We moved to the Parramatta area from Sydney’s east in 2012; the big change was having a real sense of excitement to explore the area whenever we had time. You get so rewarded when you explore the western suburbs, from a food and a cultural perspective.
It’s a cliche to talk first about food with a culture that’s new to you, but it is an amazing gateway as it makes you think about who cooked the food and their connections with neighbouring businesses. It’s the easiest way to immerse yourself in something different to what you know.
Food
The best part about Parramatta’s food scene are the little pockets specific to a certain culture that feel so lived-in. Harris Park is nicknamed Little India; The main strip, Wigram Street, has all these heritage houses that are converted into restaurants and beautifully lit up at night.
A lot of westerners don’t know how fun Indian food can be (I certainly didn’t a decade ago). My family will go to three different spots for snacks, mains and dessert. Not many streets in Sydney allow that kind of food adventure so easily. My kids love Amaravathi for the all-you-can-eat pani puri (deep-fried besan flour puffs stuffed with potato, onion and chickpea) for $8 a person.
Chatkazz does phenomenal Mumbai street food like schezwan vada pav (spicy fried potato balls on a buttered bread roll with cheese). Jaipur Sweets is vegetarian and does a great value meal: $22 for two curries, roti bread, jalebi (a sweet, deep-fried, spiral-shaped snack), chai and a second dessert. On Tuesday nights it does a free vegetarian meal for locals who need it. Harris Park serves its community first and foremost; that’s what I love most about it.
Toongabbie is a bit west of Parramatta and has an incredible Sri Lankan food scene. Xdream Dine In And Take Away has excellent egg hoppers, curries, breads and pastries. Everything is ridiculously cheap!
Green spaces
Parramatta’s original inhabitants are the Burramattagal people, a clan of the Dharug. Burramatta/Parramatta is named after the eels that live in the river. The walking path alongside Parramatta River to Sydney Olympic Park has improved a lot since I moved here; I can run all the way along it now and the views are beautiful.
You can see red-rumped parrots around here, a…
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