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From Laneway Pop-Up to Sydney Favourite: The Story of Westbourne Lane
Westbourne Lane began back in 2020, a time when connecting with our community felt more important than ever. The idea had been forming for many years—shaped by countless hours spent in kitchens and conversations around our family dinner table. We vividly remember those early nerves: would anyone actually show up? Would they enjoy our food? Would our dream resonate with others?
That very first week, we posted a menu in a local Facebook group and anxiously waited for responses. The menu featured:
- Sweet Potato, Goat’s Cheese, Thyme, Caramelised Onion & Spinach Frittata
- Potato, Kale & Ricotta Dumplings with Tomato Cream & Pecorino (GF)
- Braised Lamb Shoulder with Root Veg, Local Rosemary & Red Wine Jus
Remarkably, that Braised Lamb Shoulder remains a beloved staple on our menu today.
Within weeks, other favourites emerged, many of which have become core offerings that customers continue to enjoy regularly:
- 🥩 Beef Cheeks with Paris Mash & Jus – Tender, slow-cooked beef cheeks served with rich jus and silky mashed potatoes.
- 🐟 Sri Lankan Fish Curry – Premium fish in a coconut-based curry with aromatic curry leaves and mustard seeds.
- 🍗 Soy Glazed Chicken – Succulent roast chicken glazed with mirin, sake, and soy, accompanied by carrots, sesame, and shallots.
Initially, ordering was a little different—customers sent their meal choices via text message, and our weekly menu was announced through flyers lovingly hand-drawn by our children. Each flyer featured their creative interpretation of the week’s meals or themes reflecting inspirational messages and special events.
Alongside our fresh meals, we also offered a popular range of homemade condiments, desserts, pickles, granola, rocky road, and delicious jarred items like chilli jam, lemon curd, and tomato relish.
Our humble laneway “pop-up” quickly became a local gathering spot, attracting over 100 orders weekly, and we often enlisted the help of neighbours to manage the enthusiastic crowds.
Today, Westbourne Lane has proudly evolved, delivering meals across Greater Sydney and selected regional areas, and supplying premium retail food stores and providores. Although our dishes have naturally developed over time, our founding values remain unchanged: sourcing exceptional ingredients, cooking them simply yet deliciously, and fostering connections through great food.
We’re incredibly grateful for every customer who’s been part of this journey—from our early days in the laneway to the vibrant community we’ve built together today.
