From farm to fork and farmers’ markets to fine dining, there’s a story behind every bite in Ballarat.
Black Cat Truffles
150 Howards Rd, Wattle Flat (just 15 minutes from Ballarat)
Smell that?! We call it Eau de Black Cat Truffles – an alluring blend of freshly-foraged truffles and culinary delights.
Every summer and winter, join the hunt to unearth these black diamonds at the 20-acre Ballarat truffière (which featured on MasterChef Australia in 2024!).
And all year round, savour the unique, earthy notes with a truffle-infused degustation lunch or casual brunch.
Aunty Jacks
315-317 Mair St, Ballarat
Discover the craft, character and care that’s poured into Ballarat’s best brews at Aunty Jacks.
Spend a day with the pub's head brewer as he spills the beans/grains during the Brew for a Day experience.
Not only will you produce 1000L of wort and start the fermentation process but you'll also learn the science behind brewing and indulge in beer samples, lunch and a beer paddle.
And to top it all off? Once your beer is kegged, swing by with your mates for four pints on the house!
But hold up – there's more to Aunty Jacks than just craft beer.
Team your frothy with some of the many signature dishes inspired by the classics or — if you're in the mood for a bit of everything — opt for the share plates.
Pancho
213 Mair St, Ballarat
Peru? Columbia? Nope – Ballarat!
They're dishing up the real deal at Latin American bar and eatery Pancho.
Born in Spain and raised in Venezuela, owner and chef Jose Fernandez knows how to pack a punch with his hearty homeland flavours.
Think tacos, tamales, tequila, tostadas and more!
PS. Keep the good times going at Pancho's sister restaurant, the Spanish-inspired Meigas, which is just around the corner in Armstrong St Nth.
Carboni's
Next stop? Ballarat's little slice of Italy – Carboni's.
Hailing from Florence, Dona Pietrantuono's authentic Italian dishes are inspired by both his heritage and his Nonnas.
We're talking artisan wood fired pizzas, antipasti, pasta dishes, seafood and delicious desserts, all with a distinct, rustic Italian twist.
And Dona is passing this passion on through his hands-on cooking masterclasses.
Learn the traditional way to make fresh pasta, gnocchi and ravioli then feast on the fruits of your labour over a shared lunch.
Grainery Lane
35 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
It’s high tea but not as you know it.
Grainery Lane's G&Tea is the kind of Sunday sesh you can take your Mum or Nan too.
Put your pinkies up for free-flowing gin teapot cocktails served in dainty tea cups and paired with delectable bites.
Sip spirits meticulously crafted to evoke flavours of the 1900’s while celebrating local grains, herbs, berries and botanicals.
The lavish CBD distillery and cocktail bar exudes the charm and elegance of a bygone era, with its rich mahogany furnishings and vintage decor. Think Peaky Blinders meets The Great Gatsby.
The Shared Table
317 Learmonth St, Buninyong
From farm to fork, Ballarat style.
Food doesn’t get much more local than at The Shared Table, where the seasonal menu is a celebration of what’s fresh and available.
Owner and chef Dianne Ray champions local producers, farmers and suppliers to bring the best regional ingredients to your plate.
Her creative approach blends the bold flavours of Asia with the comforting essence of Northern European cuisine.
Ballarat Farmers' Market
Want a one-stop shop for all of our best local produce?
The Ballarat Farmers' Market is the answer to your prayers!
The city's biggest farmers' market is held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at Lake Wendouree's North Gardens Reserve from 9am-1pm.
It's a bit like The Magic Faraway Tree in that the stellar line-up of stalls is forever changing, depending on the season.
Some of our faves to look out for include:
- Flying Chillies' Malaysian and Indonesian street food
- Wedgetail Farmstead's handmade goats' cheese
- Kilderkin Distillery's artisan spirits
- Mrs Browne Bakes' pimped-up cookies and sweet treats (and sometimes even her raspberry goldfields cookie pies, which were crowned Ballarat's Best Pie 2025)
