When it comes to authentic, delicious and affordable eats in Sydney, it’s hard to deny that West is Best. From Lakemba’s vibrant Lebanese plates to plump dumplings and oil-slicked noodles in Eastwood, and the fragrant, Pho-fuelled streets of Cabramatta, Sydney’s west serves up a world-class mix of flavours. And next year, the stakes are being raised even higher. Deicorp’s new mid-city precinct, Melrose Central, is bringing the buzz, flavour and late-night pulse of Asia’s street-side eateries to Melrose Park. Keen? Us too.
Set to open in mid-2026, this first-of-its-kind street food precinct will sprawl across more than 4,700 square metres, making it more than three times the size of Burwood’s Chinatown and Chatswood’s Hawker Lane. Designed by Anthony Ho of Basalt Studio, it’s not just a place to eat – Melrose Central will be a full-blown transporting sensory experience. Picture neon-lit laneways, sizzling open kitchens, and street murals that feel straight out of Mong Kok or Shibuya. Interactive displays and light installations will turn the precinct into a kaleidoscope of colour and movement, while live grill stations and late-night trading rules promise to keep the energy high long after dinner hours.
“We’ve imagined our street food concept as a graduated evolution of everything people love about Burwood Chinatown, East Village and Regent Place, elevated by the immersive artistry creating a city-style dining offer,” said Bilinda Turner, Head of Retail of Deicorp.
And while the street food offering will no doubt be the main drawcard, Melrose Central is shaping up to be far more than a dining destination. Spanning a huge 30,000 square metres across four levels, the new shopping and lifestyle hub will feature around 100 retailers, including boutique grocers, a Korean supermarket, a bakery and a heap of fresh food outlets. We can also expect to find beauty salons, barbers, nail studios and even a dedicated early-learning centre – plus a wellbeing hub with a Pilates studio, infrared saunas, recovery zones and a gym. Above the public precinct, 495 Turner Studio-designed apartments will rise into the sky, surrounded by 6,000 square metres of lush podium gardens and rooftop terrace.
Strategically located just six kilometres from Parramatta’s CBD and 15 from Sydney’s, Melrose Central will sit at the heart of the massive Melrose Park urban renewal precinct, which is expected to welcome more than 11,000 new homes, 22,000 residents and 50,000 square metres of open space. With the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 stop right at its doorstep and the Parramatta Gateway Bridge connecting directly to Sydney Olympic Park and Wentworth Point, it’s set to become a super accessible locale.
Melrose Central is on track to open its doors in mid-2026, and both leasing and residential enquiries are already open. You can learn more over here.
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