Home to idyllic landscapes, friendly locals and unique wildlife, Australia is an adventurer’s dream vacation destination. Naturally, immersing yourself in this island nation’s culture involves sampling the local food.
Thanks to its diverse multicultural background, Australian cuisine offers something for everyone. In this list, we rounded up the best Australian dishes to try during your trip. Read on to learn more about the foods you’ll find and their importance to Australian culture.
18 Famous Australian Dishes You Need to Try
Australia offers nearly unlimited culinary options, but we managed to narrow this list down to the country’s 18 most popular dishes. While you’re Down Under, be sure to sample at least a few of these iconic Australian foods.
1. Tim Tams
Tim Tams are one of Australia’s most iconic snacks and a must-try for any foreigner. A product of Australian biscuit company Arnott’s, the classic Tim Tam is a double-layered chocolate-malted biscuit filled with chocolate cream and coated in yet more chocolate.
You might think eating these biscuits is straightforward, but you’ll soon hear otherwise if you eat one in front of an Australian. You’ll be ahead of the curve if you already know how to do the Tim Tam Slam. Here’s how:
- Take a Tim Tam and a hot drink of your choice — hot cocoa, coffee or tea will all do nicely.
- Take a Tim Tam and bite one of the corners off. Keep your bite small — you’ll want to keep as much of the biscuit intact as possible.
- Do the same to the diagonally opposite corner.
- Holding the Tim Tam like a straw, place one end into your beverage and suck on the other to draw the liquid up into the biscuit.
- Take the biscuit out and pop it in your mouth for a warm, chocolatey delight.
Tim Tams also come in other varieties, such as butterscotch and cream, white chocolate, salted caramel and dark chocolate, so the options truly are endless. Tim Tams are available in most grocery and convenience stores.
2. Kangaroo
People have eaten kangaroo for hundreds of years, making it a traditional Australian food. While it might seem like a bit of a jump, there’s also an ecological benefit to it — kangaroos outnumber humans in Australia, and the population is still growing! Ecologists recommend eating wild-caught kangaroo to preserve the Australian landscape.
The meat is incredibly lean and highly versatile in the kitchen, an excellent choice for steaks, burgers, topping salads and more. Because it’s so lean, you’ll typically find it cooked rare to medium and primarily only on one side. Those who prefer their meat well done may need to step out of their comfort zone if they’re intent on trying it.
You can often find kangaroo on the menu at Australian restaurants. If you want to try cooking some yourself, you can also find it in the meat aisle at most Australian grocery stores.
3. Emu
Another one of Australia’s edible national symbols, the emu is a large flightless bird. Along with being a staple food for Australia’s aboriginal people, the emu plays a fascinating role in Australian history. In fact, Australian farmers famously went to war against the emus in 1932 — and lost.
Unlike birds like chicken and turkey, emus have lean, red meat that’s low in cholesterol and high in iron. It’s not quite as popular as kangaroo meat, but you can still find emu on the menu at some Australian restaurants. Typical emu dishes include steaks, roasts, burgers and kebabs, and you might also find it in other foods like tacos and soups. You might even find smoked emu on pizzas!
4. Barramundi
If you’re in the mood for seafood, this quintessentially Australian dish is well worth a try. Literally translating to “large-scaled silver fish,” barramundi is the aboriginal name for a species of sea bass native to the Pacific.
The fish is mild in flavor, with a buttery taste and silky texture. While it’s similar to other white fish like snapper, striped bass or grouper, barramundi is significantly higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
You’ll find barramundi prepared in many different ways, including pan-seared or fried and served with vegetables. It’s also delicious in Asian-style dishes due to the mildness of the fish.
