G’day! I wanted to share with you a few of the wonderful places we’ve eaten in Australia in case you pass by.
This list is not comprehensive by all means – it was very much dictated by our travel itinerary and (above all) the cash left in our pockets.
Australia is a food heaven. Not only we enjoyed fresh and local fruit and veggies (something unheard of in the UK!) but we could try all sorts of cuisines.
Indonesian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Nepalese, Mexican, German, American and so on.
These restaurants, fast food places, and street vendors serve authentic food as it’s made for the immigrants who remember very well how it actually tasts.
These places have to feed their bellies and their souls bringing them back home.
We were so pleased to join in and eat a feast!
SYDNEY
Spice I Am
This little Thai place will immediately transport you to sunny warm beaches with its wide selection of hot spicy dishes. Don’t forget to bring along your wine as this place is BYOB. Thanks to Claudia and Thomas for the great recommendation!
Cow & The Moon
This hipster café in Newtown serves incredible ice-cream with flavours you have never tried before: Date crumble, Turmeric and cardamom, and Peanutzilla were my favourite. Cow & Mow won the title of best ice-cream in the world in Rimini, Italy. Italians know their gelato and I confirm it’s worth the hype.
Mamak
In the heart of Chinatown, this Malaysian restaurant serves inexpensive dishes that are cooked to perfection. From curries to noodles, there is plenty of choice but make sure to try their famous roti. Special lunch menus are the cherry on top!
Chacas of Bondi
Another ice-cream place, but this time a completely dairy free one, only a short walk from the iconic Bondi beach. They use cashew nuts as a base for all their ice-cream and I can say we really struggled to pick our flavours as they looked all so mouth-watering. So recommended!
EAST COAST
Daintree Forest Ice-cream
In the middle of nowhere in the Daintree rainforest, there is a place selling ice-cream made in-house with fresh local produce. Go for the signature cup! At the time of our visit, the signature flavours were black sapote, wattleseed, mango and coconut.
Bohemian Raw Café
You’ll find this very instagrammable place right on the harbour of Airlie Beach. The café serves lots of healthy dishes, from acai bowls to avo toasts, and hot drinks with a twist. We loved their chilli cacao high and golden chai. It’s a great stop over before heading to Whitsunday.
Paolo’s Pizza Bar
Lovely napoleon pizza made as it should be in Hervey Bay. How you know their pizza is authentic? The restaurant has a huge sign declaring war to pineapple on pizza. No additional info is required.
Massimo’s Gelateria
Another gelateria because I am obsessed with ice-cream! This is honestly one of the best ice-creams I have ever had. Only weakness: too many options 😂I wish I could have had them all.
EPIC Pacific Polynesian Cuisine
We found this place randomly while driving towards Surfers Paradise. We were starving and decided to give it a go: best choice ever. The owner gives you the warmest welcome and you immediately feel part of the fam. She introduces you to all the dishes with so much love. Their warm coconut buns are irresistible!
Punjabi Rasoi
We probably would have never entered this place if it wasn’t so close to our hostel in Brisbane. Well, I am so glad we did as it was a total hit! They serve incredible authentic spicy Indian curries, with so many vegetarian options. We went for the meal plan with three curries. We could hardly finish it as portions are massive, I advise going for smaller meal plans or share a big one. You won’t be disappointed.
Chihuahua
Fresh and delicious taqueria, a tacos place, in the heart of Byron Bay. The first bite will immediately transport you to Mexico, I dare say the best tacos I have ever eaten.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Grassroot Deli Café
We had a refreshing stopover at this wholesome café at Port Campbell. I was so impressed by their mushroom and stilton quiche that I had to mention them. Delish.
ULURU
Ilkari Restaurant
We couldn’t afford the very expensive culinary experiences in Uluru, but we treated ourselves to the buffet breakfast at this restaurant and we loved it! Okay, I’ll tell you the truth: this was a dream come true. Infinite delicious breakfast food? Yes please. There is truly something for everyone, or everything for someone: dumplings, noodles, pastry, yoghurt, pancakes, omelettes with indigenous ingredients, usual British breakfast stuff (bacon, baked beans, sausages, mushroomes etc.), banana bread, bread pudding, charcuterie, and so and so forth till your belly explodes. Amazing.
MELBOURNE
China Red
This is my favourite place in all Melbourne, probably because I ate here with my friend Erica who I hadn’t seen in ages! The dumplings are too die for and they are so cheap you’ll get out of the restaurant rolling.
Momo Central
We never had Nepalese food before, so we were very curious and couldn’t wait to try it. We immediately felt in love with all their dishes. Momo Central opened on 17 March 2020 right at the start of the pandemic but it already became a city icon. Do make sure to try their momos, typical Nepalese dumplings, or their slow pans, lentil pancakes. If you need more convincing, please note this place is very very cheap.
Don Don
Japanese perfection near Melbourne State Library. They serve nourishing rice or udon bowls. They also make very filling bento boxes. Expect long queues.
Mabu Mabu, Big Esso
We really wanted to try aboriginal cuisine. It was so hard to find a restaurant though! We finally found a great restaurant in Fed Square. It was a very interesting experience, you’ll probably never had any of their dishes before. Advance booking recommended.
Twisted Dessert Bar
I left my heart at this place in Fitzory. This very cute café serves only desserts, from midday till late. The owner left her career in coding to pursue her sweet dreams and I am here for it! I wish I could have had all her cakes! We tried the pavlova and it was the best one we ever had. Portions are so generous, in case you needed one more reason to love this place.
