Sydney Eat Street: 10 things to eat in Campbelltown
FROM sweet treats and authentic gelato to seafood and meat delights, Campbelltown has a feast to suit all foodies — even the super-healthy ones.
Sydney Taste
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sydney Taste. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FROM sweet treats and authentic gelato to seafood and meat delights, Campbelltown has a feast to suit all foodies — even the super-healthy ones.
Tour the satellite city of Sydney with Sydney Eat Street.
Tour Coogee with Eat Street. Are you hungry for inspiration? Follow us on Instagram.
The Scoop Artisan Gelato
IT takes mere minutes to polish off a cup of gelato but learning to make it from scratch takes quite a bit longer. The Scoop’s owners, Theo and Mary Koutrodimos should know as they spent four intensive weeks studying the art at the Gelato University in Bologna, Italy. No, it wasn’t lessons on rounding out the perfect scoop but rather mornings spent learning theory and afternoons creating balanced flavours in the labs. Upon their return to Australia not only did they bring back recipes they’d perfected they brought back a fellow gelato maker, Mirko Paparella as well as the gelato maestro himself to work in the lab with them and develop their full range of 87 varieties.
At any given time there are 37 varieties on rotation, one of which, Chocolate Brownie is made with fresh brownies that Mary bakes in their on-site kitchen from her own recipe. Theo notes that while Australians are partial to chocolate flavours including Oreos and Cream or Nutella and Fudge, Italians tend to prefer more custard and nut based desserts, something that the couple is trying to slowly introduce to the market. Judging by the Hazelnut Gelato, with its smooth blended nuts, it looks like they’re on to something. — Shop C14, Level 1, Macarthur Square
Waminda Bakery
It’s rather telling that the name Waminda is an aboriginal word for friend, considering the massive following this local bakery has amassed; they clearly have plenty of pals. While co-owner Darren Nielsen takes his baking seriously, his approach to business is a bit more fun. He’s apt to give clever names to his creations, such as “the Earthquake”, a fudge and white chocolate chunk cookie “that will rock your world”. Then there is the “Jai Pie” a bolognaise pie that Darren created specifically for Campbelltown resident and former X Factor contestant Jai Waetford’s visit to the bakery, accompanied by his mentor, Ronan Keating. The pie even had the show’s signature “X” made with pastry on top.
Waminda Bakery has been so well received by the local community, even luring celebs out from the city, that in a mere four years, Darren has opened three more shops, including one with a cafe. Considering that this all started with the humble pie, it’s nice to see that Campbelltown has helped make him a winner. — Shop 7, Browne Street
Never Bean Fitter Cafe
When fitness fan, Mark Forrest noticed a lack of healthy options in the Campbelltown area, he decided to open his own cafe where he could prepare the foods he wanted to eat and share his passion for healthy living. But rather than follow the formulaic food trends, he went to Bali to be inspired by experts on how to concoct dishes that take advantage of seasonal fruit but also work well with other ingredients such as peanut butter to provide the maximum nutritional impact.
Mark applies his philosophy of clean living to the cafe’s interior as well. The fresh fruit and vegetables are actually a practical part of the decor. The bananas that accompany the colourful and refreshing “Chin-up NBFC bowl”, an Acai berry smoothie with coconut, strawberries, granola, chia seeds and apples, when needed, Mark just asks for the customer to pass it over to him from the adjacent produce stand; same goes for the wheatgrass which is growing in small pots out front. Now that is the epitome of sourcing local products. — 24 Patrick Street
Campbelltown Arts Centre Café
After a stroll around the award-winning exhibitions at the Campbelltown Arts Centre stop in for a coffee the centre’s cafe and you’ll quickly realise how this little oasis is a destination all its own. Located just off the foyer this seemingly small spot extends out back to an expansive space that overlooks the Japanese gardens. The setting is so tranquil with its trickling waterfall and koi pond that for a moment, you may forget that you were actually there for something to eat.
The view isn’t the only thing to applaud, as the menu offers innovative dishes such as the seasonal salads and an autumn / winter favourite, the Reuben sandwich — pastrami, cabbage and cheese on toast.
You’re also likely to see the servers engaged in conversation with visitors, regulars and even the artists that come to install their exhibits over a period of days or weeks. One artist, a man from Canada came in requesting drip coffee, and though the cafe doesn’t offer that style, Morgan Tallack, the barista at the moment, suggested he try a cappuccino. Every day for three weeks thereafter, he came in for his daily cappuccino and a chat, even stopping in one last time before heading off to the airport. Since then, she’s had a look at his installation and because of their interaction she is quick to note, “Now, it totally makes sense” — Campbelltown Arts Centre; Art Gallery Road
First Friday Foodie Feast Market
On the first Friday of every month, Campbelltown gets its very own Eat Street as 20 food stalls set up amid the restaurants at Macarthur Square. The live music and tempting smells of market favourites such as gozleme, falafels and sausages will pull you in the right the direction but you choose only your tummy will tell. You could always start with some Chilean pork empanadas from market regulars, Pochito then follow up with Stroopwafels, a Dutch dessert caramel cookie waffles that the guys at StroopBros have kindly turned into ice cream sandwiches. Then of course, you’ll need to make a stop at Gourmet Macaroons for some less than traditional flavours like lemon myrtle and smoked vanilla bean cheesecake or you can go over the top with Elvis, a combination of maple syrup roasted bacon, with peanut butter and banana.
With so many fun and interesting things to try, event manager Debbie Brown hints that the choices are only going to get harder as the market continues to grow. — Kellicar Lane in Macarthur Square
WHEN IN CAMPBELLTOWN, YOU MUST TRY
Johnny’s Peanut Crumbed Chicken Breast
After a number of years in retail, Johnny Khatouki got tired of being someone else’s asset, so instead he opened a cafe and created his own asset: his special crispy and tender chicken strips made with whole and crushed peanuts, dusted with Khafe Co’s secret seasoning. — Khafe Co; 3/1 Lithgow Street
Lobster
There is something inherently decadent about having lobster for dinner so it’s good to know that at this established seafood restaurant, the only place in Campbelltown that offers this crustacean, owner Alex Bulak makes certain that it is prepared and presented with the special attention that it deserves. — The Taste Italian Grill; 4 Hyde Parade
The Dessertarian
In case you’ve ever wondered what exactly goes into the Rocky Road sweet treat, Justin and Elizabeth Georgopoulos have literally laid it out for you with a beautiful mess of chocolate, fairy floss, marshmallows, Maltesers, snakes, and other goodies, topping it off with vanilla ice cream and of course, more chocolate. — Justinian’s Café and Dessert Bar; Shop C44 Level 1, Macarthur Square
Wagyu beef
The chefs at Otis Grill are so particular about their main dish of Wagyu beef, that not only do they go out to the Schottlanders farm to choose the meat, they also cut it themselves to insure it meets their rigid standards. — Otis Grill; Rydges Campbelltown, Old Menangle Road
Cinnamon French Toast
Every detail in this comfy cafe has the touch of a much loved home including the special care that owner, Seta Berbari takes in the kitchen when preparing the delicious French Toast made with brioche, topped with a berry compote, chopped pistachios and a sweet little glass pitcher of custard on the side. — Seta’s Café; Shop 2/25-29 Dumaresq Street
‘Beyond a fire sale’: Criniti’s stores sold for staggering price
Despite its whopping $19 million debt, the remaining Criniti’s stores, including Parramatta and Darling Harbour, have sold for a staggeringly low price in what one broker has described as ‘beyond a fire sale’.
‘I like big buns’: Wacky burgers with a difference
Parramatta’s very own Eat Street is as exciting and diverse as the city itself. Take BL Burgers for example, which brought its premium burgers — including the Blame Canada, Blame Indian and Mac Daddy burgers — to western Sydney.