New York Down Under

153 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

This Lower East Side spot is decked out with Aussie surf paraphernalia, which make sense given that Bondi Beach is one of the country’s most popular surfing spots. Though it's equal parts bar and restaurant, the killer selection of Aussie beers--which range from standards like Coopers Sparkling Ale to more unfamiliar brews like Bluetongue Pilsner--wine and tropical cocktails (try the the Tamarama Glamma, made with Stoli raspberry, muddled strawberries, peach nectar, lemon and champagne) make it first and foremost a place to drink. The wait staff and bartenders are young, attractive and requisitely Australian, and the vibe is fun and casual. So grab your mates and prepare to get sloshed.

149 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (map)

This Park Slope gastropub is named for the expansive New Zealand and Australian ranches on which sheep are raised for wool and meat. The decor is rustic: The front room is paneled with recycled wood and accented with corrugated metal and pressed tin. The back room, which boasts a fireplace, stone walls and works by local artists, offers a more intimate vibe that’s ideal for a date. Sheep Station serves a wide array of beers and wine from Australia and New Zealand, as well as stellar Australian eats like meat pies and the Shearer Burger, which (in traditional Aussie style) comes topped with beets, raw pineapple and a fried egg.

68 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

In Australia, a tuck shop is small food shop usually located in or near schools, where kids come to buy freshly made snacks that can be eaten on the go--and that's exactly what this East Villager serves. Tuck Shop's made-from-scratch, piping hot savory pies are just the right size to carry out--which is lucky, since counter space is scarce and the room is crowded (especially on weekends, when it’s open ‘til 5am). The pie crusts are perfectly flaky and buttery, and the fillings range from minced beef to green curry to lamb shank. Rolls and “sangers” (that’s sandwiches, for those of you not fluent in Australian) are also served, in addition to plenty of vegetarian options. Should you have a craving for Aussie treats like Tim Tams, Cheezles or Vegemite, Tuck Shop also has a small grocery selection of goodies that are hard to find in the U.S.

613 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

Don’t be fooled by this Williamsburg resto’s sparse decor (black walls, bare metal tables and not much else); the menu is chock-full of well-prepared Aussie fare, both traditional and contemporary, ranging from an Aussie-style burger (a patty of ground lamb and beef served with lettuce, tomato and pickled beets) to Shiraz-braised short ribs to rare, soy-cured venison medallions. In keeping with the theme, Wombat uses ingredients indigenous to Australia: Wattleseed (an aboriginal spice), Stokes Point smoked cheddar cheese and, of course, barramundi. Four varieties of Coopers beer are served alongside an impressive list of other Australian beers and wines. Weeknight specials include $1 oysters on Mondays and $12 mussels and fries on Wednesdays.