The stage is set for a spectacular conclusion to the Darwin International Laksa Festival, with Kopi Stop, Angkor Takeaway and Pho Rapid Creek named as the top three contenders for the coveted Golden Bowl award.
The finalists will go head-to-head in a live blind tasting on the Foodie Stage at the Darwin Waterfront Grand Finale on Saturday 31 October, where one dish will be crowned the Territory's best laksa.
Now in its eighth year, the Darwin International Laksa Festival continues to grow in scale and popularity, with more than 120 venues participating and over 230 dishes entered across the Northern Territory throughout October. More than 30 per cent of this year's participants were new to the Laksa League, highlighting the festival's expanding reach and strong support from the hospitality industry.
The festival has become a cornerstone of the Northern Territory's event calendar, showcasing Darwin's multicultural food culture while driving visitation, supporting local businesses and strengthening the city's reputation as Australia's laksa capital.
The live judging panel will feature MasterChef favourite Junda Khoo, acclaimed chef and author Luke Nguyen, and LEEA Darwin Executive Chef, Samantha Bennett. Judging begins at 6.00pm, with the Golden Bowl winner announced at 6.45pm. The free Grand Finale will run from 3.00pm to 9.00pm at the Peninsula Lawns, Darwin Waterfront, featuring a full afternoon and evening of food, entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Festivalgoers can look forward to an action-packed day at the Darwin Waterfront, with live cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs Luke Nguyen, Junda Khoo and Zach Green on the Ayam Kitchen Stage, alongside unique creations from the Laksa Lab, including laksa-inspired chocolates and ice cream. New to the festival this year is the Spilling the Broth stage, hosted by Magdalena Roze, featuring conversations with some of the Territory's best-known food personalities and industry leaders.
Visitors can also enjoy food from 11 vendors across two precincts, exclusive laksa specials from Waterfront restaurants, a producer's market showcasing local products, specialty bars, and a packed entertainment lineup from 7pm - 9pm featuring Prayer Corby, Max Fredericks, DJ Charly and JEM, who will close the celebrations with Club Laksa.
The laksa League winner will be once again announced at the Grand Final, in 2026 the league delivered an exciting opportunity for players to compete for a share of an incredible $15,000 prize pool, including a Territory getaway for two, tourism packages across the Top End and Central Australia, weekly prizes and more.
The Darwin International Laksa Festival Grand Finale is free to attend and promises a fitting celebration of another successful year for one of the Territory's most-loved food events.
