The annual Parramatta Lanes festival returns for its eighth year this month, bringing the finest eats to the streets of the west. The Paramatta palooza will include 14 themed laneways, more than 50 food stalls and six pop-up bars.
The food lineup will feature many Sydney favourites and lots of sweet and savoury treats. It's far too extensive to list in its entirety here, but highlights include Frencheese's oozy raclette and crowd favourite Koi Dessert Bar, which will be set up at St John's Cathedral. Plus, one of the best laksa makers in town Temasek is popping up in the Roxy Car Park.
Butter will dish out its famed fried chicken from the rooftop of the Eat Street Car Park, which will also be home to three epic events: a giant Pac-Man maze, Bingo Loco (that's bingo, but reinvented as a party, with conga lines, dance offs and comedians) and a 90s club. When it comes time for a drink, choose between a six different bars, including Monkey's Corner.
Beyond eating and drinking (and trying to elude those multi-coloured ghosts), festival-goers can enjoy live music, dance workshops and performances, art installations with a focus on sustainability and roving theatrical performances.
Parramatta Lanes runs from Tuesday–Thursday 5–10pm and Friday 5–10.30pm.
Images: George Gittany
UPDATE: OCTOBER 10, 2019 — Duo Duo Ice Cream will no longer be at this year's Parramatta Lanes. The above article has been updated to reflect this.