Practical information : Eating out Australia
Timetable
Whether it is winter or summer, in Australia the restaurant hours are variable as they are everywhere in the world. However, Australians tend to dine early. In urban areas, restaurants often have fixed hours and do not offer continuous service, so you can have lunch from 12 to 2pm and dinner from 6 to 10pm. Beware, in some tropical cities (Cairns or Brisbane), some restaurants follow the rhythm of the sun and close their kitchens at 9pm. In some remote areas, restaurants have variable hours and sometimes close their doors completely randomly. In some bush and outback towns, you will sometimes have no choice but to go to one address: the famous roadhouses, where you can sleep, eat and buy groceries and gas.
Budget & Tips
It's easy to cut costs when it comes to your catering budget, as long as you're not too fussy about your diet: burgers, pizzas, hot dogs or the classic cheap steak/fries often go hand in hand with a good calorie intake! These are usually found in pubs with a friendly, even boisterous atmosphere. You'll often get by for around AU$20 and leave with a full stomach.
While fast-food outlets and most restaurant chains offer interesting and economical daily menus including starter, main course, dessert and drink, most other restaurants offer dishes directly from the menu, and menus are rarer.
Backpackers and other road-trippers go to supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles, IGA...) to do their own shopping. You can then prepare your own meals if your accommodation has a kitchen, or if you have a converted van.
In town and country, all methods of payment are accepted. It may come as a surprise, but some of the most isolated establishments in theOutback offer to pay by credit card. Just to be on the safe side, make sure you have cash on hand. Finally, if you've bitten off more than you can chew, you should know that even if the practice is still not widespread in France, it's not at all frowned upon to ask for a doggy bag in Australia... on the contrary! It's a completely democratized practice. It's a great way to save money for tomorrow's meal!
What costs extra
Tipping does exist, but it's not customary. If you wish to leave one, please allow 10% of the total due. When paying by credit card, the TIP (tip) indication on the printout allows you to add the desired amount at the time of payment. Get into the habit of crossing out the box if you don't enter any amount, to avoid forgery. Don't be surprised to see a surcharge for payment by credit card. This, which normally varies between 1 and 2.5%, has become very common in recent years. On the other hand, there are now many businesses that do not accept cash payments at all.
The local way
In restaurants, you'll often see the acronym "BYO" which stands for Bring your own. This means that you can bring your own bottle to the restaurant. This can be done free of charge or on average via corkage, a fixed cost charged for "uncorking" the bottle.
Away from the restaurants, there's nothing more local than eating a barbecue prepared in the open air, in keeping with the Australian tradition of cooking with several people and enjoying the food in a friendly atmosphere. Everywhere in Australia, in parks, seaside resorts, camping areas and some national parks, you'll find modern barbecue facilities ready to host your grills. Access is free of charge, just make sure you clean up after yourself: you can check for yourself, Australians have a great sense of civic responsibility, always making sure the place is spotless for future visitors!
To be avoided
If you fancy a taste of the local game, and in particular kangaroo or crocodile, here are a few recommendations: make sure the products are of the highest quality and, of course, opt for local addresses and avoid the big chains!
Kids
Children are welcome in most restaurants, with the exception of some upscale restaurants that promise privacy and quiet, but do not allow children under the age of 18 to dine there.
Smokers
Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, although some terraces are equipped for smokers.
Tourist traps
Like any self-respecting big city, you will come across touts in front of the restaurant or on the sidewalk who will try to get you in, offering you long menus and endless dishes: this is where you have to be careful! Beware, Melbourne or Sydney are full of this kind of restaurants, too expensive for the quality offered. Generally, a menu dressed with non-contractual pictures offers dozens and dozens of dishes, which often announces a cuisine that is not homemade. A short menu is a sign of quality and freshness of the products.