Review The Local - Ballarat

Driving through and fluked this gem. Locally sourced, delicious, whole food. Best porridge I’ve found in a cafe, with stewed rhubarb! Delicious.

We LOVE The Local Cafe!!! Best in Ballarat hands down. John and I love visiting Tracy when we pop in, she is always so friendly and we always have a great chat. Now let me talk about the food! Wow!!! Tracy ensures only the highest quality and home made wherever possible. Every dish is amazing but we had the homemade plum muffins this week and they literally were the best muffins I’ve ever eaten! Just try them. The coffee is always consistently bang on to. Can’t speak highly enough of Tracy and The Local. Love, love, love!

Have stopped by a few times now over the last 5months for take away coffee and a sweet snack. Nice selection of housemade cakes, & muffins. Every time service has been quick and friendly. Small cafe with cosy interior. The food diners were eating has looked good every time I have visited, will return for a sit down meal.

Great coffee. Great food. Love the style of the cafe and the Canadian Pancakes were yummy. Definitely children friendly but because seating is limited - grabbing a table during peak hours is very challenging!

Great coffee, delicious food. The owner is very nice, always greets me with a smile. Her and her staff are very good at what they do, friendly, courteous and make you feel welcomed.

I used to be a fan of this place until today. I could forgive the exceedingly slow service, but when inedible scrambled eggs were served with vinegar flavoured mushrooms as part of the $22 big breakfast, I lost it! Apparently the new chef has some "novel" cooking ideas, specifically serving up French toast mix as scrambled eggs!?! What the??? Credit to the floor staff for their politeness, offer of free coffees and discount on the meal. Unfortunately, I won't be back to test whether the new "chef" has reigned in her oddball creativity! So disappointing! Service speed 🐌 Pet friendly 🐾 Outdoor seating ☀️🌦

Incredible coffee, with food that is always exactly what you feel like eating - even if you know it when you walk through the door! Consistent and impeccable quality, definitely one of our local gems in my top 3 Ballarat cafés.

Amazing food and friendly staff. Killer cakes and great chai latte although if you turn up for coffee you will want to turn it into lunch once you se the food!

Yay! Finally got around to trying this little gem! I've been wanting to go ever since it opened and I wasn't disappointed! the coffee was delicious double shot latte hit the spot� and my friend and I had the big breakfast was so yummy and flavoursome would highly recommend! We are going to have to come back to try the French toast soon! Customer service A+

I highly recommend you visit this great little cafe. It's as cute as a button and there is always delicious food both savoury and sweet.

Simply the best French toast I've ever eaten.

Great coffee, friendly staff and cakes/muffins to die for. It really is a sweet little local cafe.

Great little spot with a warm and friendly community atmosphere and devine coffee, sweets and food!

Really sweet little cafe in a great location. The gin and tonic cake was good, and the other cakes looked fresh and nice too. One can always find small things to criticise - but why would you, when you have a lovely new cafe with charming atmosphere in a terrific spot. I will definitely be making this my 'local' whenever I'm in the area. ����

Coffee is one he best in Ballarat and staff are friendly and fast.

great food and atmosphere, I am in for breakfast at least four days a week

Good food wonderful interesting flavors, fabulous coffee. Friendly service.

Great little café. Really friendly staff and beautiful fresh food. I'll be back.

The Local is a nice quiet small place. Great for meeting up for cuppa or lunch. The service was lovely and homely. Recommend it for the lovely home made food very delish

We love 'The Local'.... friendly service, great coffee and chai lattes and a fantastic selection of food! We may not be from Ballarat, but when we are in 'town' this is our 'local'!!

Enjoyed our first experience today. Coffee was sensational! Breakfast was yummy! Service was just lovely.

Friendly casual eating space . Will be returning

1 year down and going from strength to strength, congratulations to all that have played a part in what is a great addition to the Ballarat coffee scene 👍🏻

Love the food & atmosphere at the Local.

What a lovely little find.. Beautiful atmosphere, amazing coffee, lovely service.. Will be back again.

My girlfriend just went into the cafe for coffee and was made to feel dumb when ordering a coffee. A LATTE IS NOT A CAPPUCCINO. If you’ve ever studied coffee in any form you would know this simple fact. Therefore a latte with chocolate on top is a different drink entirely. I would assume due to the friendly barista she would at least make my coffee right. However what I received was a very foamy coffee with chocolate on top... also known as - A CAPPUCCINO!!! �� Not the drink I ordered local... you’re lucky I was getting take away and couldn’t get a refund. Never going back. You should be ashamshed of your lack of knowledge from your staff!

Cute local cafe that must be a go to for the community. Busy Saturday morning and we had to squeeze in to get a table. Food and coffee was delicious. Slightly overpriced for the portion sizes. Would be much better if the weather was warmer and the outside tables could be utilized, so I advise to get there early, otherwise it can be difficult to find a seat!

Before I'd even walked through the door at The Local Cafe, I was in love, it's freshly painted blue facade nestles within a very stylishly eclectic, shabby chic interior, and I ADORE IT! With interesting pieces of decor scattered through the cafe, the work of local artists hanging on the walls, big pendant lights, a stunning vintage look coffee machine, reclaimed wood table tops and a spread of very random yet complimentary chairs contrast against the plywood walls and polished concrete floors. Although it sounds random and overwhelming, it all comes together to create a space that's perfectly balanced, birthing an atmosphere which feels both familiar and homely as well new and exciting.<br/><br/>Much of this wonderful atmosphere has to be attributed to Tracey herself. It was heartwarming to hear the banter and witness the close relationship that Tracey has with her customers. I even overheard that some of her customers, those who would usually spend Christmas alone, come to her house for a gathering on Christmas day and they all celebrate together. Isn't that just so special! I can see why this town adores this cafe and Tracey! She was an absolute delight to chat with, her passion and love for her business and her customers are evident, and it's contagious! I mean, how could I not be passionate about a place that's as passionate about lemon curd as The Local! Tracey makes a 40 egg batch of lemon curd EVERY WEEK! But their lemon curd isn't the only thing that's baked in-house, far from it, everything is! From the chutneys to the sauces, to the cakes, biscuits and curds, they're all made from scratch, and Tracey makes sure her cafe caters for all! So if you're vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free, you'll be able to enjoy a cuppa and a cake at The Local too!<br/><br/>Read Full Post (and view our recommendations) via the link below.

Lovely Little Cafe<br/><br/>Me and my boyfriend were there for breakfast today. We ordered a rhubarb french toast and berries apple cake. The french toast was amazing!! Never thought that the poached rhubarb will go so well with a fried bacon. The cake was nice as well but a little too dry for me. The service was good. Friendly staffs. <br/>Ps. The coffee is amazing.

Love The Local, as it ticks a lot of boxes for me in the food and coffee stakes!<br/><br/>The decor is representative of the cafes name, being nice and cosy! The food is pretty good too with brekkie being a great feature! Coffee is super dooper too!!<br/><br/>The service is very friendly, maintaining a great sense of charm! Overall a great venue to visit!

Tried the local last weekend! Very friendly team, amazing coffee and best chorizo I've had in ages! Recommend the big breakfast! Perfect for the weekend breakfast.