The Indigenous & Native Aussie Eateries You Need To Try
Bite into Tradition: Indigenous Eateries Transforming the Culinary Scene
Keen to try Indigenous foods and dishes that celebrate native Australian ingredients? Read on – bush tucker and First Nations cuisine are having a moment. From celebrated restaurateur Nelly Robinson’s 11-course ‘Native Australia’ menu at Nel featuring ingredients like saltbush, kangaroo and Daintree coffee to South-Coast street food truck Mirritya Mundya, meaning hungry black fish in the Garrigu language group of South Eastern Australia, dishing up fire-pit inspired treats like Davidson Plum smoked chicken marylands. So, if you’re craving a taste adventure that’s as socially conscious as it is delicious, here’s our pick of where to sample Indigenous and Australian native food in Sydney and beyond.
🌿 The Kiosk, Art Gallery of NSW
Get your fix of iconic artworks with a side of bush tucker inspired café fare at The Kiosk at the Art Gallery of NSW. This tiny take-away joint packs a gourmet punch with a menu curated by Indigenous Elder Aunty Beryl Van Oploo. Pick from sweet treats like the salted caramel and Davidson plum blondies or cinnamon morning buns topped with Daintree chocolate ganache and wattle seed praline, or for something more savoury there’s a white wine, chicken and lemon myrtle pie. Whilst little ones will adore the selection of native ice creams including Dunoon macadamia choc-tops and Kensington Pride mango ice-cream sandwiches.
More info: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/visit/eat-drink/
Location: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
🌿 Native Foodways Bakery, Sydney
Native Foodways – a First Nations owned and led social enterprise consisting of a food consultancy, catering outfit, bakery and pantry – crafts dishes that honour traditional Indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. At The Native Foodways Bakery led by Gamilaraay Cook Corey Grech and Goomeroi and Western Kuku Yalanji Cook Cassidy Watts, located in the CBD’s Wintergarden mall, you’ll find a cafe menu with dishes like Kangaroo chilli and chicken lemon myrtle mixed slider pie served with a native green salad, as well as savoury nawi pastries (nawi meaning canoe in Gadigal) with flavours ranging from native thyme with caramelised onion and feta, or pepperberry, native ginger and okra. For something sweet, don’t go past their delectable array of pastries – our pick’s the lemon myrtle and strawberry nawi or the moreish wattleseed muffins.
More info: https://nativefoodways.com.au/pages/bakery
Location: Gadigal Land, Shop 5, Level 3, Wintergarden, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney
🌿 Midden, Sydney
Midden, the indigenous name for shell heaps, were more than just piles of shells. According to Midden restaurant, located inside the Sydney Opera House, a bit like today’s modern kitchen the midden were vibrant communal spaces where First Nations people cooked, ate, and gathered as families. Along with stunning views of Sydney harbour, at Midden iconic Indigenous chef Mark Olive has created a welcoming space for family and friends to gather with an inspired produce driven menu championing native ingredients and produce. Pick from mains like the braised wallaby shanks or smoked Blue Gum barramundi, and finish off with tantalising desserts such as the panna cotta infused with river mint. For something different try the Native High Tea – think finger sandwiches of smashed egg and refreshing warrigal greens , kangaroo mini pies with a nutty wattleseed crust and heavenly lemon-myrtle scones. In a word: divine.
More info: https://www.middensydney.com.au
Location: Western Broadwalk Sydney Opera House, Sydney
🌿 Nel Restaurant, Sydney
Looking for a special occasion or date night dinner with an innovative take on Indigenous cuisine? Owned and headed by acclaimed Brit-chef Nelly Robinson, Nel Restaurant is known for taking diners on a gastronomic journey that dials up the wow factor – and this season’s 11-course Native Australia degustation is no exception. Expect dishes that celebrate native Australian ingredients like the Riberry kangaroo kebabs, warrigal and saltbush tacos, and smoked eel – all served in Nel’s trademark irreverent style. Bring your best food friend as this is one degustation you’ll want to savour with a mate.
More info: https://www.nelrestaurant.com.au
Location: 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney
🌿 BTB, Kirribilli
Set in picturesque Kirribilli – the perfect location for spotting a Prime Minister in residence or jacaranda tree in bloom (check out our jacaranda spotting guide here) – BTB reimagines mod-cafe staples with fresh and seasonal native ingredients. Brunch or lunch your way through barbequed emu skewers smothered in a house-made spice curry and macadamia marinade served with fresh pickled qukes – add a side of kimchi’d warrigal greens for extra kick. Or try the prawn katsu burger, made from crumbed Aussie prawns and slathered with a zesty gribiche sauce made from sea mustard (native kelp). For something lighter, there’s a house made granola spiked with macadamia and native muntrie berries mixed with coconut and lemon myrtle yoghurt and topped with barbecued strawberries and a watermelon granita. Best of all this cosy cafe boasts pooch friendly creds so Rufus can come along for the ride.
More info: https://btbkirribilli.com.au
Location: 2 Ennis Road, Milsons Point
Heading out of town?
🌿 Mirritya Mundya Food Truck, NSW South Coast
Craving a laid-back meal on the South Coast? Mirritya Mundya meaning ‘Hungry Blackfish’ in the Ngarrigu language group of South Eastern Australia, serves up fire-pit inspired fare with an Indigenous twist all from a cosy food truck in Dharawal Country (Bomaderry). With a seasonal and ever-changing menu, on a visit you might chance upon their pulled pork burgers brimming with 8-hour slow cooked pork marinaded in bbq sauce made with native ginger, quandong, pepper berry and pear. There’s also smoked hickory chicken Marylands spiked with Davidson Plum glaze, and sweet-tooths will love their myrtle white-choc cookies and finger lime brownies. Check their Instagram page for current locations.
More info: https://mmundya.com
Location: 7 Concorde Way Bomaderry
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Got an Indigenous food restaurant or cafe you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below – we love hearing about great eateries in the Inner West and beyond.
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