Babae Ballarat

28/04/2026

Alice Zaslavsky: from MasterChef to mastering Ballarat

Award-winning author, broadcaster and taste-maker Alice Zaslavsky is known for bringing vibrancy and vitality to every plate through great produce and clever cooking. Alice is the author of four internationally bestselling cookbooks, host of ABC TV show A Bite to Eat with Alice and columnist for and The Guardian. And this 23-24 May, she will headline ’s Heritage Harvest Weekend, part of the annual .

What Ballarat spots or flavours have stayed with you from past visits?

I absolutely LOVE Babae - I can’t wait to taste more of Roy Rosenfeld’s food when I visit! I love how he’s brought all his international fine-dining experience for the most refined restaurant experience.

I’ll also be making a beeline for brunch in ’ beautiful garden. Liam Downes is such a character and he’s created something really special there.

is terrif for coffee and pretty cafe meals too. And, of course, l’ll be visiting the brilliant Street to sign my books, which they always have plenty of.

22/04/2026

Did you know? If you’re dining at Babae and arriving via V/Line, Hotel Vera Ballarat is pleased to offer a complimentary chauffeur transfer.

Step off the train and travel in style in our Porsche Taycan EV by Porsche Centre Melbourne, for a seamless, luxury start to your dining experience.

Check out this article from Tomas Telegramma for Good Food The Age

Hatted destination diners you can get to on the train for free in April and May

Another pressure valve for everyday Melburnians is the state government’sfree month of public transport. If you’re a fine-dining fan who’s willing to brave a potential crowd, leave the car at home during April and optimise the opportunity to travel out of town to one of Victoria’s hatted destination diners for free on a Metro or V/Line train.

https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/these-restaurants-will-pay-for-your-petrol-plus-hatted-daytrip-dining-with-free-pt-20260416-p5zoew.html?utm_content=where_to_eat_this_week&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=Eating+out&utm_medium=newsroom_newsletter&utm_source=age-good-food-eating-out&utm_term=newsroom

23/02/2026

We’re Hiring: Senior Sous Chef

Babae is a 26-seat hatted degustation restaurant in Ballarat, where guests feel at home while enjoying thoughtful cooking, quality produce, and attentive hospitality.

We’re proud of our respectful, supportive, and calm kitchen environment — because we believe the best food comes from a happy team.

We’re looking for a full-time Senior Sous Chef to join our leadership team. You’ll run the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef, working across both prep and service, and upholding our high standards. This role is perfect for a chef who values organisation, consistency, and leading by example. If you have a love for creative cuisine, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of something special, we want to hear from you.

Apply now and take the next step in your culinary career with us.

Send your resume to [email protected]

22/02/2026

“It’s intimate. It’s transportive. And it’s worth planning a whole weekend around. “

Read all about Babae in this Sitchu Melbourne article: https://sitchu.com.au/melbourne/restaurants/best-restaurants-regional-victoria?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook =1771475233

Tucked inside Ballarat’s most beautiful address, this 26-seat dining room feels like stepping into another world. A procession of precise, locally rooted dishes unfolds in near silence — each course more considered than the last (wait until you see the dessert). It’s intimate. It’s transportive. And it’s worth planning a whole weekend around. Tap for details 👉 https://ebx.sh/kHXPs3

Image Credit: Kelsey Harrington

01/02/2026

Babae’s 2nd Birthday

This week we celebrated two incredible years of Babae, and what a journey it’s been. From day one, our goal has been simple: to cook with heart, place and purpose – and to welcome you like family.

In just two years, we’re humbled to have achieved:

✨ Awarded the prestigious The Age Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat in our inaugural year – and proudly retained for 2026
✨ 14 points in the Australian Good Food Guide for 2026, an increased score and recognition reserved for the top 1% of restaurants in the country
✨ Finalist in Time Out Melbourne’s 2025 Restaurant Awards for Destination Dining
✨ And most importantly, a flawless 5-star Google rating, placing us as Ballarat’s #1 restaurant – as voted by you

Critics’ reviews are meaningful, but what we do week in and week out is for you – our wonderful patrons. Your support, your tables filled with surprise, delight and laughter - and your trust in our craft mean everything to us.

Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next chapter. 🥂✨

Photography by

31/01/2026

We are truly honoured to be awarded Chef Hats for 2026 by Australian Good Food Guide.

A huge thank you to our incredible team for their passion and dedication, and to our wonderful guests for your ongoing support. We’re proud to be recognised and excited for what’s ahead.

Special thanks to the Australian Good Food Guide for this recognition in the 2026 Chef Hat Awards. Receiving a 2 Hat rating and a score of 14 as we enter our third year is a testament to our amazing team, local suppliers, supporters and wonderful patrons. A special shout out to our head chef Roy Rosenfeld for his talent and leadership, and to our stellar team: Josh, Dibon, and Unhee.

Congratulations also to our local foodie legends at underbar, MrJonesdining, Black Cat Truffles and Wayward Winery on their recognition.

Here’s to an exciting 2026 and a bright future for Ballarat’s vibrant hospitality scene.

25/01/2026

The Best Restaurants in Regional Victoria
Feast on everything our multi-faceted landscapes have to offer at these unforgettable restaurants in regional Victoria.
WRITER
KELSEY HARRINGTON
15 JANUARY 2026melbourne

Regional Victoria does dining with a longer fuse. The produce arrives with dirt still clinging to its boots, the wine is often poured by someone who knows the vineyard by first name, and the meals feel stitched to their landscapes, surf-salted, orchard-sweet, woodsmoke-warm.

This edit sharpens the line-up and leans into what makes a regional table sing right now: small dining rooms that back themselves, serious drinks programs, and menus built around what’s thriving within arm’s reach. Book early, leave time for the drive, and plan for at least one “we should stay the night” moment.

Babae
Babae, the crown jewel of Ballarat’s fine-dining scene, is nothing short of extraordinary. Hidden within the architectural splendour of Hotel Vera , this 26-seat dining room rewrites the rules — intimate, quietly opulent, and utterly transportive. Chef Tim Foster’s degustation is a revelation: a procession of thoughtful, locally rooted dishes that stun in their precision and beauty. Salt-baked kohlrabi. Lemon-cured kingfish with pickled quince and ajo blanco. Sourdough made (by ) from nearby-milled flour (), served with whipped butter and dehydrated Vegemite (a genius move).
And then that dessert — a steamed pudding with saffron-poached pear, pistachio, meringue and crème anglaise — unforgettably soft and layered. You watch the chefs work in near silence. It feels like a dream. And it tastes like one, too.
710 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central

04/01/2026

Roaring Forties lamb saddle, alliums and broad beans straight from the farm, finished with black & white garlic purée.

It’s the final week for this dish on the menu — so if it’s been on your list, now’s the time to join us.

Bookings essential.

Thanks for a wonderful first week of 2026.

Photography by

02/01/2026

Hello, 2026! As we step into a new year, we’re pausing to savour the moments, flavours, and faces that made the last one unforgettable.

To everyone who pulled up a chair at Babae—whether for a long lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a spontaneous night out—thank you. Your laughter, conversations, and curiosity for what’s on the plate and in the glass have filled our dining room with warmth and energy.

We’re endlessly grateful for the support of our guests, the dedication of our team, and the vibrant community that surrounds us. Every dish served, every toast raised, and every story shared has helped shape Babae into the special place it is.

Here’s to more talkative tables, bold flavours, and new memories in 2026. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another year of fine-dining, our open kitchen and good company.

From all of us at Babae, wishing you a year ahead filled with joy, discovery, and delicious moments. See you soon!

21/12/2025

Thank you to all our wonderful guests for your amazing support this year! Today’s Sunday lunch marked our final service for 2025, and what a year it’s been. We’re so grateful for every visit, every celebration, and every shared meal.

The Babae team is taking a short break and will be back, refreshed and ready, on Friday 2 January 2026.

Still searching for the perfect gift? Babae gift vouchers are available via our website www.babaeballarat.com.au. Babae vouchers are delivered straight to your inbox—no missed deliveries, no wrapping, just a thoughtful gift ready in moments.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season. See you in the new year! Photography by