Have you ever planned an entire holiday around food? Among adrenaline tours and natural landmarks, visiting divine cafes and restaurants ranks high on my itinerary. Those who follow The Lost Bilby on Facebook will know about my fondness for sweet treats. So, here are 9 moments I will never forget while discovering food around the world.

Pancakes at Bills, Bondi Beach

If there’s one thing you should do after a rough night, it’s order a pile of pancakes. While it was an unrealistic plan, my Mum and I attempted to fly to Sydney, check into our Bondi Junction accommodation and attend a concert at Allianz Stadium in a single afternoon.

We were met with long transport delays, a hotel we couldn’t find, and an unimpressive concert drenched by rain. So, we took ourselves to Bills at Bondi Beach for ricotta hotcakes and corn fritters the morning after.

I’ve eaten many sweet breakfasts in my time, but few stack up to the honeycomb butter-covered pancakes at this cafe. Even better, you can walk off calories along the stunning Bondi to Coogee Coastal Track once you’re done.

Order: a latte with ricotta hotcakes

After your meal: Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Track

Pizza at The Duke, Chiang Mai

When visiting Thailand, you don’t expect to eat at an American restaurant. Yet, that's exactly what my family and I did in Chiang Mai. Known for serving large portions, The Duke will take you on a journey to the USA.

I’ll never forget being handed a thick-crusted pizza the size of a small tyre at the Ping River restaurant. Even though we relished in a Western meal after weeks abroad, nothing beats a Thai street stall. This is especially true when visiting the Saturday Walking Street Markets for roti topped with sweetened condensed milk.

Hot Chocolate at Coal River Farm, Melbourne

Imagine this: you’re exploring Melbourne’s laneways without a care in the world, and it starts raining. The gloomy weather chases the crowds away from Hozier or Duckboard Lane, but you begin to freeze without the right jacket. As someone who often forgets their raincoat, I’m familiar with this scenario.

During my last Melbourne trip, I found myself escaping to Coal River Farm in Block Arcade for a hot chocolate on cold, gloomy days. Made with artissian chocolate instead of cocoa powder, I challrnge you to find a better hot chocolate elsewhere.

Order: an original hot chocolate and three cheese toastie

After Your Meal: Explore Block Arcade and Royal Arcade

Pad Thai Beneath a Beach Bungalow

Picture this: After exploring Khoa Lak’s streets aboard a scooter, you arrive at a beach bar where you devour traditional delicacies beneath a bungalow. From Memories Beach Bar to White Sand Beach, the unmistakable smell of pad thai after a long day will never leave you.

Many of the restaurants I once loved have likely changed since my last visit. However, one Patong restaurant that has retained its quality is Pum Thai Restaurant and Cooking School. Even though you can find mouth-watering Thai at Brisbane’s Pochanna or Kinn Dern, I’m yet to find a pad thai that beats Pum’s.

Don’t Forget to Order: a bowl of mango and sticky rice for dessert

Seafood at Jimbaran Bay

There’s always one dining experience that makes you gag at the mere thought of it. Known for its seafood restaurants, Jimbaran Bay comes highly recommended with any Bali holiday. So, after an intense drive from Uluwatu Temple, my Mum and I made a detour into the renowned bay before flying home.

We expected cocktails on a pristine beach, but were given calamari that stretched for metres without breaking. To no one's surprise, I ended up emptying my stomach behind the restaurant while my Mum paid for a questionable, overpriced feast.

Despite this experience, I’ve dined at many street stalls and bars throughout Asia without vomitting. So, don’t let stories like these scare you away from indulging in local delights.

An English Roast in Portsmouth

Before going solo in Europe, I couldn’t leave the Hampshire region without a final meal in an English pub. So, my brother and his partner took me to Portsmouth, where I ordered an English roast at the Ship Anson. Since my plate was overflowing with chicken, vegetables and yorkshire pudding topped with gravy, I couldn’t possibly finish my meal.

Those considering an English roast should either eat with a hungry stomach or bring a takeaway container, as these aren’t small meals. If a roast isn’t your cup of tea, I can also highly recommend a steak and ale pie, particularly on a cold, drizzly evening. Regardless of your order, it’s hard to forget the memories you make with old and new friends within the walls of an old English pub.

Order: a chicken roast or steak and ale pie

Lunch on Tonle Sap Lake

Visiting Cambodia taught me the true definition of a first-world problem, especially after encountering street beggars and poverty in Siem Reap. Touring Tonle Sap Lake aboard a traditional wooden boat particularly allowed me to step into the shoes of another culture.

A community built on stilts and houseboats, water from the Mekong River floods this region annually during the monsoon season. While the lake is an important resource for bathing, laundry and cooking, its muddied waters are heavily polluted.

Since many locals can’t afford treated water, we were concerned about the cleanliness of the lunch prepared for us on board. Despite graciously eating some fried rice, we relied on muesli bars for our main meal, showing the true power of bringing snacks on every adventure.

Dinner in New Zealand’s Fiordlands

Exploring New Zealand’s fiordlands is a must for those with a large budget and ample time. Fortunately for me, I embarked on an overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise with my parents in highschool. Among hanggling in Queenstown and a helicopter landing on Mount Cook, cruising the fiordland’s dramatic, misty landscape is ingrained in my memory.

Mind you, the inclusion of a top rated buffet dinner always helps with the success of a tour. As noted in my travel journal for this trip, the salmon and exstensive dessert was a welcome addition, especially after swimming in Doubtful Sound’s freezing waters.

Picnicking at Northshore, Woodgate

On a beautiful day, a picnic on the beach outweighs any paid dining experience. Growing up, I frequently rode in the back of my family’s Landrover Defender down Northshore, Woodgate. Whether it was for a morning of fishing or water skiing, lunch commonly featured a chook sandwhich on fresh bread.

These days, our beach picnics involve devouring a cheese platter beneath a coolcabana without the old Landrover. This may seem basic compared to my other adventures, but you can’t beat fishing at North Shore, swimming along Woodgate’s esplanade or stand up paddle boarding at the Theodolite Creek. There’s always a chance that wind or rain could have you running to the car for cover. Regardless, never discount the natural venues in your bakyard for a budget picnic on the beach.

From the Hunter Valley’s wineries to Hobart’s Salamanca Markets, this list could go on forever. Yet, these are the nine meals that have altered my taste buds for better or worse. Mind you, if you feel you’ve encountered a dish that rivals my list, ensure to let me know.

9 Memorable Foodie Moments I’ve Had Throughout the World