Melbourne winter dining: six of the best

1. Victoria by Farmer's Daughters

Take a culinary road trip around the state without leaving Melbourne at Victoria by Farmer's Daughters. Created by executive chef Alejandro Saravia to celebrate the produce, people and places of Victoria – from the paddocks of the Western Plains to the fruits of the Murray, from the waters of the Great Ocean Road to the vineyards of the High Country. On a wintry Sunday, gather your friends and family to warm your bellies with The Mighty Sunday Roast, a local Victorian spin on the world favourite Sunday Roast. If the weather is fine, head to the outdoor terrace overlooking the Yarra.
Corner of Swanston and Flinders Street, Federation Square, Yarra Building, Ground Floor, Melbourne

2. Aru

Come in out of the rain and be warmed by Aru's cuisine, centred around a woodfired hearth where dishes are cooked or finished over the flame. Enjoy oysters, prawns or duck given a hint of smoke and char and matched with cocktails that change with the seasons. The menu spans the ancient seafaring routes between China, Indonesia and northern Australia set in a beautifully designed space of brick, warm wood and marble.
268 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

3. Tipo 00

Pasta is the name of the game over winter, so you'll be winning with a sought-after table at Tipo 00. Come out of the cold for superlative squid ink taglione, braised rabbit parpadelle, and the playfully named Tipomisu – Tipo's modern revamp of Italy's classic tiramisu.
361 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

4. Bar Margaux

Bar Margaux is a swanky brasserie from the team behind The Everleigh and Heartbreaker, and it’s perfect for a cozy (and slightly boozy) winter dinner. You’ll find it tucked away on Lonsdale St, just near the State Library. Settle into one of the booths and tuck into steak frites, a mammoth Côte de Boeuf, or a silky smooth Irish coffee. The ambience in here is just about as good as it gets.

111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

5. Grill Americano

At the heart of Grill Americano’s kitchen is a hand-built wood oven and Josper Grill. Together, they provide the heat and flame to perfectly flavour and cook exquisite meats and seafood for a winter-warming meal in an elegant setting created by famed restaurateur Chris Lucas. Savour delicate handmade pastas and classic Italian desserts, paired with wine from a 2,000+ bottle cellar.
112 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

6. Lilac Wine

Sample the classic flavours of French bistro comfort food mixed with nostalgic Australian dishes from Michelin star trained chef Kyle Nicol’s childhood. Sit around a roaring fireplace on a candlelit table in a warm exposed brick interior with the smooth sounds of records playing. A humble and homely neighbourhood wine bar, Lilac Wine has a menu showcasing wood-fired cooking at its best – as well as house-aged meats, foraged produce and house-made cheeses, vinegars and sourdough.
31 Stephenson Street, Cremorne