Australia’s fast food scene is a true melting pot of cultures and influences, with homegrown Aussie delicacies like meat pies and fish and chips sitting alongside the likes of Nashville hot chicken, Neapolitan-style pizzas and loaded bánh mì. Whether you're after a beloved hole-in-the-wall spot or a cult-favourite regional chain, there's a fast food gem waiting to be discovered in every Australian state.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover Australia's greatest fast food restaurants, counting down to the best of all.
This distinctive sugary pink pretzel outlet began in Perth, when founder Brittany Garbutt started selling her OTT take on the doughy snack out of a shipping container. Pretzel Australia now has numerous outlets in Western Australia and Victoria selling a range of savoury and sweet hot pretzels, which can be customised to taste with a medley of toppings. Favourites include chipotle and cheese, rocky road or peanut butter Oreo.
Neapolitan-style pizzas made to a 300-year-old recipe fly out of the door at Trecento in Canberra’s Manuka area. The joint's wood-fired pizzas are the only ones in the city certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the worldwide body that regulates Neapolitan pizzas). As well as the classic Margherita, options include the Spicy Diavolo, Gamberi (with prawns, chilli and basil) and The Calabrese (salami, olives, red pepper, chilli and basil), all made with San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte mozzarella.
The success of this Lebanese Australian eatery, which started as a single restaurant in western Sydney and now includes branches around New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, shows that El Jannah knows exactly what it’s doing when it comes to chicken. The spot's charcoal chicken is the standout, grilled to juicy perfection and served with house-made garlic sauce, crunchy pickles, fresh tabouli and Lebanese bread. There are burgers and nuggets too, and if you go to one of El Jannah's NSW branches you can also order the amazing beef shawarma.
You can grab tasty tacos, cheesy quesadillas and delicious loaded fries to eat in or takeaway at this lively Mexico City-inspired taqueria, which has expanded from its hole-in-the-wall central Melbourne location to include another restaurant in East Brunswick. Go for its award-winning beef birria taco, try the oyster mushroom chicharrón or visit on the weekend and get your chops around the comida corrida lunch bowl – all served with a punchy house salsa.
Classic American-style burgers, French fries and milkshakes done well have accrued this Adelaide fast food joint a loyal following. It opened in the city's Norwood suburb in 2013 and now has an outpost in Hindmarsh. Go for the classic Nordburger or, if you’re extra hungry, the Big Kahuna, which comes loaded with bacon, grilled pineapple and American cheese. Veggies will not be disappointed with the mushroom burger and there's a decent choice of chicken options too, including its take on that Aussie classic, the chicken parmy (chicken parmigiana).
Poke bowls made with Tasmanian tuna are one of the specials you might taste at this small pan-Asian spot in Launceston. It also does a brisk trade in rice paper rolls, bánh mì and rice bowls, which come loaded with ingredients like grilled beef, house-made kimchi, edamame, lotus root chips and furikake. Other must-orders include the popcorn cauliflower, crispy karaage chicken and pan-fried pork dumplings. It’s open from Tuesday to Friday for dining in or takeaway.
There are many fabulous places to get your fix of this Middle Eastern fast food favourite, but Real Falafel in Adelaide's Central Market is hard to beat. The pita is warm and soft, the pickles are made in house and the falafel are crunchy on the outside, fluffy in the middle and bursting with herby flavour. The no-frills stall also serves shakshuka, sabich (a pitta pocket loaded with eggs, aubergine, salad, tahini and amba – a pickled mango sauce), and veg-packed falafel, hummus and halloumi bowls.
A sauso roll (basically a sausage roll) is the quintessential on-the-go Aussie snack – and for one that really stands out, head to the country town of Orange in the Central Tablelands. Its popular bakery, the Orange Pie Company, was winner of the Gourmet Sausage Roll prize at the Great Aussie Pie Competition 2024 for its maple bacon and hazelnut creation. As well as this delectable sweet-and-salty combination, the joint's pork, apple and Chinese five spice sauso roll is an award winner, too. This charming high street bakery also does a mean line in savoury pies and milkshakes.
A blink-and-you-miss-it ramen shop on Aerodrome Road, Umami Ramen certainly makes an impression with the big, bold flavours of its brilliant bowls. Try the signature tonkotsu ramen with a twist, which sees a smoky black garlic oil drizzled over the top, or the tom yum tonkotsu ramen with juicy prawns. The vegan ramen is equally deeply flavoured with its creamy broth of mushrooms and soy milk topped with grilled lotus root and wood ear mushrooms. Too hot for a big bowl of steaming soup? Order its Shake Shake Ramen, a container with all the noodles and toppings but without the broth.
Don’t worry, no clownfish get near the deep fat fryer at Frying Nemo. This much-loved fish and chippie by the marina at Tipperary Waters is fully committed to frying up local, sustainable seafood. Think beer-battered wild barramundi, tempura banana prawns, marinated sardines and king threadfin fish cakes. If that’s not quite Aussie enough for you, how about a crocodile or buffalo burger? All sourced from the Top End, of course. Sit by the waterside and tuck in as you sip an icy beer.
Fancy a finger lickin’ feed? Get yourself along to East Brisbane’s KCS Chicken for amazing Korean-style chook. Keep it classic with the boneless fried chicken smothered with Korean sweet chilli and the chilli hot wings (all coated in a crispy bubbled batter) or the hefty Oh My Cheese chicken burger. We strongly suggest ordering kimchi fries on the side and a traditional Korean milkshake (especially the misugaru flavour) for the full experience. If that wasn’t indulgent enough, the Korean doughnut with macadamia and caramel sauce will hit the sweet spot.
Tandoori tikka skewers are the signature dish at this street food-inspired Indian spot. Order the classic chicken or go for a combo: there are mouth-watering lamb, prawn, paneer, stuffed mushroom and soya skewers to choose from. Everything comes with fluffy and charred naan bread and a zingy dipping sauce, or you could pair with a side of chilli cheese fries. Tikka Take also serves tasty masala dosas, Nepalese momo dumplings and a raft of classic curries. As well as the original Canberra branch, there's now one in Sydney, too.
You don’t go to Sari Rasa in Darwin for the design aesthetics, but you'll definitely be back after tasting its addictive flavours. Set inside the Oriental Emporium in Coconut Grove, the cheap and cheerful café is all about big flavoured Indonesian dishes, including charcoal-licked lamb, chicken and beef. Its sambal belacan chilli paste packs an addictive umami punch that regulars rave about. You can get your fix between 11am and 2pm Monday to Saturday, or head to its food stalls at the Parap Village and Mindil markets.
A meat pie is the ultimate Aussie fast food and there’s no shortage of pie shops to get a quick carb fix around the country. But why not start with the best? Buddy’s Bakery in the Melbourne suburb of Melton won the coveted awards for 'best plain beef pie' and 'best chunky beef pie' at the Great Aussie Pie Competition 2024. The flaky pastry and top-quality fillings stood out from the 2,000 pies that were tested from 367 bakeries. Once you’ve tried the classics, dare to taste the bakery's other pastry favourites, including the signature Ned Kelly pie, filled with egg and bacon.
Set in one of Salamanca Place’s convict-built Georgian sandstone warehouses, Rockwall Bar and Grill is a special spot for lingering over exceptional Tassie produce. But you can get a quick sampler of its storied cooking at Salamanca Market. The long queues that snake from its stall are testament to the quality. Choose from the crispy Scottsdale pork belly skewer with Huon Valley apple slaw, Cape Grim fillet steak sandwich with smoked bacon and house-made tomato relish or the classic egg and bacon brioche roll.
Get your bagel hit at this New York-style bakery in Sydney: these are as chewy, crusty and delicious as they get. You can’t beat the O.G. LOX (smoked salmon, onion and cream cheese on a white sesame bagel) and the oozing bacon, egg and cheese is also fantastic. Opened by Brooklyn-born Michael Shafran, all the bagels are boiled and baked in the traditional NYC way. The first Brooklyn Boy Bagels opened as a hole-in-the-wall in Surry Hills and soon accrued a cult following with a drive-thru in Marrickville soon joining. It also has stalls in an array of food markets selling bagels, challah and babkas.
Italian street food is the simple and winning premise of this cute Gold Coast spot. Soft yet crispy folded piadina flatbreads are stuffed with all manner of tasty fillings – there’s Byron Bay halloumi with roasted capsicum and pesto, chicken schnitzel with provolone, yuzu slaw and sriracha mayo or the on-trend Brat (bacon, rocket, avocado, tomato, provolone and aioli). Other street eats include gooey arancini and fried piadina chips. For the perfect beach picnic, eat on the sands and imagine yourself in Sicily.
If it wasn't for the queues, you'd stroll straight past this hallowed food haunt in Marrickville. The bánh mì at this teeny café are the epitome of fast, fresh and affordable food. Plan to join the long queue that pretty much permanently forms along Illawarra Road before you’re super hungry, as you’ll be tempted to order a few. Although that'd be no bad thing. Fans recommend the classic pork, where the soft baguette is deftly smeared with pâté then stuffed with tender pork belly, shards of crackling, soft herbs, chilli, pickled carrot, spring onions and cucumber.
The cheese pulls are next level at this mini WA chain that claims to make 'the best damn toastie you’ll ever have'. Opening in 2013, the toastie shop was named after US rapper Ghostface Killah. Fun fact: he went to check out the joint a year after it opened and performed outside the store. Now there are six Toastface Grillah outlets each offering 12 different cheese sandwiches, ranging from classic grilled Cheddar to the Snoop Hogg with pulled pork shoulder. For the full experience, dip your toastie in a bowl of house-made tomato soup.
Taking inspiration from Nashville’s famous hot chicken, the crew at this fast food favourite (housed in BRKLYN Bar on Rundle St) are a dab hand with spicing. The mouth-numbing 'secret spice blend' that coats its tenders and wings contains a blend of four different chillies – cayenne, habanero, ghost pepper and Carolina reaper. Not a spice fiend? Don't worry, you can choose your preferred spice level. With crinkle fries, waffles, burgers and sando specials to try too, you’ll certainly be back for another round.
This tiny Top End gem has amassed a large and loyal following for its next-level laksas and juicy charcoal-grilled chicken. The Malaysian café is a no-frills roadside spot where the lovingly prepared food does all the talking. Its laksa soups, which can be made with chicken, beef, seafood, veg or a combo, are big, steaming hot and spicy bowls of goodness – especially if you heap in more of owner Amye’s dangerously delicious sambal. Snaffle one of the few tables to slurp it up or get it in a container to go.
Hot wings and cold beers are the premise of this finger-lickin’ chicken joint with three locations in the city (Darling Square, Randwick and Newtown) with Parramatta pending. Choose your wing flavour – buffalo, smoky barbecue, Korean, Portuguese and honey mustard are the most popular, though heat freaks may dare to try the Asskickin’ option – and get stuck in. This is messy, bone-gnawing food, though the wings can be swapped for chicken tenders or cauliflower wings if you prefer. Pair with loaded fries, corn ribs and coleslaw for a proper feast.
Memories of the array of Lebanese delights on offer at A1 bakery will stay with you for a long time. A veritable institution in Melbourne’s Brunswick suburb, the family-run bakery cooks all of its breads, dips and pastries on site. Must-try dishes include the shanklish pie (a boat-shaped pie filled with a yoghurt-based cheese, tomato, onion and herbs), herby za'atar pizzas, kibbeh (deeply moreish lamb meatballs) and baklava. Be sure to have a mosey around the adjoining grocery store too, if you’re inspired to create your own Middle Eastern feast. There are also A1 Bakeries in Fitzroy and Fairfield.
Steamed and silky, fried and crispy, the dumplings at this cheap and cheerful dumpling spot in Sydney’s Haymarket are as good as they get. All dumplings (and noodles) are handmade and showcase lesser-known Chinese specialities from Nanjing, a city to the west of Shanghai. Be sure to order the steamed prawn and pork dumplings, the Nanjing-style xiao long bao (a regional version of Shanghai’s famed soup dumplings), the deliciously flaky sesame biscuit (filled with pork and spring onion), and the sliced beef vermicelli soup.
Named the best pizzeria in Australia by the 50 Top Pizza World 2024 awards, the team at 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar don't believe in traditional fast food. In fact, its pizza dough is slowly leavened over 48 hours (hence the name) to ensure it's the perfect texture: light, fragrant and aromatic. Toppings range from simple classics like marinara to the more creative Notti d'Oriente (pictured) with tomato sauce, lamb sausage, mozzarella, capsicum and red onion. The handmade, fluffy gnocchi are equally dreamy. There are two locations in South Yarra and Elsternwick.
A south Sydney institution, this burger joint has been frying up its patties by Tom Uglys Bridge on the Princess Highway since 1957. Its signature dish is a loaded Aussie burger – the Famous Works – which comes with egg, bacon, cheese, pineapple and all the trimmings. It’s a messy affair but absolutely delicious. There are also chicken burgers, hot chips with chicken salt, classic milkshakes and Paul’s signature pineapple crush made with Queensland pineapples.
This cult smash burger chain began in Melbourne in 2011 and sparked a revolution, with imitators opening around the nation. But Huxtaburger remains the original, with six outposts to its name, including two in WA and one in NSW. The secret is in the simplicity and quality of its produce. All patties are made with premium grass-fed Victorian beef, the sesame-sprinkled buns are baked in-house daily, and its sauces are all made from scratch. There are several beef options, plus chicken burgers and three veggie options, along with chicken tenders and fries served in a variety of ways.
Seafood and pristine white sandy beaches are what brings people to this part of Western Australia – and foodies in the know head straight for Albany’s Hooked on Middleton Beach. The spot was named best fish and chips takeaway at the 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards for its freshly fried and grilled fish and seafood, which it sources from local fishermen. Start with scallops, prawns, squid rings or freshly shucked oysters then choose between Denmark cobbler, Broome Spanish mackerel or hake, which can be fried or grilled.
This low-key and lively Thai street food joint will transport you straight to the steamy streets of Bangkok, with its colourful plastic seating that spills onto the streets. Regulars rave about the punchy and aromatic flavours of favourites like its signature boat noodles and prawn wontons in tom yum soup along with duck larb and Thai barbecue hot pots. Tick as many of the boxes on the checklist as you can justify and wait for the magic to unfold. It’s fast (seating times are limited to an hour when it's busy) but fiercely delicious.
With a blissfully simple menu, you'll know what to order at this family-owned, hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese takeaway in Springvale – the bánh mì. The spot has been baking its deliciously soft yet chewy buns for two decades and consistently scoops industry and newspaper awards for making Melbourne’s best bánh mì. Locals flock here for their Vietnamese street food fix, so it's no wonder the queues are constant. Try the bakery's bestselling roasted pork in barbecue sauce, which combines cubes of marinated and crispy pork with caramelised onions plus all the trimmings.
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