Best of Ballarat
Best Cafes and Restaurants in Ballarat: Eating Well in the Goldfields
Ballarat's food scene has improved considerably in recent years, benefiting from population growth and an influx of Melbourne-origin residents with high expectations for independent cafes and restaurants. Sturt Street and the nearby Lydiard Street precinct are the main dining corridors in the CBD, with specialty coffee, wine bars and contemporary Australian restaurants alongside more casual options. The Ballarat CBD also has a good Saturday farmers market at the Grenville Street precinct. The area around Sovereign Hill has several restaurants catering to visitors, and the Daylesford region nearby (45 minutes) adds destination dining to the broader Ballarat day-trip circuit. Hours and menus vary; checking before visiting is recommended.
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1
Lake View Hotel
A beautifully restored 1862 hotel overlooking Lake Wendouree, with modern Australian pub food, a strong Victorian wine list and a classic heritage bar.
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2
Lola's Pantry
A Ballarat café and providore with a strong brunch menu, seasonal produce and one of the city's best specialty coffee programs.
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3
Mitchell Harris Wine Bar
A wine bar and restaurant in a converted woolshed, offering a curated list of Victorian wines and a seasonal small-plates menu.
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4
Eclectic Tastes
A charming Ballarat café and restaurant known for its eclectic global menu, house-baked cakes and a warm, art-filled interior.
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5
The George Hotel Ballarat
A grand 1861 hotel with a bistro, sports bar and function rooms in the heart of the Ballarat CBD, with good-value counter meals.
More Best of Ballarat
- Art Gallery of Ballarat: the collection, the Eureka Flag and visiting
- Day Trips from Ballarat: Goldfields Country and the Western District
- Day Trips from Ballarat: Goldfields, Wineries and the Great Ocean Road
- Weekend Getaways from Ballarat: Daylesford, the Grampians and Goldfields Country
- Lake Wendouree Ballarat: Walking, Rowing and the Olympic Heritage
- Free Things to Do in Ballarat: Heritage, Parks and Gold Rush History