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Restaurant

Island Dreams Cafe

47-49 Haldon St, Lakemba NSW 2195, Australia

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Find Island Dreams Cafe

47-49 Haldon St, Lakemba NSW 2195, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 455 578 190
HoursMonday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 12:30 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Island Dreams Cafe

Island Dreams Cafe dishes up rare Cocos and Christmas Island home cooking in Lakemba. Inside this aquamarine room, Aunty Alimah turns out generous plates rooted in Indian Ocean heritage. Patrons making the trek often start with the chicken satay—skewers paired with cucumber, squares of lontong, and a house peanut sauce crushed from whole nuts rather than jarred butter. From the hot bar, ladle chilli chicken and sambal-smeared eggplants over turmeric rice, or grab a package of nasi lemak bungkus for the road. The beef rendang braises chuck steak down in pure coconut milk and spices until it falls apart on the fork.

  • Scratch-Made Satay: Chicken and lamb skewers served with lontong and a coarse peanut sauce made from whole crushed nuts.
  • Slow-Simmered Curries: Slow-cooked beef chuck simmered down in coconut milk alongside chilli chicken and sambal eggplant.
  • Indian Ocean Island Flavours: Rare Cocos and Christmas Island home cooking served in hearty portions on Haldon Street.
RestaurantCoffeeCafeRestaurant

What's On at Island Dreams Cafe

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Distinct Advantages

Why travellers and food lovers choose Island Dreams Cafe for authentic Cocos and Christmas Island home cooking

  • Rare Indian Ocean Island Flavours

    Diners can savor rare culinary traditions from Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Island, where Malay-influenced recipes like Nasi Lemak Bungkus and spiced curries are cooked from family heritage.

    Beautifully delicious home-style Cocos + Christmas Island cuisine that has strong Malaysian influences.

    Zona M Tan

  • Traditional Slow-Cooked Beef Rendang

    The cafe's signature beef rendang is slow-cooked with aromatic spices and coconut milk until deeply tender and authentic.

    these super-tender slow cooked chunks of chuck steak are the real deal.

    Jackie McMillan

  • Scratch-Made Crushed Peanut Satay Sauce

    The kitchen crafts its peanut sauce from real whole crushed peanuts and regional spices without relying on commercial peanut butter shortcuts.

    Hands down best satay sauce in Sydney. None of that glucky peanut butter taste and the satay spices were just right.

    noorlindah salleh

  • Generous Value and Authentic Takeaway Packs

    Generous, hot takeaway packs like Nasi Lemak Bungkus and fragrant curry rice boxes offer incredible value and travel well for onward journeys.

    the value is so good for Sydney. I absolutely love love love the nasi lemak bungkus

    Sara

  • A Proven Interstate Road Trip Stopover

    Located conveniently in Sydney's south-west, it serves as a rewarding, flavour-packed dining stopover for drivers heading to Canberra or across NSW.

    This cafe is starting to become our favourite takeaway stopover before we continue the drive to Canberra.

    Sara

  • A Sydney Detour Worth the Journey

    Visitors travelling through Sydney find the intentional detour into Lakemba thoroughly justified by standout food and warm hospitality.

    passing through Sydney and decided it was worth the detour to visit this exciting restaurant. And let me tell you, never have we made a better decision.

    Ro Mc

Signature home-style Cocos & Christmas Island classics

  • Beef Rendang

    I recommend the eggplant and beef rendang.

    Sara

  • Chicken Satay

    Chicken satay ($15.50/5) come with cucumber, red onion and lontong (squares of compressed rice) plus the best homemade peanut sauce I’ve had in many years.

    Jackie McMillan

  • Nasi Lemak Bungkus

    I absolutely love love love the nasi lemak bungkus, it's so similar to what we have back in Malaysia's street stalls.

    Sara

  • Chilli Chicken

    The chilli chicken is my go to favourite, nice family run restaurant and the food is nothing short of amazing.

    Jamal Ali

Other favorites

Traditional island beverages, fresh roti, and authentic Malay sweets

  • Teh Tarik

    Loved the teh tarik, best I've had in Australia.

    Ro Mc

  • Watermelon Drink

    Love the watermelon drink.

    Garlic (Garlic and Butter)

  • Roti Canai

    Roti channai is freshly made and portion is good. Just perfect.

    Bibby Yowong

  • Pandan Rolls

    We were treated to pandan rolls to celebrate the retirement of Lesley Unsworth from Taste Food Tours, staunch supporters of this (and many other) small family-run business.

    Jackie McMillan

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful island touches and family hospitality in Lakemba

  • Personal Hospitality from Aunty Alimah

    Owner Aunty Alimah personally greets guests with warm, conversational hospitality, creating an intimate kampung family atmosphere.

  • Traditional Lontong and Condiment Accompaniments

    Fresh satay skewers are accompanied by traditional lontong (compressed rice squares), fresh cucumber, and raw red onion.

  • Rare Island Bakery Sweets and Makmur

    Handcrafted heritage snacks and sweets such as kuih makmur, pineapple tarts, and cornflake cookies are available to take home by the tub.

  • Ramadhan Fasting Support and Takeaway Care

    The kitchen remains open during the fasting month of Ramadan, offering thoughtful service and traditional parcelled takeaway for breaking fast.

Before you head over

Practical tips on timing, hot-bar ordering, and takeaway for your visit to Island Dreams Cafe.

  • Arrive Early for Popular Snacks

    Curry puffs and popular island items can sell out earlier in the afternoon, so plan an early lunch if you want the full selection of snacks and mains.

  • Check the Second Bain-Marie for Rendang

    The slow-cooked beef rendang is kept tucked away in the second bain-marie rather than the main front display, so ask staff if you do not see it immediately.

  • Ideal Stopover Takeaway for Road Trips

    The cafe prepares generous takeaway portions of Nasi Lemak Bungkus and packaged curries, making it a convenient stop to stock up when driving through Sydney.

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