Grano - Italian Cafe & Restaurant

Grano is a rustic-industrial Italian pasta bar and restaurant in the historic Goods Shed precinct at 200 Lydiard St N, Soldiers Hill, right next to Ballarat Railway Station. The deciding fact for dog owners: dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, so you can tuck into handmade pasta or woodfired pizza without leaving your dog behind.

The dog setup. Dogs are permitted in the outdoor seating area only, which sits within the broader Goods Shed precinct. They need to be leashed, well-behaved, and stay with you at the table. There is no guarantee of a water bowl being provided, so bring your own to be safe.

Known for. Handmade pasta made fresh on-premise is the headline here, alongside thin-crust woodfired pizza and Italian-style brunch. The menu includes a solid range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Grano holds a 4.9-star rating from 28 reviews, a strong score from a relatively small review base.

Getting there & parking. On-site parking is available, and Ballarat Railway Station is immediately adjacent with substantial commuter parking. V/Line trains to Ballarat Station make this a straightforward trip by rail too.

Nearby with the dogs. If you want to make a day of it, head to Pennyweight Park Fenced Dog Park in Ballarat East for a proper off-leash run. For a second stop, Hop Temple in Ballarat Central is another dog-friendly venue worth knowing about.

When to go. Grano operates Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm, and is closed Monday and Tuesday. The brunch window is ideal for a quieter, cooler session with your dog, while evening service suits a relaxed dinner after a late-afternoon walk.

Sources

• Your ultimate guide to dog-friendly Ballarat · visitballarat.com.au
• Grano in Soldiers Hill - The Fold: Your Guide to Everything Ballarat · thefold.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.