Holy Basil is a Thai Dining institution. When I was recommended by the family to arrive 30 minutes before opening time, they were not wrong. There was already a huge line outside, with people keen to get their table. By the time we left, there were lines around the corner.
We were at the Canley Heights location, but there’s also a store in Parramatta and in the Shark hotel, Sydney. It is a Laotian and Thai inspired restaurant with a range of signature dishes as well as your favourites.
The space is quite large, has recently been renovated with purple velveteen seats and plenty of Thai golden statues that makes it feel like a sophisticated dining space. It’s appropriate for a party or event too, and they do have a bar where you can order cocktails or some of their amazing icy fruit frappes.
In a big dining party, we shared a range of dishes beginning with satay skewers, curry puffs and spring rolls, golden and crispy. For the mains, the dishes were super good with well developed and interesting flavours.
For mains, we had green curry, masaman curry, pad keemau and very high quality chicken cashew nut. Packing with sauce, this is some of the best Thai food going around in Sydney.
The standout was the whole crispy fish with mango and apple and papaya salad, crispy fish topped with a refreshing salad mix.
Now you cannot depart without also having some deep fried ice cream. Not the crumbed round ball you might have experienced at your local restaurant ten years ago, rather a huge light pastry filled triangle topped with caramel sauce and coconut crunchies.
We highly recommend paying this place a visit.
233 Canley Vale Road
Canley Heights NSW 2166