QICGRE’s Watergardens – the heart and social hub of the vibrant local community at Taylors Lakes, has announced the introduction of eight authentic street style dining concepts due to open soon as part of the new $50 million food precinct The Marketplace – an exciting destination for fresh food and fast casual dining.
Located in one of metropolitan Melbourne’s strongest growth corridors, The Marketplace at Watergardens is a vibrant new-to-trade-area offer encompassing more than 5,000m2 of transformed retail space, and paves the way for future phases of the centre’s evolution.
Inspired by the cultural diversity of the north-west, The Marketplace brings together street style influences from Europe, Asia, and America, in the west’s answer to the bustling food and produce markets so treasured by food lovers across Melbourne.
Centre Manager Joe Galea, says: “Our food traders have a story to tell, and there’s a real connection to community and family values, which is central to The Marketplace story, their food offering is made with care.
“We’re always thinking about the way real people in our community like to come together, and this street style vision will create a welcoming, outdoor market style-space, but inside – it means we can welcome customers at all times of the day no matter what the Melbourne weather is like.
“The Marketplace will become the epicentre of casual dining here in the north-west, changing the way our community experiences eating out and bringing a raft of brand new food offerings to Watergardens,” Galea said.
The Marketplace design encapsulates ‘bringing the outside in’
The Marketplace design encapsulates ‘bringing the outside in’, an oasis of natural light and greenery. A light wood trellis canopy creates the sense of an open-air public market, threading together growers, makers and sellers, and bringing the space alive day and night.
The new line-up of retailers includes; Lebanese eatery Cedar Bakery, serving up signature family recipes including marinated Chicken Tawook, lamb pizzas, and za’atar bread; Old Man Pho, inspired by owner Ken’s childhood memories of eating beef pho on the weekends with his six siblings, prepared lovingly by his father; 300 Modern Greek, souvlaki with a modern twist including beef short rib, slow cooked pork or halloumi, plus more traditional recipes passed down from Yia Yia; Calavera, coffee specialists using house-roasted beans, pouring regular favourites plus nitro brew and cold drip; and cult favourite Cannoleria, specialists in the golden, crunchy and creamy ricotta filled Sicilian dessert cannoli, serving up traditional and experimental flavour combinations, alongside their traditional seasonal house made gelato range.
The Marketplace is also set to welcome 8bit Burgers, with their nostalgic take on American style burgers, hot dogs and loaded fries; Angie’s Kitchen, hawker-style handmade dumplings and regional Chinese favourites; and Hero Sushi, the freshest selection of sushi in the north-west, including sashimi, nigiri, and baby sushi rolls for the kids, all hand made by expert Japanese sushi chefs.
Watergardens Town Centre
Dario Di Clerico, Operations Manager at Cannoleria, says their offering at The Marketplace will be unique in many ways. “Our cannoli is based on a family recipe, passed down to Giorgio’s nonna and likely generations before her.
“We take this recipe and experiment with different flavours and combinations; Australia’s rich culture motivates us and diverse communities like Taylors Lakes will be a big inspiration for our new store,” he said.
George Taouk, co-owner of Cedar Bakery says: “Family, community, authenticity, and tradition are the three key things for Cedar Bakery, it’s what we’re all about, and we’re excited to be bringing this to Taylors Lakes locals.
“Our menu is very traditional Lebanese, passed down from my grandmother to my mother, then to us. “In my childhood, in my home, there was always people there, sharing a meal together, that drives us today to try and create the same atmosphere at Cedar,” he said.
The Marketplace will offer flexible communal seating and public space
The dining traders join a recently announced assembly of nine fresh food and convenience retailers, including The Butcher Club Direct, Lucia’s Euro Deli, and San Andres grocery and smallgoods, ALDI Supermarket, The Nut Bar, and East West Asian Grocery.
The Marketplace will offer flexible communal seating and public space alongside the addition of new play zones to entertain the kids. The official opening date for The Marketplace will be announced soon.
Located 25 kilometres from Melbourne’s central business district, Taylors Lakes is at the centre of one of metropolitan Melbourne’s strongest growth corridors, home to 217 nationalities. With a main trade area population of more than 160,000, and an average of 5,000 commuters entering Watergardens Station each weekday, Watergardens attracts about 10.1 million visitors each year and has firmly established itself as the beating heart of the Taylors Lakes lifestyle for the past two decades. By 2026, more than 20% of Melbourne’s 900,000 expected additional residents are projected to reside in Melbourne’s west, the area is forecast to almost double in population with significant growth predicted.
