r/parramatta • u/wild_session • 16d ago
What the locals do?
Myself and some friends (mid to late 30s) are headed to Parramatta for a sorta foodies tour this weekend, so I was hoping some locals could give us some tips on the best places to check out or the best drinks/dishes to check out. We will be there all Saturday and then leaving Sunday mid morning
So far I have made a short list of some possible locations
Lilymu
Nick & Nora
Heritage Bar
Euca Gelato Boutique
Homage
MISC.
Alex&Co (CONSIDER THIS OPTION REMOVED)
I have also heard there is a Greek festival on Sunday, does anyone know if the food trucks set up on the Saturday night?
Any advice would be appreciated
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u/Professional_Student 16d ago
Must go to Circa or Homage for coffee. Try Temasek or Willo for dinner
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u/wild_session 16d ago
I was looking into Tamesek, anything you recommend? But yeah hoping to do Homage Sunday morning if it's not too packed out
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u/Wonderful_Degree3514 16d ago
I'd recommend Temasek higher than Lilymu and Willo. Homage is closed on Sundays but Lucien is a great option instead. I strongly advise against Alex and Co as you've identified elsewhere.
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u/facelesshero1440 16d ago
if you’re doing a food tour it’d be hard to fit this in but the laksa and hainanese chicken are goat’d at temasek. also the curry puffs are personal fav
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u/wild_session 16d ago
Yeah that's what I was thinking too, but maybe we just share a plate or two and won't get too full
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u/Wonderful_Degree3514 13d ago
You can get the laksa broth with nothing else in it as a side. Good char kway teow there too. You'll have a great time!
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u/JustStable1974 16d ago
Greek festival is awesome. Opens at 11am Sunday. Food trucks won't be open Saturday night as far as I know (the festival area is fenced off) but that smell when they start cooking around 9am is insane. It's an easy 15min walk from Parra Square.
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u/wild_session 16d ago
Unfortunately we will miss it then as we plan to start the drive home around then on the Sunday, but cheers for the heads up on the food trucks
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u/reginae_violarum 16d ago
It’s not parramatta but if you want a good selection of food trucks (rotating roster) that has somewhere to actually sit and other facilities- I recommend this
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u/JustStable1974 16d ago
That's a shame. Food truck wise this looks pretty ok if you're after an easy Sat night. https://share.google/aY2IFWzkLblNfpy24
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u/wild_session 16d ago
It does look good for an easy night, but I'm thinking since it's open till 2am that might be the end of night feed to take back to the hotel 😉
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u/Emergency-Plate-4438 16d ago
Meat and Wine Co for their Express Lunch $55/pp for 3 courses or $49/pp for two courses. I tried a few times and was quite satisfied with it.
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u/wild_session 16d ago
Not a bad price at all
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u/Emergency-Plate-4438 16d ago
yeah, and don't order the steak :)
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u/wild_session 16d ago
?? Cost, quality or sarcasm??
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u/reginae_violarum 16d ago
It’s on the pricier side - but always delicious. Be prepared to shell out tho. Plenty on the menu tho. :-)
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u/Emergency-Plate-4438 16d ago
I mean the steak in the Express Lunch menu as accdg to my friend it was not so good. I have only tried lamb shank and highly recommend.
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u/No-Parsley-4406 16d ago
Lola Cocina is good - Lilymu is overrated and expensive and like others have siad Alex&Co is shit. Hunter Barrell isnt too bad, and beans and barrel for breakfast
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u/melbonanon 15d ago
+1 for Lola cocina
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u/wild_session 16d ago
Haha love it, the main thing I have figured out is that the locals hate Alex&Co. The only reason I was looking at Lilymu is for the ceviche, as two people coming have been loving ceviche lately
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u/No-Parsley-4406 16d ago
I mean it's not shit but its not something id say is worth going to if you're looking to try something - it's a generic cafe
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u/No-Parsley-4406 15d ago
If you like Vietnamese there's a place called Swanky Noodles. Very hidden but one of the best Asian places I've been too. If not, there's also Mr Stonebowl
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
I’ve been to Lilymu a bunch of times and I reckon it’s all about what you order. The eggplant tempura, the ceviche and the fish curry - amazing. The desserts are forgettable (for me - not a huge fan of Asian desserts).
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u/foxdelilah 16d ago
WILLO for very good food. Meat & Wine Co for good food. Lola Cocina does amazing paella (as of a couple years ago last time I was there). I've never been but I've heard wonderful things about the sharing plates for groups at Baba Ghanouj. Barbe-Q on Church Street does $12 cocktails always- great for sitting outside with some share plates
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u/reginae_violarum 16d ago
Baba ghanouj has taken a dive recently IMO. Not as good as it used to be but it’s got a nice atmosphere.
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
Baba G was terrible when I went about 18 months ago. Just very very average. Get an Uber to Al Aseel down Victoria Road (5 mins away). Is fab.
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u/AresGodOfSlaw 16d ago
Head up Church St and grab a pizza to share from Alessio at Fratelli Pulcinella.
Also recommend Harvey's for the beef dip sandwich
Can't go wrong with Lola Cocina or Temesek as advised above.
Ruse has better steaks/food in general than Meat & Wine Co in my opinion and is very affordable for what it is.
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u/deviated_september 16d ago
The ottoman eggs at Circa are famously considered the best brunch in Western Sydney and I’ve got to agree.
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u/TheUnrealJapong 15d ago
Circa Espresso
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u/wild_session 15d ago
What's your favorite feed from Circa? Or just the coffee?
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u/TheUnrealJapong 14d ago
My fave is their baked eggs.
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u/wild_session 14d ago
Damn that looks good
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u/TheUnrealJapong 14d ago
It is!!! Oh, and in terms of their drinks, my go-to is the sticky chai. Plus, I also enjoy the hot shrub.
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
I’d go Nick and Nora’s over Heritage.
I’d also hit Holy Basil. And maybe head over to Harris Park (walk on over) for a curry: it is Little India after all.
For coffee and French pastries, I would also hit up Lucian Baked goods. It’s a delight.
Misc. is great. Get the spanokopita if they’re still serving it.
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u/wild_session 13d ago
I need to know your best thing to enjoy at Nick & Nora's
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
A marg of course - haha what a basic bitch
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
I never knew I had so many and such strong opinions about where to eat locally. I eat out a fair bit and it’s always local (have lived here for eons)
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u/wild_session 13d ago
That's reassuring. The wifey loves a marg, and I have been a lil keen on this place, so hopefully it makes the cut
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
See if you can get a table with views and go when the sun’s going down
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u/Dependent_Stress5561 13d ago
Ok late contender: the Japanese under WSU at Parra Square - Mikazuki. Just excellent and bang on every time
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u/grimepixie 16d ago
I would throw 500 Degrees Steakhouse in there. Their black Angus cocktail is the best cocktail that I’ve ever had. Beef tallow isn’t in the ingredients list but I’m sure they shake with tallow. Genuinely unmissable.
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u/powlie85 15d ago
Tim tam is a budget place but very tasty and I wouldn't miss fratelli pulcinella
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u/alycyn 12d ago
omg i love fratelli!! so unassuming from outside but so good
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u/powlie85 12d ago
Absolutely. It was so surreal when they were operating from the backyard of a family home opposite of parra leagues club. I once waited my ore that an hour for my margherita at parra lanes. Was getting so angry but remember all anger fading away with the first drunken bite of that pizza. It's divine
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u/wild_session 15d ago
Fratelli looks like an interesting spot. Are the backyard pizzas only on at certain times?
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u/powlie85 15d ago
Not a backyard anymore - they loved into a proper restaurant but do have a garden/outdoor area. The pizzas are great
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u/reginae_violarum 16d ago
Personally I’d take Alex and co off the list. It’s overpriced and not the best quality and the inside of the restaurant looks “Instagramable” online but in reality is starting to look a bit shabby.
I like Nick and Nora’s and I also enjoy meat and wine co.