Hotel Vera Ballarat

27/10/2026

Two hotels, two wonderful cities, and plenty to celebrate.

We’re delighted that Hotel Ernest Bendigo and Hotel Vera Ballarat are both finalists in the 2026 Victoria Tourism Industry Council - VTIC Tourism Awards.

Our hotels have their own personalities, but share a love of art, thoughtful design, home to chef hatted restaurants and most importantly provide warm, personal hospitality. This recognition means so much to our small teams who bring that spirit to life, and to the guests who choose to stay with us.

It’s also a lovely reason to celebrate Ballarat and Bendigo. Come for a night, stay a little longer, and make time for the galleries, restaurants, independent shops and people that make these cities special.

Congratulations to our fellow finalists, and thank you to everyone who’s been part of our story.

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Babae Ballarat
City of Ballarat
Visit Melbourne

17/10/2026

Babae Ballarat,

At Babae, located on Sturt Street, expect to be surprised and delighted at this intimate 26-seat fine dining destination. The ambience is cosy and elegant, adorned with influences that celebrate the beauty of local produce from the fertile Goldfields region. Here, each dish is crafted with meticulous attention, honouring ingredients sourced from passionate local farmers and producers. It’s a place where culinary dreams come alive, and the relationship between chef and ingredients is palpable.

by Australian Good Food Guide

https://www.agfg.com.au/article/indulge-in-exquisite-set-menus-across-australia?

Explore the best set menus across Australia, featuring outstanding dishes and unique dining experiences that celebrate culinary heritage and artist...

16/10/2026

"With its intimate setting and considered approach to hospitality, Babae Ballarat feels personal without compromising on sophistication. Its philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: true luxury lies in the small things. From the farmers, growers, makers and artisans behind its ingredients to the care taken in preparing every course, the restaurant celebrates the people and produce that make regional dining so special."

Article by Gastrology

Visit Ballarat Ballarat In The Know Visit Melbourne

In a city better known for its gold-rush heritage, grand Victorian architecture and cool-climate charm, Babae is making an equally compelling case for Ballarat as a destination for exceptional dining.

01/10/2026

The Best of Ballarat This Spring: What’s On and Where To Eat and Drink

Eat

Start the day with coffee and brunch at Yellow Espresso, a sunny cafe on Sturt Street. For something a little further afield, head to The Shared Table in Buninyong, champion of this year’s Ballarat’s Best Pie competition. Beyond the winning Wagyu pie, chef Dianne Ray’s menu leans hard on local produce in dishes like chicken-skin crisps with black garlic labneh, and mochi gnocchi with miso eggplant and caramelised mushrooms.

If you’re looking to splash out, head to Babae Ballarat, set inside Hotel Vera, a design-led boutique hotel in a 19th-century mansion. The 26-seat restaurant serves a seven-course dinner or four-course lunch, with a focus on seasonal produce, including plenty grown in its own garden.

Drink
If w**e country calls, head to Wayward Winery, about 30 minutes’ drive west of Ballarat at the start of the Pyrenees w**e region. It’s an easy introduction to an area home to more than 25 w**eries, whether you’re after a quick tasting, or planning to make a weekend of it.

Closer to town, Renard is a local favourite for cocktails, aperitivo hour and a lively energy that gives way to disco and DJs as the night goes on. For something quieter, the North Britain Hotel in Soldiers Hill, just north of the C*D, channels classic British pub energy with draught beers and UK-inspired bites.

Words by Quincy Malesovas
Broadsheet Melbourne in partnership with Melbourne Fringe

Visit Ballarat

Just over an hour from Melbourne, Ballarat is serving up award-winning food, local w**e, and experimental performances. Here is where to eat, drink, and explore this season.

24/09/2026

14 stunning towns in regional Victoria to visit over the Grand Final long weekend

With world-class w**e regions, sweeping coastal drives, and a regional dining scene that easily rivals the capital’s best, Victoria was practically built for a three-day getaway – and with the AFL Grand Final weekend just around the corner, it’s time to get planning. From the seafood-centric town of Apollo Bay to the forgotten goldfields of historic Walhalla, here is your definitive guide on where to enjoy that extra day off in Victoria.

by delicious. Australia team

Ballarat, Central Highlands, Victoria

Ballarat is a boom town once again. These days, those visiting the Goldfields in pursuit of riches on a long weekend might strike it lucky with a booking at the luxurious Hotel Vera Ballarat, which has fancy fine diner Babae Ballarat onsite. Nearby Underbar is also exceptional with a 20-seat restaurant led by Michelin-trained chef Derek Boath. Wander around Lake Wendouree in the central area of Ballarat to discover more specialty cafes and head to MrJonesdining in Bakery Hill for modern Asian fare from Damien Jones (ex-Michelin-starred Nahm in London).

Visit Ballarat Ballarat In The Know

With world-class w**e regions, sweeping coastal drives, and a regional dining scene that easily rivals the capital’s best, Victoria was practically built for a three-day getaway – and with the AFL Grand Final weekend...

18/09/2026

We're thrilled for Babae Ballarat to be featured in Visit Ballarat's guide to "3 Days of Indulgence in Ballarat". Alongside some of the region's finest dining and experiences, Babae is highlighted as a must-visit for a leisurely degustation dinner on your Ballarat escape. From luxe stays at Hotel Vera Ballarat to truffle hunts at Black Cat Truffles, boutique shopping on Lydiard Street and world-class dining including our favourite MrJonesdining, this itinerary is the ultimate way to spoil yourself in our beautiful city. Check out the full guide here 👇

More than a century on from Ballarat’s boom years, a horse-drawn coach wouldn’t look too out of place…

18/09/2026

The gourmet grand tour bit 🍷
Victoria is a food lover’s paradise, with each region offering its own slice of culinary heaven. From the rugged coastline of the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula to the charming towns of Daylesford, Gippsland and the High Country, this diverse state is home to a vast array of incredible eateries.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of city dining, the best restaurants in regional Victoria offer a refreshingly relaxed change of pace. Think long, indulgent lunches set against stunning rural backdrops, where the produce of the region takes centre stage and the service is warm and unhurried.

If you’re keen to tick a few bucket list eats off your list, check out these Victorian restaurants taking destination dining to a whole new level.

Featuring Hotel Vera's own Babae Ballarat, Sault Restaurant Daylesford, Provenance Restaurant, Brae, Hogget Kitchen, KIN, Doot Doot Doot and Lake House Daylesford

Keen to go beyond Melbourne for an unforgettable foodie adventure? Check out these bucket list dining experiences in regional Victoria.

06/09/2026

20 best towns in Victoria to visit now!

These towns have just been ranked the best in Victoria.
Whether you’re a foodie, festival addict or outdoor adventurer, Victoria’s diverse array of towns will no doubt dazzle you – if you let them. We’ve put together a list of the 20 best towns in Victoria to visit this year, based on Australian Traveller’s industry-judged 100 best Aussie towns to visit list.

9. Ballarat
Overall: 50/100

Tucked into Victoria’s gold-rush heartlands, heritage streetscapes meet a rebellious arts streak in Ballarat, a regional city shaped by its history of political defiance during the 1854 Eureka Stockade. This UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art is home to the country’s oldest regional gallery. Victorian-era homes dot the boulevards, maintaining a charm you won’t find in many other Aussie towns. “All praise to the locals who fought to retain the heritage features of this town – now they’re hauling in hospitality gold," notes panellist Catriona Rowntree. While the Art Gallery of Ballarat is currently undergoing a renovation, the team has cleverly decamped to a pop-up on Mair Street, keeping the creative pulse alive.

Don’t miss: Panning for gold at nearby Sovereign Hill, stargazing at the Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum, and a gin masterclass at Kilderkin Distillery.

These quaint yet vibrant boroughs have just been ranked the top 20 towns in Victoria, boasting everything from foodie delights to festivals.

04/09/2026

We loved hosting all the pie lovers who made the journey to Ballarat for the pie competition!

Look forward to seeing you again in 2027!

https://www.delicious.com.au/eat-out/latest-news/article/winner-best-pie-ballarat-been-named-2026/n69acb33?

Where can you find the best pies in regional Victoria? Head straight for Ballarat. This historic city is fast becoming as famous for its golden pastry as it was once for its gold fever.

03/09/2026

Chefs Corner with Babae Executive Chef, Roy Rosenfeld

Babae is one of Ballarat's best restaurants - get to know the chef behind it!

One of Ballarat’s most celebrated restaurants has a focus on a seasonal menu and local produce. Housed in Hotel Vera, Babae Ballarat Restaurant is an award-winning entry to the regional Victorian scene with dedicated degustation menus as led by renowned chefs.

We head into the kitchen in our series Chefs Corner to discover the menu, the flavours, and favourites of Babae Executive Chef Roy Rosenfeld.

https://fortemagazine.com.au/chefs-corner-with-babae-executive-chef-roy-rosenfeld/

Article by Forte Magazine

Visit Ballarat Ballarat In The Know Visit Melbourne

We head into the kitchen in our series Chefs Corner to discover the menu, the flavours, and favourites of Babae Executive Chef Roy Rosenfeld.