A city hungry for more

Several new entrants into the Penrith CBD dining scene this year demonstrates the confidence in the local market.

With a growing population of discerning consumers, Penrith’s Food and Beverage industry is also growing. The sector enjoyed a $143 million growth in output in Penrith from 2018-19 and 2019/20 financial years (Economy ID).

Now as the city returns to more normal trading conditions after the challenges of 2020, several new businesses have launched to take advantage of Penrith’s appetite for diverse dining experiences in the CBD.

The Savoury Dining offers a fusion of Modern Australian and Vietnamese French dishes. In an interview last year, General Manager Ken Truong said they wanted to bring Vietnamese cuisine to new consumers in Sydney’s outer suburbs. “We chose Penrith because it is a fast-developing area…We feel as though Penrith could really benefit and enjoy what we have to offer” Mr Truong said.

A host of other new venues have opened in the CBD, offering a variety of cuisines and experiences. These include Taco Burrito Mexican Cantina’s slow cooked Mexican and The Blind Chef Café appealing to a broad consumer base through their inclusive café layout. Penrith Mayor, Karen McKeown OAM is delighted to welcome so many new businesses to the City Centre; “With our growing, youthful population and a City Centre undergoing major revitalisation it’s clear why Penrith continues to draw more interest from the hospitality sector.”

It’s not just new businesses that are making the most of Penrith’s CBD dining opportunities; existing business owners are expanding their offering too. New bar-cade and restaurant Elton Chong opened last month in Penrith’s High Street. The expansion comes just over 3 years since the co-owners Wayne Jenkins, Rod Parbery, and Nicholas Siafakas opened their doors to their first venue Mr Watkins, also on High Street.

The growth in Penrith’s CBD dining scene, particularly in the areas of licensed venues with longer trading hours, will play an important role in boosting the City’s night time economy. Council’s Night Time Economy Strategy has led to several activations in the City Centre; most recently the Penrith Producers event in March 2021.

Image: A mural at The Blind Chef Café, one of the new hospitality businesses to open in Penrith’s CBD in 2021.