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If you’re traveling around Australia, I’m sure that you will come across some typical Australian food. While you’re here you really should try some of it! From meat you don’t normally find in other supermarkets to chocolate biscuits, to the most common Australian food you should try even though, in my opinion, you probably shouldn’t because some of it is disgusting (Vegemite I’m looking at you!)
Popular Australian Food
1. Vegemite
Vegemite is the most common one that ‘foreigners’ discover, and more often than not, hate! No matter how many people tell you it’s disgusting you should try it at least once. I’m assuming it’s an acquired taste…
So what is Vegemite? Vegemite is a dark brown paste made from various vegetables, yeast extract and spice additives. It’s a bit like marmite in the UK which had the famous love it or hate it advert as they acknowledged that it’s not to everyones taste. The most popular way to eat it is on bread or toast with butter. Australians also eat it with avocado, melted cheese or tomato. I’ve tried Vegemite and it not only looks and smells disgusting it also tastes disgusting. I thought it would taste like syrup, but it tastes very salty and not sweet at all. You, however, might be one of the many people that love it.
2. Fairy Bread
Now this one is really strange and you probably won’t come across it unless you happen to find yourself at a kids party. Fairy Bread is simply white bread with butter sprinkled with hundreds and thousands!
3. Tim Tams!
Any backpacker who has traveled through Australia will have tried Australias favourite chocolate biscuit… the Tim Tam. I ate my first Tim Tam after a sea kayaking tour and I loved it! If you eat one, it’s hard not to eat a second or third! I think you must become addicted.
From one of the sea kayak guys I heard that the best way to eat them is the Tim Tam slam: bite the diagonal corners off the Tim Tam and take a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Use the Tim Tam as a straw and suck the drink through the biscuit. Then before it gets too soggy, and falls into your drink, you eat the soft, gooey (warm!) chocolatey goodness. MMM.
4. Meat Pies
For most Americans this next popular Australian food is very peculiar (it was even an eating challenge on one season of the Amazing Race and the competitors were retching because they thought it was so disgusting!) So what is this food that Americans think is so awful? It’s the classic Aussie Meat Pie! (I know… for a lot of us it’s not that strange a concept, however Americans are used to their pies having fruit in them and eating them as dessert so I suppose it is a bit weird to eat a meaty dessert!)
Pies are a popular snack to eat on the go and almost every corner shop, bakery and supermarket will have a display case with lots of hot meaty pies to choose from. There are even specialty pie shops! Australians have many different savoury pies you can buy, however they are usually stuffed with minced meat, gravy, mushrooms, onions and cheese. It’s also a good snack after a long night of partying (better than a kebab!). After drinking and dancing you end the night with a meat pie in your hand, sitting on the pavement waiting for your taxi to go home.
5. Anzac Biscuits
ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that fought together during WWI. ANZAC Day is a public holiday in Australia to celebrate the men that fought for the country. During the war, the wives baked these delicious ANZAC biscuits to send off to their men at war. They were cheap to make and could stay fresh throughout long boat journeys. They are made with coconut, golden syrup and oats… yum!
(Never call these Anzac Cookies as that will upset Aussies more than you can imagine!)
6. Chicken parmigiana
Ok, I know this doesn’t sound particularly Australian, but this is one of the most common foods you’ll find in an Australian pub. Loads of pubs have a parma night where you can grab a decent priced chicken parma with a beer. A chicken parma is basically a chicken schnitzel (chicken in breadcrumbs), topped with a tasty tomato sauce with melted cheese on top.
7. Fish and Chips
Australians do a bloody good Fish and Chips. OK most English visitors will be quite skeptical of this statement when it comes to Fish and Chips because Australians have yet to master the art of mushy peas, chips and gravy. But considering that the entire country is surrounded by ocean, you are pretty much guaranteed to always get a delicious and fresh piece of fish.
8. Pavlova
The Aussies and the Kiwis have forever fought for the title as the “inventor’ of the Pavlova – a meringue cake base topped with whipped cream and fruit. Regardless of its origin, the pavlova is absolutely delicious! You are most likely able to find a Pavlova in a Cake Shop or Bakery. You can also buy them pre made from most major supermarket chains (look in the bread or frozen dessert section).
9. Beetroot
“Bloody beetroot” is something I muttered often when travelling around Australia because I can’t stand it! Unfortunately for me Aussie’s put beetroot on their burgers and sandwiches, in salads and often just on the side of the plate. Yuck!
10. Witchetty Grub
If you really want to experience some proper Aussie Bush Tucker – then a Witchetty Grub is the way to go. These little fellas taste a little like chicken and contain just as much protein as an entire piece of steak! Aboriginal Australians have eaten these for years and the nutritional benefits may just help you to overcome the gooey texture.
11. BBQ’s
When you think of Australia you think of surfing, nice weather, kangaroo’s and the barbecue. “Throw another shrimp on the barbie” is a quote often said even though Australians call them prawns and not shrimps! In fact, many Aussies dislike this phrase and claim that it’s just another Australian stereotype.
A typical Aussie barbecue is with sausages, burgers, steak, fresh seafood, bread and tomato or barbecue sauce, they sometimes include salad but it’s mainly about the meat and fish (and of course a few stubbies – that’s beer to the non-Australians). Australians will literally have a barbeque anywhere, not just at home. Local councils provide barbeques for the general public to use at popular tourist spots like beaches. (Just clean up after yourself!) When you’re staying in a hostel or you meet some locals, you’re sure to have at least one barbeque a week!
12. Kangaroo
While visitors usually take pictures of kangaroos bouncing around, the kangaroo is also a common meat to be found on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus. Kangaroo is lean red meat, it’s healthy and you can prepare it in many ways – steaks, burgers, sausages, and much more. I’ve tried kangaroo meat with a nice marinade and it was delicious! With a tasty marinade it is definitely recommended if you want to try it once.
13. Emu
Like the Kangaroo, the Emu can be found on the Australian Coat of Arms. Might be odd to eat your national emblems but there you go!
14. Barramundi
You’ll be hard pushed to travel around Australia and not see Barramundi on the menu at least once. Barramundi is the Aboriginal name for this type of sea-bass found in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Barramundi literally translates as “large-scaled silver fish”. You have to try this fish, it’s very popular for good reason – it’s delicious!
15. Lamingtons
If you like coconut you’ll love this very Aussie food – the Lamington. A Lamington is basically a square of sponge cake covered in chocolate sauce or sometimes raspberry sauce and then covered in coconut. To begin with I avoided these because I thought they sounded disgusting as I’m not so keen on coconut, however they’re really nice with a cup of tea in the afternoon!
16. Avocados
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy an avocado now and then (usually as a Guacamole as a side to my nachos). But Australians LOVE their Avocados – especially with their eggs and breakfast dishes. In most cafes you will notice that you can order a side of avocado with your poached, scrambled or fried eggs. You may even notice that the avocado is already included within the breakfast dish. I tried an avocado for breakfast for the first time, smeared on toast and topped with Rocket, Feta and Tomatoes. It was actually quite delicious! Aussies also have a fondness for avocado and Vegemite on toast… don’t knock it until you try it.
17. Golden Gaytime
Everyone in Australia loves a Golden Gaytime… But what is it? Golden Gaytime is an ice-cream made by Streets (with a suspiciously familiar logo). It’s toffee and vanilla ice-cream dipped in chocolate and then covered in biscuit pieces. There are also a few other flavours available including ‘Unicorn’ and ‘Pina Colada’. Go on treat yourself and a friend to one because as Streets themselves say “It’s hard to have a Gaytime on your own”.
18. Milo
Milo is basically a chocolate powder that can be mixed with water or milk to make a chocolate drink or it can be sprinkled on cakes etc. You can now buy pre-made milo drinks and other snacks, it being available in snack form is the only reason it made it on this list, however you should try to buy it in the iconic green tin. You can find Milo in several countries but it was an Australian who originally invented it before Nestle started selling it.
Wherever you go in the world I think you should always try the traditional local food at least once. You may hate it but then again you may discover your new favourite thing! (Shame they don’t sell Kangaroo in Holland!)
Ready to try one of these ‘delicious’ Aussie Foods? Make sure you read this Guide to Australian Etiquette. And if you want to pass as a local then you should learn some Aussie Slang!
Learn more about Australian Animals! A-Z list of Aussie animals with pictures and facts
View Comments (195)
Hi im an Australian and I feel the reason most people in the world don’t like vegimite is because they grow up with Nutella, honey ect which is all sweet. Vegimite is a savoury spread and I feel it’s hard for some to get used to. It’s a lot yummier when you grow up with it (and use little) 😂 no hate just a suggestion to put into the world
I'm an Aussie living in the UK, and I was brought up on Vegemite. The Brits have their own version called marmite, but it's not as good as ours. Coming home to Oz soon, yay !!!
Hi I am a Kiwi and Marmite is OUR thing in NZ!!!!!
yeh but ours is vegemite not marmite
isn't marmite British???
yes
leshhh gooo NZ food rocks!!!
so is pavalova, pies, lamingtons and milo stop trynna steal from us u bloody aussies'
Poms do not know what they are missing.
True Blue AUSSIE....love Vegemite with a passion..
i love your foods. they look so good.
Nah marmite is better :)
No❤️
I personally love Vegemite and could eat it out of the jar but I agree with Vegemite Fan! that if you try it and you have grown up with sweet things such as Nutella and Honey then it would be disgusting so you have to grow up with it as I have. BTW I am Australian!!
Lol I can eat 3 jars a day with a big table spoons. and really AVACADOS R NOT AUSSIE
so true
You right... I am a Filipina but I love Vegemite..
and they pile the Vegemite on thickly, which I find most Aussies I know spread it fairly thin
Why do Americans eat it on a f#$!ing spoon! For heaven sake mate
because there americans mate
does anyone know what dimmies are? Let me know please. Thanks for your time.
I'm pretty sure it's short for Dim Sims, a type of Chinese-inspired dumpling...
Dim Sims, BTW I'm Australian and I've never eaten a kangaroo or emu in my life, this really shouldn't be on the list.
Well yeah nah mate
because they do.
I eat it on a spoon sometimes and I'm Aussie. I just know how to handle it more then them.
IM A American and its fancy so ya
Very broad statement mate I am American
Not all use the spoon, some use our fingers, crackers, fresh veggies and of course bread.
@Liam...my dad was told to eat it off a spoon many years ago by his doctor because he obviously needed vitamin B and it is a good source of it.
He also ate it thick as do i with butter on fresh bread rolls.
hey that's offensive i have never had vegemite
i think its also the fact that they eat it out the jar with a spoon.😂
americans
hey! we eat exotic too
totally agree with you you are to get your Coles brand butter spread it lightly on wonder white bread and then spread you bautifullvegimite
Dude, my Aussies don’t spell “Vegimite” like this, weeee spell it like this: VEGEMITE. ;)
I've tried vegemite but not axle grease. I know not what the latter tastes like, but I'd give it a go if I were dying of hunger if those two were my only choices. But, there's no accounting for taste!
you horrible monster!!
and I should know
I love vegemite and I don’t think I could survive with it, I am surprised that fairy bread is no2 on the list because I don’t really eat it that much, I have never had chicken parmigiana before so I’m not sure about that part, though bbq is definitely Aussie and deserves top three.
I would put it 1. Vegemite 2. BBQ 3. Tim tams
They are the most Aussie and most common food for me, I don’t think I have had a day without vegemite or marmite (when I go to uk)
I find it funny how I haven’t ate some of the foods on the list and I have lived in aus all my life.
I loveeeeeeee pavalova and mango sorbet for Christmas lunch, I told my uk friends and they looked at me and laughed (thinking I was joking)
🥭🥑🍒🥞🌭🍺🥧🥓🥩🍴🍽🧂
Can i buy Vegemite in USA? I will love to try , also Tin Tan
Yes.You can purchase Vegemite in the States. You can get Tim Tam biscuits as well.
you can get them in so many places, you can get them in Canada
I bought TimTams from the World Market in the US
C'mon now @Coco lala you haven't had chicken parmi and you're an Aussie, your better then this
I’m not sure why everyone says chicken parm. I don’t like chicken parm. I have gone to local pub for 30+ years & always get chicken schnitzel with chips, heaps of gravy and I squeeze lemon over it! Chicken parm wasn’t even an option 5+ years ago! Love vegemite!! Vegemite on toast & a cup of coffee or hot Milo gets your morning started !! 🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺🦘
My father was in England for ww2 and when he came home we had different food from England and Vegemite was one thing we had and it is very good I guess you have to had it as a kid, I still like Vegemite every day
It's important to spread vegemite very thinly. Make toast, spread while still warm with butter or butter substitute, also spread very thinly, and then add a scraping of vegemite on top. Never slather vegemite on thickly. It's not peanut butter.
Sorry Judith but VEGEMITE on a fresh bread roll has to have plenty of butter and plenty of vegemite.....only way to eat it.
Everyone has different tastes thankfully.
Try vegemite on your next piece of steak when cooking it.
vegemite is an aussie treasure and can be consumed in any way such as on a spoon ,toast,bread,saladas and many more so each to theyre own and happy eating
I so agree! Travelers are always saying it tastes crap when it tastes so delicious!!!!
AUSSIES RULE!!!!!!
I plan on trying it soon!!! I have always been a huge fan of Australia and everything about the country!!
and because they shovel it into their mouths when they should spread it on toast
i agree
no i disagree
An Aussie who can’t spell Vegemite
That’s a worry
All very true and for those who think it is too salty you can get a reduced salt version. Much nicer and will not burn your tongue if your spear it too thick. Leaves promite (Yank) and marmite (Pommie) for dead.
Pies are not only made with mince quality pies are made with beef chunks. There are also chicken and veggie pies, curry pies to name just a few.
Agree this is a p... poor blog. I actually found it full of mistakes and offered dice to Aussies.
Also ANZAC and ANZACs have a much deeper and long lasting meaning for Aussie’s and our Kiwi cousins than the original ANZACs of WW1. It speaks to the close bonds between our two great nations. It also comes into play with our sporting rivalries.
Bush tucker is far more than witchety grubs. Bush tucker is a vast array of native fruits (think native finger limes for a start), native seasonings and vegetables and all delicious bar the Witcher grubs, that have found there way into modern Australian homes and restaurants.
Quite a few of the phrases and words used have only partially or poorly explained.
As I said it is p... poor. Now translate that one. I apologise to those readers who really want to understand and not take the p... or as the poms would say take the Mickey.
Hi Lani, thanks for your comments - feel free to suggest more of the most iconic and popular food available in Australia or let me know better phrasing or explanations I can use to replace the Dutch authors phrasing. Please bear in mind that this is not a definitive list of all of the food available in your country as that would be an extremely long article and it would be hard to describe all food as the 'most popular' or 'most iconic'. This article only covers some of the most popular food and iconic food that backpackers come across when visiting Australia.
They eat different from us!
Most people hate Vegemite because they are expecting something sweet. It is exactly the same with any and all food. Go in with an open mind, or, expect a salty / savoury flavour. Beefy, etc.
Vegemite is very salty, mostly that is umami, aka the fifth taste (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami) amplifying the taste of salt.
Only use a VERY, VERY small amount (seriously the tip of a knife is enough, no more). Spread it over some toast with melted butter. Expect to taste mostly butter, with a SLIGHT taste of salt / umami).
NERDDDDDD. I love vegimite. i developed the liking towards it because eating it would make people gag and me laugh at them
yes and then when they try vegimite they put way to much
Honestly, yes!! People from overseas dont know how to use vegemite properly, and its so stupid cause they take massive spoonfuls thinking oh yeah, this is going to be sweet! Than they spit it out and say, how do Australians eat this! Plus those videos don't give them butter with it or anything. Basically, I totally agree with you!
Also, people eat vegemite wrong. It is meant to be with toast and butter. And a thin layer of vegemite. Still, people criticise us for eating it.
yes hahaha
Can I just say what the hell is Barramundi I have been in Australia my whole lifE never herd of it 😹
What is the name of the thing where you put bread and a sausage inside I keep forgetting but it’s soooooooongoooooodddd
this food looks ok
Popo
Good job for the information.
The food is way better than ok
Don't smother your toast or bread with vegimite put about a quarter of a teaspoon of it on .
I put on about 2 tablespoons and love it ins Sydney NSW
thats more like it
The only reason MOST people don't like vegimite is because they put too much when they apply it
I personally don't like it anyway, and I'm australian
but I do take it with toast and butter when there isn't anything else
you're an Australian disgrace
lol he is too
HAPPY OSTRALIA DAI
its australian day..
Once you eat vegemite a few times you get used to the salty flavor and it becomes quite delicous. Personally, I'm Australian and when i was younger my mother made me have vegemite sandwiches at school. Now i love them.
sorry, i need three more australia food lease
People don't know how to eat Vegemite, it is to be eaten on toast. Normal Americans don't understand this.
Princess Cruise Line always has Vegemite in the buffet. I opened the jar and took a whiff of it and about passed out! It's brown and looks likes and smells like something inside had died. No thank you. I was hoping the meat pies would look and taste like American pot pies. Guess I'll have to pass on those too. No kangaroo for me either. Kangaroos are giant rodents. Everything else looks okay. I think I'll stick to salads. Only way to mess up a salad is to serve only Iceberg lettuce.
A Kangaroo is more akin to a deer in habit and diet and taste. A macropod, not a rodent.
You know, kangaroos and humans are partially related? We even share the same genes as them with only a few differences. If you’ve ever truly observed a kangaroo, I think you’ll find that there are some big similarities to humans, particularly with the males!
I take international tourists to see kangaroos in the wild. You are absolutely correct. Kangaroos are intelligent, observant and curious animals..Kangaroos care for their young, they mourn their dead, the male kangaroos flex their muscles like body builders. Young males will fight each other for dominance.
You are rude. And your not supposed to eat vegemite on it’s own!!! Your supposed to have it thinly on toast with butter! And just because a food is unusual doesn’t mean is disgusting. America has a food called “deep fried butter” which IS disgusting because it is grossly high in fat. So just because you snorted vegemite doesn’t make it gross. You should respect culture other than your own. I am an Australian and I find what you say offensive.
Um hello... Milo, watermelon (found at every bbq) and the infamous sausage sizzle didn't make the list, but Emu (Where would you even buy this?) and Kangaroo (huh!) did?
Geeze, even cheese and Vegemite scrolls and cheese twists or Twisties didn't even get an honorable mention over Emu (which no one eats here...)
Lol you can buy kangaroo and emu at coles
The reason foreigners hate Vegemite is because WE EAT IT WITH BUTTER AND BREAD!! You American folks eat a spoonful of the stuff which is as alcoholic as beer as it's made from brewing yeast! Also fairy bread is where it's at dudes