First Nations dining experiences
Australia’s First Nations food culture is among the oldest on the planet, and today it’s inspiring a new wave of dining experiences that put native ingredients centre stage.
From Australian bush food such as kangaroo, emu and warrigal greens, to modern takes on traditional recipes, these venues celebrate the richness of Aboriginal food while sharing the stories behind it.
Whether you’re curious about tasting First Nations foods in Australia for the first time, or looking for a unique dining experience that connects cuisine with culture, here are some of the best places to try.
Mirritya Mundya, Berry, NSW
Mirritya Mundya, means ‘hungry blackfish’ in the local Ngarrigu language and it’s an apt name for this culinary company that specialises in authentic Aboriginal food. As well as providing catering for other venues and corporate events, Mirritya Mundya has special dining experiences available to the public.
Wandiwandian, Walbunja and Djirringanj descendant Dwayne Bannon-Harrison is currently hosting ‘Spirit Food’ at the Silos Estate in Berry, with the next dates on August 23 and October 25. Dwayne provides cultural interpretation of each course as well as highlighting the native ingredients which can range from smoked gum leaf to local oysters.
Big Esso, Melbourne, VIC
Located in Federation Square in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, Big Esso is the all-day bar and kitchen of Mabu Mabu, the brainchild of professional chef, Nornie Bero. Nornie is originally from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people in the Torres Strait, and she established Mabu Mabu in 2018 “with a dream to make native ingredients the hero of the Australian kitchen”.
This dream is on show every day at Big Esso with a menu featuring oysters, emu, crocodile, squid and fish, flavoured with a wide range of native Australian spices and condiments.
Sydney Aboriginal Café, Sydney, NSW
While its business is primarily catering, the Sydney Aboriginal Café has a street-front shop just a couple of blocks from Town Hall station in the CBD. The café and deli-style fusion foods are based around native Australian ingredients that can be harvested sustainably during the six seasons of the indigenous Noongar calendar.
The sweet and savoury treats are complemented by great coffee.
Warakirri Dining Experience, Buckaroo, NSW
Fine dining doesn’t come any more exclusive than this. The Warakirri Dining Experience is only available on select dates and offers bush cuisine at its best, incorporating seafood, game meats, rainforest fruits, desert delights, and native beverages. It’s limited to 24 guests per night and restricted to guests aged 16 or older.
Flames of the Forest, Port Douglas, QLD
Sometimes where you eat can be as important as the menu – and what better setting for an Aboriginal-inspired feast than the Daintree Rainforest?
Flames of the Forest offers a night of fine dining under a silk marquee to a soundtrack of nighttime wildlife. The pairing of Kuku Yalanji culture with locally sourced cuisine is perfect for adventurous foodies.
Midden by Mark Olive, Sydney, NSW
This unique experience brings the taste of the bush to the Sydney Opera House. The brainchild of First Nations chef, Mark Olive, it lets you dine beside a cultural icon while choosing from a sumptuous à la carte menu that includes an Indigenous Australian grazing plate, Sydney rock oysters, and kangaroo fillet.
There’s also a selection of delectable desserts and a bush-themed menu for the kids.
Tali Wiru, Uluru, NT
If you’re making that bucket-list trip out to Uluru, be sure to add in the Tali Wiru sunset dining experience while you’re there. Expect champagne and canapés on arrival, a private dune where you can watch the shifting earthy colours of sunset during a four-course dinner of native Australian ingredients paired with Penfolds wines, plus a didgeridoo performance and storytelling.
