Ballarat is a regional town experiencing a renaissance.
From food trucks, to wine bars, and French cafe’s, there is now starting a culinary revolution to tempt everybody. The former Gold Rush town now supports a thriving medical industry, one of it’s largest employment sectors. This helps to keep some of the bright young things in town, hence the opening of funky and unexpected coffee houses, and Italian grocers.
Eclectic Cafe wouldn’t look out of place in Newtown. With its’ wall of faces decorating the exterior of the corner-block building, it’s lampshade ceiling lights, and menu secreted inside Golden Books, it is hipster heaven. The lamppost outside has even been knit bombed!
Faces of Ballarat decorate the Eclectic Cafe Photo: Willunga Wino
The coffes are great, strong enough to please Mr Wino, and come with a square of housemade chocolate fudge.
Cappuccino with extra choc sprinkles Photo: Willunga Wino
Perhaps I was just lucky, but I also got the mother load of chocolate sprinkles on my soy capp. The prawn pad Thai I saw another customer eat looked nice, topped with a lime cheek, plenty of herbs & Brussels sprouts.
In the centre of town, at night, with the trees lit by fairy lights, you could almost imagine you are in Paris. Especially of you are gazing outside from the L’Espresso cafe.
This place has chic in spades. It is incredibly dark & moody – if you like that kind of thing sit in the far corner, otherwise opt for the window of you like to read.
One whole wall harks back to the venue’s previous life as a music shop, lined with CD’s. the other with the coffee bar and cake display, with a Parisian dark wood room divider down the middle.
The coffees are strong. There is a tempting array of cakes and pastries, an inviting though pricey brunch menu, and it is open Friday nights for dinner.
On a cold and wet Friday night, what could be better than a hot & fresh burger – a bagel burger that is.
Ballarat is home to no less than three food trucks, including the styling Round The Way bagel truck. Service is quick and friendly and as the bagels are toasting, and fillings being grilled, you know you are in for a teat. Piled high with tasty fillings, the bagel burger is very satisfying.
The sweet potato bagel is packed with kefke cheese that is crispy at the edge and warmly yielding inside. Beetroot relish, plus tzatziki makes it deliciously juicy.
Pulled pork bagel burger Photo: Willunga Wino
The pulled pork bagel is napped with BBQ sauce and mixed slaw, the meat rich and smokey. This number didn’t last long either and was also saucy.
The bagels are a bargain & a filling meal for $12, loaded with high quality local ingredients, prepared with care in a spotless food truck. We were very impressed.
For a breaky spot with a view, the Lake View Hotel fits the bill.
Breakfast Bruchetta Photo: Willunga Wino
There are inviting options and old favourites like pancakes and egg and bacon rolls. My breakfast bruschetta (with avocado instead of bacon) came with chargrilled Irrewarra sourdough and was a delicious and fortifying egg-free start to the day.
Photo: Willunga Wino
The Spanish Baked Eggs won the best looking breakky dish award. We all had food envy for the rich tomato broth, hiding mixed beans, topped with a baked egg and served with hot sauce.
Sparkling service also helps.
For a slightly more adult tipple, and a strong Italian coffee, head to Campagnas, Mair St Ballarat (near Midlands Hwy).
Photo: Willunga Wino
The well stocked deli accompanies a wine shop encompassing many local wines and brews. Campagna’s has regular tasting events so you may be lucky like us and have the opportunity to try a few local drops.
Photo: Willunga Wino
In pride of place is the shiny red Gaggia coffee machine.
The coffee is strong & good.
Campagna’s Gaggia Photo: Willunga Wino
Ballarat surprised us, on the weekend we visited there was a variety of events including the Ballarat Agricultural Show and Ballarat By The Glass wine festival, plus several art exhibitions, and a variety of places to wine & dine.
It is transforming and there is plenty to tempt a visitor.
great shots. making me so hungry now. we visited bendigo recently but didnt get to stop in ballarat. we were amazed by the architecture, the food scene etc.
Thanks for popping by Sherry! It’s great seeing regional towns offer something new, gives us a reason to visit again and again! Cheers, Louise @ Willunga Wino
Ballarat is a fun place to experience and I enjoyed reading your highlights today! Glad we are connected through Fiona’s new travel series!