banksia Street Cafe since it opened two years ago, before he was even eligible to drive.
At only 17, Andre has taken on the family business, one that they opened after downsizing from a large fish shop.
Many of the dishes are ones his mother cooked at home, including the gluten-free meals necessitated by allergies.
This may be a family business, but with Andre and his eagerness at the helm, Banksia Street will soon be on the culinary map.
— 49 Banksia St
BOTANNIX STUDIO CAFE
FORGET the brochures peddling revitalising healthy retreats with wacky diets; your moment of Zen can come over strong coffee, a steak sandwich and housemade muffins.
Besides great food, this cheery cafe comes with a side of serenity in its lush courtyard set with wooden tables and large umbrellas while off to the side is an inconspicuous yoga studio.
It is by no means a cone of silence, as you’ll regularly find mum and bubs in for mid-morning smoothies and ricotta pancakes; office workers taking meetings over organic teas and Vietnamese rice paper rolls; friends chatting around plates of grilled salmon and kale salads; or just gushing over the flat whites that respected barista and latte artist, Aashik Shresta has topped with a swan and love hearts.
— 25 Swinbourne St
SIR JOSEPH BANKS HOTEL
IT WAS all fun and games around the grounds of the Sir Joseph Bank Hotel back in the 1850s — a weekend getaway for weary Sydneysiders.
A bit has changed since then as the actual hotel, not apartments, changed premises in 1924, but locals and visitors still come here for a good time, be it with mates over a beer inside, drinks in the comfy marquee setting or just dinner in the courtyard with friends, family and even your furry pet while listening.
Added bonus is live music on Sundays. With a revamped menu, there are plenty of options ranging form Peking duck Pancakes to BBQ Baby back pork ribs. Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays. Plenty of reason to come back for more fun and games.
— 1354 Botany Rd
SIR JOSEPH BANKS PARK
THERE are still some camels, a pair of gorillas, and a family of elephants surrounding the picnic table area at Sir Joseph Bank Park.
No need to grab your Esky and flee, as these animals are just life-size sculptures, a nod to the park’s past as a an estate and resort that included Sydney’s first zoo.
A mere two blocks off Botany Rd, this 28 hectare park and nature reserve boasts large play areas with nearby covered BBQs for a weekend picnic, or simply grab a sandwich and soda from nearby Botany Bites and just enjoy a quite lunch by the pond.
— Tupia St
MUST TRY
PORTUGUESE CHICKEN BURGER
A LOVE of cooking and a desire to switch careers led Wayne Israel to leave the corporate world and open a breakfast and lunch spot.
Five years on, he’s built loyal following thanks in party to the popular Portuguese Chicken Burger — grilled chicken breast smothered with mayo and a housemade chilli sauce.
You’ll get hooked on that heat so while you’re there pick up a jar of the sauce to use at home.
— Botany Bites, 1641 Botany Rd
SIZZLING PRAWNS WITH CHILLI
WHEN you’re after a place that’s both fun and funky, great for a date or a family affair and has a menu that is both delicious and diverse, Capanno Trattoria Bar and Grill ticks all the boxes.
The hard part then is choosing between dishes such as sizzling prawns and lamb on the spit or opting for one of their stellar pizzas.
— Capanno Trattoria Bar & Grill, 1122 Botany Rd
ORGANIC PRODUCE
TO KEEP things fresh, Super Red Organics bypasses the main markets to source its produce from local farmers and producers, which means that this health food store and cafe can offer the highest quality organic products that it both sells and uses on site.
And it’s not just buckwheat, kombucha and fermented foods on the menu; you’ll also find organic-centric lamb shanks; and bacon and eggs.
— Super Red Organics, 19 Swinbourne Rd
ACAI BOWL
AFTER an action packed morning at the nearby aquatic centre or a mother-group meet-up in the adjacent park, settle in for a good cup of coffee, a refreshing acai bowl and a great smile.
Part gourmet grocer, part cafe, you’ll be able to follow that up with a quick shop for dinner and dessert.
— Botany Buzz, 32 Jasmine St
PORK BELLY
A RECENT revamp that saw the bistro go from drab and dreary to sunlit and warm hasn’t changed the essence of this place.
It is still a local favourite for family and friends to meet up for lunch and dinner with a menu that ranges from the classic chicken schnitty to gourmet salads and pork belly in between.
— Waterworks Hotel, 1102 Botany Rd