Garden State Night Market – Mulgrave – eight food stalls, one restaurant

Nestled inconspicuously along Springvale Road in Mulgrave, the Garden State Night Market seems like an anomaly amidst the backdrop of towering office buildings housing large corporations. The venue’s camouflage within an office setting, coupled with the challenge of locating suitable parking, creates an initial hurdle for potential visitors. During our weekend visit, the quest for parking led us to the TCL car parking lot adjacent to Springvale, an alternative solution due to the scarcity of clear signage indicating designated parking for the restaurant.

The Garden State Night Market offers various dining options, allowing patrons to choose between dining in, partaking in their buffet, or opting for takeaway. Despite marketing itself as hosting eight food stalls, the reality unfolds as a single restaurant with an expansive menu spanning diverse cuisines—from burgers and fried chicken to hot dogs, super fries, and Taiwanese street food. Notably, the menu leans heavily towards deep-fried offerings, with limited healthier alternatives available.

The restaurant entices patrons with a 1.5-hour buffet option priced at $29.90 per person from Monday to Thursday and $34.90 per person from Friday to Sunday. However, this option comes with restrictions on specific items, necessitating advance booking for those eager to indulge in the buffet experience.

During our visit, we opted for the dine-in experience, selecting the OG Cheeseburger priced at $12, with an additional $7 for fries. Additionally, we ordered the Fried Chicken and Rice, accompanied by extra cheese sticks. Portion sizes varied, with the OG Cheeseburger and fries presenting a decent serving, while the Fried Chicken and Rice with cheese sticks leaned towards the smaller side. Regrettably, the taste failed to surpass ordinary expectations, lacking the distinctive flair that elevates a dining experience from mundane to memorable.

The menu’s focus on comfort foods typically associated with younger generations may appeal more to this demographic. Laden with items often indulged in during celebrations or late night cravings, the offerings cater to those seeking familiar and satisfying flavours such as barbacue wings, burgers, fries and hot dogs.

Despite the restaurant’s efforts to create a unique dining experience, the overall impression falls short of expectations. The out-of-the-way location, coupled with the pricing that may not align with the perceived value, contributes to a sense of disappointment. While the Garden State Night Market may find favour among a younger crowd drawn to its comfort food-centric menu, those seeking a more exceptional and gratifying dining adventure may find the experience lacking.

The owners get points for trying something new and for promoting their various deals on blogs such as OzBargain.

The Garden State Night Market in Mulgrave faces challenges in terms of visibility and accessibility. The restaurant’s identity as a single establishment, despite marketing as multiple food stalls, coupled with a menu tilted towards deep-fried options, may limit its appeal to a broader audience. While the buffet option introduces an element of variety, the overall dining experience, marked by ordinary flavors and a relatively higher price point, leaves room for improvement. The Garden State Night Market, while capturing a specific niche, may need to refine its approach to attract a more diverse and discerning clientele.

Please support the website by liking the article or subscribing to the mailing list. The review and the experience above are based on my own views. No commission, freebies or payments have been received.

Here are some of my recent articles: