Ballarat’s Best Pie

Lola's surf & turf royale pie

Ballarat's Best Pie is back for round four in 2026.

From 1-31 August, take your pick from 30 savoury and sweet pies at some of the city's top cafes, restaurants, bakeries and pubs.

With twists on traditional flavours through to ambitious creations, there's sure to be a pie to satisfy all taste buds and palates.

The categories

The city's chefs and bakers will be battling it out for bragging rights across the following categories:

  • Ballarat’s Best Pie
  • Ballarat’s Best Sweet Pie
  • Ballarat’s Best Savoury Pie
  • Ballarat’s Best Bakery Pie
  • Brilliantly Unexpected Pie
  • People’s Choice Pie

The awards

The 2026 Ballarat's Best Pie Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday 1 August at Itinerant Spirits

From 3pm, join judges and pie connoisseurs Tim Bone (MasterChef Australia contestant), Alejandro Saravia (acclaimed Melbourne chef) Kara Monssen (Herald Sun food and wine editor) and Richard Cornish (food writer) for a slice of the fun and witness the winners being crowned.

People's Choice Pie

Throughout August, cast your vote for the People's Choice Pie to be in the running to win a weekend escape for two.

The People's Choice Pie will be decided by a public vote running from 1-31 August, with the winner announced in early September.

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Visitor Information Centres

Ballarat Town Hall
225 Sturt Street
Ballarat VIC 3350

Ballarat Botanical Gardens
401-405 Wendouree Parade
Lake Wendouree VIC 3350

Acknowledgement of Country

Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities. These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years. As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.


©️ 2026 Visit Ballarat. This initiative is funded by the City of Ballarat and Tourism Midwest Victoria.