It was still light when I arrived at the 2026 Lakemba Nights Ramadan market, and the first thing that hit me was the smell of charcoal, grilled meats and spices.
It’s my third time to the markets, and as a seasoned veteran, I have experienced all of it – the chaos, the fun and frivolity and of course, the food.
Every year, the night markets get bigger as the word gets out. Last year, the street saw around 51,000 visitors per day over the 20-night event. And event organisers anticipate even more.
The market first started in 2007 and took over Haldon Street, which is already known as the area’s buzzy bazaar of dining venues.
But what is so beautifully significant about the night markets is that it is a celebration of Ramadan – a hallowed period of the Islamic calendar where Muslims worldwide observe a month of fasting, reflection, communal prayer and community.
When the sun sets, Muslims will break their fast with joyous meals centred around friends and family, which is exemplified in the night markets.
When I walked in, I could see great groups of young families, grandparents and groups of friends together. It felt so harmonious and festive. Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Getting to Lakemba
I drove to Lakemba, and we were lucky enough to park two streets away. We went early, so we were lucky with parking options.
Unfortunately, the T3 Bankstown train, which takes you to Lakemba is still closed. It definitely adds obstacles if you are coming from the city.
If you are catching public transport, there are several bus routes from Sydenham station. From Sydenham station, take the SW2 bus stop and get off at St Therese’s Primary School. From there, it’s a 12-minute talk to Haldon Street.
To get home SW1 bus routes will take you back to Sydenham station but there are also free shuttle buses that run between Lakemba, Campsie and Roselands each night.
Each route took around half an hour.
Getting into the festival
Once you reach Haldon Street, there are plenty of staff and signage in high-vis vests. Follow your nose and then follow the crowds.
We got there at 7:30 pm but mind you, the Islamic community will break their fast when the sun sets. This is around 7:45 pm. I’ve heard the crowds tend to get busier late at night, but we were lucky that it was not as busy, even when we left.
Be mindful that on weekends, the markets will be much busier, so plan well in a
I planned to walk up and down the street and assess what I wanted to eat. It’s best, especially when you are in a group, to see which stalls you want to try and get everyone to line up at the same time.
What I ate at the night markets
I went with my cousins, and the first thing we ate was the chicken satay at Island Dream Café and Satay King, which was delicious but, in my opinion, was overpriced. For $20, we only got five skewers. The lines were short, but this could change as the markets continue.
Next on the food journey was the Shahi Wraps, where we had chicken wraps. The sizes were quite small for $16. Just beware, they will charge an extra $1 to use cards. There are different flavours of wraps, where they use their own blend of spices and sauces.
One of my favourites on our food safari was the Al Basha Knafeh and Coffee, where we ate chicken and lamb skewers, which were cooked over charcoal. The best thing about the skewers was that we got free hummus, garlic sauce, grilled vegetables and Lebanese bread. For all of this, it was priced at $16.
Another highlight I would recommend was the lamb bun kebab at B’Kreamy’s. In soft pillowy buns, the fillings were made of lamb mince with a variety of chutneys. These are typical South Asian street food meals, and for $15 you get two buns.
To finish up with a sweet treat, we went to Rocket Kulfi, where I had a Saffron Kulfi for $7. Kulfi is a South Asian specialty, this is a creamy, rich ice cream that is served on a stick.
Aside from what I ate, you can break fast with roti and lentil curries from the Cocos Islands, murtabak, camel burgers, charry naans as well as sweet desserts.
If you get too full and have to roll out of the festival, remember that you can always buy plenty of takeaway to stock up your fridge and freezer.
What you need to know about the night markets
The atmosphere was so convivial and fun. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. While we were standing in line, it was nice to hear locals recommending their favourite dishes to strangers and hearing the vendors tell their stories about their families and cultures.
In light of events at the end of 2025, there was plenty of security and police presence everywhere. I felt really safe, and it showed – children were running around and playing.
Just bear in mind that while there are tables and chairs, most people will sit on the road to eat or be prepared to stand for a few hours.
Remember, there is no alcohol at the event, and it’s important to dress modestly to respect the Muslim community.
My top tips
- Bring cash to avoid surcharges. Some stalls will charge an extra $1 to use cards.
- Do one full walk-through before committing to stalls.
- The peak crowds happen after Iftar, so expect the queues to start.
- Trust the long queues — especially at stalls that have been operating for decades, they have good food.
- If you want to join those long queues, make sure when you first arrive at the event, make a beeline for those stalls. Scroll down for the guide.
- Most importantly, speak to stall owners if you can. Many are multi-generational businesses with real stories behind their food. They are super nice, and they’ll appreciate you talking to them.
