Thanks to the unique melting pot of cultures, Australia is home to a culinary scene to rival all others. New South Wales (NSW) and Sydney are full of unique food regions and hubs, famous for specific cusines, produce and dishes. This handy list takes you through some of the state’s must-visit ‘foodie’ locations, where you can sample everything from local specialties to international delights.

South Coast: Seafood

Did you know? New South Wales has it’s own official ‘Oyster Coast’! Head to the South Coast for all things seafood. There are so many local producers in this region that you can organise your own ‘seafood-crawl’ and sample the freshest osyters, prawns, kingfish and tuna as you travel down the coast. For a budget option, enjoy takeaway fish and chips on the beach.

Cabramatta: Vietnamese dishes

Famous for its Vietnamese restaurants, Cabramatta is home to some of the best Sydney restaurants to try. Every local will have their own favourite spot for rich pho, filling banh mi or fresh goi cuon. If you’re not sure where to start eating, join a food tour of the area to learn more about the dishes and the area’s heritage.

Hunter Valley: Cheese and chocolate

The Hunter Valley, located in the Hunter Region, while best known as the birthplace of Australian wines, is also a go-to location for all things cheese and chocolate – there's even an annual Hunter Valley Cheese & Chocolate Festival!

Ashfield: Chinese dishes

Known as ‘Little Shanghai’, Ashfield in Sydney’s Inner West is the perfect place to try authentic Chinese dumplings, shallot pancakes, fried dough sticks and spring rolls. If you’d like somewhere to go with a large group of friends, head to one of the area’s yum cha restaurants where you can all share dishes.

North Coast: Blueberries

Woolgoola on NSW’s North Coast is widely known for its blueberry industry, with the area packed with blueberry farms you can visit. It’s even home to the annual Blues and Berries festival, where you can enjoy blueberry pie while listening to live music.

Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’, Leichhardt, is a centre for the Italian community in NSW. Here, you will see many Italian-owned businesses, particulalry along Norton Street. In the morning, enjoy an espresso, biscotti and cannoli from one of the many Italian cafés or bakeries. In the evening, take your friends out for a feast of pizza and pasta.

North Coast: Tropical fruit and macadamia nuts

With its warmer weather, northern NSW is the perfect region for growing fresh, tropical fruits and macadamia nuts. If you want to sample the best avocado on toast in the country, then you’ll want to head to towns on the North Coast. There are a range of local farmers markets you can visit so you can stock up on produce.