This little cafe is bursting with gourmet goodness and Art Deco inspired country charm…read more Boasting three seating areas, you can choose to people watch in the atrium, read a magazine in the main dining room or chill out in the courtyard. The main dining room has two open fire places and plenty of room to relax in. The staff here are simply divine. Well presented and very knowledgable on the local produce and wine on offer. The breakfast menu was short and succinct. Offering a little something for everyone. We opted for porridge with poached fruit and poached eggs on toast. A word of warning the meal servings are very generous! While the menu suggests a Melbourne flare, you won't be served up delicate dishes to nibble on. The coffee was so-so but redeemed itself when served in local Bendigo Pottery crafted vessels. Worth a stop by on a chilly mornings drive. Definitely a best of brunch venue.

The Vines had been an institution in Ararat for years. It is one of the best places in rural…read moreAustralia for delicious food and great coffee.

Fred and Betts never disappoint. There's a good selection…read moreof quiches, frittata, salad , wraps and sandwiches on the display cabinet and always comes out tasty and delicious. I always feel that they are slightly on the pricier side ( about$15 for my caramelised onion and feta tart). But the taste do make up for it. Service is always friendly and the place is always packed with locals. There's a back room with a chalkboard wall, perfect for kids. The front of the cafe is also a store with some beautiful candles, serving ware and some jewelleries. A big T2 selection ( to have in store and buy by the pack) makes this cafe appealing to tea lovers as well. Grab yourself a coffee card!

With a large range of T2 teas, this is the only place to go for a refreshing and unique cuppa. The…read morechocolate and chilli tea is very nice providing a slight buzz on the tongue! Contemporary furnishings and friendly staff make this café a stand out venue in Ararat. Their salad with sundried tomato and garlic dressing is delicious !

Café 96 offers fantastic food at reasonable prices and great, speedy, friendly service! They have…read morebreakfast all day. Everything I have tried there I have loved; the Caesar salad, lentil curry, veggie burger, poached eggs with bacon, their quiche with sundried tomatoes and asparagus is delicious! I highly recommend this café, which is locally known as Kerry's café - a previous owner. Long live Café 96!

Was okay. Simple, friendly. Had quiche and son had nuggets and chips. Plenty in the serve. Coffees…read morewere hot and decent. Needs some ambient music.

This place actually isn't a bad place for a coffee, except for the fact that it gets pretty crowded…read moreon a Saturday morning. Then again that probably shouldn't surprise since it does seem to be one of those places that have a more inner-city feel that what you would expect from a cafe in the country. Actually, the coffee isn't all that bad, though it can take a while, especially when it is packed.

Friendly staff plenty if choice and the eggs benedict pizza is a first and unique approachread more

So many things to say... I will start with the good... doing the Ode right on 6pm was a surprise…read morebut loved... I would like to see it in more RSL's. The food was yummy, large portions and came out quickly and all together, which is important when travelling in a group... The lady who served us... another story... we aren't from Ararat and didn't know to read everything as we walked in the RSL... now I am a person who reads a menu online before attending a place... I had already decided I would like to try the home-made foccacia... as I ordered it, I was told they were sold out, not something we were told from the male who escorted us to our table... I didn't know what else I wanted to order... instead of saying she would come back... the server looked at me and said "hurry up love, I've got a lot of other tables to serve"... it was said in a brisk, rude tone which quietened me down as I really don't like upsetting people... instead of staying after our meal and enjoying dessert or a few more drinks, we left... Ambience and food 100% but service... definitely not... Next time we return to Ararat, we will not be going to the RSL...

Dinner in Ararat This is a good option for a pub-style/RSL…read moredinner in Ararat. It's standard pub fare and it was probably the busiest spot in town. We thought that the roast of the day (roast lamb) was great - but didn't enjoy the Angus beef burger as much.

The Vines is a very nice looking establishment, but if the staff don't think you're their type of…read moreclientele they will seat you at a table and proceed to ignore you. It is the place to be seen at in Ararat, but the food is overpriced and the service is pathetic. I've been there three times, the last time we walked out in disgust at the lack of customer service. We are decent people, not bogans and were treated like muck. This is a well known phenomenon in Ararat. Obviously the owners and staff think they are in Toorak! Don't bother with this eatery equivalent of a stuffed shirt. Snobsville. A great cafe with excellent, well priced food and friendly service is Café 96, otherwise known as Kerry's café. This is an independent review, I'm not affiliated with either business.

Awesome!! Ron Swanson would be at home with the quality of bacon in this house of breakfast love…read more Must have scrambled eggs.