Fireside dining this winter in the Yarra Valley

Published 27 May 2019, updated 18 August 2020

So, if you're in lockdown and you don't have an open fire at home, perhaps a takeaway dinner from one of these amazing restaraunts and a few candles will do the trick until we can dine out again!

Looking for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast by an open fire? When the winter season arrives, the Yarra Valley is ready with roaring fires, warm-you-up wintry walks and delicious food and wine that makes winter days and nights a celebration of cool.

There’s nothing better than warming your back against the fire with a glass of Yarra Valley red in your hand and there are plenty of places where you won’t need to tear yourself away from the hearth!

Fondata 1872, Kangaroo Ground

With a view of rolling hills and dramatic winter skies, you’ll feel all the more tucked in and cosy when dining fireside at Fondata 1872.  The fireplace had been the central focus of these historical buildings since 1872!

Oscars on the Yarra, Warburton

Fireside and riverside, this delightful destination on the banks of the Yarra is well known for its warm service, delightful seasonal menu and resident ducks! Oscars on the Yarra is a winter destination – and just 15 minutes drive from Mt Donna Buang when there is snow.

My Little Kitchen, Healesville

Daytime dining at My Little Kitchen is light, bright and warm and toasty when the open fire is roaring. Local fare is featured on the seasonal menu, and the coffee is to-die-for. Tucked away in Healesville it’s a great spot to drop in and shed your layers.

Sutherland Estate, Dixons Creek

A cellar door with an open fire! Yes, it’s true and romantic and full of ambient charm. A visit to Sutherland Estate (which hosts weddings and special events, and has accommodation you may never leave!) is something to warm the heart and soul. Award-winning wines and views across the valley are all part of the experience. 

Healesville Hotel, Healesville

Sunday Roasts are back for winter and shared plates of melting-off-the-bone meats and veggies, topped with rich, lip-licking gravy served with a glass (or two) of local wine could just be the thing you come back for again and again. The log fire at Healesville Hotel adds a sense of winter wonder to the room and the people you meet make you feel part of the family.

Yarra Valley Grand Hotel, Yarra Glen 

An iconic hotel on the main street of Yarra Glen, the Yarra Valley Grand Hotel has several open fireplaces to keep you warm in winter. Check out the hearty meals, craft beers, local wines and country hospitality and enjoy some toe-tappingg live music (most weekends) for some awesome winter vibes that will keep you toasty warm.

York on Lilydale, Lilydale

Family friendly with something for everyone, the York On Lilydale has plenty of activities to keep kids and adults amused while you bunker down by an open fire and enjoy a relaxed meal together. Set among 4.5 hectares of natural bushland, you can even take a walk and come back for more. Winter all wrapped up in one destination! 

Plan a daytrip or overnight stay and explore the Yarra Valley in winter this year. It’s the perfect time of the year to linger longer with some inspired local dining and the deeply satisfying red wines that are a highlight of the season.