Eclectic Cafe is housed on a corner in a unique wedge-shaped building…read more It reminds me of a miniature New York City Flat Iron Building, one of my favourite pieces of iconic New York architecture. Choose to dine inside by the tempting cakes cabinet, or outside in a sunny, pet friendly courtyard - water bowls provided for furry family members. Help yourself water station for two legged patron, which is a nice touch for those dining in the sunny courtyard. On this weekday morning we are soon joined by a friendly waiter, perhaps the owner, who takes orders and shares a chat. I've read mixed reviews about the service but have been here twice and never had anything but good service. The building itself is adorned with ever changing street artworks well worth taking a wander to admire. Coffee is supplied by Espresso di Manifredi, it is a nice dark roast with strong flavour profile. The piccolo double shot latte is up to Mr Wino's standards. Soy cappucino allows the coffee to shine and has a generous chocolate sprinkle topping. It's a sunny little corner which is a great stop after a spin around the Lake for a coffee.

Fabulous as always. Lovely staff, great coffee and masks all around when required. The space is…read morelovely, situated right next to the dead centre of Ballarat.

I would have never seen this place if a friend didn't point it out! It is right in the middle of an…read moreindustrial estate in the back of Ballarat. When the rollerdoor is down, you would be hard pressed to pick what was inside. When the door is up however, it is a very quaint bar. I am sure it is full of the things that Mal's wife has told him that he needs to keep in the shed. He has just opped for a more industrial take on a shed! Out the back of the space is all the fun stuff, all stainless steel, vats and water tanks. I am assured that it all works and weekdays, it is all going (when the bar is closed and they only do Cellar door sales) Come friday, Malcom opens the bar and you can come and chill and try out their beers! The bar does not just do Cubby Haus beer, there is some wine and fancy cordials if beer is not your thing (or you are the driver) The current range of five beers are available for tasting in a 'tasting paddle' for $15 or just buy a beer and chill out. Don't let the Dalek by the door worry you. Oh and there is a train set and a few toys for your kids to play with whilst you chill out.

Loved everything about this gem. The ambience, the views, the food - so fresh and perfectly cooked…read moreand presented. The wine choices...We were a bit lost and had driven all day from the great ocean road inland. This cured our cranky attitudes and we ended up staying overnight nearby. Lovely neighborhood !

Disappointed to be told by the waitresses that payment was going to be split at the end of the…read morenight. I wasn't comfortable with that so asked for my own tab, and at the end of the night people were upset to be paying for someone else's food or drinks because they'd left, not ideal for such a big group. The meals weren't very big. The lamb fillet was cold and chewy and way to much salad verses meat for the cost. The chips, when they came out were cold. Underwhelmed unfortunately.

Great quality food. Cooked fresh, generous servings. It's…read morelike walking back in time decor wise. Has credit card facilities. Huge plus. 30 minute wait is 45mins. Keep that in mind kids

This restaurant has amazing Special Fried Rice and their Honey chicken is top notch. Definitely a…read morerestaurant well worth going too.

So, at first it looked like this pub was next to a brewery, but I later discovered that the brewery…read morehad closed down, though this place hadn't. As a bar I wasn't really all that impressed, namely that the beer selection really wasn't all that great. In a way it was one of those pubs, or bars, that seemed to serve beers from the main breweries. Oh, and the service wasn't too great either, but still, it wasn't too bad.

I have been here only once, and it was for drinks and snacks to fill in those awkward couple of…read morehours after a wedding and before the reception when the folk sat at the high table go off to be assaulted by flash photography. Upon arriving with a decent sized group, we made our way upstairs to get to the balcony and escape the smell of industrial cleaners inside. At least you know it is clean. The barman handled the disarray of three generations of one family's indecision all trying to figure out how to deal with ordering drinks and pay at the same time like a pro. I think he may get this a lot. Highlights included: no lock on the cubicle of the upstairs men's toilet; a great game of footy on TV; and one of my aunt's ordering two margaritas thinking pizzas would arrive and being presented instead with undesired beverages; another aunt necking undesired margaritas; and, respectable coffees. The hot chips were damn good, the sharing plate took an inordinately long time to prepare but was devoured once it arrived, and the proximity to the railway station/tracks makes this a good venue for trainspotters.

Sadly have to agree with one of the reviews re coffee it is bland, can taste granules and very…read morebitter! One of worst coffees I've had as a latte and as such will not try it again. Life's too short for bad coffee! Overall ambience is good but the main purpose of visit was coffee.

Great little cafe across the street from Lake Wendouree. Very close to both the hospitals and Sturt…read moreStreet. Cosy atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating availability. There is always someone here and seems to be a favourite with the Saturday/Sunday morning road warriors and those who have just finished a walk/run around the lake. Expect this place to be packed full of people on Saturdays and Sundays and expect to see a long line of bicycles out front on the weekend. Service is prompt. The coffee is quite strong but very good. Highly recommend trying the cakes/pastries with the carrot cake being a favourite. Definitely worth a visit while in the area, you'll understand why so many people like it.

I have never had food in Ballarat that was better than this. The service was amazing and the vibe…read moreof the restaurant was great.

Good Aussie pub food with a friendly atmosphere. The wait for coffee is leading us to think that…read morethe beans must first need to be grown. Will visit again but won't be beating a track to the door.