If you're planning to visit the 2023 Ramadan Night markets in Sydney, Australia or looking for the best attractions to include in your itinerary, you've landed in the right place! From March 21 to April 20, the vibrant celebration of food and culture takes place every night from dusk to 3am in the heart of Lakemba. During this month-long event, Haldon Street transforms into a hub of activity where Muslims break their daily fasts while visitors can also enjoy authentic food and drinks.
The annual Ramadan Night markets have become an entrenched institution within the community, injecting vitality into the local neighbourhood with cuisine that will leave you yearning for more. For those looking to expand their culinary horizons, this is the ideal destination as the markets showcase cultures from across the globe, featuring a diverse range of cuisines from classic Lebanese and Indian dishes to options from Singaporean, Pakistani, Syrian and Burmese cuisine. So, what should you be looking forward to at Ramadan Nights in Sydney? Check it out!
- P.S. Join us in our Hello Ramadan 2023 event for weekly recipe drops, a Ramadan journal, and much more!
Must try stalls
To start your evening at the 2023 Ramadan Night markets, head straight to the star attractions: the must-visit stalls serving up everything from main dishes to snacks, desserts, and local beverages. If you have a sweet tooth, indulge in the irresistible knafeh from Yummy Yummy Knafeh or Al Fayhaa Nablous Knafeh. This Middle Eastern dessert is a showstopper, made with cheese that pulls perfectly with every bite, topped with crunchy pistachios and a touch of rose water sugar syrup for a delicate sweetness. Alternatively, cool off with a scoop of creamy Syrian ice cream from Bakdash Ice Cream, leaving just enough space in your stomach to sample all the other mouth-watering options.
Need something more substantial? Take a bite out of a camel burger for a bold adventure, or any of Broaster Chicken's juicy burgers which come with a hearty punch of flavour and a friendly smile. The crowd-pleaser Adda Kebab & Spicy Chicken's Chicken Tikka burger is also a must-try, which is only available during the Ramadan Night Markets, so don't miss out.
If you're not in the mood for burgers, head to Deccan Flavours for their Chicken Tikka boxes - a crowd-pleaser. Each box comes with naan, succulent chicken pieces straight off the grill, mint sauce, and a side salad. Or try Shahi Dastarkhwan, where you can indulge in their freshly-made chicken curry wraps. These wraps are filled with mouthwatering, aromatic flavours and wrapped in soft, fluffy bread. They come in four flavours: the Hariyali chicken in a minty marinade (green), chicken cooked in coconut cream (white), "Majestic chicken" with a blend of turmeric and spices (yellow), and the classic Chicken 65 (red).
To quench your thirst, head over to these stalls
If you're looking to fully immerse yourself in the culture of the night markets, try a shot of Arabic coffee for a caffeine hit. You can find it at the Yummy Yummy Knafeh stand, which also offers fresh knafeh for the full cultural experience. This intense blend is similar to a long black and not for the faint-hearted, so we recommend sipping slowly.
If you're avoiding coffee at night, head to The Nawabz and try the Kashmiri Chai or the Night Markets' 'pink drink'. Stay for a snack and try the gol guppas, which are thin, round shells filled with curried chickpeas and come with a liquid spice mixture to dip them in. They're crispy, tangy and have a hint of spice.
For a creamier drink, similar to a thick white hot chocolate, go to the Sahlab stand next to the King Crepe stall. This Middle-Eastern drink is like a warm milk pudding and is the perfect choice to warm you up on a cooler night.
To quench your thirst and refresh your palate, grab a freshly-squeezed lemonade from the unassuming Fresh Lemonade stand next to the Commonwealth Bank. Choose from classic lemonade, strawberry lemonade, or mint lemonade, all made with fresh fruit and/or mint - just watch out for the seeds.
Comfort classics
Credit: Ramadan Nights website
For those who prefer to stick to their usual takeaway favourites, there are several food options available. Fajita King offers chicken fajitas, King Crepe serves chocolate-covered dessert sticks and crepes, Al Fayhaa Chicken provides chips on a stick, while Traboulsi Bakery and Al Fayhaa Bakery offer Lebanese pizza, known as manoush.
Tips before visiting Sydney 2023 Ramadan Nights
- It's important to have cash on hand as many vendors only accept cash and prefer it.
- If you want to avoid the crowds, try arriving slightly earlier or later than the peak hours of 8pm-10pm, but keep in mind that some stalls may not be fully set up or may sell out.
- To make the most of your visit and carry your purchases, consider going with a group or bringing reusable bags.
- If you're driving, parking can be difficult to find, so taking public transportation is a good option. Lakemba's train station is conveniently located less than a minute's walk from Haldon Street.
The2023 Ramadan Night Markets are on in Lakemba from 4pm-3am every night from Tuesday, March 21st until Thursday, April 20th.To stay up-to-date or for extra information, head to theevent's page on the CBCity website.