Top 10 Must-Try Australian Foods: Iconic Dishes & Where to Eat

Asking "what are the top foods in Australia" is like asking about the weather—it depends on who you ask and where you are. But after a decade of eating my way from Perth to Byron Bay, I can tell you this: Aussie food isn't just about throwing shrimp on the barbie (and they usually call them prawns, anyway). It's a brilliant, messy, delicious fusion of British foundations, immigrant influences (Italian, Greek, Asian), and incredible local produce. Forget the clichés. Here are the ten foods that truly define the Australian table, with exact spots to try them so you don't waste a single meal.

What Even Is Australian Cuisine?

Let's clear something up first. Many visitors expect a single, unified "Australian" cuisine. That's a mistake. What you get is a layered story. The oldest layer is Indigenous Australian food, or "bush tucker"—ingredients like kangaroo, wattleseed, lemon myrtle, and finger limes. Then came the British staples (pies, roasts). Post-war immigration brought Greek souvlaki, Italian pasta, and Vietnamese pho, which Australia adopted and adapted fiercely.

The modern layer is "Mod Oz" (Modern Australian)—chefs taking all of the above and creating something light, inventive, and produce-driven. Think barramundi with a macadamia crust and finger lime salsa. So when you're hunting for the top foods, you're really tasting this history on a plate.

Pro Tip: Don't just eat in the tourist centers. The best food culture is in the suburbs. A Vietnamese bakery in Cabramatta (Sydney), a Greek cake shop in Oakleigh (Melbourne), or a Lebanese bakery in Lakemba (Sydney) will teach you more about real Australian eating than any harborside restaurant.

Top 10 Australian Foods You Need to Try

This isn't a random list. These are the dishes you'll see locals actually eating, arguing over, and craving. I've ranked them by cultural impact and accessibility.

1. Meat Pie

The undisputed king. This isn't fancy food; it's a hand-sized pastry filled with minced beef in a rich gravy. The magic is in the ritual: buy it from a bakery or a football stadium kiosk, squirt tomato sauce (ketchup) on top, and eat it straight from the paper bag. A common debate? Whether the sauce goes in the hole on top or on the side. I'm a side-squirter—it keeps the pastry crisp. Australian food

Where to get a great one: Harry's Cafe de Wheels (Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, Sydney). An iconic pie cart since 1938. Try the "Tiger Pie" (pie topped with mushy peas and mashed potato). Open late. Pie: ~$6.50 AUD.
For a gourmet version: Bourke Street Bakery (multiple locations, Sydney). Their beef, red wine, and mushroom pie is next level. ~$8 AUD.

2. Vegemite

Australia's most famous cultural hurdle. It's a thick, black, salty paste made from brewer's yeast extract. Tourists hate it because they spread it like Nutella. The correct method: lots of butter on warm toast, then the thinnest imaginable smear of Vegemite. It should be a salty, umami hint, not a tar-like assault. It's an acquired taste, but mastering it feels like getting a secret handshake. Australian cuisine

3. Lamington

The national cake. A humble square of sponge cake, dipped in chocolate icing, and rolled in desiccated coconut. Sometimes it has a layer of jam and cream in the middle. It's dry, sweet, and messy—perfect with a cup of tea. You'll find them at every school fete, bakery, and supermarket. Don't overthink it. A cheap lamington from a milk bar (corner store) can be just as satisfying as a fancy one. foods to try in Australia

4. Sausage Sizzle

More than food, it's a community event. A simple barbecue where a beef or pork sausage is grilled, slapped on a slice of white bread (not a hot dog bun), and topped with grilled onions and sauce. The defining rule? The sausage is placed on the bread, not in a slit. You'll find these at hardware store car parks (Bunnings is famous for them), voting booths, and kids' sports games. Cost? Usually a gold coin donation ($1 or $2 AUD). It's democracy in a bread slice. Australian food

5. Barramundi

Australia's favorite native fish. The name comes from an Aboriginal language meaning "large-scaled river fish." It has a mild, buttery flavor and firm, white flesh. You'll see it grilled, pan-fried, or baked with native ingredients. It's sustainable and widely farmed. If you see it on a menu, order it over imported salmon. It tastes like Australia. Australian cuisine

Where to try it done right: Char Restaurant (The Gardens, Cairns). Overlooking the lagoon, they specialize in local seafood. Their pan-seared barramundi with crispy skin is a benchmark. Mains from ~$38 AUD.

6. Anzac Biscuit

A crunchy, oat-based biscuit (cookie) made with golden syrup and desiccated coconut. They have historical roots from World War I, when families sent them to soldiers (the lack of eggs meant they kept well). They're commercially available everywhere, but homemade ones are best—slightly chewy in the center. A supermarket packet from Arnott's is a fine souvenir. foods to try in Australia

7. Chiko Roll

A deep-fried, savory roll invented in 1951. The filling is a thick paste of cabbage, barley, carrot, and beef. It's the ultimate guilty pleasure, found in fish and chip shops and sports venues. It's stodgy, greasy, and weirdly comforting. Think of it as Australia's answer to the spring roll, but heavier and more...Australian. Try one once, with plenty of sauce. Australian food

8. Pavlova

The dessert Australia and New Zealand endlessly fight over. It's a large meringue base with a crisp crust and a soft, marshmallow-like center, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit (passionfruit, kiwi, strawberries). It's light, sweet, and the centerpiece of summer celebrations. The key is the texture contrast. A bad pav is just a hard meringue. A good one yields softly to a spoon. Australian cuisine

9. Halal Snack Pack (HSP)

A modern icon born from late-night kebab shop culture. It's a takeaway container layered with chips (fries), doner kebab meat (usually chicken or lamb), and three sauces: garlic, chili, and barbecue. It's messy, indulgent, and a post-night-out staple for a generation. Search for "best HSP" in any city and you'll start a debate. It represents modern, multicultural Australia on a plastic plate. foods to try in Australia

Where to get a legendary HSP: Mr. Crackles (Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney). Famous for their roast pork rolls, but their HSP is top-tier. Open late. HSP: ~$15 AUD.

10. Sydney Rock Oysters

If there's one luxury you indulge in, make it these. Smaller and more flavorful than Pacific oysters, they have a complex, sweet, and slightly metallic taste. Eat them fresh, unadorned, or with a squeeze of lemon. The best experience is at the source. According to the official Tourism Australia website, our seafood is a major draw, and for good reason. Australian food

The ultimate experience: Sydney Fish Market (Bank Street, Pyrmont). Go early, buy a dozen fresh shucked oysters from one of the seafood vendors, and eat them by the water. Expect to pay ~$25-$35 AUD per dozen. For a sit-down feast, Saint Peter (Oxford Street, Paddington) is a temple to sustainable Australian seafood.

Where to Eat Like a Local

Beyond specific dishes, understand these venues:

The Pub Counter Meal: Go to a classic pub (like Young & Jackson in Melbourne or The Hero of Waterloo in Sydney). Order a "Parma" (chicken parmigiana) or a steak. It's huge, cheap (~$20-$30 AUD), and comes with chips and salad. Eat it in the bistro with a pint of beer.

The Milk Bar: The old-school corner store. Get a meat pie, a sausage roll, a lamington, and a chocolate milk. It's a time capsule.

The Modern Australian Cafe: Brunch is a religion. Order "avocado on toast" (often with feta and seeds), or "eggs Benedict with smoked salmon." Expect excellent coffee (flat white is the go-to).

Australian Food FAQs Answered

Where can I find the best meat pie in Sydney?

For a classic, no-frills pie, head to Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo. Their Tiger Pie (meat pie topped with mushy peas and mashed potato) is an institution. If you want a gourmet twist, Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills does a brilliant beef and red wine pie. Expect to pay between $6-$9 AUD.

How should a first-timer try Vegemite?

The biggest mistake is using too much. Spread a very thin layer (think "see-through") on heavily buttered, warm toast. The butter is non-negotiable—it mellows the strong, salty flavor. Don't eat it plain from the jar. A good starter option is Vegemite on buttered crumpets.

Are there good vegetarian options in traditional Australian food?

Absolutely. Many classic dishes have great veggie versions. Look for gourmet vegetarian pies (mushroom and ale is a favorite). A 'halal snack pack' can be made with falafel instead of meat. Modern Australian cafes excel at veggie breakfasts with avocado, halloumi, and roasted tomatoes. Lamingtons and Anzac biscuits are naturally vegetarian.

What is the one seafood dish I shouldn't miss?

Freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters. They're smaller, sweeter, and more complex than Pacific oysters. Skip the fancy sauces. Squeeze a bit of lemon, maybe a drop of Tabasco, and taste the ocean. For the best experience, go to the Sydney Fish Market early in the morning or a reputable seafood restaurant like Saint Peter in Paddington, Sydney, where they highlight sustainable local catch.

So, there you have it. The top 10 foods in Australia aren't just a checklist; they're a passport to understanding the place. Start with a pie, brave the Vegemite, and finish with oysters. Your taste buds will thank you.