There is nothing half-hearted about Pancho where owner Jose Fernandez greets everyone like family. For many who visit, the restaurant is a trip down memory lane, sparked by the authentic flavours embedded in the Latino dishes. You won’t find a bad dish on the menu, so order up (we love the empanadas and tangy ceviche). instagram.com/pancho_ballarat

Mr Jones is the kind of restaurant every country town should have, but few are lucky enough to have. Produce-driven, from-scratch, authentic flavours are the heroes at this modern Asian restaurant, and with the menu changing regularly you’ve got a regular excuse to visit again and again. mrjonesdining.com.au

This gorgeous, intimate restaurant in the centre of Ballarat certainly lives up to its name (Underbar is the Swedish word for delectable and wonderful). Chef and owner Derek Boath is passionate about local produce and seasonality, and each dish on the set menu is an exploration of his skills, expertise and commitment to elevated cuisine. Book early (especially for their quarterly vegetarian tasting menu). underbar.com.au

There’s a sense of nostalgia at craft distillery Itinerant Spirits, housed in a beautiful old bluestone train goods shed. The best way to taste what’s on offer is with a flight of their four spirits – gin, vodka, coffee liqueur and their ‘new make’ (un-aged whisky). itinerantspirits.com

With so many great places to eat in Ballarat, a restaurant where you can dine where you’re staying is always a good idea. A beautiful, contemporary space that feels as though you’re both in a high-end restaurant and a friend’s home (albeit one with exemplary taste and design skills), Babae is a true knockout. The degustation menu is perfectly formed, beautifully executed and shouldn’t be missed. hotelballarat.com.au/babae

Located in the centre of town, the petite, light-filled café is the go-to spot for those serious about their caffeine. A small range of freshly baked pastries round off the perfect experience of a sweet treat and a coffee just the way it’s meant to be. cobbscoffee.com.au

At the end of a long driveway flanked by towering trees sits Wayward Winery. The cellar door and restaurant (EMBR) overlooks some of the 10 acres of the property under vine and the menu is ideal for sharing (we love the beef short rib pizza with smoked scamorza, and the cauliflower with agrodolce and crispy basil). waywardwinery.com.au

Mark Summerfield is a man who embraces change and innovation. The family-run winery has grown into a 180-acre property with a cafe, accommodation and an onsite bakery. Known for their full-bodied, robust reds, Summerfield’s reserve shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are often in short supply, so get in quick. summerfieldwines.com.au

Two gorgeous cellar door dogs, Ronald and Max, will greet you at Taltarni and if you can get past without throwing them a ball, settle in for some of the region’s best reds and unusually for this area, sparkling wines that compete with the best. taltarni.com.au

Believe the hype. Dalwhinnie is a powerhouse of the Pyrenees (and beyond) and produces some of the best shiraz you’ll come across. The striking concrete cellar door is perched in a spectacular spot overlooking the dry irrigation vineyard, making it very tempting to linger and soak up the views. dalwhinnie.wine

The tiny town of Beaufort is about to get a whole lot bigger with the arrival of chef Anjal Josh’s restaurant Magnolia. It’s a cosy restaurant where staff welcome you like family and the modern Australian menu has something for everyone. instagram.com/magnoliaxchefanjal

Inside a magnificent 19th-century red brick mansion sit seven suites, each perfectly proportioned and embodying their picturesque namesakes (they’re named after local townships). Every detail has been meticulously considered, from the soft corners of the bed so you don’t hit your shin in the darkened room to a hanging artwork that transforms into a television. It’s rare to find a boutique hotel that pays homage to the past yet is so embedded in the modern world. A true delight. hotelballarat.com.au

Approaching from the road, The Glut Farm reads exactly how it should – a bold pavilion-style farmhouse that’s wrapped in charcoal-hued bricks and timber. Looking towards Mt Cole and Mt Lonarch, it’s here that you’ll experience the best of country life – big skies, an ample kitchen garden, rolling vineyards, capped off by a roaring fire. theglutfarm.com