Australia is more than beaches, kangaroos, and wide-open spaces. It’s also a food lover’s dream. Every state and city serves up something special, shaped by history, culture, and the land itself. If you’re curious about Australian traditional foods, you’re in for a tasty journey.
In this guide, we’ll explore five major cities and the dishes that define them. You’ll discover must-try plates, where to find them, and how to turn your trip into a full-on food adventure. Get ready to taste the best of regional cuisine in Australia and dig into some truly famous Australian dishes.
Taste Sydney’s iconic harbour eats
Fresh Sydney rock oysters served on tray
⭐ Food ratings: 9/10
📍 Best spots: Sydney Fish Market, local bakeries, Hunter Valley wineries
⚠️ Allergy note: Oysters (shellfish), pies (gluten), lamingtons (dairy, gluten)
Sydney pairs beach vibes with buzzing city life. It’s also one of the best places to experience traditional Australian cuisine with a modern twist. Thanks to its harbor location and multicultural scene, Sydney serves up both fresh seafood and globally inspired dishes.
You can start with Sydney rock oysters. They’re smaller and sweeter than other oysters, and they taste like the ocean itself. Next, grab a classic meat pie, filled with beef and gravy. It’s one of the most loved Aussie traditional food staples. You can finish up with a slice of lamington, a sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coconut.
Make your food trip even better by joining the Marrickville Munch Sydney Food Tour. You’ll explore local neighborhoods and taste amazing bites along the way.
You can also level up your gourmet game with the Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Tour. This full-day experience takes you from Sydney into the heart of the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s most famous wine regions.
Savour Melbourne’s famous pub classics
Travellers enjoying a historic pub tour in Australia
⭐ Food ratings: 9.5/10
📍 Best spots: Queen Victoria Market, local pubs, waterfront restaurants
⚠️ Allergy note: Parma (dairy, gluten), pavlova (eggs)
Melbourne is known as Australia’s food capital. The city takes pride in its coffee, markets, and creative kitchens. When it comes to Australian traditional foods, Melbourne adds flair and passion.
Try chicken parmigiana (or "parma," as locals call it). It’s a pub favourite topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. Next, grab a plate of barramundi, a native fish that’s light and flaky. For dessert, enjoy a slice of pavlova, a meringue-based treat topped with fruit.
You can also experience Sydney’s history and flavors with the The Rocks Historic Pub Walking Tour. This guided experience takes you through one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, The Rocks, where cobblestone streets and sandstone buildings tell stories from the past. Along the way, you’ll visit some of Sydney’s most iconic heritage pubs.
Melbourne proves that regional cuisine in Australia is both comforting and creative. Explore through Queen Victoria Market, chat with local chefs, and taste your way through the city.
If you’re also planning to visit nearby Victoria, get ready for a delicious mix of countryside charm and gourmet experiences. You’ll taste cool-climate wines and fresh local produce shine in many Australian traditional foods. When you’re there, hop aboard the Train Dining Experience in Drysdale; it’s a unique experience that pairs scenic views with a memorable dining adventure!
Discover Brisbane’s Sunshine Coast specialties
Classic Australian Kangaroo steak with crispy fries and wine
⭐ Food rating: 8.5/10
📍 Best spots: Riverside markets, Sunshine Coast, seafood restaurants
⚠️ Allergy note: Seafood (shellfish), nuts (macadamia)
Brisbane’s warm weather and outdoor lifestyle also shape its food scene. Fresh produce, seafood, and tropical fruits shine here. This city has some of the freshest Australian traditional foods with a Queensland twist.
Don’t miss Moreton Bay bugs, a type of lobster that’s sweet and juicy (you should try them grilled with butter and lemon). You can also sample Aussie-style fish and chips, best enjoyed by the river. And for something sweet, taste macadamia-based desserts, as macadamias are native to Australia.
Take your foodie adventure further with the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Food and Wine Tour. You’ll meet local producers, taste fresh cheeses, and sip regional wines.
Feast on Hobart’s fresh Tasmanian seafood
Fresh Tasmanian lobsters on a seafood cruise
⭐ Food rating: 10/10
📍 Best spots: Salamanca Market, waterfront docks, seafood cruises
⚠️ Allergy note: Shellfish, gluten (scallop pies)
If you love seafood, Hobart in Tasmania will be a dream come true. The cool waters around the island produce some of the best catches in the country. If you want pure, fresh Aussie traditional food, this is the place to be.
When you’re there, taste Tasmanian salmon, known for its rich flavour. You can also try abalone, a prized shellfish that’s tender and unique. And don’t skip scallop pies, a local twist on the classic meat pie.
For an unforgettable experience, book the Seafood Seduction Cruise in Tasmania. You’ll sail along the coast, pull fresh seafood from the water, and eat it on board. It doesn’t get fresher than that!
Hobart shows how Australian traditional foods are deeply connected to nature. Breathe in the sea air, taste straight-from-the-ocean dishes, and celebrate Tasmania’s bounty.
Explore Adelaide’s bold Barossa flavours
Wine tasting at Barossa Valley winery in Adelaide
⭐ Food rating: 9/10
📍 Best spots: Adelaide Central Market, Barossa Valley wineries
⚠️ Allergy note: Sausage rolls (gluten), frog cake (dairy, eggs)
Adelaide is calm, charming, and filled with flavour. Surrounded by famous wine regions like Barossa Valley, it’s perfect for food and wine lovers. Here, famous Australian dishes meet world-class wines.
You can start by trying a Barossa-style sausage roll, filled with rich meat. Try Kangaroo steak, lean and full of flavour. It’s one of the more unique foods originally from Australia. For dessert, look for frog cake, a sweet treat that’s iconic in South Australia.
To fully experience the region’s cuisine, you can join the Barossa Valley Hop-on Hop-off Day Tour from Adelaide. You’ll spend the day visiting renowned wineries, tasting premium wines, and sampling fresh local produce. You can also meet passionate makers, enjoy generous tastings, and take in beautiful vineyard views.
What to expect in other Australian cities
Australian wine and cheese tasting spread
Australia’s food story doesn’t stop at the big five. If you want to go beyond the major hubs, you’ll also uncover even more exciting Australian traditional foods shaped by local landscapes and cultures.
In Perth, you can try fresh seafood like western rock lobster and premium beef from Western Australia. The city’s coastal location means ocean-fresh dishes are always on the menu. You’ll also find creative chefs mixing native ingredients into modern plates.
Head north to Darwin, and you’ll discover tropical flavors and tasty Indigenous influences. You can try barramundi, crocodile, and bush tucker ingredients like wattleseed and finger lime. This is where traditional Australian cuisine connects deeply with ancient food traditions.
In Canberra, Australia’s capital, you can enjoy cool-climate wines and farm-fresh produce. Local truffles, lamb, and seasonal vegetables shine here. It’s a smaller city, but the food scene feels refined and exciting.
Over in Cairns, tropical fruits take center stage. You can grab some sweet mangoes, papayas, and fresh reef fish while taking in warm coastal vibes. It’s another fantastic place to experience regional Australian cuisine in a relaxed setting.
No matter where you travel, you’ll find unique twists on Aussie traditional food. Each city adds its own personality to the plate.
FAQs about regional cuisine specialties in Australia
What is Australia's most traditional food?
One of the most traditional foods in Australia is the meat pie. You’ll find it at sports games, bakeries, and family gatherings. It’s simple, filling, and loved across the country. Vegemite on toast is also considered a classic breakfast staple.
What is Australia's national dish?
Australia doesn’t officially have a national dish, but many people say the meat pie holds that title. Others argue for roast lamb or even pavlova. These dishes reflect the country’s British roots mixed with local ingredients. Together, they represent traditional Australian cuisine at its best.
What foods are native to Australia?
Native foods include kangaroo, emu, macadamia nuts, and bush tomatoes. Barramundi is another native fish that’s widely enjoyed. Indigenous Australians have used these ingredients for thousands of years. Today, chefs proudly highlight them in modern Australian traditional foods.
What food is originally from Australia?
Lamingtons and pavlova are usually claimed as Australian originals, though there’s friendly debate with New Zealand about pavlova. Vegemite is definitely Australian, created in the 1920s. Kangaroo dishes are also uniquely Australian. These foods showcase the country’s creativity and history.
What are classic Australian snacks?
Classic snacks include Tim Tams, Anzac biscuits, and sausage rolls. Lamingtons also double as a sweet snack. Many of these treats are easy to pack and perfect for road trips. They’re small bites that deliver big Aussie flavour.
Craving authentic Aussie traditional food?
Australia’s food scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Each city tells its own story through flavour, from seafood feasts in Hobart to gourmet markets in Melbourne. Exploring Australian traditional foods lets you connect with the culture in the most delicious way.
So don’t just visit Australia - taste it. Book a food tour, walk through local markets, and try something new in every city. Celebrate Aussie traditional food, savour regional cuisine Australia, and turn every meal into a memory worth sharing
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