LILYMU is a must-visit. Still fairly new to the scene, it brings a Chinese-centred menu with strong South Asian vibes to Parramatta Square. We also love LILYMU for its extensive cocktail menu with our favourites, including the Tuktuk Spiced Margarita, Chow Sour, and Sour Plum Negroni. Whether it’s innovative takes on Mi Goreng or classic ceviche, the menu is fresh and fun. Our recommendation? Check out the ‘Feasting Menu’ for $98pp and bring three of your best friends.

This massive 300-seat restaurant nestled in Parramatta Park can cater for any group, no matter how big. With views of the tranquil river from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the smart and stylish restaurant is a much-welcomed addition to the Parramatta dining scene. It boasts an exciting combination of Middle Eastern, South American flare, and modern Australian.

The Meat & Wine Co. is great for date night and serves up some of the best value-for-money fine dining in Sydney’s West. We love their selection of delectable meats and some of the world’s finest wines, our favourite steak being the Wagyu Rump (Marble Score 6+). Indulgent is the best word to describe this restaurant, and it starts with the entrees. Choose from their selection of raw meats and for mains, skewers and an extensive menu of steaks, from rump eye to rib-eye and fillets.

One of the newest Parramatta restaurants to make the list is Al Aseel. The Lebanese restaurant offers a traditional family-style feasting menu, brimming with the likes of kibbe, fattoush, hommos, shawarma and all your other Lebanese favourites. Along with dinner, they also have a Lebanese Brunch and Mezza Hour on the menu, so you can delight in Lebanese goodness any time of the day.

Bringing a touch of Europe to Western Sydney is this all-day dining brasserie. Located on Eat Street Parramatta, they offer an open-fire grill menu and an extensive selection of wines from Australia and around the world, including plenty of Burgundy’s. The space is large and extends outdoors, providing ample space for large gatherings. We love Ruse’s use of fresh, seasonable ingredients, and our favourite menu items include any of the steaks, lamb rump, chicken breast, and Murray cod.

Willo is one of the best restaurants in Parramatta if you feel like being boujee. The large space features an open kitchen and a bar and a dining area, seamlessly married by a colour palette of natural chromatic hues. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, using Australian local produce wherever possible, to create a fresh, unique and seasonally driven menu. The menu is designed for sharing, so we recommend coming with a crew to really make the most of your time at Willo.

One of the Parramatta restaurants serving up authentic Singaporean-Malay cuisine, Temasek is a famous spot among Western Sydney locals for its incredible laksa. The unpretentious vibes here mean the focus is all on the food, and you can taste the passion that goes into each dish. We can’t go past their laksa Singapura with chicken but also try the king prawn Hae Mee soup or order a Singapore Chilli Crab ahead of your visit for a gourmet option. Arrive hungry because the portion here is generous

With a menu designed to be shared, Bayti Restaurant is all about creating an experience rather than a simple meal out. The menu is a set-sharing banquet menu for four or more, starting from $70pp, but this often changes, so it’s best to check with the restaurant. The experience lasts two hours, giving you plenty of time to fill up on eggplant fatteh, kataifi wrapped halloumi, pistachio baklava, and some. They also have live music on some nights!

For one of the best restaurants in Parramatta for Spanish cuisine, head to Lola Cocina. The menu is brimming with innovative, flavoursome dishes – try the selection of Spanish cheeses to start, then move onto tapas options including beef meatballs stuffed with manchego cheese and romesco sauce, before finishing with churros for dessert. If you’re in the mood for Paella this is the place to visit in Parramatta, we struggle to go past the Paella De Marisco with fresh seafood and green peas.

For innovative Indian cuisine, Mad Down Under is the Parramatta restaurant with the goods. Dining here is bound to be anything but boring, with a dramatic open-show pizza kitchen with a bar and two tandoor ovens. Enjoy delicious tandoor and kebabs along with Indian breads. This is a great option for vegetarians, with plenty of options on the menu.

Not to be confused with the Haymarket establishment, Pho Pasteur Parramatta is owned by husband and wife team, Mr & Mrs Pham, who came to Parramatta as refugees in the early '90s. It may come as no surprise then that the Pho is as authentic as it gets. From humble beginnings, Pho Pasteur is now the go-to spot for Paramatta locals to get their fix, with a huge range of traditional Southern Vietnamese dishes and countless Pho varieties up for grabs.

The last couple of options on our list of best restaurants in Parramatta are more ‘chains’ than stand-alone restaurants but deserve to make the list regardless. A re-creation of sorts of Sydney burger joint, Bar Luca, BL serves up all the same juicy creations, along with a few new additions. We can’t go past the Blame Chicanada burger, with southern fried chicken, American cheese, maple bacon, maple aioli & poutine. To-die-for.

Easily the best restaurant in Parramatta for a classic sando, Harvey’s Hot Sandwiches is providing the goods. Located in the bustling Parramatta Square precinct, these make for an indulgent feed in your lunch break or pre-commute – with tonnes of American-diner-style combos up for grabs. Our favourite has to be the Muffuletta, made with mortadella, ham, salami, Harvey’s olive spread, provolone cheese and Swiss cheese.