Penrith’s newest restaurant inspired by Sicily

Penrith’s newest restaurant – Palermo – brings Euro Summer to western Sydney.

The Sicilian restaurant is operated by Ross Dobson – a local restauranteur, chef, food stylist, and cookbook author who has operated five venues across Penrith and the Blue Mountains. Palermo has moved into the space where The Union operated for over a decade.

“I started Café at Lewers in 2009, and I was there until 2014,” Dobson recounted his journey.

“From 2011 to 2016, I started The Union with a friend of mine. I was at Vincent Diner for a year around 2016 to 2017, then I operated The Royce Café at the independent living complex in the Panthers Precinct until August this year.”

Dobson exited The Union in 2016, with the restaurant continuing under different independent ownership until 2024.

His current venture back at his old stomping ground was inspired by three trips to Sicily.

“When I went to Sicily for the first time in 2012, I was struck by the place and the food and the antiques. I’ve been back twice – the last time being in September this year – but I still hadn’t decided to open the restaurant,” Dobson said.

“But, when I went into the dining space again, I saw the potential, and I love that it’s in the CBD, but it’s not on High Street.

“I’d been in the kitchen before, so I knew the layout, and all the equipment is the same as what I installed 15 years ago. It all still worked, so I just started painting walls and sanding floors and cleaning.”

And now, locals can experience something Penrith has never seen before.