The research from leading at-table ordering provider, me&u, has revealed that chicken schnitzel is officially the most ordered pub meal across the nation, while the espresso martini takes the top spot as Australia’s most-ordered beverage.

The me&u data comes from the last 12 months, and shows that $3.3m was spent nationally on chicken schnitzel. Second spot in the food favourites is taken by margherita pizza, followed by fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari, with southern fried chicken burger rounding out the top five.

On the drinks front the espresso martini was followed by Aperol spritz, with margarita, Corona and Great Northern completing the five most popular drinks.

The me&u data also showed the most popular food and drink orders in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The espresso martini came top in NSW, VIC and QLD, but lost out to Swan Draught in WA and was behind Hahn Super Dry and Coopers Pale Ale in South Australia.

Food-wise the schnitzel was most popular in NSW, QLD and SA, but did not make the top five in WA, with a steak sandwich being the most popular order, and chicken parma being the most popular food order in Victoria.

The data also showed the most popular sides, with Garlic Bread taking out the top spot for the most ordered pub side, with the old faithful Chips coming in second.

The data from me&u helps operators across the country to ensure they have the most popular food and drink offerings available to customers.

Australia’s most popular pub feeds and sides broken down by state

  • National
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Schnitzel, Margherita, Fish & Chips, Salt & Pepper Calamari, Southern Fried Chicken Burger 
    • Most popular sides: Garlic Bread, Chips
  • NSW
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Schnitzel, Chicken Parmigiana, Salt & Pepper Squid, Margherita, Fish & Chips 
    • Most popular sides: Chips, Garlic Bread, Sweet Potato Wedges, Sweet Potato Fries
  • VIC
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Parma, Fish & Chips, Chicken Schnitzel, Salt & Pepper Calamari, Southern Fried Chicken Burger
    • Most popular sides: Chips, Garlic Bread
  • QLD
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Schnitzel, Salt & Pepper Calamari, Southern Fried Chicken Burger, Margherita, Steak Sandwich
    • Most popular sides: Garlic Bread, Chips, Cheesy Garlic Bread
  • SA
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Schnitzel, Beef Schnitzel, Salt & Pepper Squid, Pie, Steak Sandwich
    • Most popular sides: Garlic Bread, Onion Rings, Wedges, Salt & Vinegar Chips, Chips
  • WA
    • Most popular meals: Steak Sandwich, Fish & Chips, Margherita, Chicken Parmi, Beef Burger
    • Most popular sides: Chips, Garlic Bread, Wedges
  • ACT
    • Most popular meals: Chicken Schnitzel, Chicken Parmigiana, Cheeseburger, Steak Sandwich, Fried Chicken Burger
    • Most popular sides: Fries, Wedge, Pretzel 

Australia’s most popular pub drinks broken down by state (excluding soft drinks and coffee)

  • National
    • Espresso Martini, Aperol Spritz, Margarita), Corona, Great Northern
  • NSW 
    • Espresso Martini, Aperol Spritz, Margarita), Corona, Balter XPA
  • VIC 
    • Espresso Martini, Carlton Draught, Aperol Spritz, Corona, Margarita 
  • QLD 
    • Espresso Martini, Great Northern Original, Belvedere Vodka, Great Northern Super Crisp, XXXX Gold 
  • SA 
    • Hahn Super Dry, Coopers Pale Ale, Espresso Martini, Great Northern Super Crisp, Stella Artois Lager 
  • WA
    •  Swan Draught, Espresso Martini, James Squire Lager, Carlton Dry, Smirnoff Vodka 

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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