From meat hailing from Rockhampton, the “beef capital of Australia,” to dairy products from the state of Victoria and exotic fruits from the state of Queensland, and from red and white wines from lush vineyards to frappes in cafes, Australia serves up a variety of snacks, meals and beverages to tempt tastebuds.
Eating out Down Under is similar to heading out for a meal in North America, except that tipping is optional. Some eateries may require reservations to have been made in advance. Cafes, snackbars and restaurants that cater to all kinds of cuisine can be found in great quantities in the major cities, as well as bars and pubs.
What to Eat in Australia
It looks innocent and innocuous enough, a dark brown spread with jam-like consistency that comes in a jar with a yellow label. Many people either love it or hate it, and it’s easy to see why once a first-time taster receives a whiff of it or tastes it on toast. It is vegemite, a paste made from yeast extract, with a strong and unique taste.
If the vegemite doesn’t suit a traveller, then perhaps he or she may want to down toast with eucalyptus honey — complete with its own distinct taste and odour — or some exotic fruit for breakfast, such as lychees, mango and passion fruit. Closer to home, kangaroo fillets and crocodile meat (which tastes like tough chicken) can be sampled, as well. Tea, white coffee or a pear and kiwi frappe can wash it all down.
Once lunchtime arrives, a focaccia sandwich may hit the spot. Focaccia is an Italian flatbread that’s toasted in the Aussie sandwich filled with lettuce leaves and meat slices. Hungry folks wanting a heartier meaty meal can sink their teeth into a hamburger, often topped with a slice of beet root. A side dish to a burger can be potato wedges, which are coated in a spicy seasoning and served with sour cream and chilli sauce as dips.
Multicultural Foods in Australia
On the more exotic side is yum cha, which is a Chinese dish comprised of dim sum, or steamed dumplings crammed with meat, fish or vegetables. Lebanese mezes consist of various appetizers, such as dips, grilled and marinated vegetables, and filled pastries. Thai green curry is also common, with chicken reportedly being the most common kind, but vegetarian versions are also available for non-meat eaters.
After a day at the beach, seafood can be a perfect dinner meal. Seafood platters, complete with crab, lobster, mussels, scallops and king prawns, or a dish of freshwater crayfish, may well quell hunger pangs. Australia is also known for barbecues, and there’s no shortage of food that can be grilled: Chunks of beef can make up kebabs, chicken wings can accompany barbecue sauce, and even baby octopus can cook over the coals.
What to Drink in Australia
Red, white and sparkling wines from Australia’s wine regions are plentiful and worth sampling. In terms of beer, Aussie beers include Fosters and Melbourne Bitter, both from Victoria, and Castlemaine XXXX from Queensland. Toohey’s red and blue labels hail from New South Wales, whereas Cooper’s Sparkling Ale comes from south Australia.
When it comes to spirits, dark and white rums are the result of sugar-cane plantations in Queensland. The rums are labelled as Bundaberg (from the town of the same name) and Beenleigh. Brandies, such as Agnes and Hardy’s labels, are also popular in the country.
The vast landscape of Australia makes it a country that produces a variety of meat dishes and seafood, exotic fruits from its tropical climate, and alcoholic beverages as a result of its vineyards and sugar-cane plantations. More unique dishes, such as kangaroo and crocodile, will suit more adventurous tastebuds. Point being, no visitor to Australia should go hungry!
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