The sleepy inner west suburb of Forest Lodge has been undergoing a massive development over the past several years, with apartment blocks going up in droves. The old Rozelle Tramway Depot, originally built in 1904, has been beautifully refurbished to create the Tramsheds, a place for locals in this growing area a place to meet, eat and fulfil other vital day-to-day needs.

The Tramsheds, Harold Park

While the Tramsheds was obviously built to satisfy the need for services in this area (where previously there has been none), it’s also a gorgeous destination for people all over Sydney to drive to and enjoy as an outing.

The building is home to a variety of businesses, the majority being food-related, but also including a medical centre, nail bar, hair salon and supermarket. There are grab-and-go type of outlets and seating areas that look a bit like an upmarket food court, as well as table service cafes and fancier restaurants. Something, really, for everyone.

Tramsheds has free parking for under two hours onsite. We usually drive into their undercover parking area, particularly in summer. There is also street parking across the street – free for two hours.

Inside the Tramsheds you’ll notice a full-size restored tram as the centrepiece to the building. If you want to go inside, enter through the door for the Butcher and the Farmer cafe that is on the outside, next to the main entrance.

Butcher & The Farmer

If your kid is particularly enamoured with the tram you can eat inside it on the tiny tables. We found the tram to be fantastic entertainment for our daughter while we waited the 20 minutes for our table in the cafe.

We chose to dine at the Butcher & The Farmer mainly because it was next to the tram. The waitstaff seemed a bit overwhelmed at the large amount of people who had come to dine, but were friendly and helpful during our stay.

The breakfast menu we ordered from was on the small side, but had all the types of food we would regularly want to order – wholesome food with enough vegetarian options for me to choose from, and something plain for the fussy five-year-old.

My husband and I both ordered the Avocado, Tomato & Meredith Sheep’s Feta (with basil on farmer’s toast, $16), plus a coffee for the hubby ($3.5).

We ordered the little one the Poached Eggs (on farmer’s toast, $12) which they obligingly scrambled for her when we asked, plus a Blueberry, Strawberry & Raspberry Smoothie (with yoghurt and milk, $8).

The avocado on toast dishes hit the spot. Fresh soft bread, creamy avocado, tomatoes bursting with flavour. The coffee, according to my java-addicted spouse, was excellent, and he was thrilled with how large it was. Our daughter’s smoothie was similarly massive, so best shared between two. Her scrambled eggs were absolutely delicious – so good it’s a shame they’re not on the menu.

I did think the dishes were a tad bit expensive for what they were, however. Similar dishes cost a few dollars less in other up-market cafes in the inner west.

Bekya

We absolutely love this Middle Eastern restaurant inside the Tramsheds. There is a little dedicated kids menu featuring meat and falafel dishes with either Egyptian rice and noodles or chips, and a large regular menu that features lots of vegetarian options.

The dishes at Bekya are designed for sharing. We ordered Lady Fingers (haloumi in filo pastry, $13), the Grazing Plate (haloumi, roast cauliflower, beetroot, sweet potato with red cabbage salad, $25), Flatbread ($1 per piece), a side of chips ($10) and the kids’ Egyptian Falafel and Rice ($10). 

The food is brought out when its ready rather than all at once, but it came pretty much one after the other very quickly. It was all piping hot, generous in its serves, and absolutely delicious. 

Heritage Bakery and Pizzeria 

We also dined on another occasion at Heritage Bakery & Pizzeria. The restaurant, tucked away at the back of the Tramsheds, serves up a brekkie menu plus an all-day menu featuring pizza, pasta, salads and antipasto. All bread, pizza and pastries are made with their own  stone-milled BOK flour.

Garcon