The Emporium

Open from breakfast to late drinks, the menu here has been fine-tuned by some of the best. Rob Cannon of Steel Bar & Grill has created a Mediterranean-inspired modern-Australian menu. There is an emphasis on native products to give a twist to traditional favourites. Cured meats from Italy, France and England complement the hefty cheese-board options. Pambula rock oysters; slow-cooked beef short rib with sticky maple paprika glaze; and pan-fried gnocchi with snow peas and ricotta are among the favourites. Try the chocolate and hazelnut delice stack – the bottom layer is made of crispy crepes.

The design is inspired by manager Dominic Borel’s own house in Italy’s Lake Como. The two-storey brick building, off the main drag of Parramatta’s Church Street, has a family-home feel, with a high roof, arched walkways and mounds of jasmine in each room. Wooden floors meet the brick courtyard, which is framed by vine-covered walls and handmade tabletops from Venice. The indoor roastery sits in the centre of the venue, on display for those who are interested in the mechanics behind their brew. Around the side of the building, stool seating facing the street mimics the people watching of Italy.