The Best Restaurants in Ballarat Right Now

Ballarat's restaurant scene is one of Victoria's most underrated, with a dining culture that has benefited from the city's heritage character, the Grampians wine region proximity (Grampians Grape Escape), the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges produce country accessible in 60 minutes, and a chef community that has been energised by the same Melbourne-to-regions migration that has transformed Castlemaine and Daylesford's dining cultures.

Underbar — the Bridge Street fine dining restaurant in the Ballarat CBD that represents the city's most ambitious culinary offering, with a tasting menu that uses Victorian regional produce and the Grampians' wine country in a menu of genuine sophistication. The room's setting and the kitchen's quality make Underbar the destination for Ballarat's special occasion dining market and for Melbourne visitors wanting regional Victorian dining at its finest.

Forge Pizzeria — the wood-fired pizza restaurant in the Ballarat CBD that has developed a following from across the region and from Melbourne day-trippers, with sourdough bases, locally sourced toppings, and the natural wine list that reflects the Daylesford influence on Ballarat's independent hospitality culture.

Ox and Hound — the Sturt Street wine bar and bistro that provides Ballarat's best mid-market dining experience in a setting that uses the heritage street's character intelligently. The charcuterie, the seasonal menu, and the wine list's Victorian regional depth make Ox and Hound the city's most complete all-occasions dining destination.

Mitchell Harris Winery — the Williams Street winery in the CBD that provides the cellar door dining experience of a winery within walking distance of Ballarat Station — an almost unique proposition in Australian regional wine culture. The Pyrenees and Grampians wines and the seasonal food menu make Mitchell Harris a full afternoon program.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.