5 Venues Where Chicken Parmy is Life!

It’s everyone’s fave pub classic – chicken parmigiana – a dish so widely loved it has its own nickname!

Whether you call it a ‘parma’ or a ‘parmy’, there is no doubt Aussies have fallen in love with chicken schnitzel, covered with tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese.

The origins of the dish do go back to old Italy, where it was originally made with eggplant and not chicken, as poultry was too expensive for most households. Once Italian immigrants arrived in America, they discovered meat was cheaper and more widely available, resulting in many Italian dishes such as meatballs and parmigiana being made with chicken.

However you top it, there is a parmy out there for everyone…here are five restaurants to find the best parmy in town:

Cooking up your new cravings, Kyabram locals and visitors alike flock to Café Three620 on Allan Street to appease serious hunger. Polished wood floors, intimate tables and a calming colour palate of pale grey welcome guests as they catch up over coffee and brunch plates such as smashed avocado, feta and sun-dried tomatoes, on grilled ciabatta.

Later diners devour chicken or eggplant parmigiana with Napoli sauce, tasty cheese, Parmesan, chips and salad, or twirl a fork around pasta plates like spaghetti marinara with prawns, scallops, fish and mussels in garlic and Napoli sauce, topped with fresh herbs, best enjoyed with a chilled glass of white wine.

Experience great old-fashioned hospitality and quality pub fare with flair at the Meredith Hotel on Staughton Street in Meredith. Chat with locals in the public bar while sipping local beer and wine, then pull up a seat in front of the roaring open fire in chilly months with a glass of red and peruse a menu sure to impress all palates.

 

There’s an extensive range of parmy choices on the menu such as the Neptune with creamy garlic seafood sauce, nacho crunch with corn chips, chilli con carne, sour cream, guacamole and a cheese blend, or go for the Longhorn with bacon, housemade BBQ sauce, onion, pineapple and cheese. Finish indulgently with deep-fried ice cream and salted caramel.

Family-owned and operated, Pizzami Gourmet Pizza Bar on the corner of Kingfisher Drive and Heron Street loves catering to locals and Peregian Beach visitors alike. Serving great local produce and good old-fashioned service with a smile, this Sunshine Coast dining destination dishes up cold beer, cocktails and ocean views in light, bright and breezy surrounds.

 

Wednesday night is for chicken parmigiana with four different toppings to choose from – original, naked, Parmaggedon or Surfs Up – for just $17.90, available with any drinks purchase; perhaps opt for schnitzel topped with Napoli sauce, ham, pineapple and cheese, or fresh chilli, jalapeño and mozzarella.

Serving pizza and pasta to the Mansfield community for more than 25 years, head to O’Malley’s Original Italian Pizza on High Street to appease serious hunger. A warm welcome awaits locals and visitors alike as they chill out with an ice-cold beer or wine and peruse an extensive gourmet pizza menu along with traditional chicken parmas, chips and salad. 

 

There’s 10 types of parma to choose from on Wednesday nights ranging from traditional with Napoli, ham and cheese to O’Malleys special with spinach, bacon, avocado, Hollandaise and cheese; perhaps the Ned Kelly hits the mark – schnitzel topped with BBQ sauce, bacon, onion and cheese - or the Mexicana with hot salami, jalapeño and cheese.

A Bendigo tradition since 1877, the Golden Vine Hotel on King Street is a much loved local music venue along with dishing up a fabulous menu of pub classics, gluten-free and vegan choices. Nestled in an historic building, find a cosy vibe indoors or head to the beautiful undercover beer garden and chill out amongst recycled timber, hanging and potted greenery as you sip a cold one and contemplate starters like satay chicken skewers and salad.

 

There’s nothing better than a classic pub parma served with crispy chips, salad and a pot of beer every Thursday night – choose the original with Napoli, ham and two types of cheese or be adventurous and opt for the pepperoni or Hawaiian versions – while those gluten intolerant are catered for with a gluten-free schnitzel or parmigiana, served with chips and salad.