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Restaurant

The Mallow

18/20 Skipton St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia

Recommended by 16 people

Updated

Find The Mallow

18/20 Skipton St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 4310 7238
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Mallow

The Mallow skips standard counter grub for serious kitchen craft and independent taps in a classic Ballarat pub setting. Guests drop in for slow-cooked lamb shoulder with comforting sides, fresh fish mains, or a proper chicken parma, matched with small-batch beers poured straight from boutique Australian breweries. Heritage corners, open fireplaces, and leather Chesterfield lounges give the multi-room layout plenty of breathing room, whether you are settling in beside the hearth with a rich lamb pie or sharing sides of cauliflower cheese and heirloom carrots.

  • Independent Craft Taps: Taps bypass mainstream contracts to spotlight beers from independent small-batch breweries.
  • Refined Gastropub Fare: Slow-cooked lamb shoulder, risotto, and salmon ceviche stand alongside classic pub staples.
  • Heritage Multi-Room Layout: Multiple spaces feature open fireplaces, Chesterfield lounges, board games, and a rear beer garden.
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What's On at The Mallow

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at The Mallow

Discover why Ballarat locals choose The Mallow for refined gastropub dishes, boutique craft beers, and cosy heritage surroundings.

  • Restaurant-Quality Dining in a Pub Setting

    Chefs prepare restaurant-grade mains and refined specials such as slow-cooked local lamb shoulder alongside elevated gastropub classics.

    The local fare was perfectly cooked and presented; the Waubra lamb shoulder exquisitely done.

    That Ellipsis Guy

  • Diverse and Inclusive Menu Options

    Thoughtful menus incorporate varied starters, vegetarian selections, and accommodating options for diverse dietary requirements and preferences.

    There are great options for different dietary needs, plus a fantastic line‑up of craft beers and drinks to match the food.

    SimonTT

  • Boutique Small-Batch Craft Beer Curation

    Taps and bottle lists spotlight independent and regional small-batch breweries instead of standard corporate commercial contracts.

    Love they offer beers from more local boutique small batch breweries and not just the standard large brewery companies that all pubs support

    Adventures with C.K.

  • Curated Craft Pours and Signature Cocktails

    Guests enjoy a rich beverage program featuring standout craft beers on tap paired with expertly mixed specialty cocktails.

    Amazing staff, food is high class beyond your everyday pub, I had a Salmon Ceviche which was a flavourful delight. Brilliant at making cocktails.

    Ryan Hutchesson

  • Cosy Heritage Lounge with Open Fireplaces

    A distinct multi-room heritage layout features a cosy lounge with Chesterfield sofas, armchairs, an open fire, books, and board games.

    The Mallow is comfortable, and uses all its different rooms really well. We went for the Harry Potter Trivia night (kudos to all those involved in running this!) and had our meal in the lounge, which had wonderful Chesterfield sofas and armchairs and an open fire - plus games and books if desired.

    Martine Wakeham

  • Warm and Welcoming Old-World Atmosphere

    An unpretentious, warm neighbourhood atmosphere and attentive, down-to-earth hospitality allow diners to relax and settle in comfortably.

    The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and a little old‑world in the best way, making it an easy place to settle in for the evening with friends or family.

    SimonTT

Our most celebrated chef-driven mains and classic favourites

  • Lamb shoulder

    The local fare was perfectly cooked and presented; the Waubra lamb shoulder exquisitely done.

    That Ellipsis Guy

  • Risotto

    And it really delivered. A real contender for the best rissoto I've ever had

    Paula Johns

  • Parma

    The food was very good, generous in size and lovely and fresh. Good value for money.

    Nathan Bajada

  • Lamb pie

    Lamb pie was best eva. Now truly it was the best I've ever had. Soft and juicy - full of tender slow cooked lamb and a few peas. Pastry was equally total Yum.

    Lorinda Velden

Other favorites

Satisfying sides and handcrafted drinks to complement your meal

  • Chips

    I want to mention the chips, if I say divine, that might be a bit much for chips, but they were.

    Will

  • Cauliflower cheese

    the side dishes of cauliflower cheese and heirloom carrots were also delicious

    Sarah Foster

  • Heirloom carrots

    the side dishes of cauliflower cheese and heirloom carrots were also delicious

    Sarah Foster

  • Spicy Margaritas

    The Taco Tuesday menu was delicious as were the Spicy Margaritas.

    Ellie Beer

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and distinct heritage details that elevate a casual pub visit

  • Attentive Dietary & Accessibility Hospitality

    Staff accommodated a diner using a mobility scooter seamlessly and handled complex food allergies without hesitation during Sunday roast service.

  • Chesterfield Fireplace Lounge with Books & Games

    The heritage pub layout features a cosy parlour fitted with Chesterfield sofas, armchairs, an open fireplace, alongside books and board games for guests to enjoy.

  • Brewer Tribute Photography & Beer Culture

    Decorated with dedicated photography celebrating Australian craft brewers, highlighting the venue's curated independent beer line-up.

  • Going the Extra Mile for Walk-in Travellers

    When fully booked, team members actively went out of their way to sneak in walk-in travellers returning from the Grampians for a drink and meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book a table in advance?

Table bookings are recommended. While walk-ins are sometimes accommodated across the bar and dining areas, the pub is known to book out fully during busy periods.

What style of food does the menu offer?

The kitchen focuses on refined gastropub dining, featuring dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder, house risotto, steak, and chicken ballotine alongside classic parmas and burgers. Vegetarian options are also available.

What kinds of beer and drinks are available?

The pub features a curated lineup of craft beers on tap and in cans from local boutique small-batch breweries, paired with cocktails and a focused wine list.

What is the pub layout and seating like?

The venue features multiple heritage areas, including dining rooms, a front public bar with a pool table, a lounge with Chesterfield sofas and an open fire, and an outdoor beer garden.

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