Depending on your time constraints and the purpose of your lunch, choosing a convenient location in Ballarat can make a big difference. While visitors have the opportunity to break their activity for lunch between visits to Ballarat’s attractions, hospital staff, local workers, and others may only have a short break during the day.
Rather than considering a long list of restaurants, it is more practical to think about location, the restaurant’s menu, service and value. The ideas in this guide focus on a few spots around town before discussing a few things to take into account when picking a convenient place to have lunch, whether it’s quick or extended (sit down lunch).
What to look for in a Ballarat lunch spot
A good lunch spot should be convenient for the rest of your day. When moving around Ballarat, choosing a central or walkable location can make things easier, and when you head out for lunch during the week there are reasonable wait times.
It is also helpful to have a variety of options, especially when eating with colleagues, friends or family and everyone wants something different. Lastly, and most importantly, consider overall value rather than just the price of the food on the menu. Choosing a suitable portion size and combination of dishes to satisfy your appetite can make lunch more worthwhile.
A few solid options around town
Hydrant Food Hall on McKenzie Street is a Heritage Laneway option for breakfast and lunch throughout the day. It can suit a casual lunch for one person or a relaxed coffee afterwards.
Breakfast, lunch and shared dishes are available at Ballarat Yacht Club Café which’s based in the Lakeside at Lake Wendouree. Consider it when you have more time to enjoy lunch and you would like to use the lakeside spot.
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If you’re looking for a substantial sit-down lunch, head into the venerable Southern Cross Hotel (825 Sturt Street) near Ballarat Base Hospital for a meal at La Porchetta Ballarat. It’s also within the walking distance of Ballarat CBD and This makes it convenient for workers, visitors and others spending time in central Ballarat. The restaurant’s online information describes it as suitable for group lunches or dinners and notes that functions are available.
Depending on your appetite, the lunchtime menu offers a variety of options to suit different preferences. In addition to portion size, there are other options that can help personalise an individual meal, such as Pizza (which comes in different sizes), or dishes like Nonna’s Meatballs and Arancini, which can be ordered as a starter or as an individual item.
The larger menu at La Porchetta also offers pasta, main-course options, salads and lighter options for groups, providing flexibility when members are serving different menu items. Nonna’s Meatballs are featured on the restaurant’s Ballarat menu, while features on the wider menu guide include pizza and pasta, salads, mains and lighter options.
The setting can also suit lunches that are intended to be more than a quick meal. It offers a choice for people in groups or when you want to eat and drink together rather than just sitting down and simply starting devouring the food and running out.
Quick bite or sit-down? Depends on the day
If your week day is very busy, you can opt to order food for pickup or delivery instead. La Porchetta Ballarat offers online ordering for pickup or delivery, and can be a great way to arrange your meal without needing to take up precious table-time. The Ballarat ordering service allows customers at 825 Sturt Street to place orders for pickup or delivery.
When you are with your family, friends or a large group visiting Ballarat on a weekend or otherwise it might make more sense to sit down. For larger groups, having a meal order and food arrangement as a table setting allows all members to order various foods and share their meals, providing space to have lunch as part of a larger social event. It is also worth pointing out that the La Porchetta Ballarat offers group hires and functions.
Best time to beat the lunch rush
If lunch timing is important, aim to arrive before lunch on a weekday (before 12pm) or after 1.30pm (if your schedule permits), as this is before the main rush of lunch. Choosing the right time may make it easier to settle in without competing with the busiest lunch period. Bookings on the weekends are a great idea when eating out with friends to ensure that your table’s setup is sorted before you arrive.
Conclusion
When planning lunch in Ballarat, consider what you want to eat, who you’re dining with and how much time you have, whether it’s a busy weekday or a leisurely meal with family, friends or co-workers. There is a sit-down restaurant at La Porchetta Ballarat at 825 Sturt Street which serves pizzas, pasta, share plates and lighter fare. Booking in advance can be helpful, especially for groups, especially if you are going out for a meal as a group, or takeout is preferable, book online.
