A slice of Europe in Australia: Travellers flock to ‘hidden gem’ that looks straight out of the Netherlands
This ‘picturesque’ and cosy destination attracts many people for its European charm and tempting menu. The restaurant is located in an industrial centre of Sydney.
Holland House, in Smithfield in the west of the city, is a green house with a gabled facade where everything to do with the Dutch language can be found. There is a café and a supermarket that people drive for hours to get to.
The women behind Mothers from Western Sydneyshared the ‘cute’ spot which opened in 1965 and is a favourite among nostalgic Sydney locals.
“Can you believe this is in Western Sydney? From the moment you walk in, you feel like you’re in the Netherlands,” the mothers say in a video.
The front facade features traditional windows and a painted mill on a roller door. Inside you will find an ‘antique heaven’ full of ornaments and furniture.
And visitors said that a few hours of browsing in the ‘enchanting’ shop and enjoying the food was like visiting the Netherlands, but without the long flight.
The menu features classic dishes such as a sausage roll, thick slices of apple pie with whipped cream, mini pancakes with sugar and strong Dutch coffee.
There is also a hearty smoked sausage and pea soup with buttered bread and for those looking for something more traditional, there is herring with onions.
Holland House in Smithfield is a beloved cafe, supermarket and retail store in Sydney’s western suburbs, making visitors feel like they’re in the Netherlands
The café is known for its pancakes, whipped cream, chocolate milk, sausages and apple pie
Fans love the famous drink Chocomel, a milk chocolate drink served cold or warm with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
And the European supermarket has shelves full of herb ketchup, syrup waffles, liquorice and chocolate.
According to Dutch foodies living in Australia, this is the only place in the state where you can still buy a bag of paprika chips straight from the Netherlands.
Visitors to this ‘hidden gem’ can also browse for furniture, traditional clogs, souvenirs and antiques. Sydney locals say they can’t get enough of Holland House.
‘This place brought back so many memories of my time in Rotterdam. I really missed my syrupies and Chocomel’, someone said.
The ‘incredible’ destination opened in 1965 and still has regulars who first came when they were little kids
The sausage on a bun and the chocolate milk covered in whipped cream are firm favourites at Holland House
Dutch foodies from Australia love the syrup-soaked waffles and paprika chips
“It’s like finding a diamond in the rough. We didn’t know about this beautiful place until yesterday. It was such an awesome experience,” added another.
‘Awesome place. My family regularly travel 3 hours to shop and eat here. Would recommend to anyone,’ said a third.
Others who visited this special location, which has been around for 55 years, said that nothing has changed since they were children and that returning to this location felt like a walk down memory lane.
âThere was a lot of coffee drunk in the little restaurant,â someone said.
A local resident was surprised to discover the âcuteâ location was just five minutes from her home, even though she didnât know it existed.
âWhy am I just hearing this now!â she said.