If you’re thinking about visiting the Northern Territory for the first time, there’s one time of year that offers an unforgettable taste of Darwin’s culture, community and cuisine, and that is October. This is when the city turns up the heat in the best way possible: with the return of the Darwin International Laksa Festival, from 1 to 31 October.
More than just a celebration of a noodle-slurping dish, the Laksa Festival is a full-sensory experience that captures the multicultural spirit of Darwin. For locals, laksa isn’t just a meal; it’s a comfort food, a point of pride and a delicious symbol of the city’s rich Asian influence. During October, the city springs to life with food stalls, live entertainment, laksa-themed events and an energy that wraps you up and asks you to stay for just a little bit longer.
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Not just a soup: The Darwin Laksa Festival
Whether you’re wandering through Darwin’s open-air markets, watching a tropical sunset at the waterfront or exploring local neighbourhoods, the Laksa Festival sends you an open invitation to join in, taste everything and discover your own favourite laksa and laksa-inspired dishes.
Sample the most inventive dishes which included sausages, pies, ice cream, panna cotta, cocktails, burgers, chicken schnitzels and even laksa chocolate tacos!
Head out to the Laksa Festival
The Laksa Festival offers a uniquely local way to explore the city. Don’t believe how much we love our spicy, slurpy, succulent soup?
There’s even a Laksa League, and you can join it! On the festival’s own website, you can sign up for the league and literally win stuff for visiting as many laksa-serving spots as you can over the month of October.
There’s even a crowned prize at the end! The Grand Finale will be held on 1 November, for the first time ever at the Darwin Waterfront, so get amongst it and go dive into some laksa bowls!
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What the Locals Love Best
While the festival brings a wide range of special events, tastings and cultural experiences, laksa itself is something you can enjoy any day, and the locals certainly do. In fact, a recent social media poll run by Norther asked Darwin residents to name their favourite laksa spots, and the results are a great guide for visitors wanting to eat like a local.
1. Darwin Laksa Mindil Beach Markets
One of the most iconic places to enjoy laksa is at Mindil Beach Sunset Market, home to Darwin Laksa, which came in at the top spot! This stall is a long-time favourite among locals, and not just for the food, but for the atmosphere, the smells, the ocean breeze and the sunset views, all of which serve up one of Darwin’s most memorable dining experiences. Their laksa is classic, rich and full of the bold, spicy flavours that keep people coming back week after week.
2. Kopi Stop
At a close second place over in Parap, Kopi Stop has earned a devoted following thanks to its fragrant, coconut-heavy broth and carefully balanced spice. It might not look like a laksa destination at first glance as it’s tucked inside a relaxed café, but ask any local and they’ll tell you it’s one of the best in town.
3. CHOW!
For something with a bit more flair, CHOW! The Darwin Waterfront is known for its colourful, modern take on Asian street food. It’s ranked third billing in our socials, but it took out the Golden Bowl-winning place at the Laksa Festival two years in a row!
CHOW! Laksa is full of personality, beautifully presented, generous with toppings and just the right mix of traditional and creative. It’s a favourite among locals who want something fun and full of flavour.
4. Parap Tavern
A bit surprised? So are we! Known primarily as a relaxed local pub tucked away in an unassuming suburban road, it also serves one of Darwin’s most popular laksas. It’s bold, hearty and unpretentious, just a great, satisfying bowl served with true Territory hospitality.
5. Asian Pot
The laksa at Asian Pot is something special: rich, spicy and full of heart. Every bowl gives the right element of freshness, with a broth that’s creamy but never cloying, and noodles cooked just right. The balance between toppings, soup, spice and heat keeps it scrumptious and lively. It’s frequently praised for being authentic, and the combination of laksa gets a lot of love from locals and reviewers alike.
6. Alberto’s Café
Alberto’s Café in the CBD is a go-to spot in Darwin for a seriously satisfying and comforting laksa. It’s the kind of dish that keeps locals coming back, especially when you need something flavourful to keep you going in the middle of a busy city day.
Other Popular Spots
Other must-try laksas in Darwin include the iconic Parap Markets (Mary’s Laksa is always a particular favourite on a Saturday morning) and previous DILF Golden Bowl winners, Bamboo Lounge. And not all the best laksa is found solely in Darwin. There have been regional winners and People’s Choice awards for venues across the NT, such as Jatti Pool, Bar and Bistro in Nitmiluk National Park, The Meeting Place in Katherine and Yaye’s Café in Alice Springs.
During the Laksa Festival, many of these venues will be buzzing with locals and visitors alike, each chasing their perfect bowl.
What did a true-blue local have to tell us?
Darwin local and ultimate laksa enthusiast, Tony, had this to say to us at Norther:
‘I am so excited about this year’s Darwin International Laksa Festival, or as a friend of mine likes to call it, the DILF! A few years ago, I was working behind the scenes on the laksa festival, and we had a celebrity chef coming from Malaysia to investigate. It’s no surprise to me that he was massively impressed with the old-style classic styles as well as all the ‘whoa, what did you do there’ variations! I’ve even tried a laksa that had gold leaf on it! In the Top End, it becomes a habit to go to the markets, line up for an hour, say hello to people you do and don’t know, and pick up a hot and spicy laksa, no matter how hot and sweaty you are. The festival has grown so much, as we now see not just a few derivatives of our favourite spicy soup, but hundreds! Laksa steak, laksa beer, whatever you feel like! I even took on the challenge and roasted some granola for a laksa-inspired breakfast, served with chilled coconut milk, of course. It was delicious!
This is definitely the time of year to slurp your laksa and then head off for a day out bush to see all of nature at play, like the magpie geese and mass amounts of crocodiles. Everything is in full flight and excited, as will your taste buds be when you enjoy the Laksa Festival. It’s my favourite meal in the world. And the best place in the world to have it? Darwin, Australia. When? Now!’
Pack your appetite, bring your curiosity and get ready to experience Darwin at its most delicious. Have you marked your culinary calendar with the Darwin Laksa Festival? Don’t forget to share all your laksa-filled activities from the festival with us on Facebook (@norther) or Instagram (@northerhq).
*Cover photo by @charliesofdarwin
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Heading to the NT? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. Cover More is our favourite travel insurance provider to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. I always find great options for my trips, and it saves me so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to the NT. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel the Territory and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting national parks, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency. Note: Park Passes are not accepted at Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Purchase those from Parks Australia.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
