Ballarat's food culture isn't a surprise. It's been 20 years in the making.

Ballarat, for a long time, was pigeon-holed as a typical country town lacking some of the finer things in life.  

It’s an ignorant take, and in terms of the town’s local food culture, it’s flat-out inaccurate. In 2026, Ballarat and the surrounding Central Highlands boast a special formula of hospitality talent, passion, and resources. 

But it wasn’t always that easy. 

Great produce, local support: Anjal Joshi, the owner and head chef at Magnolia Wine Bar and Cafe in Beaufort, thinks dining in the region is unique due to the rich artisan food production sector. 

🗣️:“It’s a lot different to Melbourne and Sydney, because local producers are such a big thing. There is so much amazing wine and meat and vegetables. We’re all supporting local businesses.” he told the Brolga. 

Joshi has more than 20 years of experience as a professional chef, and views cooking as a creative space to come up with new ideas. His restaurant is advertised as a culinary experience that "highlights the beauty of the surrounding landscape”, with a menu inspired by local ingredients.

Community the cure: Award-winning food writer Richard Cornish told the Brolga the flavourful dining scene in Ballarat is also a product of a series of homecomings. 

🗣️: “Younger people had gone out into the world to cook, and they came back to start families because of the great community in Ballarat,” Cornish said.

Cornish cited beloved local chefs like Liam Downes of Black Cat Truffles, Damien Jones from Mr Jones Dining, and distillery Itinerant Spirits run by Ballarat native Brad Wilson. 

• “A lot of work was put in 20 years ago,” he said. “It’s been a movement.” 

Kate Davis, another well-known force in the Ballarat dining industry, has founded multiple food festivals in the city alongside food competitions that encourage chefs to do things they’d never done before with pies, toasties, and more. 

🗣️ “It’s not about the food, it’s about the people and having a go. I’m just here to support in any way that I can.” Davis told the Brolga. 

🍽️ This support has looked like food events in the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange, spotlighting everything from chilli to salami to local beer. 

• “We are also surrounded by an amazing food bowl of beautiful produce,” said Davis.

Davis also mentions the amount of local restaurants that have earned Chef Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide.  

• “We have hatted restaurants like Babae and Underbar, leading regionally.” 

According to Cornish, Ballarat is a community that knows how to rally around one another. 

• “There’s a strong community basis in sport, in business, in the arts community. And that’s really helped re-establish the dining community in Ballarat.”