11 Awesome Places To Eat In Western Sydney

Sick of eating at the same places in Sydney over and over again? If you’re willing to travel out of the city, you’ll find loads of hidden gems in the suburbs of Sydney – you just need to know where to look. Here are 11 great places to eat in Western Sydney!

1. YX Mini Hot Pot

If you’re looking to get lost in another world, get yourself to YX Mini Hot Pot. This hot pot restaurant has been decorated to look like a scene out of a traditional Chinese fairytale, which definitely makes the dining experience feel special. Now for the food – each diner gets their own individual hot pot, and the ordering is all done electronically from the tablet on your table. I love how the meat is presented, especially the platter of roses! The food here is pricier than the usual hot pot joint, but the quality of your meal and the overall experience matches the price. YX Mini Hot Pot has also opened a new location in Haymarket recently, which has more of a cosy private booth atmosphere. 

delicious hotpot western Sydney dinner eat

2. Wagyu House KBBQ

This is the holy grail of all-you-can-eat Korean BBQs, and at around $35 a head you’ll be hard-pressed to find better value. Wagyu House has a huge selection of quality meats and they use wire grilling plates with charcoal, which gives your meat a great smoky flavour. It’s busy every night of the week, so come early if you want to avoid the lines! 

Wagyu House Korean BBQ buffet western Sydney

3. Kanzo Sushi

There’s no shortage of Japanese restaurants in Sydney, but Kanzo is one of the best in the West. The sushi combinations served at Kanzo aren’t the typical Japanese offerings – think Aussie fusion, with lots of toppings and delicious sauces. It’s a busy lunchtime spot for workers in the local area, so be prepared for the lunch rush on weekdays.

Kanzo sushi western Sydney dinner restaurant in Parramatta

4. Knafeh

The guys at Knafeh love theatrics, but it’s their sweet cheesy dessert that steals the show. For anyone not familiar with the Knafeh dessert, it’s a traditional Middle Eastern sweet made of baked cheese and breadcrumbs, drenched in sugar syrup – yum! The bearded bakers at Knafeh run as a pop up all over western Sydney, so check their social media to find where they’re baking at any given time. 

Knafeh dessert western Sydney Lebanese sweet cheese

5. Tan Viet

This Vietnamese restaurant is famous for its iconic noodle soup and crispy chicken that will blow your mind. The menu here is simple and the service is lightning fast, since most diners already know their order before they even step foot in the restaurant. The soup here is not your typical Vietnamese pho – it’s a more nourishing bone-broth full of goodness. And the crispy chicken is fried to perfection every time!

Tan Viet restaurant Vietnamese soup western Sydney food

6. The Woods Pantry

This modern cafe in the suburbs focuses on Aussie classics with a middle eastern twist. The highlight of the menu here is the Knafeh French toast – a sweet cheesy desert (or breakfast if you’ve got a sweet tooth) served with pistachio ice cream and a generous drizzle of fragrant rosewater syrup. Besides the food, I can’t get over the giant horse covered in plants that lives here – random, but cool.

French toast brunch western Sydney cafe

7. Al Aseel

Al Aseel is probably the most iconic Lebanese restaurant in Sydney, and for good reason. Its menu is full of mouth-watering Lebanese flavours, served in big portions fit for even the biggest of appetites. Al Aseel is the perfect place to bring a group of friends and share plates of delicious Middle Eastern food.

Al Aseel Lebanese restaurant western Sydney food

8. Bay Vista

Chocoholics take note – Bay Vista is your one-stop shop for deserts in the West. They’ve got liquid chocolate on tap, crepe and pancake making stations, and ice cream bowls with all the toppings you could ask for. The place is open until late, so you can enjoy indulge your sweet tooth or grab a coffee after hours.

bay vista ice cream bowl dessert parramatta

9. Tuk Tuk

Traditional Thai flavours are the drawcard here at Tuk Tuk, in a city oversaturated with Thai restaurants. While they’ve got all the usual Thai dishes, the bold flavours here pack a punch and you’ll be back for more! If you’re not good with chilli, make sure you tell the waiters you’d like your dishes very mild – otherwise you’ll be crying tears of spiciness (I found this out the hard way).

Tuk Tuk thai lao restaurant canley vale dinner spicy food

10. Hot Pot City

Hot Pot City is home to a buffet with an amazing spread full of seafood, vegetables, noodles, sauces and meat. Pick your soup flavour and get stuck into plates of all your hot pot favourites!

hot pot soup Bankstown buffet all you can eat asian food

11. Poke Bros

If you’re craving a healthy meal, stop in at Poke Bros and pick yourself up a delicious poke bowl. They have seafood, chicken and vegetarian options, with decent portions and fresh ingredients. Even though it’s not particularly traditional, I love the spicy Korean chicken bowl with mayo and kimchi – its secret ingredient is cream cheese! 

poke bowl Cabramatta delicious  healthy food Korean chicken

So there you have it – 11 great places to try in Sydney that aren’t in the city CBD! Give one of these a try next time you’re hungry for something different. 

Poppy xoxo 

If you’re looking for more Sydney recommendations, check my list of 15 free things to do in Sydney, as recommended by a local.

11 AWESOME PLACES TO EAT IN WESTERN SYDNEY

What To Eat At Tashas: South Africa’s Best Cafe Chain

My guilty pleasure in South Africa is the popular cafe chain Tashas. It’s the perfect place for brunch with friends, business meetings or a quick solo bite. When I travel to Johannesburg, you’ll find me at Tashas almost everyday for some sort of meal. I’ve tried basically everything on the menu at some stage or another – so here are my favourite picks!

Something sweet

Classic French toast with a side of crispy bacon:
This French toast is the real deal. I don’t know how they get the outside of the French toast so crispy and caramelised while keeping the inside soft and fluffy – it’s soooo good! The dish is perfect by itself with its berry reduction, but I always get a side of crispy bacon to cut through the sugar. Be prepared for the sugar rush to follow after you polish this off.

French toast breakfast South Africa

Something savoury

Mediterranean tostada:
If you’re looking for something really filling, this tostada is your best bet for a full stomach. It’s loaded with so much good stuff – grilled chicken, hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, chilli flakes, cumin, parsley and vinaigrette, all served on top of a crispy wholegrain wrap. I’d recommend ordering a side of avocado to go on top…. you’ll basically get a whole avocado, and it’s totally worth it for that extra creamy texture.

Creamed avo on toast:
Everyone loves a good smashed avocado on toast, but this one has a bit of a twist. Expect your avocado to be creamed with almond and served with fennel, labneh, chives, parsley, spiced pistachios, cucumber & gluten-free sourdough. This is a really good vegetarian option, with surprisingly good gluten-free bread (I guess that makes this gluten free?!).

Hummus toastie:
Hummus, rocket, avocado, tomatoes, feta, poached egg, za’atar spice & toasted village bread. It’s definitely a bit of an upgrade from the usual eggs on toast! And another good option for those vegetarians out there.

Don’t forget with all the savoury dishes, you can go crazy with the sides! They have everything from halloumi to chicken schnitzel, and they’re all really well-priced.

Something healthy

Oats:
Sometimes you just need a simple and hearty breakfast – if that’s what you’re in the mood for, order the oats. Banana, maple yogurt, coconut, chia and cinnamon-spiced warm oats – your stomach will thank you for this one! You’ll feel like snuggling up in the corner with a book while you slowly make your way through this bowl of goodness, and I’m sure the staff will be happy for you to do just that if it’s not a busy morning.

Fruit salad:
Nothing like a huge bowl of fruit salad to keep you happy and healthy. You can order with a side of yogurt and muesli to make it a more substantial meal. Perfect for a light summer brunch, or a few colourful snaps for your Instagram story.

Something to drink

Peanut protein smoothie:
This smoothie is so dense and filling it could almost be considered a light meal. Peanut butter, banana, almond milk, chia seeds, spiced agave syrup and cinnamon are blended to perfection, and those gym junkies out there can add whey protein into the mix for that extra kick.

Tashas hot choc with marshmallows:
This deconstructed drink is the perfect option on a cold day! They serve all the elements separately, so you can ladle in the Nutella and make your drink as chocolatey (or un-chocolatey) as you like.

Berry açai smoothie:
If you’re attempting to keep your juice cleanse alive, reach for this big glass of fruity goodness. Açai, banana, blueberry, mango and apple juice make for a light and refreshing  smoothie you’ll love.

Fresh Juices with Ginger:
They love asking you if you’d like ginger in any of their fresh juices, so be sure to say yes if you like that gingery zing.

There’s plenty of other amazing dishes on the menu at Tashas, so don’t limit yourself to the things in this post – enjoy!

Poppy xoxo

Want to read more foodie content? Check out my post about the 10 best places for tacos in Mexico City! 

what to eat at Tashas South Africa

Fluffy Japanese Pancakes In Tokyo: A Happy Pancake Review

fluffy banana pancakes in Japan

Fluffy pancakes are a Japanese dessert craze which I can always get behind! One of my favourite places in Tokyo for these pancakes is A Happy Pancake cafe in Ginza. Hidden on the 7th floor of a tucked away building, you won’t stumble upon this dessert experience unless you’re looking for it!

Seating at A Happy Pancake, Tokyo

Since the cafe is relatively small with just 32 seats, it can get extremely busy. On weekends and public holidays, you can expect to wait for over an hour for a table. I’d recommend coming on a weekday after the lunch rush if your schedule allows it. I usually come at this time and find there’s no wait for a table. If Ginza isn’t on your itinerary, A Happy Pancake has cafes in Omotesando (the original cafe), Shibuya, Ikebukero and Kichijoji.

Cooking station at A Happy Pancake, Ginza

If you’re curious as to how they get the pancakes so fluffy, you can see the whole process through the glass window into the kitchen. In true Japanese fashion, they are very methodical with the whole process. It’s really interesting to watch them whip the eggs, measure the batter and slice the toppings with such precision. I really like how they check the temperature of the pancakes and hot plates constantly to ensure the pancakes are cooked perfectly every time. They are totally fine with you taking pictures (I’m fairly sure that was the idea behind the glass window into the kitchen), so snap away!

cooking dessert

A Happy Pancake only uses high quality ingredients in their dishes – Manuka honey from New Zealand, organic eggs from Nara and fresh Hokkaido cream. They don’t use any baking soda or raising agents, and their food is completely free of preservatives. Expect your meal to take at least 20 minutes, since they cook the pancakes to order.

Banana Chocolate fluffy Pancakes

Now for the pancakes – they are truly like golden yellow pillows of fluffiness in your mouth! They aren’t too sweet, letting the flavour of the egg meringue and toppings shine through. Light and airy, yet filling at the same time, you’ll definitely walk out with a full stomach after a plate of these. You can really tell that they use those premium-quality ingredients in their food. They also have an extensive drinks menu full of hot and cold options to pair with your meal.

I will say though, I have ordered the “happy pancake” which comes with whipped butter and syrup, and while I found it delicious it definitely has a strong egg-y undertone, so I would stick to some of the other items on the menu if you have more of a sweet tooth. I love the chocolate banana or tiramisu flavours, and they also have savoury pancakes if you’d prefer those. They have an English menu for non-Japanese speakers.

Delicious dessert fluffy pancakes in Ginza, Tokyo

All in all, if you’ve never had a “fluffy” pancake before, A Happy Pancake is a place you should pop on your Tokyo food bucket list. It’s the perfect spot for a filling afternoon tea during a day of shopping or sightseeing. Expect to spend around 2000 yen per person for pancakes and a drink. Enjoy!

Poppy xoxo

Love reading foodie content? Check out this post on the 10 best places for tacos in Mexico City!

fluffy pancakes review Tokyo

10 Best Places For Tacos In Mexico City

Tacos are synonymous with Mexican culture and are truly the lifeblood of Mexico City. They’re perfect for any occasion – breakfast food, lunchtime meal, social snack or a filling dinner. Here are some of my favourite taquerias in CDMX for every budget and taste.

Los Cocuyos

1. Los Cocuyos

This small taco stand in Zocalo is a popular with locals and tourists alike. It became a tourist hotspot after Anthony Bourdain visited with his ‘No Reservations’ TV series, but it was already a popular local taqueria years before that. Los Cocuyos is open 24 hours a day, and the menu here has all sort of offals on offer – tongue, brains and gizzard etc. The tortillas here are the BEST I’ve ever tasted – they have an amazingly soft and buttery flavour/texture. My favourite filling here would be the campecheno (mixture of chorizo and beef). Since Los Cocuyos is literally just a hole in wall, you’ll watch the cooks prepare the fresh tacos and tend to the bubbling pots of meat while you stand and munch on your tacos. It doesn’t get any more authentic than this!

Calle de Bolívar 57, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

2. Los Especiales

Famous in Zocalo for their cheap and tasty basket tacos. There’s always a line of locals snaking outside the shop, so you know it must be good. Each taco is 7 pesos, which is very affordable by locals standards!

Av Francisco I. Madero 71, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

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El Huequito

3. El Huequito

El Huequito has many franchises around México City, but this is no ordinary taco chain! You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t think these are some of the best tacos al pastor in CDMX (me included). El Huequito is known for their flavourful meat marinade, crispy tacos al pastor and onions soaked in the dripping juices from the trompo. Be sure to order the pastor especial con queso – you’ll be treated to a mountain of freshly sliced al pastor meat covered in cheese, and around 10 tortillas to wrap into your own tacos. The sopa azteca here is also delicious. Come hungry.

Calle de Bolívar 58, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico (various other locations)

4. Orinoco

The decor at Orinoco gives me serious In-N-Out burger joint vibes, as does the simple but well-executed menu. You can except a long (but quick) line for this restaurant in Roma Norte. People go crazy for their chicharron tacos, and they have vegetarian options as well.

Av. Insurgentes Sur 253, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

El Tizoncito

5. El Tizoncito

A busy casual indoor-outdoor restaurant in La Condesa. El Tizoncito say they are the original creators of tacos al pastor… not sure how true this is but their tacos al pastor are definitely delicious! They have the trompo out in the centre of the restaurant, and great little condiment stands on each table with salsas, corn chips and beans. There are English menus and semi-English speaking staff for us non-Spanish speakers, which really helps the experience. They are open until 3:30am everyday, and have a full menu of soups, huaraches etc. as well as their tacos.

Av. Tamaulipas 122, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

6. El Vilsito

Mechanic shop by day, popular taqueria by night, El Vilsito is a casual nighttime dining spot out in the suburbs. The place was recently featured on the Netflix show ‘Taco Chronicles’, which has only added to the late night crowds visiting for a feast.

Av. Universidad, Narvarte Poniente, Benito Juárez, 03020 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

El Pescadito

7. El Pescadito

Seafood tacos are hard to come by in CDMX, but El Pescadito have great options and are known for their fish tacos. Their self-serve condiment bar has all the sauces and salsas you could ever want. You’ll only need a maximum of 3 tacos to fill you up – they’re large and filling, especially after adding your salads and pickles! I found the fried fish tacos here delicious.

Independencia 57, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico (various other locations)

Rico’s Tacos de Guisado

8. Rico’s Tacos de Guisado

This local taco stand specialises in a variety of stewed meat and vegetable tacos. The vendors travel hours from the Mexican countryside everyday to man their stand. There are lots of street stands around town with questionable hygiene, but this one is known to be fairly clean. Their chile relleno tacos are unique and flavourful.

Av. Morelos 1, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Taqueria Gonzalez

9. Taquería González

A local standing-room-only shop serving large tacos full of hearty toppings. You can get fillings like slow-cooked potatoes and cactus on your tacos here, which makes them very substantial. Despite being a hole-in-the-wall shop, Taqueria Gonzalez is known for salsas full of complex flavours. Definitely something different from the usual tacos you see around CDMX.

Calle López 100, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

10. Taqueria El Greco

A hole-in-the-wall taqueria in La Condesa. It’s right around the corner from Parque México, so if it’s busy and you can’t get a table (which is fairly common) you can always order takeaway and have a picnic in the park. Doneraky is the most popular order here (meat with corn tortilla)

Av Michoacán 54, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Poppy xoxo

Want more Mexico City inspiration? Read my Complete Guide to Grutas Tolantango Hot Springs, Mexico.

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