When you've got kids, family-friendly cafes and restaurants are always at the top of your mind when eating out.
So here's our guide to some of the best places to dine with youngsters in Ballarat....
1816 Bakehouse
18 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Bakeries are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with kids but step it up a notch at artisan bakery 1816 Bakehouse.
Think handmade pies, freshly-filled sandwiches, housemade pastries and sourdough bread, all in the heart of the Ballarat CBD.
The Forge Pizzeria
14 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Right next door to 1816 is The Forge Pizzeria, where you can have your dinner with a side of theatre.
Watch the talented staff in action as they toss the dough, whip up gourmet masterpieces and then cook your pizzas in the restaurant's wood fire oven.
Little ones will love the kids-size bolognese and napoli pastas along with the Hawaiian and margherita pizzas.
Just make sure you all save some room for the Nutella and strawberry pizza, and the mini doughnuts served with salted caramel gelato and butterscotch sauce!
Lilly's at Eureka
102 Stawell St Sth, Ballarat (next to the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park)
Located within the Eureka Centre, Lilly's is flanked by an outdoor playground, a swimming pool which is open during the summer months, and plenty of green space for running and tumbling.
And in a fun throwback to the city's mining heritage, the cafe's Goldmine Pancakes are dusted in gold flakes and come with a side of chocolate 'dirt' and 'rocks'.
Hydrant Food Hall
3 McKenzie St, Ballarat
Without a doubt, one of Ballarat's most Insta-worthy kids' meals would have to be Hydrant Food Hall's rainbow pancakes topped with fairy floss, fresh fruit, mini marshmallows and maple syrup.
And for the child who can never decide what they want, you're on a winner with the kids' breakfast board, complete with sourdough toast, strawberry jam, yoghurt and fruit.
But this laneway cafe isn't just doing it for the kids!
Grown-ups can take their pick from all-day breakfast and lunch offerings including The Hydrant 5.0 (roasted beetroot, Meredith Dairy goat cheese, smashed avocado, rye berries salad, lemon oil and toasted rye), and ramen with egg noodles steeped in pork bone broth, mirin and soy marinated-boiled egg, wakame, naruto, edamame, bamboo shoots and spring onion).
Carboni's
152 Eureka St, Ballarat
For authentic Italian cuisine that gets Nonna's tick of approval, make a beeline for Carboni's.
Ballarat's little Italy is renowned for its artisan wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta dishes, antipasti, seafood and delicious desserts.
Maccheroni al burro (fresh pasta with butter and parmigiano) and pizza maialona (tomato, mozzarella, ham, sausage and salame) are just some of the standouts on the bambini menu.
And pop into the adjoining Carboni's Next Door to stock up on pastries, gourmet panini, homemade sauces, cured meats and more.
Lydiard General
313 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat
Lydiard General is all about the toasties and jaffles.
Everything on the menu is named after Ballarat streets, from the Little Raglan Street jaffle (gooey cheddar with optional ham, chicken or tomato add-ons) to the Camp Street toastie (chicken, cheese, avocado and chives).
Grab a seat in the cafe's super cute laneway or check out the eclectic space inside the former greengrocer.
The Lake View Hotel
22 Wendouree Pde, Ballarat
Located on the shores of picture-perfect Lake Wendouree is The Lake View Hotel.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch and tea, this historic hotel has a bumper kids' menu with everything from your classic chicken nuggets and chips through to calamari and steak.
And here's our hot tip – visit weekdays between 3.30pm and 5pm for half price milkshakes, soft drinks, chips, wedges, pizza, hot drinks, house wine, tap beer and more during School's Out happy hour.
Golden Point Hotel
639 Main Rd, Ballarat
You'll find the Golden Point Hotel just across the road from popular Ballarat tourist attraction Sovereign Hill.
Every kids' meal includes a soft drink and ice cream or jelly, while the hotel's huge indoor playground has to be seen to be believed!
There's even a free magic show on Friday nights and on Sundays at 1pm.
The Little Cupcake
223 Eureka St, Ballarat
The Little Cupcake describes itself as being little by name and little by nature.
Its super adorable cupcakes are about "3-5 bites big" and are made from scratch using local ingredients.
Choose from 12 varieties of cupcakes in store every day, along with a small range of gluten-friendly and vegan cupcakes.
Il Piccolo Gelato
217 Sturt St, Ballarat
Who could possibly resist a visit to Il Piccolo Gelato, with up to 24 flavours available daily from a range of more than 100 flavours.
This artisan gelato is made using fresh milk, no artificial ingredients, colours or flavours. And why not try the sorbetto for a dairy-free and vegan option?
Il Piccolo can be found just metres from the Ballarat Town Hall in the city's main street.
