Australia is a must-visit destination for food lovers, with each city offering its own local flavors. From Melbourne’s café scene to fresh seafood in Cairns, these cities are full of dishes worth trying. You’ll find quick bites at busy markets, classic meals at local pubs, and fresh food at scenic waterfront restaurants.
In this blog, you’ll discover six of the best Australian foods to try in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Cairns. We’ll break down what each dish is, where to find it, and how to book food tours to make tasting them even easier. These foods aren’t just tasty, they’re a big part of Australia’s food culture.
🥑 Avocado on toast
Avocado on toast, a breakfast staple | Photo Credits: Jane T D. on Pexels
Avocado on toast, or “avo” as Aussies love to call it, has become a breakfast staple across Australia. It's simple yet satisfying: crusty sourdough topped with creamy smashed avocado, a drizzle of lemon, salt, pepper, and extras like feta, tomatoes, or poached eggs.
Melbourne does this dish best. Join a Melbourne food crawl that includes a stop at Royal Arcade, where you’ll find lots of cafés serving some of the city’s best avocado on toast. Baristas pair it with artisan coffee and a relaxed courtyard seating.
Here, avo toast isn’t just breakfast, it’s a full brunch experience. It’s a great way to taste why Melbourne is famous for its café culture.
💴 Price Point: AUD $12 to $18
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
🌭 BBQ “Snags”
Smoky BBQ “Snags” | Photo Credits: Vidal Balielo Jr on Pexels
Barbecued sausages, known as “snags,” are a must-try when exploring Aussie food. These juicy pork or beef sausages are grilled on an open flame and usually served in a slice of bread with grilled onions and your choice of tomato or BBQ sauce. They’re simple, filling, and proudly Aussie.
At Queen Victoria Market, snag stalls are always sizzling. The smoky smell pulls you in, and it’s easy to grab one while browsing the market. To taste even more local favorites, consider booking a Queen Victoria Market food tour, where snags are often part of the experience and you’ll learn the stories behind Melbourne’s most loved market foods!
💴 Price Point: AUD $5 to $8
⭐ Rating: 4/5
🥧 Pie floater
South Australian’s famous dish, Pie Floater | Photo Credits: Alpha on Flickr
The Pie floater is one of those famous Australian dishes that locals swear by, especially in Adelaide. It’s a meat pie (filled with beef and gravy) dropped into a thick pea soup, then topped with a squirt of tomato sauce. Sounds strange? Maybe. But it’s oddly comforting.
You can try an authentic one at an Adelaide Central Market food tour. It’s a cozy dish that’s perfect for cooler days and a great way to experience local food history, as it was even listed as a South Australian Heritage Icon.
💴 Price Point: AUD $9 to $12
⭐ Rating: 3.9/5
🦪 Sydney rock oysters
Fresh Sydney rock oysters | Photo Credits: Nadin Sh on Pexels
If you’re after something fresh, try Sydney rock oysters. These small, briny oysters are native to Australia’s eastern coastline and have a rich, salty flavor. Most people enjoy them raw with just a squeeze of lemon or a dash of vinaigrette.
At Searock Bar and Grill near Circular Quay, you can order them while soaking up waterfront views. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the best of coastal Australia in Sydney.
💴 Price Point: AUD $24 to $35 (½ dozen)
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
🍔 Aussie burger
Juicy Aussie burger with beetroot! | Photo Credits: Breville on Wikimedia
If you think you know burgers, wait until you try an Aussie burger. This isn’t your average sandwich. It comes stacked with a beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, a fried egg, beetroot (yes, beetroot!), and sometimes even pineapple.
Join the Newtown Chewtown Food Tour to find burger joints with their own twist on this classic. It’s filling and messy, basically everything a good burger should be!
💴 Price Point: AUD $14 to $20
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5
🦐 Seafood tower
Seafood tower at Dundee’s, Cairns
If you’re a true seafood lover, don’t miss the Seafood Tower. This impressive platter usually features prawns, oysters, mussels, crabs, yabbies, and other fresh catches. It's designed for sharing and looks like something out of a food magazine.
Book a meal at Dundee’s at the Waterfront to enjoy a tower filled with tropical seafood delights. Set by the water in Cairns, it’s perfect for a sunset dinner after a reef or rainforest tour!
💴 Price Point: AUD $60 to $120 (for 2–3 people)
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
FAQs about australian food
What is Australia's famous food?
Australia is known for dishes like meat pies, BBQ snags, lamingtons, and Vegemite on toast. However, modern Aussie food also includes fresh seafood, unique burgers, and brunch favorites like avocado toast. It’s a tasty mix of old-school and modern eats.
What is the national food of Australia?
Australia doesn’t have an official national dish, but many people consider the meat pie or roast lamb to be iconic. Foods like Vegemite, pavlova, and sausage sizzles also play a big part in the national food identity.
What is the 2-4 hour rule in Australia?
The 2-4 hour rule is part of food safety guidelines in Australia. It states that perishable foods can be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours and still be safe to refrigerate or eat. After 4 hours, they should be thrown away. This is especially useful for picnics and barbecues.
What are Australian main dishes?
Some common main dishes include roast lamb, steak with chips, chicken parmigiana, and grilled seafood. You’ll also find regional favorites like barramundi in the north and kangaroo steak in some outback towns. Many mains reflect multicultural influences from across the globe.
What foods are native to Australia?
Native foods include bush tucker items like wattleseed, finger lime, macadamia nuts, and kangaroo. These ingredients are now being used more in modern restaurants and fusion dishes. If you're curious, look for tasting menus that highlight Indigenous ingredients.
🍴Eat like a local across Australia
Exploring Australia through food is one of the best ways to connect with its people, places, and culture. From classic famous Australian dishes like meat pies and BBQ snags to fresh seafood towers and avo toast, each city has something to offer your taste buds!
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
