From coastal getaways to mountain retreats, Australia offers plenty of scenic spots to get cosy all year round. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking to relax with a great meal, the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia come with roaring fires, sweeping views and hearty food.
Out in the Blue Mountains, Korean BBQ sizzles on the grill in a local town, while cocktails are poured with views of the stunning Jamison Valley. Head up a little higher for high tea at an iconic hotel or swing by Blackheath, where locally-grown produce takes the spotlight. A French touch makes its mark in the heart of Sydney and further down the NSW coast, a curated sensory experience awaits. Down in Melbourne, a cosy neighbourhood local serves elevated pub dishes while up north, Brisbane is home to an intimate pan-Asian hotspot serving creative cocktails. Amidst the Adelaide Hills, a historic estate dishes up valley cuisine and back in the city, a neighbourhood bar pours over 400 different wines.
When it comes to comfy hot spots, Australia’s got you covered. Plan your next cosy meal at the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia and book on OpenTable today.
The 10 best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia to try this winter
For one of the best restaurants in Adelaide with a roaring fireplace – visit Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant in Adelaide
Part of the historic 19th-century home of Arthur Hardy, Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant serves up a valley-to-verandah experience. The set experience menu includes an ever-changing selection of dishes that highlight seasonal, local produce, like sweet heirloom beetroot and tender Maremma duck. The vegan and vegetarian menus, meanwhile, feature options like crunchy roasted cauliflower and a juicy Lenswood apple terrine. Hardy’s Verandah is also an excellent option for high tea, serving up refreshing watercress sandwiches, fluffy lemonade scones and creamy whipped cheesecake from Friday to Sunday. Take in the rolling Adelaide Hills with a glass of champagne and rare tea blends before heading out to toast marshmallows by the fire at the terrace bar.
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For one of the most cosy cocktail bars in Australia serving pan-Asian plates – pull up a chair at Mr. Vain in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Inspired by the bars and restaurants in New York’s Chinatown, Mr Vain’s exposed brick walls and warm glow create a relaxed, intimate dining space. The kitchen serves up a pan-Asian menu of eats like diced salmon served with spicy mayo and crispy spring rolls with kimchi. Try some tender smoked lamb ribs with Sichuan pepper and finish the night with a creamy white chocolate mousse. The wine list highlights local, family-owned vineyards using sustainable winemaking practices, with a select few international wines rounding out the options. Cocktails are taken pretty seriously here, with unique ingredients like rice pudding milk and coconut-infused rum in The Tino and tamarind miso and whisky in the Golden Boy.
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For one of the best warm and cosy French restaurants in Australia – swing by Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon in Surry Hills, Sydney
Located between Surry Hills and Darlinghurst lies a charming French escape in the form of Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon. Step off the busy street and into a world of glowing chandeliers, unique antiques and a roaring fireplace. With a cosy, enveloping atmosphere, Claire’s Kitchen invites you to rest and relax, far away from the world outside. Masterminded by French-born TV chef and drag queen Marc Kuzma, aka Claire de Lune, Claire’s Kitchen serves up French classics with a unique twist. Kick things off with a twice-cooked cheese soufflé before moving on to a tender duck and pinot noir pie. Finish with a rich Belgian chocolate mousse, made from a recipe passed down by Claire’s grandma. Pair your meal with a cocktail like the signature vodka and raspberry Claire de Lune or the fragrant elderflower and grapefruit Fleur de Citron. Add on a well-rounded selection of French wines and aperitifs and you’re in for a great night.
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For one of the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia for wine – try Mimosa Wines in Bermagui
Head to New South Wales’s South Coast, where a gastronomic restaurant is ready to delight your senses. Family-owned Mimosa Wines makes good use of the high-quality produce available in the South Coast region for a truly local experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows let plenty of light into the spacious, airy dining space and offer stunning views of the treetops below. With supporting beams made from tree-trunk-like wooden poles, it feels as if the forest rises to meet you at this countryside retreat. The three-course lunch menu includes starters like flame cockles from Bermagui and hearty mains like tender Junee lamb from the Riverina district. Head chef Jan Semmelhack used to work as the head pastry chef of a two MICHELIN-starred restaurant, so be sure to try the rich chocolate and mango dessert. For dinner, Semmelhack has curated a six-course experience with optional wine pairings. If you prefer to choose your own bottle, you’ll have plenty of options from the curated wine list, which showcases the best organic wines from Australia and New Zealand.
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For one of the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia for valley views – head to Elysian in Katoomba, Sydney
In the Blue Mountains, a peaceful wine and cocktail bar boasts sweeping views of the World Heritage-listed Jamison Valley. Welcoming visitors and locals alike, the team at Elysian has created a haven where it’s easy to relax and unwind. Start things off with craft cocktails like the sweet honeycomb whisky-filled Honey I Shrunk the Peach or the tangy gin and yuzushu Ronin. The menu includes a range of great sharer plates, like mellow Stilton blue cheese with local Mountain Mist honey or crispy chicken katsu sliders. Don’t hesitate to ask the friendly staff for recommendations on the best wine pairing. The wine list is always changing as Elysian finds new, unique bottles to add to its collection. The interiors here are chic and simple, placing all the emphasis on the stunning rolling hills outside. Settle in at one of the wooden tables under warm, hanging lights and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
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For a cosy pub meal by the fireplace – book at Mount Erica Hotel in Prahran, Melbourne
With a roaring fire, wood-panelled walls and tartan accents, there’s a hunting lodge feel to this beloved corner pub in Prahran. The menu at Mount Erica Hotel goes beyond the usual pub favourites, with elevated options like buttery steak tartare and succulent roasted duck leg. But that doesn’t mean they shy away from the classics. You can still enjoy crispy battered fish and chips, flaky sausage rolls and juicy cheeseburgers here. Alongside a selection of classic beers, Mount Erica Hotel also features a few wine spritzes and other cocktails on tap. On Sundays, the kitchen serves up an all-day roast, while during the week you can order the oysters and fizz special between 4 pm and 6 pm. Grab a spot by the fireplace and settle in under the warm lights at this cosy local favourite.
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For one of the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia for BBQ – book at Jiggle Korean BBQ in Leura, Sydney
Just two hours from Sydney’s CBD, Leura Village boasts one of Australia’s best Korean BBQ restaurants. Jiggle KoreanBBQ serves up traditional Korean cuisine with a focus on BBQ, using high quality Australian Wagyu beef. Soothing warm lighting bathes each table (and its grill) in a golden glow, just waiting to be filled with the sound of sizzling meat and veggies. From oyster blade to rib meat, there are plenty of different cuts of Wagyu beef available. Add on a vegetable plate and some pork belly and you’re ready to cook up a delicious feast. Complementing the BBQ options, Jiggle also offers classic dishes like juicy Korean fried chicken, hearty bowls of spicy pork kimchi and crispy vegetable dumplings. Pair your meal with some soju (straight or mixed into a sweet cocktail), Korean beer or Korean soft drinks.
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For one of the best restaurants in Australia for high tea – book at The Wintergarden at Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains in Sydney
Luxurious and inviting, The Wintergarden at Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains promises an unforgettable meal. Situated high up in the Blue Mountains, it offers breathtaking views of the Megalong Valley from a spacious white and gold dining space. This is known for being one of the best restaurants in Australia for high tea. The classic Wintergarden high tea includes a selection of sandwiches, flaky pastries and fluffy scones alongside a choice of tea or coffee and a flute of champagne. The Eastern high tea, meanwhile, serves up soft dumplings, crispy rice paper rolls and a selection of sweet treats. There’s also a gluten-free option and a children’s high tea, so the whole family can soak up the atmosphere. Alternatively, come here for dinner and enjoy a two or three-course meal of dishes like seared scallops, salt-cured duck breast and creamy mango parfait. Make sure to stop by Salon Du The at The Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains, a tea room and bar draped in deep shades of red serving up an Asian-inspired menu.
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For hyper-local ingredients – try Blaq in Blackheath
Blaq invites you into a plush, retro-feeling restaurant that embraces the garden-to-plate philosophy. Here, local produce is taken to the next level using ingredients grown in the restaurant’s own garden and bought from local producers in the community. Try small plates of soft burrata and big plates of brined kangaroo with goat’s curd cream. From the grill, order some juicy Yamba jumbo prawns and finish things off with a sweet treat like a rich dark chocolate cake with a refreshing wattle seed crème. The wine list takes the same local approach as the menu, with a particular focus on wineries that use biodynamic and organic farming practices. Meanwhile, the cocktail list uses locally sourced spirits to create fun twists on your favourite classics (but if you prefer it done the old-fashioned way, just go ahead and ask). Book a table in the morning to check out the breakfast grazing table with local fruit, house-made granola and house-hatched eggs.
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For one of the best warm and cosy wine bars in Australia – visit Good Gilbert in Adelaide
Award-winning wine bar Good Gilbert invites every diner to tell a new chapter in its story. One for true wine aficionados, the ever-evolving wine list features 400+ bottles, as well as more than 40 that you can enjoy by the glass or carafe. The à la carte menu, meanwhile, includes seasonal dishes like spiced cauliflower with a smooth almond puree and flaky Murray cod fillet. Alternatively, let the kitchen take charge with the feed mef menu. With a chic full-service dining space and a casual bar out the front, Good Gilbert is the perfect spot to enjoy some relaxed drinks with friends. Grab a seat at one of the plush booths, or settle in at the counter and join in the fun at this welcoming neighbourhood bar.
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From the heights of the Blue Mountains down to the coast, the best warm and cosy restaurants in Australia are more than worth a visit. Experience a traditional high tea amidst stunning views or find a cosy corner to relax in one of Australia’s busiest cities. Whether you’re planning a group gathering or dining solo, these restaurants are some of the best in the country, so bookings are highly recommended. Sip on local wines, taste seasonal produce and soak up the welcoming atmosphere at these cosy retreats.
