Babae Ballarat

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 Ballarat, Babae 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.

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

02/08/2026

The Babae vibe.

Thoughtful, approachable fine dining in the intimate surrounds of the award-winning Hotel Vera.

Executive Chef Roy Rosenfeld’s menu celebrates hyper-local producers and the seasons, bringing together creativity, warmth and a genuine sense of place. Elegant without pretence, refined without formality.

Join us for lunch or dinner. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

📍710 Sturt Street, Ballarat

30/07/2026

Thanks for the mention delicious. Australia. So many wonderful experiences to visit in our beautiful state.

If you love good food and drink, then your next road trip should be to one of these regional towns: bit.ly/4mttXWJ

19/07/2026

Today, we’re incredibly proud to announce the promotion of Roy Rosenfeld to Executive Chef of Babae.

While Roy has been delighting our guests behind the scenes for over 18 months as Head Chef, we’re excited to officially celebrate the next chapter of his journey as he steps into the role of Executive Chef.

With more than 20 years of international experience, Roy has refined his craft in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens, including The French Laundry (California, three Michelin stars), Arzak (San Sebastián, three Michelin stars), and Heston Blumenthal’s The Hinds Head (one Michelin star). Here in Australia, he also spent more than four years at the iconic Lake House in Daylesford before joining the Babae family.

For Roy, exceptional dining is about far more than what’s on the plate.
“From the moment you walk in, you’re in our home, and we want to be the best hosts we can. The food we prepare often tells a story—whether it’s a memory, a moment from my journey, or the people behind the ingredients who inspire us.”

His thoughtful approach, quiet precision and unwavering focus on hospitality continue to shape every experience at Babae. As Roy often says, hosting is an art—and every service is an opportunity to create something memorable.

Please join us in congratulating Roy on this well-deserved promotion. We can’t wait for you to experience the next chapter of Babae under his leadership.

Martin Shew & David Cook-Doulton
Owners of Babae & Hotel Vera Ballarat

29/06/2026

Not all luxury is loud.

Sometimes it’s found in the care taken to source exceptional local produce. In the hands of farmers, growers, winemakers and artisans whose passion shapes every plate. In slowing down long enough to savour each course, each conversation, each moment.

At Babae, our Michelin-trained Executive Chef Roy Rosenfeld celebrates the richness of regional Victoria through a seasonal menu that honours provenance, creativity and craftsmanship. Every dish tells the story of the people and places that make our region so extraordinary.

Located within the award-winning Hotel Vera, Babae is an intimate dining experience where thoughtful design, warm hospitality and exceptional food come together.

This is modern Australian dining, deeply connected to place.

22/06/2026

In a world that rarely slows down, Babae invites you to do just that.

A long lunch bathed in natural light. A quiet moment of me time. An evening spent celebrating a milestone, a loved one, or simply yourself.

Within our architect-designed dining hall, we honour the rhythm of the seasons through a menu that evolves with nature’s abundance. Every dish tells a story of provenance — connecting you to the farmers, growers, makers and creators who shape our region and community.

Whether you’re marking a special occasion or seeking a little time out from the everyday, Babae is a place to gather, reflect, celebrate and savour.

Slow living. Seasonal dining. Thoughtfully shared.

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