Sydney’s next eat street is not where you think

FOODIES, take note. This strip of emerging restaurants and cafes is tipped to be the city’s next new food and drink destination.

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HORWOOD Place isn’t a place where most would consider grabbing a bite to eat or picking up a takeaway coffee.

But it’s on its way to establishing a reputation as Parramatta’s newest food and drink destination.

Sydney Business Chamber western Sydney director David Borger has already predicted it will be the city’s next eat street.

“There are new cafes moving in. I think it’s going to become popular with a lot of people soon,” Mr Borger said.

Most of the restaurants and cafes in this street are less than two years old.

Here are a few places for a quick bite to eat, a great dinner out or a top notch weekend brunch to relax over.

Harvest Owner Liton Saha, Hom Flavell (chef) with co-owner Pritom Paul.

Desserts at Harvest.

Eggs Benedict from Harvest.

1. HARVEST NOURISHING FOOD

This cafe has a vintage farmhouse feel. It’s only been on the street for two weeks but owner Liton Saha says he hopes to make an impression on Parramatta.

“Everything here is healthy and organic. All pastries and cakes are homemade,” he says.

Under the leadership of head chef Hom Flavell, the cafe seems like it’s got a bright future.

Mr Flavell has designed a menu he reckons will be a hit, such as his Moroccan Adventure (braised pulled lamb, couscous, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes and pistachios), pumpkin and spinach risotto (with parmesan, peas and roasted macadamia nuts) or Berry Delicious (fluffy pancakes, cinnamon frozen yoghurt and berry coulis).

DSP is underneath Horwood Place carpark.

DSP is a social enterprise.

2. DARCY STREET PROJECT

If you’ve ever driven into Horwood Place Carpark you might have missed the Darcy Street Project, a social enterprise better known as DSP, below the carpark.

Founder John Cafferatta prides himself on the quality of coffee and service at this hidden gem.

“We have been in this spot for six months. We are a cafe but also a coffee school and coffee brewhouse. We train refugees and homeless people to be baristas,” he says.

Mr Cafferatta, a former TAFE educator, says “we do coffees in 50 different ways”. This includes something called the “red eye”, for which espresso is poured over ice and topped up with more coffee, mini cold drop coffee, nitro brew and iced picollos. Name a coffee and this little shop will make it.

DSP also has a pay it forward system, so people can buy a coffee for a stranger.

St Drogo's is a popular spot for coffee.

3. ST DROGO’S

If you’re just after a caffeine hit St Drogo’s is the place to be. The six and a half square metre takeaway coffee shop may be small but it’s big in flavour.

Barista Keith Dulay says their cappuccinos, flat whites and desserts are the crowd pleasers.

“We have Nutella and Tim Tam tarts and banana loaf, which people love,” he says.

The shop was named for the patron saint of coffee, deaf people.

“Across the road we have the Deaf Society of NSW, so it’s quite fitting that we are located here.”

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Badmanner Thymes Espresso owner Scott Sang with a red velvet cronut.

4. BADMANNER THYMES ESPRESSO

This cafe has secured its popularity as a brunch spot on weekends

Owner Scott Sang says the most popular meal is the Big Breakfast, which consists of chorizo, bacon, tomato, eggs, spinach, mushroom and avocado with toast.

“People like to come here, enjoy themselves and relax,” Mr Sang says.

The cafe is 18 months old and Mr Sang says there is something for everyone.

“For lunch, our sandwiches are quite popular as are our salads.

“We are changing these up all the time.”

There’s also a variety of cakes and muffins made fresh, including red velvet cronuts and almond croissants.

Other spots worth checking out include Paper Plane and the freshly opened Sandaweech — a place where you can try all the famous sandwiches from around the world.

Horwood Place, parramatta. Picture: Google maps.