Why is eating out expensive in Australia?
Why is eating out expensive in Australia? Our first meal in Australia was a nice breakfast, not huge, but a few people had eggs and some toasted turkish bread, some cofffee. For 5 of us the bill was $65. As we explore Australia, we watch for restaurants to try out, but we have yet to get out of a restaurant for less that $50! We're not ordering anything fancy. We're talking a sandwich and a drink for 3 of us.
We've learned that what is more common, and what we can afford, is to stop by a little street cafe after a hike or for a break and have some hot tea and a scone or biscuit. We can afford that but it's still $6 for a scone.... but we can save up for this treat:)
When shopping at the grocery store, the food prices and products are very similar to our American stores. Some new items, like more thai, indian and other asian spices are available at the regular shopping store, but just like in the USA, to get the best spices and products you need to shop at the specialty stores. Some of the vegetables are huge like fennel and lettuce heads. Blueberries are still expensive, but we eat avacados every day. Oranges grow on our tree but we have to grab them before the birds and possums get them;)
So why is eating out so expensive??? We've been asking around and getting some responses and here's what we've learned. The minimum wage in Australia is $15!! Since restaurants must hire wait personnel, cashiers, cleaning staff etc at this rate, a friend said that wages are at least 40% of their expenses. Rent for commercial building is very high and then there is the taxes too. You would think that they'd not hire kids or less experienced workers, but kids as young as 13 work and we see them often at the grocery stores and other shops. The classified ads are filled with job openings.
It appears that most people don't eat out here as often as we do in the USA. Our family really loves to eat out while travelling to experience new adventures and learn about their culinary culture, so we've figured out that we need to "do what the Australians do"!
We're looking for local recipes for meat pie and other unique Australian foods. We've also starting growing some herbs and bought an herb recipe book about growing, storing and preparing herbs in every meal... so that's our new "food focus".
When we go to Sydney or other places that have outdoor cafes, we just can't walk by and not enjoy that part of the experience, but we've figured out how to enjoy it more... we order some "nibblies" and then most places allow "byow... bring your own wine" so that will save us a bit.
We're figuring it out:)
We've learned that what is more common, and what we can afford, is to stop by a little street cafe after a hike or for a break and have some hot tea and a scone or biscuit. We can afford that but it's still $6 for a scone.... but we can save up for this treat:)
When shopping at the grocery store, the food prices and products are very similar to our American stores. Some new items, like more thai, indian and other asian spices are available at the regular shopping store, but just like in the USA, to get the best spices and products you need to shop at the specialty stores. Some of the vegetables are huge like fennel and lettuce heads. Blueberries are still expensive, but we eat avacados every day. Oranges grow on our tree but we have to grab them before the birds and possums get them;)
So why is eating out so expensive??? We've been asking around and getting some responses and here's what we've learned. The minimum wage in Australia is $15!! Since restaurants must hire wait personnel, cashiers, cleaning staff etc at this rate, a friend said that wages are at least 40% of their expenses. Rent for commercial building is very high and then there is the taxes too. You would think that they'd not hire kids or less experienced workers, but kids as young as 13 work and we see them often at the grocery stores and other shops. The classified ads are filled with job openings.
It appears that most people don't eat out here as often as we do in the USA. Our family really loves to eat out while travelling to experience new adventures and learn about their culinary culture, so we've figured out that we need to "do what the Australians do"!
We're looking for local recipes for meat pie and other unique Australian foods. We've also starting growing some herbs and bought an herb recipe book about growing, storing and preparing herbs in every meal... so that's our new "food focus".
When we go to Sydney or other places that have outdoor cafes, we just can't walk by and not enjoy that part of the experience, but we've figured out how to enjoy it more... we order some "nibblies" and then most places allow "byow... bring your own wine" so that will save us a bit.
We're figuring it out:)
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-from Lincoln
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