Darwin locals know you can eat out any night of the week along the beach-side locations of Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and East Point Reserve. But it can get confusing trying to remember who’s trading where and when. So here’s our guide to our favourite pop-up food vans…
Taco Daze
5:30pm Tuesdays @ Windsurfer’s Corner Car Park, Rapid Creek
It’s Taco Tuesdays with Taco Daze! Get your taco fix and enjoy the sunset at Windsurfer’s Corner. Our local’s tip – order the Chicken Tingaling with jalapeños for some extra heat! And non-vegans don’t be scared of the Just Jack (spiced jackfruit), if we didn’t tell you, you’d think it’s pork.
Windsurfer’s Corner, Rapid Creek 
Taco Tuesdays with Taco Daze
Stephanie’s
5pm Sundays @ Windsurfer’s Corner Car Park, Rapid Creek
If you’re a fan of great homemade falafels, then head down to Stephanie’s quaint little pop-up serving up a variety of falafel wraps. If you’re from the UK you may even recognise Stephanie from UK’s My Kitchen Rules! Our local’s tip – order the spicy sauce, it’s goooood!
A falafel wrap from Stephanie’s 
Stephanie’s pop-up food van
Machan Street Food
5pm Mondays + Fridays @ Nightcliff Pool Eastern Car Park
5pm Tuesdays @ Southern Coastal Car Park, East Point Reserve
Machan Street Food serves up seriously tasty authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Our local’s tip – try one of their specialty egg hoppers.
Needle in a Haystack
5:30pm Wednesdays, Thursdays + Fridays @ Nightcliff Jetty Car Park West
Needle in a Haystack would rank at the most high-end pop-up restaurant in Darwin. Their menu changes weekly based on the local ingredients that are available. Our local’s tip – take down your own chairs, table and a nice bottle of wine and set yourself up right on the cliffs to watch the sunset.
Noi’s Pad Thai
5pm Sundays @ Nightcliff Pool Western Car Park
Noi’s know a good thing when they’ve got it – and that’s pad thai. They also offer a few other select menu items, but our local’s tip is go the pad thai. You’ll never regret a Noi’s.
The Potato Man
5pm Wednesdays + Sundays @ Nightcliff Pool Eastern Car Park
The queue at The Potato Man each week is proof of how good these loaded spuds are. You can choose a medium or large spud, and select your own toppings. Our local’s tip – get down there by 5:30pm to avoid the queue. However, they do move quickly and make them on the spot.
Loaded spud from The Potato Man 
Mango and passionfruit crepe from Ken’s Crepes
Cucina Sotto Le Stelle
5pm Wednesdays, Fridays + Saturdays @ Chapman Rd Car Park, Rapid Creek
From the owners of Darwin-institution Alfonsino’s, Cucina Sotto Le Stelle (meaning ‘kitchen under the stars’) is simply that. This woodfired pizza oven located on the Rapid Creek foreshore turns into an outdoor restaurant of picnic rugs under the stars. Our local’s tip – order the bruschetta to eat whilst you wait for your pizza to be ready.
Ken’s Crepes Mindil
8am – 1pm Sundays @ Northern Coastal Car Park, East Point Reserve
Ken’s Crepes is well known across all of Darwin as you’ll find them popping-up at markets and foreshores most nights of the week. Make a meal out of it and start with a savoury crepe for dinner followed by sweet for dessert. Our local’s tip – pay the extra dollar for salted caramel sauce!
Due to seasons, weather conditions and trading reasons it is subject to change so best to check their Facebook or Instagram accounts before you go.
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