Australian cuisine is the product of the country’s rich history and the many different people and strands of culture that have landed on its shores over the centuries. As a country that’s surrounded by the ocean, seafood plays an important part in the Australian diet. While the rest of the world may have heard of a few classic Australian dishes, many unique Aussie takes on cuisine are waiting to be discovered.
There’s nothing quite like eating your way through Australia’s unique food culture to make your trip worth every minute and every mile traveled. Here are 7 must-try specialties for when you’re traveling Down Under.
• Barramundi fish and chips: Barramundi is one of the most widely available fish in Australia and makes for a wonderful option when making fish and chips. An Australian staple, you’re likely to find this dish on the to-go menu at shops right by the beach—pick it up for your next seaside picnic. It’s perfect for eating with your toes in the sand.
• Pavlova: You can’t go wrong with a combination of meringue, whipped cream, and fresh fruits, and that is exactly what a pavlova is. Australia’s national desert, rumored to be named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlov, is the heavy hitter of the dessert menu in restaurants across the country. Double up on the sightseeing at Bennelong in Sydney: the air-filled meringue sails atop their pavlova resemble those of the Opera House out in the bay.
• Bush tucker: A wide-ranging term that includes all kinds of foods native to Australia that were typical of the Indigenous diet, bush tucker can mean anything from emu meat to wild oranges, bush tomato, wattle seeds, and witchetty grub. One of the best ways to experience bush tucker is during a dedicated food tour, such as the Wang’ari Dreaming Bush Tucker Tour.
• Aussie BBQ: More than an institution, Aussie BBQ is a way of life for many Australians. The generally pleasant weather means that when the sun is out, it doesn’t take long for invitations to be issued to friends and for a barbecue to be fired up. On the grill, you’ll find all kinds of sausages, steaks, chops, and seafood. If you haven't made friends with locals or been invited to a backyard barbecue yet, your best way to sample this Australian staple is to pay a visit to one of the many barbecue restaurants dotted all around the country. Firedoor, also in Sydney, is among the most famous spots for a grilled feast.
• Smashed avo: Whether Australia can claim the idea of avocado on toast as its own is very much up for debate, but smashed avo is a firm favorite on breakfast menus in trendy cafes around Australia. The recipe is straightforward: good bread with an avocado smashed over it and a sprinkling of olive oil, salt, and sometimes an egg to top things off. Simple, delicious, and healthy.
• Kangaroo steak: One for the slightly more adventurous eaters, kangaroo steak can be found in steak houses, pubs, and restaurants around the country. The meat tastes like a cross between beef and game and is incredibly healthy as it’s high in protein and low in fat. You can find kangaroo meat in the form of steaks, burgers, and even sausages.
• Flat white: Known as the coffee capital of Australia, Melbourne boasts a unique coffee culture that's deeply ingrained in the city's lifestyle. Cafés in Melbourne are not just places to get a caffeine fix; they are social hubs where art, fashion, and gourmet food meet. The city is known for its meticulous approach to coffee, with baristas treating coffee-making as an art form. The signature coffee to order is the Flat White. Gaining international popularity for its strong espresso flavor balanced with velvety microfoam, it strikes a perfect balance between a latte, with more milk, and a cappuccino, with more froth.
