9 Mouth-Watering Foodie Destinations To Discover In Parnell

For a modern take on Korean flavours, send Simon & Lee to the top of your dining list. They serve breakfast and lunch all week long, and dinner Wednesday through to Friday. A bowl of sizzling bibimbap slathered in house-made gochujang sauce will cure your mid-day cravings for sure. Or opt for their legendary Korean fried chicken lunchbox pimped out with slaw, pickles and fries. Prepare your taste buds—there are five sauce flavours to choose from, including wasabi and danger spicy.

Those with a penchant for French food won’t want to miss a decadent trip to Vaniyé Pâtisserie. This award-winning patisserie is the passion project of husband-and-wife team, Sonia and Laurent Haumonté. You'll be dazzled by the colourful, eye-catching selection of sweet treats as soon as you step inside. Whether you’re craving a classic pain au chocolat, a lunchtime baguette or an epic birthday cake to impress your guests, you’ll find it here.

NEM, a lively restaurant in the heart of Parnell Road, will transport your taste buds to Vietnam. Featuring cosy, eclectic decor, show-stopping dishes and a creative cocktail menu, it’s the ideal spot for your next group hang. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on their signature dish, the flaming coconut prawn curry. This feast of flavours is served inside a coconut that has been set on fire. Now that’s impressive.

Just up from the picturesque Parnell Rose Gardens you’ll find one of the suburb’s most buzzing eateries—aptly named Rosie. Slinging breakfast, lunch and dinner, their seasonally curated menu is designed to share. Because let’s be honest, we want to eat it all. And if you can’t score a seat at this ever-popular spot, don’t fret, head next door to Little Rosie for a moreish selection of takeaway goods.

Moody lighting, cosy bench seats and top-notch cocktails are just a few reasons why we love Barulho for a date night dinner. The Mediterranean-style cuisine comes alive through a mouth-watering tapas menu—think marinated warm olives, croquetas, ceviche and empanadas. And we can’t forget the Portuguese custard tart dessert, a contemporary take on this well-loved sweet delight. 

For your sushi fix, Moto Sushi Bar—quite literally tucked away along Parnell Road—is the local’s go-to place. You could easily walk straight past this one, as it’s hidden down a flight of brick stairs beneath one of the main street’s heritage buildings. Expect all your favourite sushi bites, from sashimi and nigiri to bento boxes, ramen and udon bowls.

Inspired by home cooking from the team’s roots in Bali and Java, Bandung Café boasts a fresh take on Indonesian cuisine, with classic touches throughout. Set in plain sight along Parnell road, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the colourful decor and the cute patio tucked away out the back. With breakfast, lunch and dinner up for grabs, stop in any time of the day for a foodie fix.

For a moody late-night sip, Pineapple on Parnell bar is the place to be. This regal hideaway offers an opulent escape from city life, encouraging patrons to unwind with good company and even better cocktails. Expect dramatic dark green walls accented with luxurious velvet curtains and cosy leather booths, plus an equally stunning drinks list to match.

It seems anything Pasture turns its hand to is rather good. So when they opened Alpha Test Kitchen and Bakery we expected great things. We can report it's brilliant. During the day, Alpha is the destination for baked goods, breakfast, and lunch. But by night the space metamorphoses into a test kitchen for Pasture's R&D. You can expect an eclectic mix of breads and pastries such as Pasture's famous sourdough, german style pretzels, brioche doughnuts and much more. Did we mention Roman Style pizza? You can get one of those too.