Australia doesn't have one official national dish, but roast lamb, the meat pie, and the barbecued sausage (snag) consistently rank as top contenders in polls, representing traditional Aussie fare, while multicultural influences bring dishes like laksa and chicken parmigiana, with newer trends like hot chips also emerging.
Roast lamb has been declared Australia's national dish in a major poll that shows we're still a country of meat eaters at heart. The poll, held on News Ltd websites across all mainland capitals, attracted more than 24,000 votes. It revealed three clear front-runners – all of them meat-based.
The most popular food in Australia is widely considered the meat pie, an iconic hand-held pastry filled with minced meat and gravy, followed closely by other staples like roast lamb (a Sunday dinner favorite), chicken parmigiana (a pub classic), and Vegemite on toast. Other beloved items include smashed avocado on toast, fish and chips, and sweet treats like Pavlova and Anzac biscuits.
From my home kitchen in Australia's lovely Hunter Valley, I dish out a growing collection of Classic Australian Recipes. From Damper to Rissoles, Pavlova, Fairy Bread, Weetbix Slice, Mars Bar Slice and Tim Tam Balls, you're sure to find all your Aussie faves and discover a few new ones.
Hot chips have been crowned Australia's “unofficial national dish” for 2025, dominating delivery orders across multiple states.
Pavlova is a popular and a national dessert in Australia. It is a meringue-base cake that has a light and crisp crust with a soft marshmallow center.
Break into some classic Aussie food on Australia Day. Such as Lamingtons, Pavlova, Beetroot, Milo, Vegemite and BBQ Sauce.
Though Australian cuisine is blended with many Asian and Mediterranean dishes, truly traditional Australian food lies in bush tucker, fresh seafood and something to soak up the ale. Not to mention the delectable pastries and sweets you'll wish you knew about your whole life!
From Mum's shepherd's pie to creamy garlic prawns to hearty beef rissoles, nothing says classic Aussie dinners quite like these. Dig in!
The most consumed meat in Australia is overwhelmingly chicken, making up nearly half of all meat eaten, with Australians consuming around 48-50kg per person annually due to its affordability, versatility, and convenience compared to beef, lamb, and pork, whose consumption has declined relatively.
Australians call McDonald's "Macca's," a common nickname that became so popular the company embraced it, even changing some store signs to "Macca's" and using the term in advertising and their app. This fits the Australian habit of shortening names with an "-a" or "-o" suffix, like "barbie" for barbecue.
Australians eat a diverse breakfast, from quick cereals and toast with Vegemite or avocado to a hearty "Big Breakfast" (bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes) or modern cafe fare like eggs benedict and ricotta hotcakes, reflecting both traditional British influences and multicultural tastes, often paired with strong coffee. Key staples include Vegemite on toast, Weet-Bix (cereal), smashed avocado on sourdough, and the classic bacon & egg roll, alongside weekend pancakes or omelettes.
Australian Food, the Most Iconic Australian Cuisine
While the iconic Tim Tam is a strong contender and beloved classic, recent research suggests the savory, deep-fried Chiko Roll is Australia's most searched-for favorite snack, closely followed by Tim Tams, Cheezels, and Cherry Ripe, reflecting a mix of sweet biscuits, savory fried items, and nostalgic treats.
Kangaroo | National Museum of Australia.
Sausage Sizzle: The Democracy Sausage
This simple but iconic food — a barbequed sausage served in a slice of white bread with onions and tomato sauce — is as Aussie as it gets. Often associated with community events and fundraisers, the sausage sizzle embodies the laid-back, inclusive spirit of Australian food culture.
A lamington is an Australian cake made from squares of butter cake or sponge cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut. The thin mixture is absorbed into the outside of the sponge cake and left to set, giving the cake a distinctive texture.
Australia's #1 most-loved dinner: roast lamb
Other dinners in the top 10 included a good old Aussie backyard barbie, chicken parmigiana, a hot chook from the supermarket (aka 'bachelor's handbag') and, of course, spag bol. Australia's favourite recipe is roast lamb.
According to international delivery company Send My Bag, which surveyed nearly 500 Australians over the age of 18 living in destinations like Europe and the USA, these are the most-missed munchies making their way into care packages around the globe: Vegemite (25%) Tim Tams (22%) Chicken Salt (13%)
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These Classic Aussie snacks and candy for overseas including Tim Tams, Vegemite, Twisties and Milo Chocolate Drink will bring a smile to Aussie faces in every corner of the globe this giving season.
100 best finger food ideas for any occasion
Tim Tams are a classic Aussie treat. They are also one of the most popular Aussie Treats to take overseas as a gift. HOWEVER, what you might not know, is that they are widely available in supermarkets in the US, UK and other international destinations.