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Overview
Jetsetting overseas may not have been on the cards for you this year, but if you're still craving the excitement of new cuisines and experiences, you don't have to fly across the world for a scenic Mediterranean feast or authentic Indian street food.
With its huge variety of restaurants and bars, it's no wonder that Parramatta is rapidly becoming one of the most popular dining destinations in Sydney. From morning to night; from casual eats to luxe dining; from a pre-show dinner to sky-high cocktails — Parramatta has got you covered.
In this guide, we've done the legwork for you of picking out a few spots for every occasion, so that your next date night, family celebration or girls' brunch in the River City is an absolute breeze.
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This is one of the few places in Sydney where you can go from coffee to Campari in one sitting. Overlooking Parramatta Park, the sun-drenched restaurant brings the Mediterranean coast to the River City and is ideal for leisurely breakfasts that turn into long lunches.
Early risers can get a Turkish-inspired sujuk and egg roll or Cilbir for breakfast, before diving into lunch classics like the grilled king prawns, casarecce with lamb ragu or hefty Angus striploin. And not to worry, fan favourites, like the woodfired pita bread, fluffy focaccia and saganaki, are up for grabs all day.
Image: Nikki To
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A brunch that’s fit for your friends, your partner, your family and even your dog. This cosy cafe serves up just the right blend of wholesome for your recovery from a long week, or just a long Friday night.
Come for elevated breakfast classics such as orange and honey french toast with mascarpone and a mushroom bruschetta croissant with prosciutto, tomato and goat’s cheese. After brunch, take a stroll around the heritage-listed building formerly known as the Female Factory, where female convicts were housed in the 1800s.
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For a casual pre-pay-day meal, look no further than Smoky Cravings. The authentic Filipino eatery originally started as a food truck, but the demand for its wide array of barbecued meats was so overwhelming that the team opened a restaurant in Parramatta.
Almost as impressive as the classic street food are the prices. At only $4, a skewer costs less than a regular latte or a McDonald’s cheeseburger. Sort dinner for $21 with a combo meal of three skewers plus chips or adobo rice, soup and a drink. Or you could get a picnic box to feed four or more for $150 and set up in Prince Alfred Square across the road. Finish up with a colourful halo-halo or fresh buko pandan, and then do your best to burn it all off with a stroll along Parramatta River.
Image: Nikki To
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Holy Basil is the perfect pre-theatre stop for a quick bite that’ll get you out the door in time for your show. With three venues across Sydney, the popular restaurant’s Parramatta outpost is conveniently located just a two-minute stroll across the river from Riverside Theatres.
On the menu, classic Thai and Lao noodles and curries live next to signature offerings such as the crispy snapper and mango salad, roast duck in Holy Basil’s homemade plum sauce and the surf and turf platter. Don’t walk out the door until you’ve had the fried ice cream with salted caramel and coconut, which has been a menu staple for over a decade.
Image: Nikki To
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It’s always a good time at Chatkazz. A 200-dish-strong menu, which is 100% vegetarian and even includes Bombay Chinese cuisine, makes it a hassle-free option for meat-free Mondays or your next big group gathering, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The no-frills Indian eatery has been satisfying cravings at its Harris Park location for ten years, serving up an array of street food from northern and southern India. If you’re stuck on where to start, you can’t go wrong with the spicy chickpea curry that is chhole bhatura or cheesy jini dosa.
Image: Nikki To
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Go big for your next date night at Willo Restaurant & Bar: a hatted restaurant plating up striking dishes with Mediterranean and Australian influences. The glamorous space in central Parramatta boasts a grand indoor dining room and bar that spills onto the foyer outdoors. The Tiny Bird’s Nest is a must — a delicate brioche filled with chorizo cream and topped with Italian meringue. Follow it up with Hokkaido scallops with artichoke and chilli oil, or crispy pork ribs with pesto. Bigger mains include a Venetian duck ragu pasta, girasoli stuffed with blue swimmer crab and prawns, and slow-roasted lamb with harissa and pomegranate.
Image: Nikki To
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Celebrate your next milestone with a sky-high glass of bubbly, or even an opulent private event, at Nick & Nora’s. The glitzy cocktail and champagne bar sits 26 floors above the city in the V by Crown building, offering expansive views across Parramatta.
Drawing inspiration from the 1920s and 30s, the venue oozes with post-prohibition glamour. For bigger groups, there are three different spaces available: a boardroom with butler service, the Champagne Parlour and a covered outdoor terrace with a private bar. It’ll be a night you won’t remember with your choice of over 30 cocktails and 50 champagnes, including punch options for groups of four or more with the option to add a bottle of sparkling for $70. Bottoms up!
Image: Brook James