Australian cuisine [I1] [F1] [Es1] has been greately influenced by the immigrants who have brought along their culinary skills and tastes. Every Australian city has plenty of little restaurants specializing in all kinds of food - Italian, Vietnamese, Thai, Greek, Indian, French etc. That is why you can find in this country typical and authentical foreign specialities.

There is, of course, authentically Australian food too. Australians claim to have the best seafood in the world. It is worth trying a plate of local oysters or the so-called "carpet-bag steak" [E1], consisting of a thick beefsteak garnished with oysters. Another famous dish is the delicious barramundi [E1] [F1] [Es1], a type of salmon which has become Australia's national fish dish. Finally there is a large choice of excellent fruit, including mangos, pineapples and papayas. Very famous is also the Vegemite, a special spicy souce [Es1] [F1].

One of the most popular Australian cakes is the Pavlova cake [E1]. Its softness is supposed to remind you of the famous Russian dancer Anna Pavlova.

Even if beer [E1] [F1] remains the most popular drink in the country, there is also some very good Australian wine [F1] [I1] [Es1]. The story of how Australians began to grow grapes is a long one. After various unsuccessful attempts by immigrants from France, England and Scotland, a group of German families settled in the Barossa Valley near Adelaide and started to produce excellent white wine.