The Forge Pizzeria

Inspired by their grandfather Frank who worked as a blacksmith, brothers Chris and Tim Matthews established The Forge Pizzeria in 2010. Creating delicious classic Italian dishes as well wood-fired pizzas with fresh local produce, the restaurant has won several awards including four Golden Plate Awards. The menu features 13 pizzas, most with original flavour combinations, including the Shearers with lamb and goat’s cheese and the Blacksmith with pork sausage.

Mitchell Harris Wines co-owner Alicia Linley says selling the wine bar was a difficult decision, but it “needed reimagining and a team with a new vision”. It was bought by Jane and Ash Miller, who own Ballarat cafe Eclectic Tastes. The bar is currently undergoing a renovation, set to reopen in November.

Some of the top gluten-free restaurants in the area include: Yellow Espresso, known for its gluten-free pancakes and waffles; The Forge Pizzeria, a celiac-friendly restaurant offering gluten-free pizza options; Pancho, a Latin restaurant with gluten-free desserts and tacos; Time 4 Thai, providing various gluten-free Thai dishes; Thai Sala Pavilion, another Thai restaurant with gluten-free menu options; and Jasmine Thai Restaurant, also offering gluten-free Thai dishes. Gluten Free 4 U is a bakery in the area specializing in gluten-free products, while Cafe Merkama, Cafe Lekker, and Harry Limes are other restaurants with gluten-free options.

My pizza (Vesuvius) looked great but was extremely salty, most likely due to anjovis that had not been soaked. This pizza was also supposed to contain gorgonzola but I did not detect any, possibly because the anjovis taste might have overwhelmed the gorgonzola taste but I also did not notice any gorgonzola visually. My wife's gluten free pizza was much smaller, and there was not as much toppings as you would have expected for the price (especially considering that there was a $4 surcharge on the gluten-free base).

Having recently returned from a trip to Italy it’s fair to say I know a good pizza when I eat one!. The Forge’s wood fire pizzas are a dining highlight in Ballarat with no other pizza place in town coming close in competition. Toppings are generally more skewed towards more of an Australian style than Italian but this makes for marvelous meat lover varieties including my favourite, the pulled pork pizza.

Watch pizza being prepared right before your eyes at this family favourite.We can’t go past the potato pizza with mozzarella, garlic, parsley, salt flakes, rosemary and cracked pepper. Coming in at a close second is the roast pumpkin pizza with San Marzano tomato, spinach, Meredith Goat Cheese, garlic, rosemary and a sprinkle of pine nuts. For pasta lovers, you can’t go past the Gnocchi Gorgonzola.

Locations: 14 Armstrong St N, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Ph: (03) 4317 4981 & 1771 Sturt St, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350 Ph: (03) 4317 4981 & (For Takeaway) 200 Victoria St, Ballarat East, VIC 3350. If ever there was a great food story in Ballarat, surely it is The Forge Pizzeria. After all, this buzzy pizza joint currently has to eateries in the centre of the town, and a dedicated takeaway outlet.

If you're a Ballarat local or have been to the city before, there's a good chance you've enjoyed a slice (or several) at The Forge Pizzeria. This carb-filled stalwart is a firm favourite and with good reason: it produces incredible pizza. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, the restaurant is all about sharing good regional fare with your nearest and dearest.

Dine on Asian cuisine at Roy Hammond or have an Italian feast at The Forge and Carboni's Italian Kitchen. For cool brews head to Hop Temple or Grainery Lane, while vino lovers can pop into the newly opened Eleanora. Or, head out to the renowned Ballarat wine region, where fertile soils and low temperatures produce acclaimed vintages at dozens of wineries.

One of Ballarat’s most popular casual eateries, The Forge Pizzeria serves up delicious pizzas from its huge woodfire oven. The expansive pizza menu is filled with classics (and some unusual twists like the cheeseburger pizza!). The roast pumpkin pizza with roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, spinach, goat’s cheese, pine nuts and rosemary is a winner.

One of Ballarat’s most popular casual eateries, The Forge Pizzeria serves up delicious pizzas from its huge woodfire oven. The expansive pizza menu is filled with classics (and some unusual twists like the cheeseburger pizza!). The roast pumpkin pizza with roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, spinach, goat’s cheese, pine nuts and rosemary is a winner.

Nearby Creswick also features RACV’s premiere Central Highlands restaurant at the RACV Goldfields Resort. Named after the Creswick brothers who founded the town in 1842, Three Founders features a seasonal menu that celebrates the best of the region’s food and wine scene. Guests can elect to dine indoors or relax on the outdoor terrace.

Have your dinner with a side of theatre at The Forge Pizzeria. Watch the pizza makers in action as they toss the dough, whip up gourmet masterpieces and then cook them in the restaurant’s wood fire oven. Your little ones will love the kids-size bolognese and napoli pastas along with the Hawaiian and margherita pizzas.

Location: 14 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat The Forge Pizzeria offers authentic wood-fired pizzas in a vibrant and casual setting. The menu includes a variety of traditional and creative pizza options, as well as delicious pasta dishes and salads. The restaurant is perfect for a relaxed meal with family and friends.

End your day at Ballarat with a tasty dinner at The Forge Pizzeria!. They’re known for creating mouth-watering Italian food using fresh local produce and high-quality deli ingredients. You can even watch the pizza makers in action as they toss the dough and cook the pizzas in the restaurant’s wood fire oven.

Sample locally produced wines, paddock-to-plate produce, and creative cuisines at the Underbar and The Forge Pizzeria then wash it all down with local craft beer at the Hop Temple. If you’re there in May, it’s an absolute must to get tickets for Ballarat’s annual food festival, Plate Up Ballarat.

Located on the historic Lydiard Street, Craig’s Royal Hotel was built during the Victorian gold rush. It is Ballarat’s oldest and most luxurious hotel. The hotel has served many famous people including Mark Twain and Prince Alfred (Queen Victoria's second son), and Dame Nellie Melba.

Make your way down the hidden laneway under a canopy of umbrellas to arrive at Hop Temple. The converted stables are now artfully decorated with recycled furnishings and stocked with over 220 craft beers and ciders, plus an extensive selection of wines and spirits.

Those looking for authentic Italian pizza, this restaurant has been voted by many as having the best pizza in the state. All pizzas a woodfired and there is a range of gourmet and more traditional toppings to choose from – even the kids will enjoy a slice or two!

Ballarat in Bloom events were also promoted, including Ballarat By The Glass, the Festival of Motoring, Ballarat Gardens In Spring, the Cycling Australia Road National Championships, Ballarat Beer Festival and the Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival.

Europa - 411 Sturt Street - ☎ +61 3 5338 7672mid range A great surprisingly mid priced cafe, with a wide range of meals, from the tastes of Italy to Asia, also good for dropping in for a coffee or & watch the Ballarat foot traffic of Sturt St.

Housed within a red brick building in Ballarat town, The Forge Pizzeria is a firm favourite among visitors and locals all about sharing good, regional...

The Forge Pizzeria serves the best pizza in town and the restaurant even has a separate children’s area to play.