Steamed pea custard or seafood paella? Wild botanical gin or a succulent shiraz? A casual brunch or a long, lazy lunch?
Pick one or pick them all – everything's on the menu in Ballarat...
Meigas
33 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Feeling like a bite of Barcelona, no passport required?
For a night of authentic Spanish classics – with special cameos by a spirited flamenco dancer – round up your amigos and head straight to Meigas.
Think everything from croquetas and calamares fritos to churros and crema catalana.
Can't decide? Just say "feed me" and the Meigas team will hit you up with their most popular tapas dishes served degustation style.
Babae
710 Sturt St, Ballarat
When your name is Latin for surprise and amazement, you've gotta deliver the WOW – and Babae does exactly that.
Located within the historic walls of ultra-luxe Hotel Vera, this 26-seat intimate dining experience is gastronomy goals.
Babae's ever-changing seasonal menu celebrates contemporary Australian cuisine by championing the region's growers and producers.
Choose from the four-course seasonal lunch or go full decadence with the seven-course dinner experience, complete with matched wines (go on, you deserve it!).
Itinerant Spirits
200 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat
Ready to shake things up a bit?
You'll find Ballarat distillery Itinerant Spirits within a former railway goods shed just metres from the Ballarat Train Station. Convenient, right?!
Charming bluestone walls, high ceilings and huge copper stills bring an instant warmth to this stylish space.
The Itinerant Spirits line-up is crafted from locally-grown grains, natural volcanic spring water and hand-foraged native botanicals.
Already making waves (and picking up awards too, thank you very much!) are the full-flavoured Gallivanter Gin and well-rounded Vansetter Vodka. And for the whiskey-lovers, stay tuned because something special is on its way for you.
Team your bespoke cocktail with share plates from neighbouring restaurants Nolans and Boom Time Dumplings, which are also part of The Goods Shed family.
Get the full Itinerants experience at one of its spirit or cocktail masterclasses (with plenty of tastings, of course!).
Johnny Alloo
32 Drummond St Nth, Ballarat
Psst! We're going to let you in on a favourite coffee haunt among locals (who are going to hate us for letting the cat out of the bag!).
Named after Ballarat’s first gold rush restaurateur, Johnny Alloo is not your average corner cafe.
Built in the 1870s, the building's exposed solid brickwork and original wood fireplace shine alongside a contemporary take on mid-century and art deco design.
Watch the masters at work as they pump out St Ali and Proud Mary coffee or enjoy a "cup of tea" (AKA their earl grey-infused early bird spritz) while you linger over the all-day brunch menu.
Dalwhinnie Wines
448 Taltarni Rd, Moonambel
In the words of The Castle's Darryl Kerrigan, "how's the serenity? So much serenity".
And if you're young and don't get this reference, shame on you!
Dalwhinnie Wines is nestled within a high-altitude natural amphitheatre in the Pyrenees Ranges.
According to renowned Australian wine critic James Halliday, "Dalwhinnie only knows how to make great wines".
Soak up the stunning views of the 16-hectare vineyard with a cheese platter and glass of the winery's premium shiraz, cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay.
