Guide
Australian food FAQ: 26 questions about eating in Australia
Quick answers about food in Australia: what Australia is known for, tipping, BYO, surcharges, Vegemite, pavlova, kangaroo, native ingredients, coffee, barbecues, seafood, dietary needs and the best city for food.
Published
Short answers to common questions about eating in Australia. Each section points to a longer guide. For the full overview, start with our Australian food guide.
Australian food
For the classics, from meat pies and lamingtons to Vegemite and pavlova, read Australian foods to try. For bush foods, read native Australian ingredients. Our produce and seafood guides explain what grows and is caught where.
Dining out
Tipping is optional, tap water is usually free, BYO is common at some restaurants, and weekend surcharges must be shown on the menu. Our dining out etiquette guide explains each custom, and how to choose where to eat gives you a method for finding good places in any city.
Coffee and cafés
Café culture is a big part of Australian life. See our coffee guide, the coffee order glossary and our brunch guide.
Barbecues
From backyard barbecues to free public barbecues in parks and the democracy sausage, read the Australian barbecue guide for etiquette, food safety and fire restrictions.
Dietary needs
Australian cities generally cater well for dietary requirements. See gluten-free and vegetarian guides, and always tell staff about allergies.
Cities
Our cities hub covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and the Gold Coast. For a direct comparison, read Melbourne vs Sydney food day.
About Food Guide Australia
We are an independent editorial guide. Read our editorial policy, about page and general FAQ, or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Australia famous for?
Seafood, beef and lamb, meat pies, lamingtons, pavlova, Vegemite, barbecues, café coffee and a multicultural dining scene.
Is there a national dish of Australia?
No official one. The meat pie, the barbecue, pavlova and the lamington are often named as national favourites.
Do you tip in Australia?
Tipping is not expected because hospitality workers are paid award wages. Tipping for excellent service is optional.
What does BYO mean?
Bring your own, usually wine. Some restaurants allow it and may charge corkage.
Why do some cafés charge more on Sundays?
Some add a weekend or public holiday surcharge to cover higher wages. The ACCC requires it to be stated on the menu.
Is tap water free at restaurants?
Usually, yes, on request. Bottled water is charged.
What is Vegemite?
A salty yeast-extract spread first made in Melbourne in the 1920s. Spread it thinly on buttered toast.
Is pavlova from Australia?
Australia and New Zealand both claim the meringue dessert named after Anna Pavlova; its exact origin is debated.
Do Australians eat kangaroo?
Some do. Kangaroo is sold in supermarkets and on some menus as lean red meat.
What are native Australian ingredients?
Foods such as wattleseed, finger lime, lemon myrtle, Davidson plum, Kakadu plum and macadamia, used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for millennia.
What is a flat white?
Espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, smaller and less frothy than a latte.
Which city is best for coffee?
Melbourne is famous for café culture, but good coffee is easy to find in every Australian city.
Which Australian city has the best food?
Each has strengths; Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth all have strong food scenes. We do not rank cities.
What is a sausage sizzle?
A sausage in a slice of bread with onions and sauce, sold by community groups as a fundraiser.
Are public barbecues free?
Many council barbecues in parks are free. Clean up after yourself.
Can I barbecue on a total fire ban day?
Rules vary by state, and barbecues may be restricted or banned. Check your state fire service.
What seafood should I try in Australia?
Barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs, oysters, prawns and, in South Australia, King George whiting.
Is it easy to eat gluten-free or vegetarian in Australia?
Generally, yes, especially in cities. Always tell staff about allergies and coeliac disease.
Do I need to book restaurants?
Book popular restaurants for weekend dinners. Many casual cafés are walk-in only.
Is Food Guide Australia a review site?
No. We are an independent editorial guide and do not publish restaurant scores or paid rankings.
What are the most popular foods in Australia?
Everyday favourites include meat pies, sausage rolls, barbecued sausages and steak, fish and chips, chicken parmigiana at the pub, smashed avocado on toast, and Asian and Mediterranean dishes that are now part of mainstream Australian eating.
What is a uniquely Australian food?
Vegemite, lamingtons, Anzac biscuits, Tim Tams and fairy bread are widely seen as distinctly Australian, alongside native ingredients such as wattleseed, finger lime, lemon myrtle and macadamia, which is native to eastern Australia.
What are some classic Aussie snacks?
Classic snacks include Vegemite on toast or crackers, lamingtons, Anzac biscuits, sausage rolls, meat pies, Tim Tams, fairy bread at children's parties, and a snag in bread at a sausage sizzle.
What is the most popular meat in Australia?
Chicken is generally the most widely eaten meat in Australia today, with beef, lamb and pork also common. Lamb has a strong cultural place, especially for barbecues and roasts. Kangaroo is available but eaten far less often.
What are some traditional Australian bush foods?
Well-known bush foods include wattleseed, finger lime, Kakadu plum, quandong, lemon myrtle, bush tomato, warrigal greens and macadamia. They have been used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for tens of thousands of years. Only eat wild plants with expert identification.
Where can I buy native Australian ingredients?
Many specialty grocers, farmers' markets and online suppliers sell native ingredients. Where possible, choose suppliers that work with or are owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, so benefits flow back to Traditional Owners.