Australia might be famous for kangaroos, koalas, and world-class beaches but ask any local, and they’ll tell you our food deserves just as much attention.
From the legendary Vegemite to the humble meat pie, Australian food is a mix of British tradition, multicultural influences, fresh local produce, and a few creations that simply couldn’t have come from anywhere else.
Some of these you’ll absolutely love. Others… well, they’re an acquired taste!
So, if you’re planning a trip to Australia, here’s your ultimate foodie bucket list.
1. Vegemite
Let’s start with Australia’s most famous food.
Love it or hate it, Vegemite is practically a national icon. This dark, salty spread has been a breakfast staple for generations.
Visitor Warning: This is where most tourists go wrong! Vegemite isn’t peanut butter or chocolate spread. Spread a thin layer over buttered toast. If you pile it on thick, don’t blame us if you don’t like it!
2. Meat Pie
You haven’t truly visited Australia until you’ve eaten a hot meat pie from a local bakery.
Filled with rich beef and gravy inside flaky pastry, it’s a favourite for tradies, travellers and footy fans alike.
Local Tip: Add tomato sauce. Australians take this very seriously.
3. Sausage Roll
Another bakery classic.
Seasoned sausage meat wrapped in golden puff pastry—perfect for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack before exploring Sydney or the Blue Mountains.
4. Chicken Salt & Hot Chips
If Australia had a secret ingredient, this might be it.
Originally created to season roast chicken, chicken salt became famous for making hot chips taste incredible.
Order chips with chicken salt and you’ll instantly earn some Aussie credibility.
5. Fairy Bread
Every Australian child has eaten fairy bread at a birthday party.
White bread, butter, and colourful hundreds-and-thousands sprinkles.
Simple? Yes.
Delicious? Also yes.
Don’t be surprised if you spot adults sneaking a piece too.
6. Lamington
Chocolate, sponge cake and coconut…
What’s not to love?
Some bakeries even add raspberry jam and fresh cream in the middle, making them even harder to resist.
7. Pavlova
Australia and New Zealand have been arguing for decades about who invented the pavlova.
We’re not here to settle the debate…
But Australians definitely know how to make a good one.
Light, crispy meringue topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit—it’s a Christmas favourite.
8. Tim Tams
Australia’s favourite chocolate biscuit.
But don’t just eat one…
Try the legendary Tim Tam Slam.
Here’s how:
Bite off opposite corners of the Tim Tam.
Dip one corner into your coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Suck the drink through the biscuit like a straw.
Quickly pop the whole Tim Tam into your mouth before it collapses into gooey chocolatey goodness.
Congratulations—you’ve just completed an unofficial Australian rite of passage.
9. ANZAC Biscuits
Golden, crunchy biscuits made with oats, coconut and golden syrup.
Originally baked because they travelled well during World War I, today they’re enjoyed in homes and bakeries across Australia.
10. Barramundi
One of Australia’s finest native fish.
Whether grilled, pan-fried or battered, barramundi has a delicate flavour that seafood lovers shouldn’t miss.
11. Moreton Bay Bugs
Don’t worry…
They’re not actually bugs!
These delicious shellfish are somewhere between a lobster and a crab and are considered a real Australian delicacy.
12. Kangaroo
Yes—you can eat kangaroo.
It’s one of the leanest meats in the world and is surprisingly tender.
Just maybe don’t mention it while you’re feeding kangaroos at the wildlife park…
13. Sausage Sizzle
If you visit Australia on a weekend, chances are you’ll stumble across a sausage sizzle outside a local hardware store, school, sporting club or community event.
It’s wonderfully simple—a grilled sausage served on a slice of white bread with grilled onions and your choice of tomato sauce or barbecue sauce.
But a sausage sizzle is about more than just the food. It’s an Aussie tradition that brings communities together, with many raising money for schools, charities and local sporting clubs.
Local Tip: If you see a sausage sizzle outside a Bunnings store, don’t walk past. It’s almost a rite of passage for Australians, and one of the tastiest—and cheapest—meals you’ll find.
14. Fish & Chips
There are few things more Australian than grabbing fish and chips and heading to the nearest beach.
Just one piece of advice…
Watch out for the seagulls.
They’re professionals.
15. Flat White
Australia takes coffee very seriously.
The Flat White—made with rich espresso and silky steamed milk—is one of Australia’s greatest coffee exports.
Many visitors say it’s the best coffee they’ve ever tasted.
16. Golden Gaytime
Yes… that’s really its name!
This iconic Australian ice cream combines creamy vanilla and toffee ice cream, chocolate coating and crunchy biscuit crumbs.
It has confused tourists for decades—but after one bite, most become lifelong fans.
17. Chiko Roll
Created in the 1950s, the Chiko Roll is Australia’s answer to the spring roll.
Crispy on the outside and packed with vegetables and seasoned beef inside, it’s become a takeaway classic.
18. Damper
Long before cafés existed, Australian stockmen cooked damper over campfires in the bush.
Today it’s still enjoyed warm with butter, golden syrup or jam.
Simple, rustic and delicious.
19. Witchetty Grubs
Feeling adventurous?
These traditional bush tucker grubs have been eaten by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years.
Not everyone is brave enough to try one…
Will you?
20. Australian Wine
We couldn’t finish without mentioning Australia’s incredible wine.
From the Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley to Margaret River, Australia produces some of the world’s best wines.
If you’re visiting Sydney, a day trip to the Hunter Valley is the perfect excuse to sample a few.
Honourable Mentions
Think we’ve missed your favourite?
Australia has plenty more delicious treats, including:
- Milo
- Vanilla Slice
- Neenish Tart
- Dim Sims
- Beetroot on a Burger
- Avo toast
- Potato Scallops (or Potato Cakes… depending on where you live!)
- Caramello Koalas
- Cherry Ripe
- Twisties
- Shapes
- Wagon Wheels
How Aussie Are You?
How many of these have you tried?
✅ 1–5: Tourist
✅ 6–10: Getting the Hang of It
✅ 11–15: Almost an Aussie
✅ 16–20: Fair Dinkum Legend!
If you’re visiting Australia for the first time, see how many you can tick off before you head home. You might even discover a new favourite (yes, even Vegemite!).
Taste Australia Like a Local
One of the best ways to experience Australia is through its food. From grabbing a meat pie at a country bakery to enjoying fish and chips by the beach or sipping world-class wine in the Hunter Valley, every meal tells a story.
At Sydney Adventure Tours, our local guides love sharing more than just the famous sights. We’ll happily recommend our favourite cafés, bakeries, pubs and hidden foodie gems along the way, giving you a true taste of Australia.
So come hungry—you’ve got twenty delicious reasons to start exploring.
FAQs
Is Vegemite really popular in Australia?
Yes! Most Australians grow up eating Vegemite from a young age. The secret is to spread it thinly over buttered toast, not thick like peanut butter.
What’s the one Australian food I absolutely have to try?
If you only try one, make it a classic meat pie from a local bakery. Pair it with tomato sauce and you’ve experienced one of Australia’s most iconic comfort foods.
Why is Australian coffee so famous?
Australia has a strong café culture, with skilled baristas and a focus on high-quality espresso coffee. The Flat White was popularised here and has since become famous around the world.
Where can I try authentic Australian food?
You’ll find many of these classics in local bakeries, cafés, pubs and markets across Australia. If you’re travelling with Sydney Adventure Tours, also ask your guide for their favourite local spots. We’re always happy to share our recommendations.
