Delicious Sydney: 50 best places to eat in Western Sydney
A melting pot of cultures and cuisines, it’s no surprise Western Sydney is a foodie hotspot. We reveal the 50 best places to eat and which vibrant suburbs you should be heading to this weekend. SEE THE LIST
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With a population of two million, Greater Western Sydney is booming and as the population grows, vibrant eat streets like Parramatta’s Church Street, Penrith’s High Street or Bankstown’s Greenfield Parade are too.
Nine of the 50 venues in Delicious Sydney: 50 best places to eat in Western Sydney were based at Parramatta, while five were based at Penrith, and while many were new, there were some old favourites in the mix including El-Phoenician, Al-Aseel and Osso.
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Executive Director Adam Leto said food and hospitality is, and will be, the “great connector” of the west, uniting the 170 nationalities that live in the region while also catering to the growing masses moving out to the west.
“The thing about food is it is the region’s great connector,” he said.
“It’s something we celebrate and appreciate because it’s a way to bring people’s cultures and ideas together.”
Here are 50 of the best newcomers and the classics in western Sydney for food, drink and merriment (in no particular order).
14 North 108 East
Shop 1/07 Emerald Hills Blvd, Leppington
Having opened just a few months ago under the leadership of co-owner Alex Zucchi and head chef Leo Nguyen, this Asian fusion gem is concentrating on an all-day trade, opening from breakfast through to after-dinner cocktails. Along with their fresh, authentic fare with a modern twist, their floor to ceiling mural by local artist Sophi Odling has also proved to be a major attraction.
Al Fayhaa Bakery
137A Haldon St, Lakemba
The line of hungry customers waiting for Al Fayhaa to open at 5am might be a hint that this isn’t any ordinary humble Lebanese. Its manoosh (Lebanese pizza) is a particular drawcard and at $5 a pop they can easily go through 1000 a day. The shop is tiny but it’s usually the constant queue that highlights its location.
Al-Aseel Jamisontown
Since 2012 Al-Aseel’s mission to bring fresh, authentic Lebanese food to Sydney stomachs has helped them steadily establish a small empire with five locations across the city. Their Jamisontown location is widely regarded as the “go-to” for locals with the chargrilled chicken a particular standout.
Alex & Co Parramatta
Alex & Co has shown that if you build on a great atmosphere with even greater cocktails, the customers will come. The establishment is now part of Parra’s modern bar and restaurant boom, with owner Alex Aslan’s recognition of the fast-growing business centre’s potential leading to its opening in 2017. He said his customer base has not been limited to locals — people from all around Sydney have earmarked his venue as a must to visit.
An Restaurant Bankstown
Another western institution, An Restaurant is widely regarded as serving the best pho in Bankstown, and for some, all of Sydney. With a deep rich broth, fresh noodles, bean sprouts, chilli and herbs — each bowl of An Restaurant’s beloved Vietnamese staple is simply pho-nominal.
Andaz Indian Castle Hill
We’ve all unfortunately been to an Indian eatery where every bain marie curry seems to taste the same, the naan is greasy and you’d find better service at a McDonald’s drive-through. Andaz Indian, with its focus on the country’s northern fare, bucks every one of those trends and has completely won over the Hills Shire through vibrant dishes in which individual ingredients stand out in each mouthful.
Bellbird Dining & Bar — Casula Powerhouse
You want fresh? The hearty and-well priced menu at this Casula favourite is largely dependent on what seasonal produce is growing in the Powerhouse’s garden, just metres from the kitchen door. At the moment the spring menu features dishes such as pickled onion, fried cauliflower and a sesame dressing accompanying tender charred Fremantle octopus; 18-hour braised beef cheek on a bed of onion cream and parsnip puree with sweet potato crisps and handmade ricotta gnocchi with field mushrooms, enoki mushroom, spinach and truffle pecorino.
Billy the Greek Dural
Billy Diacos closed his Port Douglas restaurant in 2015 and headed to The Hills, much to the delight of northwest locals in dire need of a hearty Hellenic feast. And if you get the banquet — a steal at $55 — that’s what you’ll get. With dips, Greek cheese, spanakopita, calamari and platters of lamb cutlets, grilled chicken and soutzoukakia (baked meatballs in tomato sauce) plus of course Greek salad and rosemary potatoes. There’s a reason why diners always feel like part of the (very full) family after a meal at Billy’s.
Binh Minh Cabramatta
It’s not flashy and its online footprint is barely existent. But it doesn’t matter because Binh Minh serves some of the best Vietnamese in Sydney to a devoted local following in the suburb. There are plenty of sumptuous surprises on the menu — like the popular bun rieu (crabmeat and tomato vermicelli soup) or the banh canh cua suong (crabmeat, boiled shrimp paste and sliced pork).
Cafe at Lewers Emu Plains
It may have a decent artistic rep, but Penrith Regional Gallery is largely emerging as a hot foodie destination thanks to Cafe at Lewers. Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu boasts enticing seasonal dishes such as the Spring Greens Omelette with Gruyere cheese, charred greens, whipped ricotta, fried leek and baked parmesan for brekky or Pulled Lamb Burger with Honey mustard, dill labne and herb slaw.
Candelori’s Smithfield
Fact: Every ‘best of the west’ list will include Candelori’s. The family-run business has been serving ‘squisito’ Italian feasts since 1999 and during that time has earned a reputation as one of the best in Sydney. The traditional fare of pastas and pizzas are to die for, but the kitchen crew also serves up a range of authentic carpaccio dishes, often playing around with less common variations on the dish such as the scampi and swordfish carpaccios.
Chan’s Canton Village
While inner west suburbs such as Burwood, Strathfield and Ashfield have more outstanding Chinese food than you could poke a chopstick at, the pickings can sometimes be a bit slimmer further out. Chan’s Canton Village, garishly decorated as it may be, has long been regarded as Casula’s hidden Chinese gem.
Chatkazz Harris Park
Deep in the heart of Western Sydney’s ‘Little India’, this Harris Park restaurant stands out from competitors thanks to its comprehensive tour of the subcontinent’s wildly different provincial cuisines, whether its North and South Indian Bombay Chinese or Mumbai Roadside.
Chophouse Parramatta
In a clear sign of Parramatta’s growing gastronomic stature, celebrity chef Matt Moran’s hospitality group Solotel has decided to add to the Macquarie St meat specialists with a smart move into the western Sydney CBD. Chophouse has an impressive offering of steaks and as is the case in Moran’s restaurant, lists exactly where each Aussie cut comes from.
Cucina Locale Blacktown
Did you know there is a revolving restaurant at Blacktown? Located on the fifth floor of the Blacktown Workers Club, the menu is similar to the offerings you’d find at a typical club — entrees, proteins, pasta, seafood — but elevated by chef Jessy Singh. Plus there’s chocolate and caviar as an appetiser for $8.
Enzo’s Cucina Camden
There are 11 Enzos Cucinas across western Sydney and Wollongong but the business is very much still a family affair. The Camden location is owned and run by mother-and-son team Rina and Joseph Maruzza — Enzo’s sister and nephew — and boasts soft, handmade gnocchi, authentic woodfired pizzas and rich sauces.
El Jannah Granville
With seven locations across Sydney, this charcoal chicken chain’s popularity has meant a fine fowl foray into Sydney’s hipster haven of Newtown. The chicken is king at El Jannah, with devoted diners deliciously baffled at how they make every item on their no-nonsense menu so addictive. Case in point — their chicken roll. There should be a support group for addicts of this simple dish.
El-Phoenician Parramatta
Sometimes venues are as much a part of the family as they are a place to eat. El-Phoenician’s expansive, authentic menu is packed with the colourful shawarma, mezze and grill plates Lebanese food is famous for — and perfect for sharing — and the venue itself is sleek and modern. But El-Phoenician is more than that to locals. It’s the go-to venue for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, proposals and even weddings.
Frank’s Lebanese Restaurant Fairfield
Open since 1992, Frank’s unpretentious snacks alone could satisfy most diners, with sambousek parcels of meat, spinach or cheese, fried Lebanese bread or stuffed lamb kibbeh. However, hold off on the appetisers to be fully rewarded with the showpiece dish of smoky and tender barbecue chicken, cooked over orange coals.
Grano Wetherill Park
Wetherill Park is a bit of a mixed bag — there are farms, nature reserves but then the largest industrial estate in the Southern Hemisphere. But it also has Antonio Tarzia’s Grano, the Italian local every suburb needs. It’s rustic Italian based on Antonio’s grandparents’ recipes who lived in the country’s south. So expect lots of tomato — he’s famous for his classic polpette calabrese … or spaghetti and meatballs
Holy Basil Parramatta
To say this Laos-Thai restaurant is a favourite among western Sydney locals is a big, big understatement. Long, communal tables in a wide open space create an electric vibe other venues can only hope for. Holy Basil hits all the right notes, particularly with its pad thai: fresh, non-oily and flavoursome, it’s a crowd favourite.
Island Dreams Cafe Lakemba
It may not seem like the most obvious suburb for a tropical-themed diner, but Lakemba is actually home to the only eatery in Sydney that features food from the Christmas and Coco Islands along with strong culinary influences from Indonesia, Malayasia and China. This is the spot Malaysian Australians go for their satay when they miss home. The rice Ayam panggang is also a signature, served with famous rainbow fish crackers.
Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant Lakemba
In typical Lebanese fashion, Jasmins is not satisfied until you’re so full you can’t move. The mixed grill platters are the way to go. They’re stacked with a bit of everything — charred chicken and a lamb shish kebab alongside cinnamon-rich kofta, mince and pine nut-stuffed kebbeh and cumin-scented falafel plus hummus, babaghanoush, tabouli, pickles, mint and seemingly endless flatbread.
Kouzina Greco Parramatta
Everybody in Parra knows Kouzina Greco. Since 2000, husband and wife Peter and Alana Laliotitis have filled the corner of Phillip St with aromatic flavours of garlic, lemon and
fresh herbs, at their authentic Greek eatery. The menu has hardly changed in those two decades: any removal of their slow roasted lamb shoulder, famous moussaka, souvlaki on coals and crispy calamari and octopus would spark a mutiny among the locals.
Kyubi Modern Asian Campbelltown
Incongruously set inside Campbelltown Catholic Club, this modern Asian fusion gem boasts barbecue duck pancakes, steamed scallop with XO sauce, spicy chicken wings, bulgogi Korean lamb ribs and more.
La Rumbla Hoxton Park
Apart from fast food outlets, there can still be a relative scarcity of dining destinations in Hoxton Park. So the close bond the community with Italian eatery La Rumbla comes as no surprise. The pizzas are a big favourite with locals along with swimmer crab pasta and Tasmanian pan seared scallops.
Lao Village Fairfield
Even Sydneysiders from Laos stand by the authenticity of Lao Village’s offerings. The menu isn’t huge but it packs in flavour — ox tongue, pad see ew, papaya salad and the crunchy fried rice with ham are a few of the local favourites. Or, for the more adventurous, try chicken feet salad, spicy liver salad or the bible salad … otherwise known as tripe.
Lilys Seven Hills
A major renovation and a seriously sophisticated menu overhaul has solidified Lily’s Restaurant Bar in Seven Hills status as one of, if not THE area’s best fine-dining experience. While the food is Italian, it’s served with a gourmet touch and presentation that once, would have been considered pretentious, but now it’s right at home. And there is no sight of carbonara on the menu.
Mr Watkins Bar Penrith
If it wasn’t so roomy, you’d think Mr Watkins Bar on High Street was one of those cool city establishments. It still is a seriously cool establishment but it lives and thrives in the heart of Penrith. A cafe by day and bar by night, this is the spot where locals go for expertly mixed cocktails — the classics as well as a selection of Mr Watkins’ own concoctions — the White Gold with Bacardi Blanca, 1800 Coconut, Lemongrass & chilli Syrup and Lime Juice and Drops of Juniper with Botanist Gin, Green Apple Balsamic, Juniper & Rosemary Syrup, Lemon Juice and Egg White are crowd favourites.
Nick and Noras Parramatta
Elegant, opulent and a dizzying 26 storeys up, Nick and Nora’s truly is a world class bar literally taking Parramatta to new heights. Owner Greg Sanderson, an award-winning bartender in his own right and also the owner of the renowned Eau de Vie speak-easies in Darlinghurst and Melbourne, is a man who knows hospitality. When opening Nick and Nora’s a year ago, he saw western Sydney as an opportunity — not a challenge. “Parramatta and Western Sydney is a really vibrant and ambitious area that will only grow in the coming years as Sydney’s second CBD,” he said. “A huge number of the population who go to cocktail bars in the city actually live in western Sydney — we saw an opportunity for them to still have this kind of experience but much closer to home.”
The Cardinal Sin and Melon Trap are the most popular cocktails, served with speak-easy flair.
And if you still think western Sydney is rough, every Friday the Nick and Nora’s crew ring in the weekend by building a tower of champagne glasses and filling it from the top with fancy.
Nu Bambu — Canterbury RSL Canterbury
Nu Bambu is far from the dining experience you’d expect from the local RSL. A variety of baos, Thai curries and Shanxi duck with pancakes are just some of the delicacies you can find on the Asian inspired menu. Head Chef, Freddie Slim has created a menu perfect for sharing between small groups, allowing everyone to be as adventurous as they wish.
On Sunset Parramatta
Lebanese again, but fancy. On Sunset is spacious and elegant with light marble look tables and dishes that are not only delicious but presented beautifully. But just like your typical Lebanese restaurant, the menu is vast, covering everything from hummus and babaganoush dips to traditional grill plates of shish kebab, kafta and shish tawouk as well as smoky garlic and paprika prawns.
Osso Steak and Ribs Penrith
The Panthers Leagues Club’s steakhouse has been a big hit, not just for NRL fanatics but foodie fans too. After opening in 2009, Osso became the heartbeat of Penrith with a strict “plate to gate” rule helping inform patrons on where their meat comes from and the Aussie farmers who produce it.
Pablo’s Cantina y Cerveza Parramatta Leagues
True to its focus on tacos and tequila, Pablo’s has a delicious range of cocktails as well as 12 different types of tequila. But it’s not all about the tipples, Pablo’s uses a traditional Argentinian style Parilla grill for its South American dishes, a unique style of cooking that was practised by the Gauchos of Southern Brazil and Argentina.
Paper Mill Liverpool
A Western Sydney local with 40 years in the hospitality industry, John Sayoun’s mission to bring an international standard venue to the region led to him linking up with developer Joseph Nahas for this revolutionary Liverpool mega-venue. Their ambitious plan put four restaurants under one roof — Firepit Meat and Seafood, Charcoal Joe’s Lebanese Charcoal Chicken, Shephard’s Lane Cafe and Dessert Bar and Georgie’s Pizzeria and Bar — and since opening two months ago, the response has been overwhelming, for both the patrons and the men behind the project.
“The calibre of people is first class, a really great standard of people,” John said.
“The venue’s got a soul.
“We’re the start of the evolution of western Sydney — we’ve opened Pandora’s box to the west.”
Given the success of The Paper Mill, don’t be surprised if developers look to the west with an appetite for similar success.
Pazar Food Collective Canterbury
Owned by Attila Yilmaz, Pazar consistently punches above its weight, regularly winning critical acclaim, most recently in the delicious. 100’s NSW rankings. Pazar’s menu is an ambitious melting pot of the flavours of the Middle East, Mediterranean, Asia and Mexico. Their slow cooked lamb and harissa roasted chicken have been touted as favourites as well as the house-made bread and maple smoked labne.
Pho Tau Bay Cabramatta
A staple in the southwest since 1980, this Vietnamese restaurant has been credited with being the first to bring pho to Cabramatta region while it was still a popular Sunday pop-up in Thi Nhu Pham’s garage. Two years later Pho Tau Bay opened in the same building where its fragrant pho is still served today. Pham’s recipe is a well-kept secret; critics and connoisseurs consistently name this unique noodle house as one of Sydney’s best.
Phu Quoc Cabramatta
This Cabramatta restaurant’s name is taken from a Vietnamese island off the coast of Cambodia, which is fitting given its relaxed tropical attitude with vibrant dishes in which patrons get to wrap up rice paper with grilled meats and freshly cut herbs.
Pizzaperta Rooty Hill
Born in Northern Italy and widely regarded the godfather of Australia’s Italian food scene, chef Stefano Manfredi hastraded the inner city for Sydney’s west by opening Pizzaperta at West HQ earlier this year. Traditional and classic flavours of Marinara and Margherita are clear favourites on the menu, as well as Buffalo Mozzarella and Prosciutto di Parma and Calzone Napoli.
Platform 82 Concord West
Home of the three-tiered extravaganza known as the Breakfast Platter, Platform 82 is the queen of all things brekky. With a choice of bacon, eggs three ways, goats’ cheese, sausage patties, avocado, pork belly, pancetta, mushroom, hash browns, roast tomato and toast you’re sure to find something on the platter to satisfy everyone. Whether you’re out with the family for a midmorning brunch or curing your Sunday hangover, this breakfast innovation has got everyone lining up out the door.
Quoi Dining Baulkham Hills
A hidden gem of Baulkham Hills, Quoi Dining’s sophisticated eating experience with an open style restaurant overlooking the Northwest Lake is the culinary dream of award-winning chef Joshua Mason. Try the 10-course tasting menu for $120 to truly experience the brilliance of this young mastermind’s fusion of French and Australian cuisine
The Butcher’s Block Granville
A new addition to Western Sydney’s firing food scene, head chef Dan Rudolph’s carnivorous kitchen is a meat lover’s dream with an addictive Paddock to Plate-inspired menu. Dishes served will be familiar to diners of the Wahroonga restaurant with some additions for lovers of Middle Eastern fare.
The Distillery Woodfire Restaurant Minchinbury
Situated on the former Minchinbury Winery heritage estate, this stylish spot now showcases the culinary history of Western Sydney. Head Chef Cherag Baria delivers contemporary Australian cuisine, using seasonal produce that is grown on the grounds. You really could be fooled into thinking you’re in the Hunter Valley when visiting this charming, rustic precinct, just 45 minutes from Sydney’s CBD.
The Meat & Wine Co Parramatta
The Meat & Wine Co may have multiple locations but every venue is owned and overseen by Bradley Michael, so the quality and personal touch is always still there. The steaks are a point of pride for head chef Thomas Godfrey, which are Monte Beef exclusive to Meat & Wine Co and strictly monitored. Then add the venue’s secret basting, a 35-year-old secret recipe formulated by Michael himself.
The Union Penrith
Celia de Oliveira and James McPherson’s quirky tapas restaurant provides an industrial metropolitan vibe to offset Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Taking out the title of Penrith’s smallest bar, the cafe by day, restaurant by night also offers a range of mouth-watering cocktails.
Trevi Penrith
The Cagliostro family are serving up the perfect blend of Mediterranean quality, service and affordability to the Penrith CBD from their newly renovated, multi-award winning venue. Trevi is a triple threat, offering a ristorante, bar and lounge with a modern, cosy atmosphere.
Upstairs at Freds Camden
This is that quirky, eccentric bar and restaurant that every Surry Hills hipster is still trying to recreate. The decor looks like 20 grandmas got into the sherry together and opened a joint that still manages to be homely and fun. Located upstairs in an old terrace home off the main drag, at Freds you’ll find an expansive dining room, a bar and a large outdoor deck overlooking the street. It’s good old fashioned fun and attracts punters young and old.
Wild Pear Dural
Nestled in the heart of leafy Dural, this wholesome family-owned cafe is where 2019 MasterChef winner Larissa Takchi discovered her culinary passion. Featuring seasonal menus crafted from locally supplied fresh produce, everything down to the condiments is made fresh onsite.
New Star Kebabs, Auburn
Atilla Tok has been flying the Turkish flag out west with New Star Kebabs for 20 years. The secret to his success? The top one is fresh ingredients. Anything that’s not fresh isn’t used, but New Star is so busy nothing sits in one place for long. Second is fast service. He has organised the service area in such away that food is fast and hot. Third is customer service. A kebab shop opening 7am-1am might seem crazy, but shift work means that New Star is busy around the clock.
Lochiel House Kurrajong
This one is extremely west but it deserves a mention on the list — plus, western Sydneysiders aren’t confined to their suburbs. It’s about an hour’s drive from the Parramatta CBD, but what you find will be worth it. Lochiel House flaunts modern Australian food with an Asian twist, warm service, and great wine tied together in a 200-year-old heritage cottage.
Originally published as Delicious Sydney: 50 best places to eat in Western Sydney
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