6 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Brisbane

The world-famous Australian culinary icon Lamington consists of a sponge cake that is dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with finely desiccated coconut. The cake is believed to have been created by accident when Lord Lamington's maid accidentally dropped his favorite cake in melted chocolate. Lamington, the eighth Governor of Queensland, suggested that the cake should be sprinkled with coconut in order to avoid the mess while consuming it - and the erroneous cake was proclaimed a massive success by all. Today, the cake is extremely popular due to its climate suitability, as it lasts longer in the heat when it's cut in bite-sized squares and covered in coconut. It is also a staple of fundraising events due to the fact that it can be easily made in large quantities. The cake can also be found throughout Australia and New Zealand in numerous supermarkets, cafés, and bakeries. The cake is also popular in Balkan and Eastern Europe - in Croatia, the same cake (without any fruit jam whatsoever) is called čupavci, and it's a Christmas staple. In Slovakia, the cake is called kokosové ježe, in Poland it's known as kostka kokosowa, while the Hungarian name is kókuszkocka.Expand

Pikelets are Australian pancakes made with a combination of flour, eggs, and milk. They are typically prepared for breakfast in Australia. Besides Australia, these pancakes are also popular in Scotland, Wales, and New Zealand. The batter for pikelets is slightly thicker than the one used for American pancakes, which makes them heavy once they have risen in the pan. They are small in size, and are often made with yeast, while American pancakes are prepared with baking powder. Once done, pikelets can be served hot or cold, preferably with butter, syrups, and fruits on the side, which are used as toppings.Expand

Chiko roll is the Australian version of a Chinese spring roll or an egg roll. This snack consists of a dough made from eggs and flour which is filled with seasonings, carrots, cabbage, barley, mutton, celery, and rice. The dough is thick and almost chewy, and chiko rolls are commonly deep-fried in hot oil. They can be found in most fish and chips shops. These trademarked snacks were invented by Frank McEnroe in the 1950s. The name chiko roll refers to the original name, chicken roll, even though the snack never contained any chicken meat. Interestingly, chiko rolls are usually associated with beachside kiosks and surf culture.Expand

Barbecue snags are thick Australian sausages, usually with a mild flavor and made with beef, pork, garlic, and onions. They are a staple of almost every Australian barbecue party, where the sausages are accompanied by mashed potatoes, grilled onions, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, salads, chutneys, and loaves of artisanal bread on the side. Today, there are also snags with numerous modern, gourmet fillings such as lamb and rosemary, chicken and cheese, or beef and red wine.Expand

Dagwood dog is a popular Australian festival staple consisting of a hot dog on a stick that is dipped in batter, then deep-fried in hot oil. Before serving, the tip of Dagwood dog is typically dipped in tomato sauce, making it even tastier. This savory treat is also known as Pluto pup and Dippy dog, depending on the region.Expand

Iced VoVo is a classic Australian biscuit made from wheat flour and topped with a strip of raspberry jam and two strips of pink fondant. These cookies are sprinkled with coconut for the final touch. They have been trademarked by Arnott’s biscuit company since 1906. These iconic cookies can be found throughout the country and the sales of Iced VoVo skyrocketed in 2007, when Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd mentioned them in his victory speech. Iced VoVos are especially popular at children’s birthday parties and they’re usually enjoyed with a cup of tea on the side.Expand