Trying exciting new dishes and embracing local cuisines is all part of the fun when you’re travelling abroad. As well as the incredible weather, stunning beaches, and exotic wildlife, Australia also has some delicious national dishes that you won’t want to miss. From BBQs to locally caught seafood, this list of traditional food from Australia highlights the most incredible delicacies this continent has to offer.
Traditional Australian foods: Best Australian seafood dishes
Barramundi
Seafood lovers will enjoy sinking their teeth into a delicious barramundi steak. Served all over Australia, barramundi takes its name from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘large river fish’ and is a classic Australian dish. Barramundi is a white fish but has a high-fat content, like tuna or salmon. This gives the fish its famously sweet flavour and its firm juicy texture.
Barramundi can be found on the menu at most Australian fish restaurants. It is usually pan-fried in butter and served with greens, which complement the rich, meaty flesh. The best barramundi is generally served on the Queensland coast, in places like Brisbane and Port Douglas. If you can’t wait to try this sumptuous dish on your Australian food tour, the Melaleuca in Port Douglas or the Barra Boys in Brisbane are two places you can enjoy this staple Australian meal.
Salt and pepper calamari
If you’re fishing on Australia’s Gold Coast or around the Whitsundays, you’re in with a good chance of catching some squid. In fact, squid are so prevalent in Australia’s clear, coastal waters, that they’ve become something of a national delicacy. One of the most popular Australian squid preparations is the simple yet classic salt and pepper calamari.
Salt and pepper calamari are basically deep-fried squid bites cooked in a tasty, seasoned batter. This appetizing dish is usually served with chilli, garlic, and spring onions to give it a zesty, fiery kick. You can find salt and pepper calamari on the light snacks menu at plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants on the Gold Coast and further afield. Try the Grand Lane Fish House in Perth or the White Rhino Bar and Eats in Queensland for some incredible examples of this popular cuisine.
Marron
If you’re a fan of rich seafood dishes that pair beautifully with Australian wine, marron ticks all the boxes. Marron is a type of freshwater lobster found in Western Australia and in South Australia. Like lobster, Marron can be fried in butter and eaten from its shell. However, marron has a distinctive texture compared with lobster because the flesh is firm and meaty, rather than loose and flaky.
You’ll often find marron served at in-house winery restaurants, where you can sample the dish alongside a complementary vintage. Wineries in the Margaret River Region, like the Voyager Estate or Howard Park Wines, frequently have this tasty crustation on the menu.
Traditional Australian foods: Best Australian meat dishes
Australia burger with ‘the lot’
Australians are known to love a good BBQ, and nothing BBQs better than a classic beef burger with all the trimmings. As a traditional food from Australia, this classic has a slightly different take on burger trimmings than other parts of the world. If you order a beef burger with ‘the lot’ in Australia, you’ll typically be served a burger with salad, bacon, cheese, relish, pineapple, pickles, beetroot, and a fried egg to top it all off. This hearty feast is hailed by Australian natives as the quintessential way to eat a burger.
Though it may sound a little strange to tourists, it’s absolutely something you should try when you’re there. The pineapple and pickled beetroot give a jazzy flavour that complements high-quality Australian beef that’s been charred to perfection. You can find this tasty Aussie treat on plenty of bar and restaurant menus across the continent, including Paul’s Famous Burgers in Sydney or Grill’d Shafto Lane in Perth.
Meat pies
Much like British cuisine, traditional food from Australia includes a classic meat pie. Wrapped in delicious crumbly pastry, Australian meat pies are usually stuffed with a saucy blend of minced beef, cheese, mushrooms, and gravy. Versions filled with mashed potatoes, peas, or a tomato sauce are also available. For the best Australian meat pies, check out restaurants like the Pie Tin in Newton or the Upper Crust in Colloray.
Traditional food from Australia: True Aussie classics
Kangaroo meat
Kangaroo meat is fairly common in Australia and is something any hardcore foodie will want to try. If you’re visiting one of the major cities, like Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll find kangaroo on lots of menus, from ‘roo burgers and pizzas to fine dining establishments. Some restaurants, including The Dining Room, located on the Sydney waterfront, even serve a kangaroo tartar, which is renowned for its light, gamey flavour. Perfect if you love to get out of your food comfort zone while travelling abroad.
Chicken parmigiana
Chicken parmigiana is one of the most commonly served dishes on the Sunshine Coast and is the perfect example of classic Australian comfort food. Made using chicken, eggplant, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, chicken parmigiana is a deep-fried delicacy that’s both hearty and surprisingly light. This tasty treat is perfect for a filling lunch or a casual evening meal and is easy to find in lots of bars and mid-priced eateries. Try Bertoni’s Pizza & Pasta in Noosaville or The Dock in Mooloolaba for a delectable house take on the chicken parmigiana.
Pumpkin soup
Visiting Australia during the colder months? Pumpkin soup is the perfect, warming dish for a cool, fall day. Some Australian recipes also include adding Granny Smith apples to the soup, giving it a lovely, sour kick. Perfect for a cosy light snack or a pre-dinner starter.
Traditional sweets in Australia
Lamington’s cakes
Travellers with a sweet tooth will find plenty to satisfy their cravings during their Australia trip. One of Australia’s most popular desserts is Lamington’s cakes. These after-dinner treats are essentially sponge cakes that are dipped in chocolate icing and then covered with desiccated coconut. They take their name from Lord Lamington, who was Queensland’s governor in 1900.
Pavlova
Another famous Australian dessert is the creamy, berry-filled meringue delight known as Pavlova. This dessert was allegedly invented in Australia as a tribute to the famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, during one of her visits. For a truly superior Pavlova, why not visit the Whisk Creamery located in Subiaco, Western Australia? Alternatively, you could pop into the Treasury Lounge and Bar in Perth.
Anything to drink: Classic Australian beverages
Australian wine
Australian wine has long been a global contender and the continent now boasts some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world. Whether you’re a fan of deep, fruity reds, like Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon, or you prefer a light, zesty Sauvignon Blanc, Australian wines pack a serious punch and offer a delicious variety of flavours.
If you want to tour some vineyards or try some unique Australian wines during your visit, a trip to the Clare Valley in Adelaide is highly recommended. This area is famous for producing world-famous Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs. You could also head to the Barossa Valley to try award-winning Shiraz and Riesling.
Bundaberg rum
The sweltering climate in Australia makes a cool, iced drink one of the most inviting things in the world. While Australians have a love affair with certain other spirit-based drinks (we’re looking at you Espresso Martini), Bundaberg rum is certainly a crowd-pleasing favourite. Bundaberg rum is a dark rum with a smooth, mild flavour. It pairs incredibly well with Bundaberg ginger beer, so mix yourself an alcoholic Moscow Mule, lie back, and watch the sun go down.
Traditional food from Australia is full of hearty classics and delicate flavour balances. So, whether you’re a BBQ beast, a seafood fanatic, or a wine connoisseur, you’re guaranteed to find something that satisfies all your travel cravings.
