{"id":15263,"date":"2018-03-28T01:55:41","date_gmt":"2018-03-27T23:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.foodtastic.at\/?p=15263"},"modified":"2018-04-05T13:57:34","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T11:57:34","slug":"down-under-australia-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alt.foodtastic.at\/en\/2018\/03\/28\/down-under-australia-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Down Under \/ AUSTRALIA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia isn\u2019t just famous for its many great cafes and restaurants, it\u2019s also an absolute paradise for foodies.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I went there for my brother\u2019s wedding, but also in order to check out the east coast food scene. During my last few visits, I wasn\u2019t that focused on the wide range of special foods, caf\u00e9s and restaurants Down Under, but this time I was absolutely blown away by having found so many amazing and beautiful food concepts all in one place.<\/p>\n

Over here in Austria, being able to name 5 genuinely cool breakfast spots is already an achievement. In Australia, you have anywhere between 20 and 40 per city.<\/p>\n

Sydney<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cronulla <\/strong><\/h4>\n

And here\u2019s a rundown of my one-month trip, along with recommendations for each region and town. My journey started in Sydney, visiting my favourite surrogate family south of the city. The town I stayed in is called Cronulla, is great for surfing and features many amazing little cafes and restaurants. One of my absolute highlights was the \u201aHeart & Soul\u2019 Caf\u00e9, which my sister from another mother Alicia took me to. (Also, check out her page flavors & flowers). The Heart & Soul offers a stunning selection of grain and legume salads and a buffet with warming stews and curries as well as an astonishing and delicious range of gluten-free desserts. I became a firm fan of the hemp seed brownie.
\nTo give you a taster \u2013 here are my menu favourites: <\/p>\n

    \n
  • Green Goddess Bowl<\/strong> \u2013 avocado, spirulina, spinach, banana, protein, coconut water with berries, coconut, muesli<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Nearby, there\u2019s another adorable restaurant named Iris & Isla, offering what turned out to be one of the best pho soups I have ever had. The familiar, convivial atmosphere is brilliant as well \u2013 definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n

    \"Heart-and-Soul\"<\/p>\n

    \"Heart-and-Soul1\"<\/p>\n

    Redfern, Waterloo, Surry Hills, Bondi, Alexandria<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    A few days later, I visited my dear friend Maddie in downtown Sydney. I met Maddie 2 years ago in Salzburg when she did an internship at Loop and I was teaching a food styling and photography course there. Maddie is an extremely talented illustrator \u2013 you HAVE to check out her Instagram account. She lives in Redfern, where she dragged me to an amazing little caf\u00e9 called \u201aLittle Evie\u2019. I ordered the saut\u00e9ed greens salad featuring the following delicious ingredients: roast beetroot, char corn, poached mushrooms, leafy greens, tomato, roasted sweet potato, fermented vegetables, smashed avocado, roasted carrots and nuts & seeds. Yummy, good for you and very very filling.<\/p>\n

    The following day, Maddie and I enjoyed banana and walnut pancakes with coconut yoghurt at Hale & Hearty<\/strong>. They offer a range of fantastic pancake flavours \u2013 sweet as well as savoury ones. The only underwhelming bit? The interior decoration was a tad odd.<\/p>\n

    We spent the afternoon at the Cuckoo Callay in Surry Hills \u2013 this street features a huge variety of tiny boutiques and gorgeous caf\u00e9s and the next morning presented another fast favourite: The Grounds of Alexandria. This place has to be seen to be believed \u2013 I have never experienced a food concept that came even close to what these guys are accomplishing \u2013 what an experience. The Grounds of Alexandria is enormous and includes a caf\u00e9, restaurant, food stands, a garden centre, a market hall and more. A colourful, fascinating place to be \u2013 better introduced with pictures than words. The breakfast menu was of course extraordinary as well and offered very special items: a brekkie burger with polenta chips, turmeric spiced porridge, buckwheat, teff and kefir pancakes and cauliflower, chickpea and almond fritters. Maddie and I spent three whole hours here. This place was one of the best I\u2019ve seen on the entire trip! <\/p>\n

    \"Pancakes\"<\/p>\n

    The rest of my stay in Sydney was spent on or near Bondi Beach \u2013 once for surfing but mostly in cafes and restaurants.<\/p>\n

    \"Australien_Foodtastic_1\"<\/p>\n

    \"Brekkie\"<\/p>\n

    \"Australien_Foodtastic_2\"<\/p>\n

    \"Australien_Foodtastic_\"<\/p>\n

    \"DSCF4827\"<\/p>\n

    \"DSCF4826\"<\/p>\n

    \"DSCF4927\"<\/p>\n

    \"DSCF4975\"<\/p>\n

    \"DSCF4837\"<\/p>\n

    My recommendations are as follows:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Harry\u2019s Bondi: ate a delicious ceviche there<\/li>\n
    • Bondi Wholefoods<\/li>\n
    • Speedos Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
    • Bondi Hardware: beautiful decoration, beautiful food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \"Bondi_Foodtastic\"<\/p>\n

      \"DSCF4795\"<\/p>\n

      \"Redfern\"<\/p>\n

      \"DSCF4788\"<\/p>\n

      \"DSCF4769\"<\/p>\n

      \"DSCF4802\"<\/p>\n

      Drinks<\/strong><\/h5>\n

      There\u2019s one thing I noticed \u2013 Aussies love fermented drinks like kombucha and kefir. Beetroot lattes and blue spirulina drinks are also popular. But Australia is particularly famous for its coffee culture. Nowhere else can you find such a wide range and dense concentration of caf\u00e9s. One of the country\u2019s most famous exports? The flat white.<\/p>\n

      A brief list of Sydney\u2019s best food hot spots:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
        \n
      • Heart and Soul<\/li>\n
      • Iris and Isla<\/li>\n
      • Little Evie<\/li>\n
      • Hale & Hearty<\/li>\n
      • Cuckoo Callay<\/li>\n
      • The Grounds of Alexandria<\/li>\n
      • Harry\u2019s Bondi<\/li>\n
      • Four Ate Five<\/li>\n
      • Le Monde Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
      • Brewtown Newtown<\/li>\n
      • The Boathouse (Manly & Palm Beach)<\/li>\n
      • The Farm Wholefoods<\/li>\n
      • Coogee Pavillon<\/li>\n
      • Harry\u2019s Bondi<\/li>\n
      • Bondi Wholefoods<\/li>\n
      • Speedos Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Melbourne & The Great Ocean Road<\/strong><\/h4>\n

        My journey continued to Melbourne where I spent 3 full days. Sydney and Melbourne are both beautiful but very different. Sydney is more flashy but most people who have visited Melbourne adore it. It is a little more European and also an absolute foodie\u2019s paradise. Melbourne reminded me a little of San Francisco, particularly around the Fitzgerald Street<\/strong> area.<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_1\"<\/p>\n

        This is where I had a ton of inspiring and beautiful experiences. If you\u2019re planning on visiting this neck of the woods, allow at least an entire day. There are so many cool shops and caf\u00e9s, you\u2019ll want to hang around. I particularly loved \u201aThe Industry Beans\u2019 and the \u201aGrub Food Van<\/strong>\u2019. The Industry Beans<\/strong> serves breakfast at your average Australian price (which is still pretty expensive), but the way the dishes are presented<\/strong> is what I would call sophistication meets art. And they taste great<\/strong>. For me, presentation as well as a genius mix of different textures are essential<\/strong> and this place manages all of it in spades:
        \nZucchini ribbons, enoki mushrooms, charcoal and cauliflower panna cotta, artichoke crisps, coffee corn bread crumbly, almond couscous and pea puree. I was especially impressed with the salty panna cotta variation featuring some cauliflower and charcoal. Ideas and recipe creations like these represent true artistry in the kitchen!<\/strong> <\/p>\n

        The \u201aGrub Food Van\u2019 is a colourful oasis of wellbeing. I almost felt like a New Age hippie. Unfortunately I was already very full, so I didn\u2019t eat, but I very much enjoyed the atmosphere and had a glass of ros\u00e9 instead. <\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_8\"<\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_7\"<\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_6\"<\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_5\"<\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_4\"<\/p>\n

        \"Australien_Foodtastic_3\"<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_2\"<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_3\"<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_4\"<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_5\"<\/p>\n

        \"Aussie_Foodtastic_6\"<\/p>\n

        Here is a list of my Melbourne highlights:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
          \n
        • The Kettle Black Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
        • Legacy Camberwell<\/li>\n
        • Journey Man<\/li>\n
        • Grub Food Van<\/li>\n
        • The Industry Beans<\/li>\n
        • Higher Grounds (unbedingt zum Fr\u00fchst\u00fcck)<\/li>\n
        • Straggers Lee<\/li>\n
        • Sister of Soul<\/li>\n
        • Lucy Lius<\/li>\n
        • Dead Man Espresso<\/li>\n
        • Alimentari<\/li>\n
        • Travis on Fitzroy<\/li>\n
        • Naked for Satan<\/li>\n
        • Floor 26\/09<\/li>\n
        • Tinker Northcote<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          If you still have time after all that, check out these sights:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
            \n
          • Brighton Beach Houses (bunte H\u00e4user)<\/li>\n
          • Queen Victoria Market<\/li>\n
          • Kilda Beach Area<\/li>\n
          • Eureka Tower<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Of the three days I spent in Melbourne, I devoted one to the stunning Great Ocean Road. Of course this wasn\u2019t my first time cruising down this most spectacular of coast roads in southeast Australia, but with this one, once is definitely not enough<\/strong>! I had booked the \u201aGo West\u2019 sunset tour that leaves Melbourne at around 11 and returns at midnight. It\u2019s an intense day and a lot of road time, but it\u2019s absolutely worth it! If you have more time, split it up into two days.<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_8\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_9\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_10\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_11\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_7\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_13\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_12\"<\/p>\n

            Noosa and Fraser Island<\/strong><\/h4>\n

            After two absolutely amazing weeks in New South Wales and Victoria, I flew north, to Queensland, to see Noosa <\/strong>and Fraser Island, the biggest sand island in the world. Noosa <\/strong>impressed me 9 years ago when I first saw it, and I really wanted to take another look. I spent my days either walking the national park or surfing the beautiful local beach, which is an ideal pastime and easy to plan \u2013 you can rent boards by the hour and there are several surf schools as well.
            \nNoosa National Park is something that should not be missed. It snakes along the coast and offers some absolutely breathtaking scenery. The longest hike you can do is 8 km, so you can plan a day for the park. And don\u2019t forget to check into Betty\u2019s Burger for one of her burgers \u2013 allegedly the best you can get far and wide. <\/p>\n

            \"Fraser-Island\"<\/p>\n

            \"Noosa\"<\/p>\n

            \"Rainforest\"<\/p>\n

            \"Surfers\"<\/p>\n

            Fraser Island<\/strong> has been on my Australia to-do list for a long time, but I\u2019ve somehow never made it to this giant of a sandhill, so I eventually booked a two-day-one-night trip with Adventure Free. <\/p>\n

            Highlights of this trip were Lake McKenzie with its white, sandy beach and turquoise water, Eli Creek \u2013 a small, very clear river that takes you from the rain forest all the way to the ocean.
            \nOn the second day, we got up with the sunrise and went to see the Maheno ship wreck. Further high points were the Pinnacle Coloured Sands, the Indian Heads and the 75 Mile Beach.<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_14\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_15\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_16\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_17\"<\/p>\n

            Byron Bay<\/strong><\/h4>\n

            Then it was back down towards the Gold Coast, where I met Alicia at my old friend Matt\u2019s place in Miami Beach. I\u2019ve known Matt since 2005, when he did a Rotary Youth Exchange in Austria. He kindly lent his super cool van and surf boards to us for 3 days, and so we started off towards Byron Bay first thing Friday morning, the place I had been looking forward to the most. Before I first saw Byron Bay, people were already telling me that once I was there, I wouldn\u2019t want to leave, and they were right. It\u2019s the beauty of those beaches, the atmosphere, the excellent vibes and the many great eateries that make this place so special.
            \nIn the olden days, this was a hippie hangout and their powerful and spiritual energy is still palpable. People at Byron Bay have a great attitude and enjoy surfing and life to the max.
            \nThrough a lucky accident \u2013 we got lost a little bit \u2013 Alicia and I discovered an adorable caf\u00e9 named \u201aThe Folk<\/strong>\u2019. The interior design and menu were basically made for me, so we indulged in some gluten-free banana almond bread and a delicious homemade \u201aHouse Brewed Vanilla & Strawberry Kefir\u2019 drink as well as \u201aIced Hibiscus Lavender, Citrus and Ginger Tea\u2019. Of course we had to return the next day for an extensive lunch, where I ordered the FOLK nourishing bowl of toasted & spiced organic brown rice, quinoa & raisins, cumin-roasted pumpkin, tahini slaw, hummus, kraut, garden herbs and baby greens\u2019. And you know what \u2013 it was seriously to die for. So if you ever make it to Byron Bay, you have GOT to drop by \u201aThe Folk\u2019. <\/p>\n

            My second favourite place there was the \u201aBayleaf Caf\u00e9<\/strong>\u2019, where I tried an absolutely brilliant new drink innovation: the \u201aCitrus Spritzer\u2019. It\u2019s a refreshing mix of coffee and homemade lemonades \u2013 it tastes a little bit like the Austrian Spezi, but not quite as sweet, and it\u2019s definitely a waker-upper! <\/p>\n

            The stay in Byron Bay flew by \u2013 Alicia and I usually got up at the crack of dawn, went surfing and then brunched at one of the many great local eateries. The two most beautiful beaches are Wategos \u2013 particularly at sundown \u2013 and popular surfer hangout \u2018The Pass\u2019. There is surfing on all three beaches \u2013 The Main, The Pass and Wategos, but The Pass, while great for longboard surfing, is a bit crowded most of the time.
            \nSunset is best enjoyed at Cape Byron Lighthouse \u2013 this is the easternmost spot of the country and an absolutely stunning little place. If you plan to go, allow quite a few days for this region \u2013 it\u2019s magical and you won\u2019t want to leave. <\/p>\n

            \"Love-Tree\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_20\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie15\"<\/p>\n

            \"Folk\"<\/p>\n

            \"Folk1\"<\/p>\n

            \"Waterfall\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_21\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_22\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_23\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_24\"<\/p>\n

            \"Aussie_Foodtastic_25\"<\/p>\n

            Places to go and see in and around Byron Bay:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
              \n
            • Byron Bay Cabarita Beach<\/li>\n
            • The Folk<\/li>\n
            • Bayleaf Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
            • Cape Byron Lighthouse<\/li>\n
            • Rae\u2019s in Wategos (Dinner)<\/li>\n
            • Soul Kitchen Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
            • Killen Falls (for the waterfalls) \u2013 and visit Harvest Newrybar on the way
              \nCabarita<\/li>\n
            • Cabarita Beach \u2013 include a cheeky glass of wine at Halcyon House (around 25-30 minutes north of Byron Bay)\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Having completed this absolute stunner of a trip to Byron Bay, I had 3 days left on the Gold Coast, in a town confusingly named Miami Beach, where my friend Matt has a place right by the water. It\u2019s about 15 minutes\u2019 drive to Surfers Paradise from here (which I skipped), about an hour on foot to Burleigh Heads and 30 minutes by car to popular surf spot \u201aThe Snapper Rocks\u2019. There are more great cafes in the area as well, so it\u2019s definitely worth a visit on every level.<\/p>\n

              Miami Beach:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                \n
              • BSKT Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n
              • Paddock Bakery (Caf\u00e9)<\/li>\n
              • Commune<\/li>\n
              • The Yard<\/li>\n
              • Miami Marketta<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                Burleigh Heads<\/strong><\/h5>\n
                  \n
                • James Street<\/li>\n
                • Canteen Kitchen<\/li>\n
                • Social Brew<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  You now have more than enough foodie tips for Australia.
                  \nThese last four weeks in Australia were again very very special and inspiring for me.<\/p>\n

                  I hope you enjoy my travel diary and if you\u2019re about to embark on a trip Down Under, have a flat white and think of me when you\u2019re out there surfing the beautiful waves.<\/p>\n