The best cafés in Parramatta

Settle in to this skinny warehouse café and dose yourself with Little Marionette coffee and the baked eggs – creamy Danish fetta with grilled pieces of spicy Turkish sausage on top of baked eggs, tomato, baby spinach and chilli flakes. You’ll get halfway through the Portobello mushrooms with hummus on sourdough before you even realise that there’s no bacon. Embrace Australia’s dessert heritage with a lamington to finish. Circa Espresso brings village vibes to Sydney’s geographic centre. It's no wonder it won Favourite Café in the People's Choice section of the 2022 Time Out Food & Drink Awards.

Instagrammers, rejoice. Foodies flock from all corners of Sydney to visit this adorable café in the heart of Parramatta. From milkshakes served in mini bathtubs to towering purple hotcakes, the Social Hideout’s menu is jam-packed with some of the most photogenic food you’ve ever seen. Not only a feast for your eyes but for your tastebuds as well, there are dishes to suit all dietary requirements. You’ll want to book a table here early if you’re keen to visit on a weekend – it gets busy early.

The Container is a hidden gem in North Parramatta – and, as the name suggests, it's literally housed in a shipping container, opposite Doyle Oval. Their signature açai bowl will have you dreaming of the tropics throughout the work day (add the peanut butter, it’s worth it). The real star of the show though, is their coffee. They use Allpress Espresso coffee and can whip out the perfect almond latte in less than a minute. Bonus points for the super lovely staff and dog-friendly vibes.

This historic building was once the Female Factory, which housed female convicts back in the 1820s and '30s. Today, the sandstone building and its surrounds are a peaceful backdrop for all-day breakfast and lunch. Havenstone’s head chef Anthony Doueihi brings a contemporary twist to classic flavours. For brunch, savour orange and honey French toast dressed with mascarpone, honey and spiced macadamia; warm mushroom bruschetta croissants with goat’s cheese, tomato and prosciutto; and green sencha tea-smoked salmon served cool with brown rice, greens, heirloom tomatoes and poached eggs.

Think Grounds of Alexandria, Parramatta style. Conveniently located within a five-minute walk from the train station, this charming haven offers a breather from the hustle and
bustle of the city. Fun fact: Lil' Miss Collins is *so* iconic it made it onto the limited-edition Parramatta Monopoly board. Legendary.

Much like the MIA song of the same name, Paper Planes is a little offbeat, but a reliable source of energy. This is mostly thanks to brews that they are tapping out from the Inner West’s much loved Little Marionette Coffee. The café’s soundtrack is a little random – one minute we’re listening to Alanis Morissette, the next Snakehips. We like it.

If you’re craving a decent feed and a classic café experience, then Beans and Barrels will do the job. One of the few more centrally-located Parramatta cafés open on the weekends, it offers a hearty menu that caters to everyone. Kick back and relax, but don’t blame us if you end up staying for a few hours – the cosy atmosphere makes it hard to leave.

The sisters behind Adora have been legends for decades, for their vibrant handmade chocolates featuring Belgian Callebaut, wattleseed and traditional (often gluten-free) ganaches. They also serve up excellent coffee, and a few other more substantial eats.