The Foodies Guide to Fairfield


Fairfield in Sydney’s southwest is home to a thriving multicultural community that loves to express its culture through food. Whether you’re craving Lebanese chicken, spicy Thai food or some sweet cakes or breads, you’ll find all of the above within walking distance from each other in this melting pot of cultural cuisines.


La Paula Continental Cakes - 1/9 Barbada Street, Fairfield

This South American eatery has been around for over 30 years and still doesn’t have a website. It doesn’t really need one. People travel across Sydney to visit La Paula’s for their traditional Chilean sweets, pulled pork sandwiches (Lomito completo con palta) and fresh empanadas.

Try their churros and sweets with homemade dulce de leche. Their caramel alone will have you returning for more.

Frank's Lebanese Restaurant - 16 Smart Street, Fairfield

Frank’s is another Fairfield foodie hotspot that has stood the test of time. In a city filled with Vietnamese and other Asian cuisines, this Lebanese restaurant stands out from the crowd and has been serving customers mountains of the good stuff for over 20 years.

If you’re a fan of El Jannah’s or Jasmin’s then you’ll be happy taking a seat at Frank’s and perusing the menu. They not only offer the delicious Lebanese charcoal chicken with creamy garlic toum (no kissing after this meal!) but pride themselves on their mixed plates, kebabs and more.

Green Peppercorn - 1 Hamilton Road, Fairfield

This Thai/Laos restaurant pulls in the crowds for their spicy kick of delicious fresh flavours - the zingy Papaya Salad and traditional Lao sausages are a must. Green Peppercorn has gotten so popular they’ve opened a CBD popup in the Civic Hotel too (in case you’re not tough enough to make the trek into the wild, wild west).

However, the original will always be the best. Make sure you book as this place gets busy on weekends and crowds will wait at the door for their tables. Don’t miss taking a selfie with the full-sized tuk-tuk in the foyer.

Al Dhiaffah Al Iraqi Restaurant - 13 The Crescent, Fairfield

Iraqi food is relatively unknown to Sydneysiders, but boy are we missing out. Supposedly the only Iraqi restaurant in Sydney, Al Dhiaffah will have you leaving with a food coma from their large portions and homely cooking.

Despite its simple appearance, the owners of this family-run restaurant pride themselves on tasty food of their homeland. Think curries, whole BBQ fish, slow-cooked lamb shank stews with meat so tender it falls off the bone, and sauce to be mopped up with soft fresh Iraqi flat bread made locally. Tick it off your cultural food bucketlist.

La Tratt Italian - 14 Anzac Avenue, Fairfield

We know it’s in a club, but this Italian restaurant is serving more than just your usual pub grub. La Tratt is like fine dining in the ‘burbs. Winning the Best Restaurant in a Club accolade for the seventh time in nine years, they pride themselves on top quality food and service. With complimentary bread and olives to start, you’re already onto a winner. Have fun choosing a main from the many delicious options before ending with Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) with vanilla bean ice-cream.

And a little bit extra...

Oh, and if you’re after Vietnamese then head over to the neighbouring suburbs of Cabramatta (try Tan Viet Noodle House) or Canley Heights (home to local Thai favourite Holy Basil plus modern Vietnamese Chi&Co). Only problem will be deciding which one to try first. Happy food hunting!


Siân Edwards
@sianwithashh