Roughly a 75-minute drive west of Melbourne, your next culinary adventure awaits. Steeped in art and culture, the heritage-filled town of Ballarat is the perfect place to indulge in a foodie getaway.
We teamed up with Visit Victoria and Visit Ballarat to help you curate your holiday the best way we know how: via food. Whether you’re heading there for the day or planning to linger for longer (you should), follow this list to find your perfect plates—you won’t regret it.
Meigas: 'Feed Me' Menu
Transport yourself to Spain at Meigas. Part delicatessen, part wine and tapas bar come for an arvo sangria and stay for the Feed Me menu. With Spanish beats filling the room, pull up a chair in the cosy venue and feast on traditional eats like patatas bravas, fluffy croquettes, mouth-watering braised beef cheek and lightly fried calamari. Post-feed, you can stock up on Spanish wine and tasty cured meats to take home with you.
Renard: Goat’s Cheese Doughnuts
For disco moods and bistro foods, look no further than Renard. The ultimate spot for afternoon drinks that turn into late-night hangs, this sleek spot boasts a truly stellar line-up of natural wine and cracking cocktails. But if there was only one thing we could order off the menu, it would be the goat’s cheese doughnuts (or fluffy pockets of heaven as we like to call them). Drizzled in truffle honey for the perfect mix of salty and sweet, pair them with the Mac Daddy cocktail (vanilla-infused vodka, wattleseed and macadamia liqueur and espresso) for a seriously good night out.
Ragazzone: Duck Ragu
If Italian cuisine is what you seek, Ragazzone will cater to that craving. Touted as one of Ballarat's standouts, the entire menu reads like a refined, updated take on traditional classics. The duck ragu with cavatelli, black garlic and Pecorino Romano is a table-pleaser, or broaden your horizons with the burnt-orange meringue with duck liver—it's as rich as it sounds.
Tim's Toasties: Toasties
If you want to eat like a local in Ballarat, Tim's Toasties is essential. The beloved toasted sandwich stall has locals in a frenzy whenever it pops up at markets, special events, distilleries and wineries around town—and for good reason. The toasties are made with bread from 1816 Bakehouse and stacked with layers of fillings both familiar and foreign to a typical toastie. On the familiar side of the menu, you'll find charcuterie from Salt Kitchen, a myriad of cheeses and homemade onion jam. Want something a little more unique? Tim has toasties with creamy garlic prawns, mi goreng, butter chicken and spaghetti bolognese for you to try. Just keep an eye on Tim's Instagram to see where they're popping up and what's on the menu while you're in town. 
The Shared Table: 'Dine Without Decision' Menu
Forget decision paralysis, let the chefs at The Shared Table dictate your dishes with the Dine Without Decision menu. The ethos behind this popular restaurant is blessedly simple: collaborate and support local producers and winemakers with minimal intervention. A mix of European cuisine married effortlessly with Asian flavours, the ever-changing seasonal menu is special. Watch the chefs in the open kitchen work their magic, then sit back and indulge in a three-course culinary adventure. Previous delights include charred wagyu rump sticks, quince-glazed pork shoulder and black sesame semifreddo with end-of-summer berries.
Mr Jones: Fine Dining Banquet
If fine dining is what you crave, Mr Jones is for you. The acclaimed fine dining restaurant is led by the inimitable Damian Jones, who brings experience from Michelin-starred London restaurant, Nahm, and hatted Ballarat venue Catfish Thai to this must-do dining experience. Serving modern Asian cuisine, this high-end haunt is ideal for next special occasion. Our pick? Stick to the banquet to get a taste of all the fan favourites.
Mitchell Harris Wine Bar: Golden Potato Pizza (& Wine)
Housed in a 140-year-old former produce store, this adored Ballarat spot has been making incredible wines since 2008. And while their Sangiovese is reason enough to stop by the Mitchell Harris Wine Bar, do yourself a favour and book a table for lunch or dinner because just like their vino, their food is top-notch. Case in point? The golden potato pizza is topped with aged cheddar, crisp herbs and truffle oil. If you have room left, the steak frites is also worth your stomach space. And it goes without saying all of the above should be washed down with a glass or four of Mitchell Harris’ vino (the Pinot Noir is all-time)
Pancho: Tacos
For flavour-packed zingy eats, make a beeline for Pancho, Ballarat’s resident Latin American bolthole. With peach-hued walls and eclectic wall hangings, it’s the perfect spot for lunch and cocktails. Not sure where to begin on the menu? While you can’t go wrong with any order, the tacos deserve top billing. Choose between De Pescado (traditional Mexican fish, pineapple, guac and salsa) and Tinga De Pollo (shredded chicken and chipotle) - or do yourself a solid and order both. Pair it with a Paloma and you’re golden.
Fika Coffee Brewers: Braised Chickpeas
Swedish for ‘coffee break’, Fika is Ballarat’s go-to spot for smooth brews and quirky brunch eats. With a whole section of the menu dedicated to loaded toast, you just know you’re in for a tasty time here. Nestled in the heart of the city, arrive hungry and dig into their braised Tuscan-style chickpeas on toast. Slow-cooked with tomato, paprika and topped with rocket, trust us, you’ll struggle to go back to your basic bacon and eggs after one bite of this meal.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Visit Victoria and Visit Ballarat as part of the "Stay close, go further" campaign. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Top: FIKA by Griffin Simms; in-article: sourced from Instagram.