Top 100 Australian Foods

Salt and pepper calamari is a Chinese cuisine-inspired dish that’s so popular in Australia it might even be called one of Australia’s national dishes. The calamari, or squid in some cases, is covered in salt-and-pepper batter, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The dish is often prepared and served as a bar or pub snack, and it often comes garnished with garlic, fried chili, and spring onions. Salt and pepper calamari is so widely available in the country that it can be found everywhere from cafés to pubs, restaurants, and bistros. The only thing that’s important is that the seafood should be fresh, and the seafood to batter ratio should be similar in size and coating.Expand

Australian and New Zealander meat pie is made with flaky pastry that is filled with gravy and minced meat. Of course, numerous variations exist, so the filling can also be made with onions, chicken and asparagus, mushrooms, cheese, crocodile meat, vegetables, or seafood. There are also variations of meat pies such as party pies (tiny pies served to party guests) and the pie floater (a green pea soup with a pie floating on top of it). The concept of the pie traces way back to the Neolithic period, when barley, semolina, and grains were made into a paste, filled with honey and baked over hot coals. The Greeks then developed the pie filled with meat. It is believed that the meat pie was brought to Australia and New Zealand during the colonization period, as it was hugely popular in Europe at the time and provided good nutritional value for settlers, with basic and largely available ingredients. Nowadays, the meat pies are typically smothered in tomato sauce that is similar to ketchup, sparking passionate debates about whether the tomato sauce should be squeezed over the pie at once or bit by bit, and whether the sauce should be cold or served at room temperature. As proof of the meat pie's popularity, the Great Aussie Pie Competition, founded in 1990, is held annually in hopes of discovering the best pies in the country.Expand

Sausage sizzle is a popular Australian and New Zealander event in which sausages are grilled or barbecued. The event mostly occurs in large public spaces. Sausage sizzles can be a free event or a fundraiser event for a local community organization such as bush fire brigades or public schools. The term sausage sizzle denotes both the event and the barbecuing technique. Cheaper sausages (a.k.a. snags) are grilled or barbecued, then served on a slice of bread. Ketchup, barbecue sauce, and mustard are the typical condiments, while fried onions are usually placed on top of the sausage sandwich. The onions have recently caused a big debate because Bunnings, the Aussie home improvement store which offers barbecue facilities for hire, has decided to alter the sausage sandwiches and place onions on the bottom for ''safety reasons'', causing a massive outrage in the country.Expand

An institution at many pubs, restaurants, and cafés in Australia, Australian burger with the lot first made its appearance in the 1940s, when beetroot started to be added to the burger alongside onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and meat. The inclusion of canned beetroot on a burger was possible due to the fact that there were two canneries that opened during the 1930s and the 1940s. Today, there is still a heated debate about the inclusion of beetroot - some say it is obligatory, while the others claim it's a travesty. Burgers with beetroot rose in popularity during the 1950s and the 1960s, but in the 1970s, with the opening of fast-food chain restaurants such as McDonald's and Hungry Jacks, its popularity began to wane. However, it still remains a much-loved Aussie delicacy with its remarkable combination of flavors - a slice of pineapple, meat, canned beetroot, fried egg, and chili mayonnaise on top.Expand

Chicken parmigiana is a poultry dish consisting of breadcrumbs-coated chicken breasts that are topped with tomato sauce and cheese, then baked until the cheese melts and the chicken is properly cooked. Although it has an Italian-sounding name, chicken parmigiana is actually an American dish, derived from an Italian dish called melanzana alla parmigiana, or eggplant parmigiana. No one knows who invented chicken parmigiana, but it is very popular in American cities with a large number of Italian immigrants such as New York and New Jersey. Regardless of the origin, the dish is usually served on top of rice or pasta, while some prefer it as a part of submarine sandwiches. Chicken parmigiana is also very popular in Australia, where it is a staple in numerous pubs, often served with salads and chips on the side.Expand

Dim sims are deep-fried or steamed dumplings filled with pork or other meat, cabbage, and flavorings. Although inspired by the traditional Chinese cuisine both in ingredients and the name of the dish, the Australian version differs from Chinese dumplings in size and thickness of the dumplings (they are larger and thicker than the traditional Chinese versions). The dish was invented in Melbourne around 1945 by a Chinese chef named William Wing Young, who created the dumplings for his restaurant, called Wing Lee. Dim sims, affectionately called dimmies, are typically dipped in soy sauce before consumption, and can often be found in fish and chips shops, corner stores, and some Chinese restaurants in Australia.Expand

Delicate as the ballerina it was named after, Pavlova is the quintessential summer dessert. Whipped cream is typically dolloped on top of a snowy meringue, followed by a pop of color in the form of fruit, preferably the tart varieties which contrast the sweetness of the meringue. Research suggests Pavlova is a descendant of the German torte and was invented in the 1920s during Anna Pavlova's tour of Australia and New Zealand, although the exact inventor is still debated. The first recipe for Pavlova appeared in print in 1926, although it was not the dessert we know today, but was instead a multi-colored gelatine dish. The base of the cake is prepared almost identically as any meringue, by beating egg whites stiffly, then incorporating sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch. Traditional toppings include whipped cream or lemon curd, and the dessert is often prepared during Christmastime.Expand

Avocado toast is a dish consisting of a piece of toasted bread topped with a combination of mashed avocados, salt, pepper, and (sometimes) citrus juice. There are many varieties of this dish, so it can be enriched with ingredients such as salmon, tomatoes, onions, eggs, garlic, cheese, olive oil, or red pepper flakes. Although the dish is quite simple and straightforward, the location of its origin is not – some claim that it is an Australian invention, while others proclaim that Los Angeles is the place where it was born. Regardless of its origin, avocado toast started its modern-day revival on Instagram, and it has been trending across the globe ever since.Expand

Anzac biscuits are sweet cookies made from a combination of flour, oats, golden syrup, butter, sugar, coconut, and soda bicarbonate. Although the origins of these cookies are not clear, both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented Anzac biscuits that we know today. The first known recipe for the biscuits is completely different than modern Anzacs, although other similar recipes were found in the cookbooks of the early 1900s. The cookies are linked to Anzac Day, a day of remembrance of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing at Gallipoli, because some believe that the biscuits were sent to Anzac soldiers during the war. However, the oaty, buttery biscuits were more often prepared at home to sell them at fundraising events, so they got connected to the war, and it led to the use of the name Anzacs. Today, these simple biscuits are usually found in most supermarkets and cafés throughout Australia and New Zealand, ranging from crispy to chewy, making them ideal to dunk into a cup of hot coffee or tea.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

Morris of Rutherglen is one of Australia’s longest-established wine producers, with a history dating back to 1859 when George Francis Morris founded the winery in the Rutherglen region of Victoria. The area’s warm climate and fertile soils proved ideal for producing deeply concentrated wines, particularly fortified styles such as Muscat and Topaque, which became the house signature. Over generations, the winery remained in family hands, preserving traditional production methods while adapting to challenges such as phylloxera and changing market demands. A defining element of its identity is the extensive use of aged oak barrels, where wines mature slowly and develop complex layers of dried fruit, caramel, spice, and roasted nut aromas. Morris of Rutherglen is especially recognized for its classification system of fortified wines, ranging from youthful expressions to rare, long-aged releases that reflect decades of maturation. In recent years, the brand has expanded into Australian single malt whisky, utilizing seasoned wine casks to enhance depth and character. Now part of Casella Family Brands, the winery continues to balance heritage and innovation while maintaining a strong connection to the Rutherglen terroir. With over 160 years of continuous production, it remains a benchmark for fortified wine styles in Australia and a key reference point for the region’s winemaking tradition.Expand

Starward Whisky, founded in 2007 by David Vitale, is an Australian distillery located in Melbourne. The distillery is renowned for its innovative approach to whisky production, utilizing locally sourced ingredients and maturing its spirits in Australian red wine barrels. This unique maturation process imparts distinctive flavors to their whiskies, reflecting the rich wine heritage of the region.Expand

Archie Rose Distilling Co. is an independent Australian distillery founded in 2014 in Rosebery, Sydney. Renowned for its innovative production of gin, whisky, vodka, and rum, it uses native Australian botanicals and pioneering distillation methods. Signature products like the Signature Dry Gin and Rye Malt Whisky have earned numerous international awards, celebrated for their unique flavors and exceptional quality. The distillery also offers custom spirits and educational experiences, allowing customers to create their own blends and learn about the art of distillation.Expand

Callington Mill Distillery, located in Oatlands, Tasmania, combines heritage and innovation within a restored 1837 flour mill. Founded by John Ibrahim, the distillery showcases Tasmanian single malt whiskies crafted using locally sourced ingredients and modern techniques. The facility offers self-guided tours, tastings, and a restaurant featuring Tasmanian cuisine, providing an immersive experience that celebrates both the history and future of Tasmanian whisky production.Expand

Campbells Wines is a historic, family-owned winery based in Rutherglen, Victoria, with a winemaking heritage dating back to 1870. Founded by John Campbell, it has remained in the same family for five generations, combining long-standing tradition with modern winemaking practices. The winery is particularly renowned for its fortified wines - especially Muscat and Topaque - which are considered benchmarks of the Rutherglen style, alongside robust reds such as Shiraz and Durif. Its philosophy is rooted in expressing regional character through careful vineyard management and traditional cellar techniques, including the use of large, old oak casks for extended aging. Campbells is also a member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, reflecting its significance within the country’s wine heritage. The portfolio spans both classic, age-worthy wines and more contemporary styles, maintaining a strong focus on quality, balance, and authenticity.Expand

Billy Stitch is an artisan distillery located in Baldivis, Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to crafting premium gins with a focus on quality and flavor. The distillery emphasizes the use of the finest botanicals and meticulous distillation processes to achieve smooth and complex flavor profiles. In addition to their commitment to producing exceptional spirits, Billy Stitch allocates 5% of their profits towards educational initiatives and the creation of local businesses in Promar village, Cambodia, reflecting their dedication to social responsibility. Expand

Arktika Vodka is an Australian brand inspired by the Arctic, known for its cold-filtered and triple-distilled production process. It is made in Victoria, using carefully selected Australian wheat, resulting in a clean, balanced, and smooth flavor profile. Arktika offers several variants, including Original, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Raspberry, and Lemon-Lime, perfect for mixing in cocktails. Arktika Vodka is part of the Edgemill GroupExpand

Naught Gin is a premium gin producer located in Eltham, Victoria, known for its meticulously crafted, small-batch gins. With a commitment to quality and a passion for unique, sophisticated flavors, Naught Gin combines traditional distilling methods with innovative botanical blends. Their gins are celebrated for their smooth, complex profiles, which capture the essence of Australian craftsmanship and creativity. Expand

Bruny Island Cheese is a cheese producer located on Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia. The company, established by Nick Haddow, focuses on traditionally-made cheeses from both cow's and goat's milk. They are noted for being one of the few producers in Australia using raw milk as well as pasteurized milk for their cheeses. The company also operates a bakery that produces wood-fired bread.Expand