Ramadan Nights Lakemba is not only about the food and festivities, but it’s also about the amazing and unique businesses that have kept the festival alive and booming for years.
Lakemba’s Island Dreams Cafe has been tantalising local tastebuds for almost 30 years.
Owner Alimah Bilda said Ramadan was always an important time for her business and customers.
“Ramadan is a very special month … A holy month and one of the pillars of Islam,” Ms Bilda said.
“During this time, we fast for a month and break fast with our families.
“The atmosphere at Haldon Street during Ramadan is amazing. It’s a month of festivities and there is nowhere else in Sydney where you can experience this, except Lakemba.
“If you don’t come, then you’re missing out big time.”
Ms Bilda and her family come from Cocos Keeling Island, located among Australia’s northern islands.
Her restaurant specialises in traditional island cooking, often cooking over a woodfire.
“Being the only Christmas/Cocos Island cafe in Sydney is already quite unique,” Ms Bilda said.
“The influences of my food from the islands makes it quite different.
“I remember one time … a customer from Malaysia came and ate and afterwards she said, ‘your food is like Malaysian food but there’s something different, it’s quite unique and very nice’.”