Australia may not be as world famous for its food as other countries like Italy or Japan, but we still have plenty of tricks up our sleeve. In fact, we have some of the most unique and even strange cultural food options in the world.

Check out these top 10 picks for Australian foods you absolutely must try!

Lamingtons

A lamington is a square type of sponge cake that’s covered in creamy chocolate sauce, and then sprinkled with desiccated coconut. This food is one of Australia’s most beloved national foods and is a favourite even with people who typically don’t enjoy coconut.

You can enhance your lamington experience in a variety of ways, such as pairing it with jam and a cup of tea or coffee. Whipped cream can also go quite well with it too!

Barramundi

Barramundi is one of the most popular types of fish served at restaurants around Australia, and once you try it, it’s not hard to see why. This silver, large-scaled fish is native to Australian and Indo-Pacific waters, having been hunted by Indigenous Australians prior to European settlement. There are a huge number of different ways to cook it, with crumbed barramundi being a particular favourite.

Vegemite

Vegemite is one of those ‘need to experience’ foods – and you’re either going to love it or hate it. Most foreigners who try it are immediately disgusted and start to question how such a thing became an iconic Australian food.

Vegemite is a dark brown, almost black paste made from yeast extract that’s most commonly compared to British Marmite. While similar, Marmite and Vegemite are not identical and you really need to try both to understand the differences.

The most common way to eat Vegemite is on a sandwich or on toast with butter. It is also commonly paired with avocado.

Kangaroo

Kangaroos are Australia’s national icon and while you may only expect to take photos of them, you can actually enjoy eating them too. Kangaroo meat is more common than you might think, and is very popular at Australian themed restaurants.

Kangaroo is most often compared to venison for its gamey texture. It’s also highly versatile and can be served in the form of a steak, sausage or even mince.

Pavlova 

Pavlova is a crispy meringue cake that’s finished off with a layer of whipped cream and fruit, such as strawberries or blueberries. There has been a long-running rivalry between Australia and New Zealand as to which country invented pavlova– but it’s yummy regardless!

Check out this incredible Australia Day Pavlova recipe if you’re tempted to give it a try.

Tim Tams

You can’t visit Australia without trying our irresistible chocolate biscuit – the Tim Tam. Layered with creamy chocolate, this biscuit makes it incredibly difficult to stop at just one.

You should also really try the signature method of eating Tim Tams, the Tim Tam slam! Basically, you dip the biscuit in a hot drink like tea or coffee and suck it like a straw. You then eat the biscuit before it gets too soggy and collapses into your drink.

Meat Pie

The meat pie is the quintessential Aussie sporting food, enjoyed by many in the grandstands of cricket and footy games. A mix of diced mince and gravy wrapped in a flaky pastry shell, the humble meat pie is best enjoyed with a generous helping of tomato sauce.

Sausage Sandwich

The humble sausage sandwich is a simple Australian meal that’s more about the cultural experience of a ‘sausage sizzle’ than the actual food itself. It consists of a meat sausage sitting inside a piece of bread with tomato sauce and maybe some fried onions on top.

Participating in the Australian barbeque is sort of like a rite of passage that everyone goes through. 

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken parmigiana, also more commonly known as a ‘chicken parmy’, is a staple dish at almost every single pub venue around Australia. Consisting of chicken schnitzel with a topping of melted cheese and tomato sauce, this meal is sure to leave you wanting more.

It will usually be served with chips and salad, although it’s not unheard of to have the chicken resting on a bed of pasta. Pair this classic lunch or dinner meal with a magnificent Australian beer and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

Pumpkin Soup

While this list is quite meat-heavy, that doesn’t mean there aren’t vegetarian options when it comes to classic Australian dishes. Pumpkin soup is quite popular with Aussies, especially in the winter months, and is best served with a locally sourced Granny Smith apple.

Hopefully you have already chosen a few meals from this list you definitely want to try while you’re in Australia.