Western Sydney has some of the best food in the city – especially when it comes to cuisines like Korean, Indian, Middle Eastern, Singaporean and Filipino – as well as compelling theatre performances, galleries and live music. And with the new Parramatta Light Rail making it easier to get there, now’s the perfect time to explore this side of the city.

March also marks the return of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Whether you’re into the races or not, the carnival brings plenty of experiences worth adding to the calendar.

Eat & drink

Winning Post Restaurant and Hard Rated Home Straight

A track-side lunch at one of Rosehill Gardens’ restaurants might just be the best way to experience the races.

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Located in the Members Reserve, The Winning Post Restaurant has panoramic views of both the racetrack and the Parade Ring. There you can enjoy a three-course menu alongside a six-hour drinks package with a good selection of beer, wine, cider, soft drink and sparkling. Or head to Hard Rated Home Straight for a more laid-back experience. There’s a beer garden with free-flowing drinks and DJs to keep the party vibes going – and entry to Home Straight is free with your ticket.

Sir Manong

Sir Manong is an Eastern Creek gem serving classic Filipino food. The dishes are as traditional as you can get in Sydney: huge plates of sisig (chopped pork cheeks) topped with finely diced onion and a runny egg; tender beef kare-kare (a peanut stew); and the spicy Bicol express, a pork dish cooked with coconut milk and chillies. And, of course, adobo: probably the most beloved and well-known Filipino dish.

Burwood Chinatown

There are more than 50 hawker-style eateries to choose from in Burwood’s huge dining precinct. It’s hard to choose where to eat, but Guo Kui Master is a must for traditional Chinese flatbreads filled with beef, lamb, veggies or brown sugar red bean; Lelesu has sweet and savoury Chinese pastries, including the signature “black caviar” pastry with pineapple jam; and Chunky Boss serves mega-sized, crispy Taiwanese fried chicken. For dessert, head to Da Jian Chen for egg waffles with fruit, chocolate and ice-cream.

Temasek

The laksa at Malaysian favourite Temasek is unmatched. Thick, herbal and spicy, it’s packed with flavour and comes with either egg or rice noodles (or even better, both). The menu also features classics from the Malay Peninsula, including Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, beef rendang and char kway teow. Plus, there’s a knockout spicy black-pepper crab that has to be ordered two days in advance.

Nick and Nora’s

This Parramatta rooftop cocktail bar is inspired by the fictional crime-fighting couple Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man, and it incorporates the pair’s love for oysters and cocktails as well as their art deco home. The lavish venue offers sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and the city, with different spaces inside like a “date space” with a private cigar balcony. Expect cold plates such as oysters, cheese and charcuterie, and an extensive cocktail list ranging from classic Martinis to theatrical creations with liquid nitrogen.

Do

Cyril at After the Last

Australian DJ and producer Cyril is headlining the Rosehill Gardens edition of After the Last, a music series that’s part of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Cyril has been on the scene since 2021 and is known for club hits Lucid Dreams, Strong and Stumblin’ In. He’ll soundtrack the biggest day of the Carnival: the TAB Golden Slipper.

Riverside Theatre

Catch quirky theatre, comedy, dance and music performances at this beloved community spot. It’s also got an interesting program of cinema and festivals year-round.

The next few months features a diverse line-up, starting with MARVELous: a raunchy parody of Marvel heroes and the Marvel Comic Universe. Later in the month, jazz band Mara! celebrates its 40th anniversary with a live performance, while award-winning cabaret An Evening Without Kate Bush pays tribute to the pop icon. The highlight of the season is the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala, bringing together some of the festival’s top international talent, local legends and up-and-coming comedians all in one incredible show.

Powerhouse Castle Hill

While the Powerhouse museums in Parramatta and Ultimo are still being renovated, you can check out fascinating exhibitions and programs at Powerhouse Castle Hill. Current highlights include Dick Smith: First Solo Helicopter Flight, which displays the helicopter Dick Smith flew during his record-breaking solo flight around the world, and Locomotive No 1, a thought-provoking presentation of British railway history. The museum also hosts group talks, tours, in-conversations and even challenges, which are ideal for the school holidays.

Skyline Drive-in Cinema

Make the most of the last few weeks of warmer weather at Sydney’s last drive-in cinema, which has been around for 60 years. Skyline is currently screening Parasite director Bong Joon Ho’s new sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 and hilarious buddy flick One of Those Days, starring Keke Palmer and Sza. Hungry? There’s also a retro 1950s-inspired diner on-site.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australian Turf Club.