The ultimate guide to Parramatta Lanes 2018

THE flavours of the world head west this week with the return of the annual Parramatta Lanes festival. Here’s the rundown of what you can find and where.

Parramatta Lanes always attracts huge crowds for its line up of food, music and art. Picture: Supplied

• New school an ‘empty promise’
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THE flavours of the world head west this week with the return of the annual Parramatta Lanes festival.

Local favourites join with special guests in a menu that spans the globe, while music, dance and art collide across 14 lanes.

Here’s a taste of what to expect from the festival which runs from 5pm every night until Friday.

Try The Emporium’s TCE Affogato Sundae at Erby Place.

EAT STREET CAR PARK

New to the party this year is a retro rooftop party with rollerskating, arcade games, mini golf, cocktails and disco vibes. The rooftop of the Eat Street Car Park on George St will be taken over by popular eateries Gelato Messina, Butter, BL Burgers and Pimp My Donut. They will be joined by Parramatta Lanes ambassador and award-winning chef Mitch Orr, who will bring a special menu to the rooftop.

PARRAMATTA MISSION

Petersham’s Daisy’s Milkbar brings its contemporary take on the Australian old-school milk bar to Parramatta Mission. There will be lolly jars, booths, sundaes, milkshakes and toasties, while a DJ spins retro beats and live music from Rosie Gibbons on Friday night. Plus, the Leigh Memorial Church will be open for visitors to wander through while the church’s Fijian Choir will perform on the church steps on Thursday and Friday at 7pm.

DIRRABARRI LANE

Listen to rockabilly, soul, funk and blues while dining on barbecue and beers at Dirrabarri Lane. Riverside Brewery brings their all natural craft beers to Bar 30, while barbecue experts Nighthawk Diner, Sweethawk Diner, 2 Smoking Barrels, The Carter Sydney and Waroo Lamb along with Torch Me Creme Brulee takes care of food.

Archie Rose Distilling Co will bring a range of cocktails to Aird St. Picture: Angelo Velardo

HORWOOD PLACE

Music from DJ Levins, reggae band King B-Fine and African Drumming Groups take on Horwood Place. In the City Centre car park, art installation Intangible Goods imagines what shopping for our psychological and emotional needs would look like. Uncle Kurt’s Bar, Little Lagos, Lat-Dior African Eatery, Superior Burger and Jamaican Delight will serve up food and drink.

AIRD ST PRESENTED BY WESTFIELD PARRAMATTA

Sip on drinks from Archie Rose Distilling Co and a collaboration between Mr Black and dessert queen Katherine Sabbath at Aird St. Joining the food party will be Espresso Warriors, Flipp Burgers and Roll’d. Each night will feature a line-up of music rom hip-hop and R&B artists and DJs, plus dance competitions from Destructive Steps Dance Association.

Sample your way through endless food and drink options at Parramatta Lanes. Picture: Angelo Velardo

CENTENARY SQUARE

Centenary Square comes to life with nightly themed dance workshops and DJs. Tuesday will be salsa, followed by Bollywood on Wednesday, 80s retro on Thursday, and hip hop on Friday. Plus enjoy food from a range of food trucks, from Nutie’s vegan doughnuts to Spanish paella and woodfired pizza from Happy as Larry.

RIVERBANK

Western Sydney musicians from all kinds of genres will keep the Parramatta Riverbank pumping over Parramatta Lanes, from Elijah Yo to Lil Spacely and Kota Banks. Ryde favourites KOI Dessert Bar will be joined by popular Japanese pastry legends Hokkaido, fried ice cream from Duo Duo plus Korean fried chicken, barbecue and gyozas.

The streets and laneways of Parramatta come to life next week for the annual festival.

MORE TO ENJOY

■ Erby Place transports visitors to France with food, wine and music.

■ An art installation on Red Cow Lane invites visitors to pledge to reduce their plastic waste

■ The piazza at St John’s Cathedral will be home to cheese, truffles and chocolates plus a line up of musicians and singers

■ The sounds and flavours of south East Asia transform Roxy Car Park

■ Visitors can peak inside an artist’s studio and gain an insight into the creative process at Parramatta Artists Studios, or visit Rosie Deacon’s fantastical Moving Forest

■ MasterChef 2017 contestant Callan Smith brings his Culinary Circus pop-up to the University of New England, plus there will be nightly culinary demonstrations, a photography exhibition and music performances

■ An art installation on Batman Walk demonstrates the impact of waste on the natural environment