Ballarat’s Best Pie returns this August with 30 venues competing for the title

Restaurants, bakeries, breweries and artisans across Ballarat will once again fire up their ovens this winter, as the city transforms into a pie-lover’s paradise for the return of Ballarat’s Best Pie this August.

Now in its fourth year, the much-loved event continues to gain momentum, with 30 venues set to take part in 2026 following a standout 2025 that saw more than 20,000 pies sold across the month.

Blending regional produce with creativity and craft, this year’s line-up spans everything from nostalgic comfort food to brilliantly unexpected interpretations, with several new entrants bringing fresh flavours to the trail.

Judging will take place on 1 August, with an official panel awarding winners across six categories before the full lineup is made available for the public to enjoy and vote for the People’s Choice Pie throughout August.

CATEGORIES

· Ballarat’s Best Pie (1st, 2nd and 3rd places)

· Ballarat’s Best Sweet Pie

· Ballarat’s Best Savoury Pie

· Ballarat’s Best Bakery Pie

· People’s Choice Award Pie

· Brilliantly Unexpected Pie

FLAVOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Savoury Pies:

· Kilderkin Distillery: Highland Bramble Lamb Pie with blackberries, Scottish herbs and spices served with mint pea mash.

· Craig’s Royal Hotel: Korean Galbi-jjim Pie (Korean braised short rib) with root vegetables and savoury gravy.

· The Shared Table: Sher Wagyu Ruben Pie with braised wagyu, pastrami flavours,sauerkraut, cheese and pickles.

· Tuki Trout Farm: Rainbow Trout Escabeche Pie with sweet and sour escabeche sauce topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

· Aunty Jacks: Chicken parmigiana wrapped in buttery pastry with mozzarella veloute.

Sweet Pies:

· Mrs Browne Bakes (Ballarat’s Best Pie Winner 2025): Banana and Honey Caramel Miso Gold Fever Hand Pie finished with a feuilletine crunch.

· Flying Chillies: Drunken Pandan Onde Onde Pie with palm sugar gin caramel, pandan cheesecake and coconut whipped cream.

· Mondegreen Cafe: Off The Wagon Ice Cream Pie with a biscuit crust, chocolate icecream, raspberry jam and marshmallow.