Welcome to The Latch Tastemakers, where we sit down with people who know a city’s scene like the back of their hand to ask their must-try restaurants, cafes and bars. Dive into our Tastemakers series and curate your ultimate hit-list, whether you’re exploring your own city or venturing somewhere new.
Sleeping giant. That’s how Jad Nehmetallah, star of Gogglebox Australia and owner of restaurant MISC Parramatta, describes Western Sydney’s dining scene. It’s slowly waking up, he says. It’s taking its time, yawning as it gets out of bed.
“But it’s going to get out of bed,” he says. “And it’s going to start stomping towards you all.”
Nehmetallah says he’s starting to see people from all over Sydney come to Western Sydney to dine. He thinks some people may have thought Western Sydney residents didn’t know food or hospitality but that thinking is now changing. The reality, he says, is that many people who work in venues in other areas of Sydney are from Western Sydney.
“When people come to Parramatta, they’re like, ‘Oh Parramatta stepped it up’,” he says. “’What’s going on here? Like, this is good.’ And I’m like, ‘Dude, we’re not in Mars.’ We’re literally half an hour, if less, from the CBD.”
Western Sydney locals know good food because they love eating, Nehmetallah says. Malaysian, Lebanese, Italian, Japanese, Indian — the cuisines offered in the area are diverse and you can find some of the best of them.
As for how Western Sydney’s dining scene has changed in the last decade, Nehmetallah says it used to be concentrated on Parramatta’s Church Street. Now it’s spread to Parramatta Square and its surrounds which includes Parramatta Park where MISC is.
So where does Nehmetallah recommend you eat to experience the best of Western Sydney’s dining scene?
Temasek
Nehmetallah goes to Temasek which serves Malaysian and Singaporean food when he’s craving a specific dish: the Singapore Chilli Crab. To try it, you’ll need to order it three days in advance.
“It’s delicious,” Nehmetallah says. “Go with a group. Order extra white bread and mop up all the sauce. You won’t regret it.”
Swanky Noodle
Swanky Noodle on Church Street is a hidden gem in Western Sydney, says Nehmetallah. It’s a no-frills Chinese restaurant serving noodles, pork dishes and salads. You can dine in or take away.
“You’ve probably walked past it 1000 times,” Nehmetallah says. “Make sure you get their handmade noodles and their stir-fried green beans. Delicious.”
Fratelli Pulcinella
If you’re looking for beautiful décor in Western Sydney, Nehmetallah suggests you head to Fratelli Pulcinella on Church Street which serves Italian pizzas and pastas.
“The owners hand painted his own tables,” says Nehmetallah. “He’s hand painted quotes on the walls. Outside looks very homely. It’s very different to what you would expect anywhere else in Parramatta or in the city. Go for the pizza. The pizza’s delicious — wood-fired, beautiful dough.”
MISC
The restaurant in Western Sydney with the best atmosphere? Nehmetallah says it’s his venue MISC. Opened in February, the restaurant serves Mediterranean in a sprawling indoor and outdoor space in Parramatta Park.
“I’m not being biased but look where you are,” he says. “You’re inside a park, you’re secluded. You’ve got the river. But then when you switch it from day to night — it’s like having two children. You love them both equally and they’re both beautiful in their own way. The music’s on point, the staff are cool.”
Nehmetallah says diners often tell him the restaurant feels like it’s in Europe. Or the Hunter Valley. Everyone has their own interpretation of it, he says.
Nick and Nora’s
Nick and Nora’s offers the best view in Western Sydney. It’s on the 26th floor of SKYE Suites Parramatta overlooking Parramatta’s skyline and serving snacks and drinks.
“It’s definitely worth going for a cocktail and taking it all in,” he says. “I just order a classic Negroni or I’ll see what cocktail specials they have. They have incredible cocktails.
Mikazuki and Kanzo
The Western Sydney restaurants Nehmetallah has been to too many times to count are two Japanese spots Mikazuki and Kanzo. He goes to Kanzo for its sushi rolls and crab salad — “if you know, you know”. At Mikazuki, Nehmetallah orders sashimi and rolls.
“But I’ve definitely just honestly smashed the credit card too hard at both these places,” he says.
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