5 Ways to Eat Luxe in Parramatta
Parramatta’s carved out a name for itself as a destination for some of the most forward-thinking (and delicious) upscale dining in the country.
Discover why Parramatta has carved out a name for itself as an upscale destination, home to not one, but two, hatted restaurants.
In recent years, Parramatta’s carved out a name for itself as a destination for some of the most forward-thinking (and delicious) upscale dining in the country. So recent, in fact, most of the restaurants on this list have only emerged in the past two years, and they’re setting the benchmark for what’s possible in the world of high-end food and drink experiences in the Parramatta area.
If you lived in Western Sydney, there was once a time when you’d have to travel into Sydney’s CBD and its surrounds to dine at a hatted restaurant — the highest industry honour awarded by the Australian Good Food Guide. Parramatta is now home to two restaurants, each awarded one hat. It’s a recognition that Willo Restaurant couldn’t have imagined achieving barely 6 months into opening. In 2022, that became a reality, and a career-defining moment, for Head Chef Justin Le.
“It was really surprising,” Le says of the moment he found out. “Our owner Carmen Jreji was crying, and we were just really happy and so proud of our team who had all worked so hard to achieve it. We also really appreciate our customers, many of them locals, who gave us a lot of positive feedback.”
Could there be more awards dished out in the future? Only time will tell. First, we must eat. Here are the five to try, plus what to order when you finally lock down that booking.
LILYMU
Go here for: the show-stopping desserts
LILYMU was the first restaurant in Parramatta to receive Australia’s most prestigious industry honour - one hat from the Australian Good Food Guide. On the savoury end of things, everything on the menu pays homage to the cuisines of Southeast Asia and gives umami to the max (try their Black Garlic Mi Goreng and you’ll see what we mean). The end of the meal, however, is where things get exciting. Their Coconut Sorbet with Apple Granita, Pineapple and Sago explodes with flavour and comes to your table billowing with dry ice ‘smoke.’ A must.
Willo Restaurant & Bar
Go here for: the most inventive menu
Headed up by young gun Head Chef Justin Le, the Mediterranean-leaning menu at Willo reimagines classic dishes with native Australian ingredients; think Australian tiger prawns dressed in smoked chilli oil and finger limes. But it’s The Tiny Bird’s Nest - brioche, chorizo cream, spicy salami and Italian meringue - that has emerged as its signature dish, and one diners travel from all over to try.
Misc.
Go here for: the best brunch in Parramatta
A leafy haven perched on the riverfront of Parramatta Park, Misc. is arguably the best brunch spot in Parramatta — if not the entire city. Since 2022, food lovers from all over Sydney have been descending in droves to feast on breezy cocktails and Mediterranean mezze-style spreads, with a chilli-honey-doused saganaki dish that is well worth the trip. One more must-try? The fluffiest ricotta hotcakes topped with berry butter and aniseed maple syrup.
Ruse Bar & Brasserie
Go here for: the best steak cooked over fire
With a sun-drenched, breezy dining room and bar spilling out onto Parramatta Square, Ruse Bar & Brasserie has become a popular haunt for the after-work crowd. It’s also a long lunch and dinner destination in and of itself. The menu revolves around its signature steak cuts, an impressive seafood bar and an open-fire grill powered by charcoal. Snag a prime position in the central dining room to watch the chefs work their magic.
Bacar at the Pullman
Go here for: the seafood tower
Make your way to Sydney Olympic Park to the award-winning restaurant Bacar, tucked away in the Pullman Hotel. Executive Chef Marvin Ma plays to the classics, with a menu that moves with the seasons, and hints of Japan and the Mediterranean. Keep an eye out for special occasions, like Mother’s Day, for a three-tiered seafood tower glistening with the catch of the day.
