Hydrant Food Hall

Fresh food, quick service, staff are super friendly. Breakfast board was great, love that I got to eat a little bit of everything. The eggs Benedict potato hash was really good - very crispy on the outside, not soggy at all with the poached eggs on top.

I visited Hydrant Food Hall whilst in Ballarat for breakfast on a Wednesday morning and had a mixed experience. The cafe was not too busy on this morning. While the food and coffee were amazing, the service left much to be desired. It took about 20 minutes for the waitstaff to bring the menu and take my order, and they left my table midway to assist another table. There also seemed to be a lack of coordination with the kitchen, as I noticed my food was ready but sat at the counter for too long before being served—thankfully, a staff member from the coffee corner stepped in to deliver it. Overall, while the food was excellent, the service was not that great.

We found this hidden cafe around a corner of the street. As we walked in the place, we could smell pleasant aroma of fresh coffee and food. We ordered a chai latte and their waygu beef hamburger with chips. The coffee was strong and rich, the beef burger was superb! The beef patty was juicy and cooked to perfection, the burger bread was slight sweet and very soft. I enjoyed every bite of it! The sweet potato chips were also crispy and sweet. The cafe was quiet when we walked in, we enjoyed their vibe and delicious food. Another thing is that they didn’t charge us for weekend surcharges, which was really nice.

We went to Hydrant food hall before the trip home after a long weekend away with the kids. We used google to find some nice local cafes and this one stood out for us as it looked nice and open and not too squishy (we had 3 pre teens with us). You wouldnt know it was there if you weren't looking for it as its down a side street/Ally off a main road, but what a find! The food & coffee was magnificent! I had the chilli scrambled egfs and my son had the egg and bacon roll which he exclaimed was the best ever. Plenty of room to move, not all squished in and we all loved our food. We will be back next time we are in Ballarat!

Visit was November 2024, it’s been three months. I think about the Eggs Benedict often. Looking for reasons to return to Ballarat to enjoy it again.

My wife and I had the pleasure of spending a week in Ballarat, the town where I was born. We currently reside in the United States and have done so for the past 15 years, making this trip a homecoming of sorts as we were in town to visit family. During our stay, Hydrant Food Hall was the first eatery we ventured into, and it didn't take long for it to capture our hearts, quickly becoming our go-to spot. In fact, we found ourselves returning daily, drawn in by its charm and culinary delights. The highlight of my dining experience was undoubtedly the Eggs Benedict. It was a revelation in terms of both taste and presentation, setting a new standard for what I had previously known. The innovative twist of pickled cabbage, a hash brown base, and the addition of succulent mushrooms took it to another level. It was so delectable that it lingered in my dreams, making me yearn for it the following day. The coffee, too, deserves special mention. It was exceptional, prompting us to indulge in extra cups with each visit. But what truly set Hydrant Food Hall apart was the warmth and friendliness of the staff. Their genuine excitement and energy each time we returned made us feel like we had formed fast friendships, adding a personal touch to our dining experience that was deeply appreciated. We are eagerly looking forward to our next visit to Ballarat, with Hydrant Food Hall at the top of our list. It wasn't just a place where we ate; it became a highlight of our trip, contributing to our memories of a town that holds special significance for me.

We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast at Hydrant. Fantastic atmosphere, great customer service and delicious food. Coffee was absolutely superb!

Best eggs Benedict I've ever eaten, served on light and delicious home made hash browns. Sensational coffee. Friendly and attentive service. The atmosphere is airy and light with with plants hanging from rafters and poles. Hydrant would definitely give any Melbourne or Sydney eatery a run for it's money.