A group of people and a chef sampling food with Uluru in the background, Tali Wiru, Yulara, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia

Tali Wiru, Yulara, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia

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What is Australian Cuisine?

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What is Australian Cuisine?

Australian cuisine is a vibrant fusion of global influences and native ingredients, shaped by our country’s multicultural population and diverse landscapes. Rather than being bound by tradition, Australian food embraces innovation – blending bush foods like wattleseed and emu with Asian spices and European techniques. Experimental dining reflects our country’s history, geography, and cultural diversity, while our signature dishes often celebrate the seasons: lamb roasts at Easter, fresh prawns at Christmas, and juicy mangoes as summer begins.

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What is Australia’s dining culture?

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What is Australia’s dining culture?

Australians love to eat outdoors – whether it’s brunch at a sidewalk café, oysters on a rooftop terrace, or a backyard barbecue with friends. Dining is casual and social, with a strong café culture that encourages lingering over meals at any time of day. Our fine dining is also relaxed and unpretentious. Even top-tier restaurants focus more on food quality than formality, and many of our country’s best eateries are located in regional areas, where chefs craft seasonal menus using locally sourced produce.

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What are typical Australian ingredients?

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What are typical Australian ingredients?

Thanks to our varied climates, fresh fruit and Indigenous produce is abundant year-round. Some of our most popular native ingredients include lemon myrtle, wattleseed, Kakadu plum, and warrigal greens. These unique flavours are increasingly featured in both high-end restaurants and everyday products like teas, chocolates, and ice creams. When it comes to our premium meats, Australian beef, especially Black Angus and wagyu, is prized globally. Lamb from the cooler southern regions is best in spring, while kangaroo offers a lean, sustainable alternative that’s widely available. 

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How to eat like a local

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How to eat like a local

If there’s one thing Aussies love, it’s relaxed dining with good company. Think brunch in a garden café (featuring avo on toast, of course), a meat pie on the go, fresh-caught seafood at the fish markets or dinner at a laid back al fresco restaurant. Menus are flexible, and dietary preferences are widely catered to, including vegetarian and vegan options, even in traditional pubs. Locals value quality over ceremony, so whether it’s a gourmet burger or a multi-course tasting menu in one of our world-class restaurants, the focus is on flavour, creativity, and fresh ingredients.

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How to drink like a local

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How to drink like a local

Coffee is serious business in Australia. Influenced by Italian immigrants, our local coffee culture is sophisticated and specific. Instead of just asking for “a coffee”, order a flat white, macchiato, or cold drip, and expect high standards wherever you go. We are also a major wine producer, with over 65 unique wine regions and more than 100 grape varieties. Natural and minimal-intervention wines are gaining popularity, and many cellar doors offer immersive tasting experiences. Craft beer and spirits are booming too – breweries and distilleries across our country serve everything from pale ales to botanical-infused gins. For non-drinkers, there’s a growing range of alcohol-free wines and beers that don’t compromise on taste.

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How to get hands on with Australian food

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How to get hands on with Australian food

To truly connect with Aussie cuisine and meet our friendly makers, try catching or collecting your own produce. Visit farms and markets to sample fresh, regional ingredients or pick up unexpected local delicacies from honesty-box stalls. Join a fishing tour in the Top End to catch a big barra (barramundi) or try your hand at crafting a bottle of gin exactly to your tastes using native botanicals. Our food and drink scene encourages participation, exploration, and a hands-on approach that will leave you with a whole new appreciation for each delicious meal.