30 August 24
Mark Mariano
Need new date ideas? Here are 8 cute spots to try in The Area
Western Sydney is overflowing with cute date spots! Whether you’re meeting someone new, having a ki, or simply just need somewhere to hang, here are 8 great date spots in The Area.
Note: These are non-sponsored and unaffiliated suggestions from an earnest and sexy Western Sydney writer who loves a good yap and a mocha. They’re open to dates too, so DM away 👀
1. TNB Cafe, Rooty Hill
Short for ‘The Naked Barista’, TNB Cafe is a bright slice of NYC in Sydney’s west. Nestled three-sandwich lengths away from Rooty Hill station, this chic cafe boasts a plethora of roasts. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a casual cappuccino comrade, TNB has you sorted. With still and sparkling water on literal tap, TNB’s eclectic menu is partner and photo-friendly (their kimchi reuben is a personal fave). Don’t be fooled, though – no one is actually naked. That said, TNB is a fab spot to bare your soul to a loved one.
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2. Harry Hartog, Penrith
This one is for my book girlies. Just a few seconds off of Great Western Highway, this bookstore-cafe fusion is very cutesy, very demure. Shop their mixed used and new book catalogue, then sweeten the deal with a lil’ baked treat at their inhouse cafe. The menus are clipped to old vintage books, and there’s a general Notting Hill vibe to it all – perfect for my fellow nerdy queers.
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3. Bungarribee, Western Sydney Parklands, Eastern Creek
Want to bring your pooch along to your date for emotional support? This open-air park has plenty of trot space and two sanctioned dog parks for off-leash fun. Bring a picnic blanket, esky and all your fave snacks for some 1:1:1 time with nature. Craving some afternoon delight? On weekends, an ice cream van makes regular rounds around the park. Share a sherbet cone or grab a couple of choc tops, and save one for me please!
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4. Circa Espresso, Parramatta
Add this one to your Pinterest board ASAP. This kitsch cafe is a literal two-minute walk from Parra station. Circa is an O.G classic – it opened in 2010 (at the peak of hipster moustaches and monkeys-in-snapbacks graffiti) and overflows with rustic vintage charm. Tucked away from Parramatta’s hustle and bustle, Circa is a local haunt you can’t pass up. My favourite part is their book nook, for whispered conversations over buttery pastries.
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5. Marrong Reserve (Pemulwuy Lookout)
Set your sights on Sydney’s skyline at this gorgeous hilly hot spot. While this isn’t your typical romantic-run-of-the-mill-car-smooch-Hollywood lookout, it’s a great height for fresh air and D&Ms. This Prospect hang is best enjoyed on a sunny day, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. It does require a bit of walking, so pop on some comfy shoes and charge up your FitBit for the eventual Insta-story brag.
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6. Emu Hall, Emu Plains
If beer gardens and sweeping riverviews are more your thing, head to Emu Hall. While a bright sight to see during the day, the eatery mellows out with the sun. Fairy lights guide you to dinner, twinkling with every gust of cool wind. Feeling peckish? Pair their Peach’s Kiss cocktail with a Chicken Pita Stand for a flavour combo that will have you shaking your tail feather.
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7. Buon Appetit, Camden
How does that song go again? When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore. If pizza is love, then you’ll fall deep for Buon Appetit’s homely Italian menu. Round out your meal with a few bowls of pasta too – each lovingly handmade by the owner and his family. End dinner with a serving of dessert gnocchi – soft pillow-talk bites drenched in steamy Nutella sauce. Like many romances, their menu is seasonal, so be sure to ask staff what their kitchen is loving lately!
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8. Skyline Drive In, Blacktown
This wouldn’t be a Westie date listicle without Mother! One of very few outdoor cinemas in Sydney, Skyline is a romantic institution. Be sure to grab some popcorn and share a shake from their retro American diner. Buckle up! You’re in for a smooth ride. A cute P.S – the cinema’s parking lot transforms into a bustling trash ‘n’ treasure community market on Sunday mornings. Check out one, the other or both! Whatever toots your horn.
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Mark Mariano (he/they) is a Filipino writer, model and podcast producer from Doonside in Western Sydney on Dharug land. Proudly queer, his work has been featured on Buzzfeed, SBS, ABC, and Queerstories. In 2023, he contributed to ACON’s editorial anthology ‘Stories Out West’, and starred in their ‘With Love’ campaign for Sydney WorldPride as ‘sexy sickly bear’. Mark loves thrifting and crying on public transport in hopes of getting scouted for a Netflix series.