The George Hotel - The Lane Cafe — Restaurant in Victoria

Overview: A beautiful lively alfresco Café on the beautiful historical Lydiard Street, with a sweet-and floral pear risotto. A sweet caramel and vanilla flavoured oat mocha, with average service.

Oat Mocha: It is nice and sweet, with a hint of caramel and vanilla flavour. Only had a slight bitterness, although if you like your coffee sweet, I would recommend this Mocha, Although if you prefer the taste of coffee, a latte is probably the way to go.

Pear Risotto: You definitley need a big appetite for this colourful dish. It was served at a nice hot temperature, perfect for Ballarat weather, the aroma of the dish reminded me of walking through a flower garden, but you also taste the flower garden as well, which is a weird thing to say but if you try it you will know. This dish was very sweet, and could only recommend this dish to sweet tooths and people who really love floral flavours. The pears and rice were soft in texture, and with the addition of the almonds gave it a slight crunch. The last few bites of the dish was a challenge, as the more you eat it the sweeter it gets. Oh and its gluten free so yay for all the coeliacs out there. If the dish was made with a lighter milk it could lower the sweetness, perhaps a coconut milk, which could also make it vegan! A dish worth the try if you like sweet floral flavours, but I would avoid it if your not a sweet tooth. 7/10

Vibe/environment: The Lane has a beautiful modern alfresco area with greenery and a lively atmosphere. 9/10

Service: Service was nothing too special, barely got checked up on if everything was okay, or if I needed anything...

5/5 stars for a reason!

We were met with smiles and lovely greetings. We were seated and our order was taken promptly. Our coffees were brought out straight away and they were delicious. I am a certified coffee snob and a barista myself. So, trust me when I say the coffee was made to perfection! We ordered a big breakfast each and OMG they weren't lying. It was big. And sooooo affordable. Another note, none of us are mushroom lovers (No hate to the fungi lovers) and so we asked for alternatives to the plate and it wasn't an issue at all. We asked, they delivered. The music was a good volume and of great taste. The cafe was warm and inviting. This has been such a pleasant visit, this cafe alone is making us consider jumping states (we're from Adelaide) just so we can have it at least once a week. If you haven't been, you're sleeping on this venue. If you have, you'll agree with everything I've said.

P.s. There was a Dog....

We had breakfast at The George in Ballarat and came away impressed. The venue has a stylish, heritage charm with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere—ideal for starting the day. Staff were friendly, attentive, and the service was prompted. The menu had plenty of tempting options, but the standout for us was the Eggs Florentine. Perfectly poached eggs sat atop a bed of fresh spinach and toasted sourdough, all topped with a rich and creamy hollandaise sauce. It was well-balanced, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The coffee was also a highlight robust, smooth, and served hot. Everything came out quickly and at just the right temperature. Pricing felt reasonable for the quality, and portion sizes were satisfying without being too heavy. Overall, The George is a great breakfast spot in the heart of Ballarat, whether you're after a hearty start or something a bit more refined. Would...