The rollout of new Ballarat eateries continues this winter with the opening of the Melbourne-inspired Higher Society.

If social media is anything to go by, locals and visitors alike are already addicted to the High.

We spoke to Higher Society‘s Lachie Ramsay about what he and co-owner Rhys Jeffrey are striving to serve up at their Sturt Street cafe.

What’s the story behind Higher Society?

“Higher Society was born from a love for quality, modern and seasonal food and a passion for hospitality. We are two local guys that wanted to bring a Melbourne-inspired cafe to Ballarat. We teamed up with the hugely talented Rob Buenen (head chef) to create Higher Society. We wanted our brand to scream clean and fresh, and we feel the name represents what we stand for and the look, feel and quality of our venue.”

What makes you stand out from other local hospitality offerings?

“We are all about laid-back modern service, quality and consistent offerings and a positive environment. Our staff are all genuinely happy to be a part of Higher Society and, thus, our customers have the most enjoyable experience possible.”

What’s the public’s response been like so far? Is it true you were the cafe with no coffee on just your fourth day of trading?

“We have been overwhelmed with support from the local community, Our coffee trade is four times that of the cafe that we took over prior. Luckily, we now have a back store of beans to ensure we can keep up!”

What are some of the most popular dishes on the menu?

“The chilli scramble (chilli scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with avocado, chorizo and pea tendrils) and, for the kids or big kids, the Nutella waffles (chocolate waffles with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream and hot Nutella sauce).”

Finally, can you share the secret to a good coffee?

“Coffee is all about consistency. We ensure all of our staff have access to training with the Five Senses barista academy under the guidance of some of the best trainers in Australia. We want our customers to enjoy every single coffee they have with us, not just their favourite barista. We also have some cutting-edge quality equipment and the Lamborghini of coffee machines, the Synesso MVP Hydra.”

Higher Society
413 Sturt St, Ballarat