Underbar

Far and away the highest quality dining experience in Ballarat. So much is achieved by Derek, Tony and Evie with limited space. The presentation and attention to detail is great but the standout is how truly flavour packed everything is. No one into food could fail to appreciate this experience.

It is not easy to find someone like Derek these days, who is involved in every single detail of his restaurant and does it so well. From planning, organising, preparing to plating, then serving to his diners. He is very smart and flexible with his menu, utilising the best seasonal ingredients he could find and adjust his menu accordingly. This sometimes makes Tony's life interesting in preparing the matching wines.

The menu I had tonight was even better than the one last time. The matching wines complimented the dishes well. Simply wonderful! My tastebuds were so lucky to enjoy such divine food.

Thankyou Derek and his team, Please keep up the good work and see you next time.

A meal after 7 is a tough sell but when we heard about Derek Boath opening a restaurant in Ballarat, absolutely had to try it. It’s a 10 courses meal over 3 hours and no menu. I love an open mind and not knowing the dishes in advance..there’s this sense of food adventure journey you start on. I loved every course and I guess, the only thing would be nice if it opened at 5.30 so can be done, home and asleep at 9.30 as usual. Will we go back again...only if it’s for lunch (yep..awake after 10 is not a thing!)

Absolutely loved the dinner here. The flavours were all interesting and the dishes very imaginative. I haven't been to another experience that I could really compare this to. From the outside it doesn't seem like much, but on the inside the place is really cosy and good vibes. It's an experience that everyone should try!

Outstanding culinary experience; this restaurant is on par with Australia’s best. The care and attention put into every detail is evident, from the decor (including the sideboard displaying carefully-selected spirits which the chef passionately describes in detail), the music, the presentation of each dish and matched wine by the chef and sommelier, down to the exquisitely-plated food. Definitely worth chatting to Chef Derek as he works his magic in the kitchen, especially about where he sources and forages for his ingredients with his wife and daughter. Service is on-point; efficient but warm and unobtrusive. No doubt word will spread nationally soon.

A fabulous dining experience, easy to see why this house of fine cuisine is Ballarat's only Michelin Star rated restaraunt.
For me personally there were a couple of courses that were not my cup of tea, so to speak, im not saying they were not, just not my taste.

Having said that, I highly recommend this eatery and it should be on everyone's
MMUT VISIT list. It is an experience in culinary delights that will be hard to equal outside of a major city.

This is probably small praise for the Chef, but well done, not only an eating experience but also entertaining.

Insane food, great wine, the boys are really passionate and knowledgeable and have set up such a nice atmosphere. Third time there and still love it. Thank youuuu

Destination dining! Loved it. The dessert is paradise for gluten free people. Everything about the meal felt special.

We recently celebrated the birthday of a dear friend at Underbar.
This is personally our third visit to Derek's establishment and the food and service continues to remain amongst the best in the business.
If you are open minded (there's no menu) and have 3 hours to sit and enjoy, then I would highly recommend making a booking.
This is easily the best restaurant in Ballarat!

Amazing food, service and if you get the matching wine with your food, it will elevate it even further. Will go back.

World class.

Incredibly well executed food. A stunning dining room that showcases technically sound cookery, in a relaxed and friendly environment. A small team work effortlessly to produce one of my most memorable meals of the last 2 years.

A small and considered drinks list lines up perfectly with the set menu offering.

Every detail has been considered and fussed over.
Perfect pacing of the dishes. Including croissant cooked a-la-minute

Proper fine dining, and a unique take on hospitality, unlike anything else in Australia currently. Can’t wait to return.

What an incredible experience! Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. Beautifully presented, incredible attention to detail and delicious flavours with balanced richness. Premium wine pairing was well worth the price, featuring some illustrious producers. The standard pairing was good as well. Decore of the new venue is simple and elevated. Service from the team was impeccable and approachable. Left feeling perfectly satiated. Well worth the trip to ballarat and the price. Make the time to get a booking and go! Thank you to the team and congratulations on such a fantastic experience.

A really special place for a special meal. Could not fault it at all. You don’t know what you are getting which makes it all the more delightful.

I appreciate the effort in the dishes

Outstanding. Bravo. What a joy to experience such creativity in food. The matching wines were a treat - we opted for one standard and one more deluxe pairing; both sets were terrific. 10 out of 10 on the value for money and enjoyment scale - a great excuse to come back to Ballarat in the future.

I had dinner here this past weekend and the only word to describe it is phenomenal. The dishes were unique and innovative but simple and comforting at the same time. The wine pairing was super interesting with plenty of options I didn’t expect (but matched perfectly) and even more impressive is the fact that the team only decide on the pairings just before service.
Already looking forward to going back again.

I absolutely cannot wait to return to this unique restaurant. The food was so imaginative and absolutely delicious and the service was perfect. Thank you

Unbelievable food and service. Better than some 3 hatted restaurants out there. Gem of Ballarat

Absolutely best dining experience we've had in Victoria so far. You dont see proper fine dining any more and it was very refreshing.
Properly made, delicious food, incredible presentations and great wines, and all done by one person!
Ex Per Se chef, really brings the Keller legacy to Australia and it was amazing to see him at work.
Extremely impressed buy this place and will definitely come back.
5 stars, Chef.

Had the most amazing dining experience last night at Underbar. The whole experience was exceptional from the understated but tastefully designed space, the friendly professional service staff to the amazing degustation my partner and I enjoyed.
And the food! The food was inventive, delicious and the presentation gorgeous. Each course was an absolute delight.
Super fine dining here in Ballarat. What a treat.
Thank you chef.