In addition to the great variety of natural beauty present, one of the most fascinating things about Australia is that it is an open-minded country with a strongly international soul that attracts both young people and adults every year. This internationality as a peculiar character can also be easily found in the cuisine: the Australian culinary tradition has been influenced by countless cultures over time, which has led to the creation of very different dishes with strong flavours and a very strong identity. This is why, for example, on restaurant menus, alongside dishes of typically Australian derivation, one can also find dishes from different countries, mostly Asian (Vietnam, Thailand, etc.). In this article, however, we would like to tell you about 10 typical Australian dishes that you absolutely must try if you are in Sydney.
1 - Oyster soup
One of Australia's favourite dishes is soup, preferably eaten during the cooler months. One that you'll easily find served in local restaurants is oyster soup. Boiled and served over a velvety fish soup, it's often topped with lemon juice and an anchovy puree. Loved by locals and passing tourists alike, it is a real must-try delicacy!
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: oysters, fish, lemon
2 - Pumpkin soup
Still on the subject of soups, another speciality you cannot afford not to try is pumpkin soup. In this case, a base of onion and macadamia oil is prepared, to which the soup, apples, yoghurt and a few macadamia nuts are added as seasoning. ( Macadamia is a plant typical of the Eastern Australia/Indonesia area, widely used in cooking especially for its nuts).
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: pumpkin, macadamia, yoghurt, apples
3 - Kangaroo pie
Don't worry, the reference to the kangaroo is only in the shape of the dish: Kangaroo pie is nothing more than a puff pastry filled with cod, onions and gherkins, rolled up like a strudel and served with a cheddar sauce. The association with Australia's animal-symbol, the kangaroo, is due to its 'pouch' shape, reminiscent of the marsupial's distinctive trait.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: cod, butter, flour, onions, gherkins
4 - Fish & chips
Along with the British, the Australians are the great masters in preparing this simple yet very tasty dish. For this reason, the whole island and especially Sydney is teeming with little restaurants (many of them near the beach), kiosks, etc. that offer this delicacy so you will be spoilt for choice. This dish is also suitable for those travelling with children, who are often difficult to convince to try new foods.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €8.00/10.00
Main ingredients: fish, potatoes
5 - Meat pie
Similar to Kangaroo pie but smaller in size, almost like a snack, and with a meat filling, Meat pie is another popular dish in Australia, especially in Sydney where it can be seen in almost every supermarket, bakery and grocery shop. The classic filling consists of minced meat, mushrooms, tomato sauce, onions and cheese, although there are some vegetarian-friendly variations. After a night out or when you are in a hurry and don't have much time to eat, they are a perfect snack!
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: meat, tomato, onions, cheese
6 - Kangaroo meat
Although kangaroos are sweet animals and although seeing them prancing free in the meadows is one of the many reasons for tourists to fly to Australia, the truth is that kangaroo meat is one of the staples of the local culinary tradition. Since it is a rather lean red meat, Australians make extensive use of it in the kitchen, preparing it in a variety of ways: grilled, as burgers, sausages or patties, etc. (A favourite accompaniment, in general, is pan-cooked mushrooms).
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €15.00
Main ingredients: meat
7 - Braised oxtail
Another popular meat dish in Australia is braised oxtail, cooked in tomato and/or beer to make it even tastier. If you love strong flavours, this is one dish you just can't pass up during your stay in Sydney.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: beef, beer, tomato
8 - Mango Salad
Australians are not big fans of complicated side dishes, often a plate of chips as an accompaniment to a meat dish seems to be the best option. However, a dish offered in many restaurants is the mango and prawn salad: dressed with mayonnaise and lime, it can be served with a citronette made from oil, lemon juice and passion fruit. Fresh and delicate, it is the ideal side dish to enjoy during the warmer months.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: shrimps, mango
9 - Surprise papaya
Now to the desserts. One of the most recommended, especially for a snack or a fresh snack, is the Surprise papaya: it is very simply a papaya cut in half, filled with diced papaya, mixed fruit salad and port jelly. Nothing particularly complicated then, but perfect for hot days. After an afternoon at the beach or surfing in the waves, it is the best snack!
Recommended for: snacking
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: papaya, fruit
10 - Pavlova
Australians are not known for great pastries, yet that doesn't mean they don't have significant cakes and desserts. One of these is Pavlova cake, consisting of a meringue base with whipped cream and fruit. If you eat too much of it it could probably be a little cloying, but in small doses it is a great cake for a snack or a not-so-light snack.
Recommended for: snack
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: meringue, whipped cream, fruit
Where to eat in Sydney: best restaurants, eateries and street food
Sydney is a delightful melting pot of peoples: Australia is a country that attracts a huge amount of foreigners from the most diverse backgrounds, and it goes without saying that its cuisine is influenced by the cultures that inhabit its vast territory. The cooking habits of the early settlers have been disrupted and adapted to the products of the land. Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Italian and other foreign cuisines pepper the menus of Sydney's restaurants. Meat is the staple of the diet and Australians have an inordinate love for the ritual of barbecuing, a popular time for socialising with family or friends. With menus that include emu and kangaroo meats, typical fish such as barramunda and flavours that can't be found elsewhere, such as vegemite, here are some of the city's most distinctive restaurants to tempt the palate.
1 - Opera Bar
Description: bar with outdoor seating right in the shadow of the Opera House
Speciality: great happy hour with a sunset over the Harbour Bridge
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia - Get directions
2 - Automata
Description: an open-plan venue with a distinctive atmosphere, with an island kitchen and social tables.
Speciality: try the 5-course menu for a taste of the best
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: 5 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia - Get directions
3 - Single O
Description: one of Sydney's best cafes, where you can recharge with top breakfasts.
Speciality: coffee, banana pancake
Average price: from €5.00 per person
Address: 89 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia - Get directions
4 - Burger Project
Description: a classy fast food restaurant by celebrity chef Neil Perry
Speciality: delicious sandwiches, such as the aussie burger
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: Macquarie Pl, Gateway Centre Level 1, Shop L106, Circular Quay, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia - Get directions
5 - Tramsheds Harold Park
Description: a shopping centre entirely dedicated to food, inside the old tram terminus station
Speciality: street food
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge NSW 2037, Australia - Get directions
