Introduction
Australian cuisine is a vibrant reflection of the country’s multicultural population and abundant natural produce. From iconic snacks found at every petrol station to legendary backyard barbecue traditions, Australian food is distinctive, delicious, and sometimes surprising to visitors. Here are 12 foods you absolutely must try, complete with typical prices and key ingredients.
1. Vegemite on Toast
Vegemite is a thick, dark brown yeast extract spread with a salty, slightly bitter, and intensely savoury flavour. Australians grow up eating it from childhood and it remains a breakfast staple in homes across the country. Served spread thinly on buttered toast, it is an acquired taste that visitors should try at least once.
Price: AUD $5 to $7 for a 380g jar at any supermarket. Key Ingredients: Yeast extract, salt, malt extract, vegetable extract, B vitamins.
2. Tim Tams
Arguably Australia’s most beloved biscuit, the Tim Tam consists of two chocolate malt biscuits sandwiched with chocolate cream filling and fully coated in chocolate. The famous Tim Tam Slam involves biting off both ends and using the biscuit as a straw for hot coffee or tea.
Price: AUD $3.50 to $5.00 for a pack of 11 biscuits. Varieties: Original, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and caramel.
3. The Australian Meat Pie
The Australian meat pie is a hand-sized pastry filled with minced or diced beef in rich gravy, encased in flaky shortcrust pastry. Often eaten at sporting events with tomato sauce, it is widely considered the country’s unofficial national food.
Price: AUD $5 to $8 at bakeries and petrol stations. Artisan pies at specialty bakeries can reach AUD $9 to $14. Key Ingredients: Beef mince, beef stock, tomato paste, onion, Worcestershire sauce, shortcrust pastry.
4. Lamingtons
A quintessentially Australian cake, the lamington is a square of soft sponge cake coated in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. Often served sliced with jam and cream for special occasions and celebrations.
Price: AUD $2.50 to $5 per piece at bakeries. Key Ingredients: Sponge cake, chocolate icing, desiccated coconut, raspberry jam, cream.
5. Barramundi
Barramundi is a native Australian fish prized for its clean, mild flavour and versatility. Found across the tropical north, it can be grilled, pan-fried, or baked. It is a common feature on menus at seafood restaurants and pub bistros across the country.
Price: AUD $28 to $45 for a restaurant main. Fresh fillets at fishmongers cost AUD $30 to $40 per kilogram.
6. Pavlova
A beloved Australian dessert with a crispy meringue exterior and soft, marshmallow-like interior, topped with whipped cream and fresh tropical fruit. Both Australia and New Zealand claim its invention, making it a delightfully disputed national icon.
Price: Whole pavlova at a bakery: AUD $25 to $45. Individual serves at restaurants: AUD $12 to $18.
7. Snags on the Barbie
No Australian experience is complete without a backyard barbecue featuring snags, the Australian term for sausages. Beef or pork sausages grilled over heat and served in white bread with caramelised onion and tomato sauce. The sausage sizzle is also a weekend institution at Bunnings hardware stores.
Price: AUD $2.50 to $3.50 for a sausage sizzle. Supermarket sausages cost AUD $7 to $12 per pack.
8. Anzac Biscuits
These golden oat biscuits have a rich history tied to Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I. They are crunchy, chewy, and made without eggs. Under Australian guidelines, they technically cannot be called ‘cookies’ out of respect for their heritage.
Price: AUD $3 to $6 per pack at supermarkets. Key Ingredients: Rolled oats, plain flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda, desiccated coconut.
Where to Find the Best Australian Food
For pies and lamingtons, visit local independent bakeries rather than chain outlets. For fresh barramundi and prawns, seek out fish markets in major cities including Sydney Fish Market and Melbourne’s Victoria Harbour. For the full Australian experience, accept any invitation to a backyard barbecue. The food tastes better outdoors with good company.