Foods You Must Eat When You’re in Sydney, Australia
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While Sydney is popularly known for its sultry beaches, lush nature, misty hills, and sterling wines, it has another side. The excellent Aussie dishes are essentially sumptuous and can be claimed to be amongst the best world cuisines. Although you can indeed get Australian food at any corner of the earth, there are some classic dishes you must try out when visiting Sydney.
So, here we are with a list of the top 5 classic Australian food you must try on Sydney tour. But before that, let’s explore the food culture of the city.
The food culture of Sydney
What exactly is Australian food? Or what is the food culture of Sydney?
Typical Australian food is all about barbecued sausages, meat pies, chicken parmigiana, barramundi, etc. And Sydney is a melting pot of all Aussie classic food. The foodscape of this city is anchored by the chefs’ offering traditional foods sourced from local farms. But there’s more to it, as you will also find delicacies that borrow inspiration from both east and west.
In addition, it is interesting to note that since the nation has opened its door to immigrants, you will find culinary adaptations from various cultures here. But when in Sydney, it would be a food crime not to try the country’s native and classic served by some of the city’s most famous cafes and restaurants.
Top 5 classic Australian food to try when in Sydney

Meat Pies
One of the most commonly eaten foods in Australia is meat pies. Aussies often prefer to et meat pies as post-drinking-binge-meals. And although found with different fillings, the most common one you will find is ground meat, onions, gravy, mushrooms, and potatoes.
Restaurants serving Meat Pies in Sydney-
- Harry’s Cafe de Wheels– Cowper Wharf Road &, Dowling St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Australia
- The Pie Tin– 1a Brown St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
- Black Star Pastry– The Galeries, Ground Floor Shop 26/500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Flour and Stone– 43 Riley St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Australia
- Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie– 274 Botany Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
Pavlova
Australia’s national dessert, pavlova, is a meringue-based cake topped with whipped cream and seasonal fruits. The Aussies and New Zealanders so love this dessert that it is a rivalry topic on who invested. But whatever the rivalry may be about, there is no doubt that pavlova was invented in honour of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
You can either buy a pavlova base from the local supermarket to make your dessert or try it in local eateries.
Restaurants serving Pavlova in Sydney-
- Matt Moran’s Chiswick Restaurant– 65 Ocean St, Woollahra NSW 2025, Australia
- Rockpool Bar & Grill– 66 Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- La Pav’– Unit 12/10-18 Orchard Rd, Brookvale NSW 2100, Australia
- Ester– 46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
- Icebergs Dining Room and Bar– Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, Australia
Barramundi
Although not that unique to Australia, Barramundi is an Aboriginal name given to the “large-scaled silver fish” found in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. You can try this delicious fish cooked in classic Australian style at any restaurant in Sydney. Also, we suggest you pair this fish with roasted veggies or salad.
Restaurants serving Barramundi in Sydney-
- Catch 22 Fish & Chips- Darling Park, 201 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Pier- 594 New South Head Road, Rose Bay
- Searock Grill- Opera Quays, East, Shop 15/5 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Thai Pothong– 294 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
- Fish at the Rocks- 29 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Lamingtons
Are you craving some delicious soft cakes? If you are then, we suggest you try the lip-smacking Lamington cakes- Australia’s national cake. These square sponge cakes, named after Lord Lamington, a former Governor of Queensland, are super delicious and filled with cream and jam, coated chocolate icing, and dusted with coconut shavings.
To get the best flavours of Lamingtons, pair them with tea or coffee. You can try this classic Aussie sponge cake for your breakfast at a café near you when in Sydney.

Restaurants serving Lamingtons in Sydney-
- Tokyo Lamington– 277 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
- Flour and Stone– 43 Riley St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Australia
- My Little Cupcake– 62 Ben Boyd Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia
- Flour Drum– 531 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
- Oratnek– 4 Pitt St, Redfern NSW 2016, Australia
Kangaroo meat
It may seem weird that Australians eat their national animal, but kangaroo meat is essentially delicious, low in fat, and commonly found in restaurants and shops. You can find kangaroo meat only in Australia, cooked in classic Aussie style.
You can buy kangaroo steaks, sausages, burgers, and much more, or try authentic dishes made from kangaroo meat at any Sydney restaurant. If you are planning for the latter you can surely visit Sydney restaurants to try it.

Restaurants serving Kangaroo meat in Sydney-
- The Australian Heritage Hotel- 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- The Meat and Wine Company– Shop 12, Lobby, InterContinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street corner of Bridge Street &, Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Steersons Steakhouse- 17 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Aria Restaurant Sydney– 1 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
If you want to Book a Sydney City Private Tours that covers all of the above authentic Australian food experiences, contact Sydney Top Tours today.
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