HOT: The Mallow Hotel, Ballarat

The Mallow Hotel is a relaxed pub near the edge of Ballarat central which caters well for kids. We went there on a recommendation of a Ballarat local (with kids) and enjoyed our meals and the overall experience.

Like many old-fashioned pubs The Mallow Hotel has several dining areas – a street-facing beer garden for sunny days, a cosy fireplace with couches, a dining room and the front bar.

As soon as we arrived we were provided with a high chair, a tin of colouring pencils and colouring-in sheets doubling as the children’s menu.

The menu contains standard pub classics and some more adventurous gastropub style dishes.

T tried the braised beef and stout pie ($22) which was a tasty but unremarkable offering with the usual salad and chips sides.

The children’s menu was also fairly standard. We ordered grilled fish and chips and while the kids ate it I noticed that the fish was very rubbery in texture, possibly frozen.

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The best dish was my chermoula spiced Atlantic salmon with freekah risotto, charred asparagus and tomato sugo ($30). The salmon was slightly undercooked (no matter) but the risotto was creamy, full of flavour and still retaining some bite.

For beer drinkers all twelve of The Mallow’s taps pour craft beer, focusing on supporting the region's brewers.

The Mallow Hotel is a reliable option if you’re looking for hearty pub grub in an environment that’s suitable for kids. I wouldn’t travel especially to eat there but if you’re in Ballarat it’s a good option.

HOT Tips:

• pram access;
• high chairs;
• standard menu suitable for kids;
• children’s menu;
• colouring-in; and
• courtyard.

The Mallow Hotel, 20 Skipton St,  Ballarat (03) 5331 1073

Tuesday – Thursday 4pm  – midnight
Friday – Sunday 12pm – 1am
Sunday 12pm – 11pm