Heritage-Listed Paragon Cafe Katoomba: Historic Icon’s Restoration Journey & Latest Updates

When I was a kid, there were as many Greek cafes dotted around Australia as there are McDonald’s today. Almost every town of any size or standing had at least one Greek Café and they ranged from the ordinary to the extraordinary – from Nick’s Fish and Chips to the Parthenon or Paragon.

I was reminiscing with a group of fellow baby boomers not so long ago when the inevitable subject of what we missed from our youth came up. Not surprisingly, the Greek café was high on the wish list. Everyone of my vintage had fond memories of the Greek café and of course, the legendary Parthenons and Paragons.

Memories of parfait sundaes, malted milks and mixed grills had our group salivating and yearning for a former time. Consigned almost to folklore was the Paragon Café. Everyone knew of it but no one knew exactly where the first Paragon had been established.

Later, I decided to do a little research on the Paragon – an egnimatic and perhaps iconic Aussie legend with more than a hint of multiculturalism. My search for the original Paragon Café took me to, of all places, a country town high up in the Blue Mountains, a couple of hours from Sydney.

There in the main street of Katoomba, a delightful, bustling tourist hub set in the picturesque rim of the world heritage Blue Mountains, is Australia’s original Paragon Café. Certainly its glory days are behind it but due to the dedication of a loving owner, the Paragon is on the way back!

Australia’s original Paragon Café was established by the Simos family – Greeks through and through. The cafe first opened in 1916 and claims to be the oldest and most original café in Australia. Katoomba’s Paragon Café was once the heart of the social scene in Katoomba and even Sydney siders made regular trips to the mountains to be a part of the social set at the Paragon. It was the place to see and be seen.

The Paragon’s original name was the ‘Paragon Candy and Ice Cream Store’ as it was renowned for its beautiful home made ice creams, candies and chocolates.

While the original Paragon opened in 1916, the Paragon’s now famous fitout was completed in 1926 and featured timber alcoves and booths constructed of stained Queensland Maple and carved and painted murals above every booth. Overhead, exquisite plastered sunken ceilings with ornate gold trim, stained glass windows, large decorative mirrors and rich velvet drapes complemented the furnishings. The original carvings were done by a Danish craftsman Otto Steen and his works have endured the test of time.

Stepping into the Paragon Café in Katoomba’s main street is like entering a time warp. Despite its 1920’s vintage, it has a 50s and early 60s feel. It is exactly how I remember the Greek Cafes of my youth.

Despite its illustrious history, this last remaining icon of Australia’s famed Greek cafe owes its very existence to the love and devotion of present day owner, Robyn Parker. Robyn used to visit Katoomba as a child with her parents and her life long goal was to one day, own the Paragon Café. Years had passed and the Paragon had changed hands from the Simos family and had fallen into a state of neglect.

Curiously, the Paragon Café had been on the market for two years when, just by chance, Robyn was reading the Business Section of the Sydney Morning Herald one Saturday when she noticed an advertisement for the sale of the Paragon. Living in Sydney, Robyn make the trek up the mountain and 15 months ago, fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming the proud owner of Australia’s original Paragon Café.

Her purchase of the Paragon Café was the beginning of a quest to restore this cultural icon to its former glory. Admittedly, there is much still to be done but Robyn’s determination and devotion to the cause is showing dividends. She was disappointed to learn that many of the original trademarks and logos had been lost over time and much of the original silverware and crockery had similarly escaped the perimeters of the famous café.

In the space of just 15 months, Robyn has re-energised the Paragon. Above the café in the very same factory the Simos family began making their handmade chocolates in 1926, Robyn now makes a delicious range of simply superb chocolates and truffles – sold in ornate gold leafed and embossed boxes similar to those used by the original 1926 factory. They are simply to die for!

My memories of the Greek Café Mixed Grill hasn’t yet made it back on today’s menu at the Paragon however the Paragon Burger outshines McDonald’s offerings every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Says Robyn, “It takes time, money and patience to rebuild the café to its former glory however I am determined to do it. The Paragon celebrates its centenary in 2016 and we want to have restored the café by that date.”

As I mentioned, walking around the Paragon is like being in a time warp. Upstairs in the chocolate factory is all the original equipment used to make the chocolates. The Simos family baked their own breads and Robyn Parker has plans to do so again.

Captured beautifully in that time warp are the original soda fountain heads, the Edison gramophone and the chandeliers, just to mention some of the memorabilia to be seen at the Paragon. Most impressive is the Cocktail Lounge – a 1970s addition when the bar was added and the Private Dining Room.

The Dining Room was once a favourite wedding reception venue and Parker has plans to stage a Paragon Brides exhibition, in the future. The Dining Room preserves all that was grand of a grand bygone era – beautiful polished floors, magnificent drapes, frosted door mirrors, original timber chairs and lounges and of course, the glass topped tables while overhead, the chandeliers are impressive.

Around the walls of the café are to be found autographed photographs of international and Australian ‘who’s who’ – famous people who dropped in to share a meal at the equally famous Paragon Café.

Prime Ministers, Presidents, senators and politicians as well as celebrities have dined at the Paragon. Former Prime Minister Ben Chifley was a regular customer and often bought chocolates for his wife. Former United States President Ronald Regan and the First Lady Nancy Regan also visited as has former Senator Graham Richardson and a list of politicians too long to mention.

Celebritites include Ginger Rogers, Lee Marvin, Geoffrey Rush and balladeer John Williamson whom it is said, took inspiration from his visit to write lyrics of the song. “Boomerang Café.”

Such is the iconic stature of the Paragon Café that the 2000 Sydney Olympic Torch also made an entrance to the Café. So, now when anyone asks me about Australia’s Greek Cafes and particularly the Paragon Café, I can tell them I have been there and beyond shadow of a doubt, The Paragon was, in its hey day, the most opulent Café ever built. Memories are made of such things as this.

Story & Photography: Peter Scott