The food and culture of Australia are renowned worldwide. The wholesome dishes with native ingredients and unique flavour combinations draw several tourists to the country every year.
Australia’s culinary landscape is influenced by the recipes of migrants who travelled to this geography decades ago and the authentic local cooking styles, which have been passed on from generations. Read on to know the 15 most delectable Australian foods you must try on your trip to the country.
It is one of the popular snacks you can find in Australia, with an interesting back story. The country celebrates Anzac Day on April 25 to commemorate the members of ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who fought in World War I. Back then, the soldiers’ wives prepared these crunchy biscuits and sent them to their husbands fighting the war. That is how the biscuits got their name. These delicious biscuits are made with basic ingredients such as flour, rolled oats, sugar, butter, desiccated coconut, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and water. They can be stored for days.
Macadamia nuts are native to Australia and are widely used to prepare several dishes, including waffles, cookies, ice creams, granola bars and macadamia cakes. The versatility of macadamia nuts makes them a perfect addition to savoury dishes cooked with vegetables, meats and seafood. You can also relish macadamia nuts in their original raw form as they are readily available in supermarkets and local stores around the country.
The debate about whether pavlova has its origin in Australia or New Zealand is never-ending. However, that does not take away from how delicious this dessert is. This light and sugary dessert, made with rich cream and fresh fruits, is a must-have in Australia. Pavlova was first made to honour the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova when she visited Australia in the 1920s. Pavlova has a delicious topping of fruits and whipped cream, making it one of the most loved desserts in the country. You can indulge in some of the delicious options at eateries such as C Restaurant in the Sky (Perth), Whisk Creamery (Multiple locations) and The Treasury Lounge Bar (Adelaide).
Similar to Britain’s Marmite, vegemite is enjoyed by the Australians for breakfast and lunch as well as tea. It is another of Australia’s famous food as the spread is easy to eat and comes with unique flavours. But what is Vegemite, you ask? It is a dark brown paste of various vegetables, yeast extract, and spices. It can be enjoyed on toast, crackers, and vegetables like tomatoes and avocados. It has a malty and umami taste which can be overpowering for someone who tries vegemite for the first time, but then the flavour starts to blend in. The key to enjoying this Aussie obsession is to spread it in moderation so that the flavours can be developed and enjoyed.
A recent poll has declared roasted lamb as the national food of Australia. This trendy and widely consumed dish is present on the menus of local eateries and fine dining restaurants. A roasted lamb dish is usually prepared with fresh herbs and native ingredients like bush tomatoes and lemon myrtle. This dish is best enjoyed with a glass of wine and is a favourite among locals and tourists. Some of the best places in Australia to try delicious roasted lambs are Porteno (Sydney), New Sydney Hotel Restaurant, Shiraz Persian Restaurant (Queensland) and Latitude 30 Restaurant (NSW), among others.
There is an undying love for meat pies among Australians, and this love runs deep through generations. You can choose from a wide variety of meat pies here; a few famous ones include pork and pepper pies, chicken and leek pies, lamb and rosemary pies, and curry steak pies. You can sample these rich and flaky meat pies in most of Australia’s local bakeries and service stations. They make a great snack and lunch option. Pair it with your favourite beverage for a hearty meal.
This is Australia’s favourite cake and one of the most popular Australian dishes in the world. The fluffy sponge cakes in perfect squares coated with layers of chocolate and rolled in grated coconut will leave you licking your fork and fingers. The lamingtons have a layer of jam or fresh cream in another variation. While many believe you can find the tastiest Lamingtons in Toowoomba, the city in Queensland’s Darling Downs region, you can also head to Sydney’s Flour and Stone bakery in the Woolloomooloo area to sample some finger-licking good options.
While Australia is famous for a range of freshwater and sea fish, the barramundi, in particular, is a must-try. This large river fish is the most popular of all Australian fish varieties and is served at almost all restaurants across the country. You can enjoy the flavours of the fish as grilled, fried, pan-fried or seared skin-side. Head to a local restaurant or enjoy dining at any one of the country’s famous barramundi serving restaurants like Melaleuca (Queensland), Tommy Ruff Fishbar (Victoria), George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant (Brisbane), Harry’s on Buderim (Queensland) and Fishmongers Manly (NSW) among others.
If you feel adventurous or like experimenting with meat, you can try one of the kangaroo meat dishes available across the country. Unlike other types of meat that get cooked and can be chewed easily, kangaroo meat tends to dry out quickly. Hence, it is cooked either rare or medium, and mostly on one side using ingredients such as garlic, rosemary, plum, juniper, and orange. Some popular eateries to enjoy kangaroo dishes include Matilda, Meat & Wine Co Circular Quay, Dinner by Heston and Steak Ministry Bar and Grill.
Another popular comfort snack in Australia is fish and chips. These are usually made with varieties of Australian fish, such as John Dory or the freshwater Barramundi. Locals enjoy plates of fish and chips with a glass of beer on weekends and weekdays. For the best fish and chips in Australia, you should plan a visit to The Fish Shop (Burrill Lake, NSW), Fridays Fish and Chippery (Cairns, QLD), Sweetlips Fish and Chips (Freemantle, WA), Star of Greece (Port Willunga, SA) and Scotties Fish Cafe (Newcastle, NSW).
This is also a favourite biscuit type of Australia which comes in chocolate flavour and is called ‘Tim Tam’. What makes it a favourite biscuit is its thin layer and chocolatey cream filling. The layer outside is covered in chocolate, making it a perfect accompaniment to a hot beverage. The Aussies have a particular way of eating their Tim Tams! Bite any corner off the top and the opposite bottom side of the Tim Tam biscuit. Next, use the remaining biscuit as a straw to drink your glass of warm beverages such as milk, coffee, hot chocolate, or others. This is called the ‘Tim Tam Slam’ and is a definite try to best enjoy this favourite Australian food.
The Aussies love calamari. Calamari is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed in raw or cooked form. There are plenty of calamari dishes in Australia in the salad and fried varieties. The fried calamari dishes are usually flavoured with salt and pepper or fresh herbs and then batter-fried. A calamari salad is rich with fresh vegetables and herbs and generously loaded with oil and sauces.
The people of Australia are defined by their love for food, and barbeques are their favourites. From freshly cut pork to beef, you can taste some of the best-barbequed foods in the world, only in Australia. To indulge in some of the juiciest barbequed items in Australia, you can head to Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack (Brisbane), Manuka Woodfire Kitchen (Fremantle, Perth), Frank Restaurant and Bar (Hobart, Tasmania), Bovine & Swine Barbecue Co. (NSW) and LP’s Quality Meats (NSW)
In Australia, you can find varieties of links in any supermarket. The flavours include garlic, herbs, fruity as well as wine! Roll the links on fresh tortillas or stuff them in a bread roll with fresh vegetables, herbs and oil; the choice is yours. To enjoy some of the best beef sausages in Australia, head to Nowra in New South Wales, while some delicious pork sausages await you in Mawson, Australian Capital Territory.
Aussies love soups and have delectable healthy varieties available across the country. They are all amazing, from the famous chicken and corn soups to the pumpkin and potato with leek soup. The soups are served warm, as they should be, along with a garnish of fresh herbs that enhance the overall flavours of the soup.
Even though Australia is a foodie’s paradise, these are the 15 popular foods that you need to try in Australia. A visit to this beautiful land of natural wonders, pristine beaches, magnificent deserts and extraordinary culinary spread will leave you mesmerised.
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