Royal Oak Hotel

Tucked deep in the residential backstreets of Ballarat, this is a glowing beacon of proper, old-school hospitality. A pure, unfiltered throwback to the 1980s pub scene. Woodfires blazing. The footy on the screen. Eclectic souvenirs and vintage bar runners lining the walls. Victorian pub traditionalists pack the buzzing front bar for the immaculate energy, while the deceptively tiny kitchen out back pumps out absolute stunners. Expect elite, hearty fare—massive, flawlessly executed mixed grills and crumbed lamb cutlets served alongside fresh rolls and foil-wrapped Tatura butter. Parma purists zero in on the main event—intensely flavoursome, flanked by blisteringly hot, crunchy chips and legitimately fresh side salads. Grab a pint, claim a spot by the heater—even the dog is welcome—and settle in for a fair dinkum pub feed that leaves you with change from a fifty.