Lakemba Nights markets in south west Sydney are back every Thursday to Sunday until March 30.
Haldon Street is being transformed into a global food bazaar every Thursday to Sunday thanks to the return of the Lakemba Nights markets during Ramadan. More than 60 stalls serve camel burgers, kebabs, shawarma, Middle Eastern milk pudding, Arabic coffee and so much more as Muslims break their fast together—everyone is welcome at Lakemba Nights though.
The month-long cultural event is nearing its half-way point so if you haven’t ventured over to the southwest suburb, follow this guide for the perfect evening at Lakemba Nights.
Top tip: arrive early to avoid the crowds. It gets busy from 7pm, when Muslims come together to break their Ramadan fast.
The best food & drink at Lakemba Nights
Le Wrap: East stall #50
Tantuni wraps are a popular Turkish street food, with thinly sliced meats, sumac spiced tomatoes and onion wrapped in thin bread. At Le Wrap, the bread is placed on top of the cooking meat to soak up all the juices for extra flavour. Choose from beef, chicken or vegetarian wraps.
Deccan Flavours: West stall #58
There is always a long queue at the Deccan Flavours stall and for good reason too. Their Green Hariyali chicken is tender, juicy and flavourful. The Indian dish is made with chicken marinated in a green paste of coriander, mint and chilli, which is chargrilled to perfection and served with naan bread, onion salad and dipping sauces. It lives up to the hype.
Skewiies
Look out for the food truck that sits at the northern end of Haldon Street, towards Lakemba train station. Skewiies cooks up Asian-style, umami-flavoured skewers that are 100% Halal and customisable. Choose the meat (lamb and prawn are standouts) and spice level. Don’t miss the corn ribs; they’re addictive.
La Gitana Paella: East stall #43
La Gitana is a newcomer for 2025 and the man behind the paella pan, Simon Sevila is so excited to share his star dish with visitors. “This is the first time Lakemba Nights during Ramadan will offer seafood paella,” Simon said. “We love to serve people and share our experiences. I encourage everyone to visit our stall and try something different this year—you won’t find a fresher paella anywhere else!” From halal chicken to vegan paella, Simon and Esther have an option for you.
Fried Bar: East stall #44
Next door to La Gitana, Fried Bar serves something a little different. Freshly fried meatballs with a cheesy centre sound simple enough. Except these meatballs are made from camel meat. A golden crust, succulent meat and oozing centre: what more could you want? Try them for $15 with a dipping sauce served on the side.
Bakdash ice cream: West stall #39
Satisfy your sweet treat cravings with a towering tub of creamy ice cream, topped with crushed pistachios. The ifreshly churned Dondurma fior di latte style ice cream has a subtle rose flavour too. It’s a steal at just $7. Bakdash is a Lakemba neighbourhood favourite which specialises in frozen treats, especially its ice cream roll.
Kanafeh R Us: West stall #17
Another one for the sweet-toothed among us: the signature dish here is knafeh, a sweet cheesy pastry that is soaked in syrup and topped with pistachios. It’s the ultimate Ramadan dessert. Make sure you stop to watch the preparation of knafeh; it’ll be one of the best cheese-pulls you ever see. If you’d rather a cool dessert, however, opt for falooda, the Persian-inspired dessert that’s made with vermicelli, milk and ice cream. Other sweet treats here include gulab jamun and sugarcane juice.
The tamarind juice man
Roaming the crowds with his golden juice dispenser, you won’t miss him. The sweet, tangy and sour beverage is the perfect refreshment to sip while wandering through the market stalls. Something to note though: he prefers cash.
Zabardast: West stall #19
Open wide! The vendors at Zabardast will shove a flaming leaf into your mouth at this interesting dessert stall. Paan is an Indian dish made from a betel leaf that is filled with rose petal jam, spices and a range of candied fruits, raisins and other fillings. Mixing high-drama with great flavours, this is worth the $6 just for the experience.
FAQs
How do I get to Lakemba Nights?
No trains are running to Lakemba, but Western Union are operating a free replacement bus service and shuttle buses for the event.
A warning for those driving: road closures and detours will be in place and parking’s gonna be tight, so we suggest opting for public transport or the shuttle bus.
How much is it?
Lakemba Nights market is free to attend but food and beverage comes at a cost, of course. Prices vary.
When is it open?
The Ramadan night market opens at 6pm ahead of sundown, when Muslims gather to break their fast, and serves hungry crowds until 2am. It’s open Thursday-Sunday until Sunday, March 30.
Read more
- Lakemba Nights: Your Guide to the Ramadan Street Food Festival
- How to dine with a Lebanese family in Greenacre for Ramadan this year
- The 10 best cultural food tours and experiences for 2025
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