Step inside, hang up your coat, and let the warmth draw you in.

Whether you’re sipping something bold or bubbly, sharing stories with friends, or diving into a good book, fireside moments are blissfully rewarding. Ready to cosy up? Here’s a list of some of the region’s best spots to toast your toes and your tastebuds.

Fook Shing – lean into a long lunch or dinner at Fook Shing in Kyneton. Gather your friends or family and pull up a seat beside the warming open fire as you tuck into tasty vibrant Southeast Asian inspired fare – think hearty and filling curries – all of which are designed to be shared.

Glen Erin Lancefield – feast on a three-course menu within the dining room at Glen Erin at Lancefield as you get cosy beside the beautiful, open fireplace. Tuck into winter warming dishes such as 6-hour slow roasted beef short ribs or the 12-hour slow cooked lamb shoulder. Make a weekend of it and book a room in one of their luxurious suites, all with stunning vineyard views.

Hotel Trentham – this welcoming country pub turns up the heat in winter with four roaring fireplaces spread throughout the venue. Two original beauties in the public bar and lounge were lovingly restored during the 2023 renovation—complete with handmade Kyneton bricks from 1926. The bistro adds to the charm with two grand fireplaces that keep the dining room toasty from morning till late.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham – it’s easy to keep warm and cosy at The Cosmo, where you will find fireplaces in the bar, main dining room and wine room. Here you can chat to one of the friendly locals, tuck into the seasonal fare or sip on a local wine. (Hero image pictured)

Pig & Whistle – the Pig and Whistle in Trentham East boasts three crackling indoor fireplaces and three outdoor fire pits – and it’s dog-friendly too! Snuggle up with provided blankets and soak in the cosy vibes while enjoying hearty pub fare made with local ingredients.

Attwoods Wines – keep the winter chills at bay at this family-run winery in Glenlyon. Cosy up with a glass of wine and a cheeseboard in the cellar room in front of a blazing Ned Kelly pot belly fire. Choose from exceptional pet nat, chardonnay, rosé, pinot noir or shiraz, produced by winemaker Troy Walsh.

Captains Creek Organic Wines – cosy up by a century-old fireplace with a glass of wine or cider and one of Captain Creek’s signature shared plates, packed with farm-fresh local produce. Whether you’re fireside or soaking in the countryside views, it’s the perfect spot to unwind.

The Pavilion at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa – get the blood pumping with a walk around Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve before stopping in for lunch at the Pavilion at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Built in 1908, this Edwardian heritage-listed building has a fire burning all winter long, the ideal place to sit as you enjoy a warming toastie or Devonshire tea. Be sure to treat yourself to a bathing experience or spa treatment at the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa before leaving.

The Chocolate Mill – sipping on a hot chocolate (made with the finest Belgian couverture chocolate) beside a roaring fireplace – we can’t think of a better combination on a cool winter’s day! Make your way to this gem, located just outside Daylesford in Mt Franklin.

Panacea Estate – sip estate-grown wines as you admire the sweeping vineyard and lake views at this Welshman’s Reef based winery, just outside Maldon. Settle in with a rosé or sparkling shiraz by the indoor fireplace or gather around the outdoor fire pit.

Wombat Forest Wines – enjoy warm, friendly service and a hearty cabernet sauvignon by the toasty fireplace at this forest-surrounded gem. Pair your wine with a cheese plate and soak in the peaceful atmosphere at this welcoming winery, conveniently nestled between Daylesford, Kyneton, and Woodend.

Tuki – you might feel as though you’ve stepped into a European mountain chalet as you enter the restaurant at Tuki, which features a large fireplace in the centre of the room. This sets the tone for a wonderful dining experience, matched with sublime views. Make a weeked of it and stay in one of their charming cottages (each of which features an open fireplace).

Sault Restaurant – warm the bones beside the large fireplace at this gorgeous restaurant before warming the soul with seasonal dishes made from high quality produce, with much sourced from Sault’s own kitchen gardens. Set in a stunning country house and named after a French village, dining here feels like a trip to Provence, right in the heart of Daylesford.

Daylesford Cider – you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into an English tavern at this welcoming cider house, just outside Daylesford. Sip on one of their crisp ciders (all made using the heritage cider apples grown organically on the surrounding farm) as you warm up with a wood-fired pizza beside the open log fireplace.

The Argus Dining Room – treat yourself to the refined, seasonal menu in an elegant Art Deco setting within the Mineral Springs Hotel in Hepburn Springs. In the cooler months, the crackling fireplace adds a cosy touch – perfect for a long lunch or intimate dinner paired with a local hearty red.

The Victoria Hotel – this charming country pub, in the heart of Woodend, has a distinct ski chalet vibe with its pitched timber roof and double-sided fireplace. The bistro serves up generous pub classics—think steaks, parmas, and house-made desserts—alongside local wines and craft beers.

The Boathouse Restaurant – enjoy lakeside views and a relaxed, refined meal, made even better by the warmth of a crackling wood fireplace in this Daylesford favourite. The seasonal menu features standout dishes like juniper-braised pork belly, Sher Wagyu eye fillet, and cherrywood smoked beetroot with Meredith goat cheese.