Last year I went on a date that quietly ticked two of my favourite boxes at once: trying a cuisine I hadn’t really explored before and discovering a new corner of Sydney I might never have thought to visit on my own. It was one of those evenings that reminds me how much of this city is hidden in plain sight, waiting for the right introduction.
The restaurant was tucked inside the Pratten Park Bowling Club in Ashfield. From the outside, you’d never guess what was inside. It looks like a classic old-school bowlo – a bit dated, familiar, and very Australian in the best way. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But step inside, and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely.
A Colombian couple had taken over the kitchen and transformed it into something special. What could have been an unlikely setting became the perfect home for warm hospitality and generous plates of food. The beers were Colombian too – Aguila, cold and crisp – which felt like a small but important detail that completed the experience.
One of the highlights was deep-fried plantains – something many Aussies probably haven’t tried before. Golden, slightly sweet, and incredibly moreish, they were a revelation. We also shared a pork dish served with fresh avocado and tomato salsa, coconut rice that was rich without being heavy, and a beautifully fried fish that anchored the whole meal. It was filling in the best possible way – the kind of food that’s clearly meant to be shared and enjoyed slowly, especially in good company.
The trip out to Ashfield was absolutely worth it. It reminded me that some of Sydney’s best food experiences aren’t in glossy dining precincts or trendy strips but hidden in community spaces with a bit of history behind them.
Since that night, I’ve even tried recreating some of the dishes at home. They turned out surprisingly well – not quite the same as being served by people who grew up with the flavours, but close enough to bring back the memory of that evening.
You never really know what cuisines are available in Sydney, or where you’ll find them. Sometimes they’re tucked inside a bowling club you’d normally walk past without a second glance. I’m very glad I was introduced to that place, and even more glad I said yes to the experience.