Melbourne's Kingsway Becomes Dining Hub
Glen Waverley's Kingsway precinct in Melbourne has emerged as one of the city's most vibrant suburban dining destinations, with restaurant owner Garen Maskal describing it as a "pumping heart" where nearly every storefront houses a restaurant, bubble tea shop, dessert bar, or café. The area offers diverse cuisines from Asian and Sri Lankan to Mexican and steakhouse fare.
- The transformation of Kingsway into a dining destination is part of a deliberate urban planning strategy by the City of Monash to create a more pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining precinct by widening footpaths. - The area's culinary landscape is heavily influenced by its demographics; approximately 60% of Glen Waverley residents were born overseas, with 38% having Chinese ancestry, fostering a vibrant Asian food scene. - A key figure in the precinct, Garen Maskal, is a former sous chef at the acclaimed restaurant Ezard and is also behind local Hispanic-themed restaurant The Black Toro and the Italian-inspired Gambino. - The dining scene includes unique multi-level venues, such as King's Centre, a seven-story building entirely dedicated to Asian eateries, crowned with a rooftop barbecue restaurant. - The hospitality industry is a major local employer, with over 40% of the 7,800 workers in the Glen Waverley central area employed in sectors that include accommodation and food services as of 2021. - Future development is set to further boost the area, with a new underground Suburban Rail Loop station planned for 2035 and a $110 million-plus Glen Waverley Civic Precinct project underway. - In September 2022, the local council approved a new seven-story building on Kingsway designated for food, drink, and office spaces, which will include a rooftop bar. - The area's history as a commercial hub dates back to 1967 when the shopping strip around Kingsway and Coleman Parade was first established with a supermarket and 30 specialty shops.
