A local’s guide to Parramatta: ‘You get so rewarded when you explore Sydney’s western suburbs’

Parramatta has long been sold as the ‘new centre of Sydney’, says writer and DJ Andrew Levins – and finally it’s started to feel that way

We moved to the Parramatta area from Sydney’s east in 2012; the big change was having a real sense of excitement to explore the area whenever we had time. You get so rewarded when you explore the western suburbs, from a food and a cultural perspective.

It’s a cliche to talk first about food with a culture that’s new to you, but it is an amazing gateway as it makes you think about who cooked the food and their connections with neighbouring businesses. It’s the easiest way to immerse yourself in something different to what you know.