Indian tiffin culture lands in Australia – here’s where to get yours

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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These Aussie tiffin services are serving up authentic, home-cooked Indian meals – and they’re perfect for curious travellers hungry for culture.

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve stumbled across the “tiffin lady", aka Lily Baria – a creator who unboxes her daily delivery of Indian food with reverence and joy. Each day brings a new surprise, stacked inside traditional stainless steel containers known as tiffins. Millions are watching, drooling and wondering: how do I get one?

And you don’t need to go to India to experience this. A growing number of tiffin services are popping up around Australia, and for travellers, they offer a deliciously unexpected way to connect with culture through food.

@lilybaria What I eat for lunch in India! #tiffin #indianfood #goanfood #goa #fyp ♬ original sound – Lily Baria

What exactly is a tiffin?

The tiffin system originated in India more than 130 years ago and is still going strong. In Mumbai alone, more than 200,000 home-cooked meals are delivered daily via an ultra-efficient network of dabbawalas (lunchbox couriers who carry hot meals to people across the city).

A typical tiffin is made up of round, stainless steel compartments stacked vertically and fastened with a latch. Each level holds a different dish, say, saag paneer in one, roti in another and gulab jamun tucked neatly into the top tier. It’s comforting, seasonal and full of soul – like a hug from someone’s mum in food form.

Why tiffins are trending

woman wearing a dark outfit holds a traditional embossed silver metal tiffin food carrier with four compartments. The container features intricate floral patterns and a black handle, evoking cultural heritage and craftsmanship
For food-loving travellers, tiffin service is a way to experience the rich variety of regional Indian cuisine. (Image: Getty Images / Pikusisi-Studio)

Beyond the viral TikTok fascination, these services are taking off in Australian cities. For many Indian Australians, the tiffin is a taste of home in a foreign place. For food-loving travellers, it’s a way to connect with that story and experience the rich variety of regional Indian cuisine beyond what’s on a standard restaurant menu.

Best of all? These services are small, local and often run by passionate home cooks. Here’s where to find them.

Launceston

Perhaps the most surprising entry on the list, OM Foods delivers weekly South Indian tiffins around Launceston. Dishes are all made from scratch using local ingredients. Orders open weekly via their website and are available for casual customers, not just subscribers.

Brisbane

Run by a passionate home cook, Beejay’s Home Kitchen is a Brisbane-based tiffin service offering rotating Punjabi and Gujarati meals, with generous portions and that just-like-home taste. The menu changes regularly, and pickup or delivery is available in select suburbs – a fun off-the-beaten-path foodie experience for visitors staying nearby.

Adelaide

Butter & Bite specialises in wholesome, balanced tiffin meals featuring a curry, four rotis, dal and rice. Available for delivery, the meals are prepared with love and focus on authentic flavour with a modern edge. Portions are generous and perfect for anyone craving a taste of home-style Indian cooking while exploring Adelaide.

Sydney

Tiffin Service Co. menus are diverse and delicious, with tiffins often including sabzis, lentils, raita, roti and something sweet to finish. Meals feel straight out of Mumbai, making it a must-try for travellers in Sydney with a passion for authentic Indian home cooking and cultural eats.

They also run a dedicated monthly tiffin subscription service exclusively for UNSW students, offering home-style Indian meals delivered Monday to Friday over a 20-day plan.

Melbourne

Melbourne’s multicultural food scene embraces the tiffin trend with Taste of Home , which delivers traditional Indian meals across metro Melbourne. Menus rotate weekly and are crafted to feel like home.

What to expect

A retro Indian tiffin lunch box filled with vegetarian food. And chapati.
Tiffins aren’t just meals, they’re a cultural experience. (Image: Getty Images / bonchan)

Most tiffin services require you to order in advance – often the week before – and may offer pickup, delivery or both. Some operate on a subscription basis, while others allow one-off orders. The menus usually change daily or weekly, based on what’s in season or what the cook is craving.

It’s worth noting that these services aren’t restaurants – individuals or small teams often run them out of home kitchens, community kitchens or shared cooking spaces. That’s part of the charm. It’s food made with love, not mass production.

Why it’s worth seeking out

@lilybaria SUNDAY TIFFIN 😩😩😩 #TIFFINTOK #tiffin #india #indianfood #goa #goanfood ♬ original sound – Lily Baria

Tiffins aren’t just meals, they’re a cultural experience. For Indian-Australians, they’re a powerful link to home. For travellers, they’re a rare chance to engage with a tradition that’s been quietly feeding millions for generations.

And let’s be honest, there’s something undeniably joyful about opening a mystery lunchbox and discovering what’s inside.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Goat yoga to gastronomy: The ultimate guide to Wimmera Mallee, Vic

    Gemma KaczerepaBy Gemma Kaczerepa
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    A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

    Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating. 

    Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned. 

    Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world. 

    Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

    The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
    Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

    If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves. 

    The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.  

    Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions. 

    Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.  

    Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

    Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed
    Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

    As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene. 

    Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure. 

    The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls. 

    Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles. 

    Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

    pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia
    Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes. 

    Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions. 

    The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden. 

    And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic. 

    Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

    border inn in the Wimmera Mallee
    Meet the locals at Border Inn.

    As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area. 

    The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality. 

    The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green.  For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.  

    A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times. 

    Wimmera Mallee accommodation

    Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee
    Escape to Fulham Homestead.

    If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway. 

    For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning. 

    The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike. 

    If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre. 

    Annual events

    Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum
    Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

    You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again. 

    Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark. 

    Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community. 

    From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au