City of Canterbury Bankstown Council says the rollout of an international initiative to boost the night-time economy in Lakemba has seen restaurant spending surge to $5.4. million in a single quarter, according to real-time banking transaction data*.
Over the three months to March 2026 – and outside of Lakemba Nights during Ramadan – the Council says hospitality patrons splashed an extra $1.2 million on dine-in cuisine, compared to the previous quarter to December 2025.
Reflecting Lakemba as a Purple Flag accredited night-time destination, more than a third of spending occurred between 6pm and 6am, and two in five transactions came from people living outside the local area**.
Mayor, Bilal El-Hayek said Lakemba is a place where culture, food and community thrive long after the sun goes down.
“With more than 160 multicultural businesses representing over 30 cultures, Haldon Street is electric and buzzing all day and night,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“You can move from grocer to bakery to dessert shop and see the neighbourhood’s diversity in every dish and every interaction.
“And people don’t just come here to eat – they come to connect, to explore new flavours and feel part of something.”
The Mayor said Lakemba sits within a culturally rich pocket of the City known for its diversity, strong community ties and thriving food scene, making it one of the most distinctive night-time destinations in NSW.
Alimah Bilda has been part of Lakemba since 1996, sharing a fusion of dishes inspired by both Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands from her Island Dreams Café.
Located on the northern end of Haldon Street, it’s the only restaurant of its kind in Sydney.
“We have been trading here for over 30 years and share our delicious fusion Malay cuisine with locals and visitors every week,” she says.
“Lakemba is always welcoming, diverse and such a vibrant place, especially at night-time.
“It’s a joy to share our passion for food with the community.”
In 2023, Lakemba received the internationally-recognised Purple Flag accreditation, one of just eight recognised precincts in NSW.
Purple Flag is funded by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and administered by the Office in partnership with Purple Flag’s establishing body, the UK Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).
The accreditation included a NSW Government grant for City of Canterbury Bankstown to increase awareness of Lakemba’s nightlife, strengthen partnerships and promote safety.
“Lakemba is a wonderful part of Sydney’s diverse going-out landscape,” said Michael Rodrigues, NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
“Vibrant from day through to night, it celebrates over 30 cultures and we are proud to see its welcoming atmosphere recognised through the Purple Flag accreditation scheme.”
Check out the Lakemba business directory at: wih.city/Lakemba.
Data disclaimer: The Council partners with a major Australian bank which measures all consumer spend across the country, allowing access to all spend in the LGA Canterbury-Bankstown and each suburb across multiple categories
* Quarterly banking transaction data sourced from a major Australian bank for the period between April 2024 and March 2026, geotargeting the Lakemba postcode 2195.
** Local spend refers to transactions at restaurants, cafes, takeaway shops, grocery stores and other food and non-food retailers.
