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The best venues with roaring fireplaces

Refer to this list of establishments turning up the heat with open fireplaces and you’ll be snug as a bug in an eatery.

Trunk Bar & Restaurant
275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, VIC | (03) 9663 7994

Trunk, formerly a 19th century synagogue, is now the perfect sanctuary from winter. Dig into local and seasonal European fare by the gas fire or if you like it hot, order pizza from the wood-fired oven. The Trunk team brings the heat outside, too, with column heaters scattered around the impressive beer garden.

Middle Park Hotel
102 Canterbury Rd, Middle Park, VIC | (03) 9690 1958

Nothing says ‘winter’ more than weekend roasts and classic pub grub, both of which have a contemporary spin and Middle Park Hotel. And if the fireplaces (one complete with mounted deer head) don’t warm you up, the bread and butter pudding with hot apricot sauce and Irish whiskey custard certainly will. 

The Commons Local Eating House
32 Burton St, Darlinghurst, NSW | (02) 9358 1487
With sandstone walls and restored fireplaces, this 160-year-old former farmhouse is just about as cosy as they come. Seats by the fire are hotly contended, where couples and groups bask in the glow of the open flames while nibbling on charcuterie share plates and seasonal produce.

Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
19 Kent St, The Rocks, NSW | (02) 9251 4044
On June 2 the Brewers Table Mid Winter Dinner is on at Lord Nelson, an evening of hearty winter dishes paired with house brews – all enjoyed in the warmth of the open fire. Brewer Andrew Robson will be answering any questions, as well as dishing out rosy cheeks by the barrelful.

Grazing
The Royal Hotel, Corner Cork & Harp St, Gundaroo, NSW | (02) 6236 8777
A glass of wine, 18 hour slow cooked pork belly – or perhaps confit duck leg – beside the fire in a refurbished 1865 country pub. Sounds pretty good, no? Expect all of this and the comfort of feeling at home when you dine at Grazing, an award-winning, rustic restaurant just 30 minutes outside of Canberra.

Panacea
72-74 Halifax St, Adelaide, SA | (08) 8232 3523
Ask for a seat at the back of the restaurant near the fire, then take advantage of specials that will warm you from the inside out. If you’re lucky, the ratatouille with creamy chevre will be on, or perhaps a twice-cooked cheese and caramalised onion soufflé with creamy gorgonzola sauce.

Vino Ristorante
46 Unley Road, Unley, SA | (08) 8272 1277
Charming, romantic, cosy – all accurate adjectives when describing Vino Ristorante. The warm ambiance emanates from candle-lit tables, an open fire and smiling staff. Here, they live by an old Sicilian proverb that translates to, “at the table you don’t age”, or in other words, don’t rush. And with pasta from tortellini di casa to rigatoni alla Norma, as well as pizza and other classics, why would you?

Dunalley Waterfront Café

4 Imlay St, Dunalley, TAS | (03) 6253 5122
Calling all Tassie day-trippers: be sure to stop at Dunalley on your way to – or back from – Port Arthur. This gorgeous café it prepared for all seasons with a deck to enjoy the sunshine or a fireplace to keep toastie during cooler months. Opt for the seafood dishes on the menu and warm up with the likes of smoky seafood chowder with homemade bread.

Monty’s on Montpelier
37 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point, TAS | (03) 6223 2511
You’ll need to book ahead if you’re to nab a seat in front of one of three log fireplaces at Monty’s, set in an original house from the 1890s. Go for the heartier dishes such as roast potato and garlic soup with smoked eggplant, or lamb back strap, sweetbread and white onion marmalade pie. Finish with a selection from the most extensive list of cheese in Hobart.

The Cabin Wine Bar + Bistro
174 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mt Hawthorn, WA | (08) 9444 6214
You could hardly call your establishment ‘The Cabin’ without a fireplace. This particular cabin is a more contemporary than your average, with silver sphere light fittings beside mounted deer heads and chesterfield couches alongside modern wooden finishes. The balcony stays heated during winter, so whether you’re eating quail breast kievs or drinking craft beer – you’ll be peeling off layers in no time.

Southside Tea Rooms
639 Wynnum Rd, Brisbane, QLD | (07) 3899 5859
Whether you’re after baked goods and coffee or buffalo wings and cocktails, Southside Tea Rooms has you covered. Along with a crackling fireplace there are regular exhibitions, craft classes and gigs. Expect Southside to retain its same retro décor and level of quirk throughout winter.

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