Dining Etiquette in Australia

Food and Drink In Australia

Australians tend to eat three meals a day:

• ➤  Breakfast – eaten in the morning is either light and cold (cereal, toast, coffee) or heavy and hot (bacon, eggs, sausages, fried tomato)

• ➤  Lunch – eaten around 12 – 2pm is usually a light meal such as a sandwich, or salad. However, with the vast array of choices available now Australians are just as likely to have curry, noodles, sushi or pizza for lunch

• ➤  Dinner – the main meal of the day is eaten in the evening

While meat is a core part of the Australian diet due to Australia’s strong agricultural economy, more and more vegetarian eating habits are becoming common in Australia. You will almost always find a vegetarian option on any restaurant or café menu in Australia. 

Australians love to eat outdoors. A BBQ or picnic is a typical ‘Aussie’ way to enjoy a weekend meal.  Most homes have a BBQ and BBQs are readily available in parks and beaches.

FOOD

• Vegemite is a jam made from a variety of vegetables, spices and yeast used to make beer. The colour of vegemite is like chocolate jam but don't think it's sweet.

• Pavlova is a meringue cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, passion fruit, and kiwi. The outer layer of the meringue is hard but crispy and when this outer shell is broken down you will find the inside soft and melted like a marshmallow.

• Sausage sangers are often called sausage rolls in the form of sausage wrapped in bread and then added with sliced onions and sauce.

DRINKS

• BROCCO LATTE Derived from an experiment by Australian scientists who added broccoli powder added to lattes.
• BUNDY'AND'COKE comes from cola which is added with sliced lime, and lychee fruit. To enhance its appearance, it is usually given a mint leaf on top.
• ILLUSION SHAKER This drink is made from lemon and pineapple juice mixed with Midori. Midori is a drink made from melon juice

Dining Etiquette for Utensils

Australians do not typically switch knives and forks between hands while eating. The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to one another across the right side of the plate.

Dining Etiquette for Hands

      If you are only using one utensil, keep the other hand in your lap. When not holding utensils, your hands should be in your lap or putting your elbows on the table is acceptable. When finger food is taken from a tray, place it on a plate. Don’t lick your fingers, use a napkin. 

Dining Etiquette for Seating

      The most the honoured position is at the head of the table, with individuals of the greatest importance seated first to the left and then to the right of the head of the table. If there is a hosting couple, one member will be at each end of the table. When you leave the table your napkin must go to the left side of your plate- not folded but loosely place- unless it is quite soiled in which case it must go on your chair. When you bring a handbag, it must be placed on the inside left leg on the chair in a non-obstructive manner.

Dining Etiquette for In a Restaurant

     Make reservations (and confirm them) in the most exclusive restaurants. In informal restaurants, you may be required to share a table. You may get involved in a conversation if welcomed.

Dining Etiquette for Discussing Business

     Australians generally do not like to talk business over a nice meal, so take your cue from them. Conversations to be avoided at the table are politics, sexual preferences, age, weight, and anything that requires a directly personal answer.

Dining Etiquette for Paying The Bill

     It is very important that the host always pays. The inviter is the payer, although the guest is expected to make an effort to pay