Steve's 100% right. The major NZ and Australian cities are replete with good eateries, and the quality of local produce is excellent, especially at the prices charged. Perhaps this is just another argument against taking organised tours in countries where, unless you have special circumstances such as advanced age, frailty, ill health, an unusually high level of nervousness or pronounced xenophobia, you can so easily travel independently and make your own decisions.

We had great seafood (barramundi, yum, and the delicious coral trout and another fish I can't remember) but not good beef. An Aussie said it was because "all the good cuts go to Japan" and we were wondering if that was true. Although he did say higher priced restaurants had good beef. My husband had lamb, but I am not a fan. We ate in moderately priced restaurants and had quite good food. One thing that we noticed--the "weed" (i.e., field greens) salad is everywhere! One time in three weeks did we see something else--cos lettuce which was wonderful. The weeds were good, too. Australian restaurants apparently havent' heard of the American style of having lots of dressing choices--they only had one, but it was always good, so who cares? Everyone was good about putting it on the side, also, for dieters. We are saving up our FF miles because we want to go back!!! Qantas 1st class was soooooooo nice. We would love to have some really good Aussie beef, if anyone has a rec. We'll keep it safe for the next trip!
Sally in Seattle

The American practice of habitually kicking off with a salad hasn't caught on in Australia, and as Sally notes nor have the multiple dressings (I'm not a rabbit-food sort of guy myself, but I did develop a taste for blue cheese dressing in the US).

The best-cuts-to-Japan theory may have something to it - after all, abalone and lobster used to be affordable here once - but it's still possible to get a good steak. If you can handle the faux-American atmosphere, the Hog's Breath chain serves a good prime rib, as the San Francisco Grill at the Sydney Hilton used to (or am I out of date here?). Of course there are many other places where you can get a good steak.

As for the original query, I've heard many packaged tourists complain about the lousy food in Italy and France. That's what can happen if you allow someone else, with a pecuniary interest in the matter, to decide where and sometimes what you eat. For the record, I had some terrible meals in the US too, but they were outnumbered by the good ones. I've just got back from 3-1/2 weeks in China, and even there we had some mediocre meals. I wouldn't use that experience to damn Chinese gastronomy, though.

("The local fish" - as though there's just one variety? Sounds like someone is extrapolating from some very limited experience.)

I think in the US there is more a tendency toward grain fed beef whilst in Australia it is grass fed, so not so marbled here. The marble does give good flavour but on the plus side Australian Beef has lower bad cholesterol!

I would recommend American visitors try an Aussie hamburger from the Greek take-away. Get one with the lot! Try to ask around where a good one is. Sorry, doubt you will find a good one around Circular Quay, I never have.

They do not use mayonaisse or pickle but instead hamburger pattie, onion, bbq sauce, salad, fried egg, bacon cheese and that confusing ingredient to Americans...beetroot.

You may or may not like it but at least will give you something to talk about ...your Australian food experience.

I don't recommend trying vegemite, I think it is acquired taste.

Another is the "meat pie". Sadly most outlets import these from other countries now and are horrid but once again if you can get a recommendation for a good place to buy one to see what we eat at the football. Your equal to the hot dog I guess. Also can be found in freezer area of supermarket, Herbert Adams does a nice pepper steak pie.

Although at the footie these days it seems more wedgies with sour cream and sweet chili sauce, which is perhaps American or is this Aussie...don't know.

Also Matilda mentioned sausage rolls, but I only eat these when I have made them myself.

The best all round food in Australia though is the seafood, asian or asian influenced food. Without question some of the best seafood in the world and usually cooked simply retaining the flavour of the seafood itself.

You can buy good beef in Oz, but you do pay a bit more. Most better butchers and restaurants will offer the excellent Tasmanian King Island beef - my own local butcher in Cairns grows his own beef - grass-fed, no growth hormones. Sometimes he runs out of his own beef and when he does he sources his organic meat from Vanuatu, where the cattle is free-range, also - no feed lots.

This thread is making me hungry - I'm off to the pie van right now.