Best Winter Restaurants in Sydney to Wine, Dine & Defrost

We’ve rounded up the cosiest spots in Sydney for when the craving hits for mood lighting, comforting plates, and interiors that double as renovation inspo. From rich ramen at Mensho to the shag-lined booths at Superfreak, these are the places made for cold nights and lingering dinners.
Whether you’re after a moody wine bar, a hidden pasta joint, or just a warm space to settle in, this list has your next meal out sorted.

Superfreak, Marrickville

The gorgeous green building can be spotted from the streets and gives a sneak peek into what you will find inside. This cafe brings serious interior envy to Marrickville with its YSG Studio-designed interiors, featuring warm wood, gold accents and that Insta-famous shag-covered seating.

The menu focuses on wholesome, seasonal dishes such as their famous porridge with cultured butter and poached fruit, as well as vibrant salads and hearty breakfast plates. It’s the perfect place for a coffee and a pastry or to sit down for a delicious meal to start the day.

Attenzione Food & Wine, Redfern

An unpretentious Italian-ish local restaurant that’s been opened at the former Sunshine Inn space. With moody red and warm lighting and a super impressive bar, this is the perfect spot for a winter's night out. With a wine list of 130 bottles, this restaurant is understated in all the right ways, yet offers all the options of a high-end establishment.

When it comes to food, you aren’t short on options here. From pasta and rice dishes to steaks or mouth-watering mains like the grilled lamb rump, there is something for everyone on the Attenzione menu.

Ragazzi Wine and Pasta, Angel Place

If you are looking for an upscale restaurant with boujee bronze interiors that still provides all the warmth and winter goodness, you are in luck with Ragazzi’s. One tip though — get your booking in early as this place is one of Sydney’s most consistently booked-out restaurants.

With an ever-changing pasta menu featuring homemade pasta (the very best kind), you can't go wrong with a hearty pasta dish. With 300 bottles of wine available, you are bound to find the perfect pasta-wine combo for the ultimate winter meal out.

Famelia, Newtown

Is there anything cosier than bare bricks? We don’t think so. Welcome to Famelia, an intimate wine bar and bottle shop that seats only 25 people, offering ultimate cosy vibes.

This female-owned wine bar showcases a selection of 12 wines each month, often highlighting women winemakers. To go alongside your wine there are classic grazing dishes of cheese, meats and dips all designed to pair perfectly with the wines of the month. Plus, if you like what you are sipping, you can grab it from the bottle shop and continue your winter date night from home with a movie and the same wine flowing.

Valentinas, Marrickville

From the team behind Grumpy Donuts, this American-style all-day diner brings classic New York vibes to Sydney. With glowy backlit mirrors, a curved counter and timber details, the space feels classic and low-key with a sophisticated finish. The outdoor banner gives the space a retro feeling even from the street.

Serving breakfast all day long as well as other home-style dishes, Valentina’s is the ultimate comfort food for casual winter dining. We can’t think of a better winter treat than thick pancakes at any hour of the day.

Cafe Paci, Newtown

Cafe Paci is a cosy local restaurant with incredible European-inspired dishes being served in a bistro-style environment. With a towering curved bar as the centrepiece of the space, you can spend your time looking for a wine, or leave it to the experts and you’ll have the perfect pairing for a relaxed meal out.

Don’t be fooled by the casual space and name, the food and wine at Cafe Paci is thoughtful, surprising and delicious. From dry-aged roast duck to mouth-watering ravioli, this seasonal menu is worth heading out on a cool night for. Or there’s a lunch option on Saturday for those wanting a sunlight hours option.

Sol Bread & Wine, North Sydney

This all-day European-inspired destination starts with coffee and pastries in the morning before turning into a wine bar in the afternoon and evening. (https://solbreadandwine.sydney/)Ideal for all-day winter dining, the space is decked out with simple, sophisticated decor and a dreamy set of spiral stairs.

Pop by the morning for an unbeatable pastry glass display or to grab a loaf of bread to go. Alternatively stop by in the evening for either a hearty dish or an antipasti plate paired with a glass of wine. Perfect for those long winter afternoons when you want to settle in and people watch right up until it’s time to order dinner.

Ramen Auru, Crows Nest

Tatami mats and Australia’s only ramen ticket vending machine — welcome to Ramen Auru, a restaurant bringing Tokyo-style to Sydney. Located in the heart of Crows Nest, with midnight trading hours from Wednesday to Saturday, this is one of our top picks for things to do in Sydney in winter.

You might find yourself lined up, but it’s worth the wait; the vibes are laid-back and the signature bowls are divine. A bowl of broth and a late winter night? It’s a match made in heaven.

The Botanist, Kirribilli

This atmospheric restaurant brings botanical-inspired dining to the streets of Kirribilli, Sydney. Outside, there’s lush greenery welcoming you in, and the vibe continues inside with cosy cushion-clad benches, green walls and glowy lighting, bringing greenhouse vibes right into the night.

The Botanist is known for seasonal dishes that showcase local produce. With a special winter menu that boasts hearty, warming dishes and delicious accompanying cocktails with house-made syrups and, of course, botanical elements, it really is the perfect escape from the winter chill.

Mensho, CBD

Okay, our second Ramen recommendation, but hear us out — house-made Ramen made with Australian wheat milled in store! Mensho is a traditional-style Ramen restaurant with fuss-free interiors and a simple concept, serving delicious food.

There may be a bit of a queue, but that’s just a sign of what you are in for. With an open kitchen, you can watch as your meal is prepared by the incredible team that prepares everything in-house. From lobster bisque ramen to a chocolate cagyu chashu, you cannot go wrong with a meal at Mensho.

Armorica, Surry Hills

This Parisian-style brasserie is the place to be seen this winter in Sydney. Their social media presence is a testament to how gorgeous this space is, featuring red leather booths, golden lamp lighting, huge windows, flowy curtains, and a roof-high wine selection that provides the perfect backdrop for the space.

The wood-fired grill takes centre stage in the kitchen, providing that distinctive smoky flavour to premium cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables. The menu celebrates traditional French brasserie classics while incorporating modern techniques and the best of Australian produce. With Jazz on Friday nights from 9 pm, we cannot think of a better way to spend a winter evening.

Table Manners, Bronte

Who needs Euro-summer when you can have Euro-winter…. In Sydney. With dainty, cosy interiors including Instagram-worthy wall art and two distinct spaces, a bar and a larger dining room, this space is perfect for everything from a girls' night out to a romantic dinner.

This Euro-inspired restaurant in Bronte has been opened by hospitality expert Alex Cameron, who previously worked at acclaimed French restaurants and has gone out on his first solo project with Table Manners. With highlights including crab pain perdu, Moreton Bay bug club sandwich, and crispy spaghetti all'Assassina with king prawns.

Sydney's winter restaurant scene proves that there is plenty of reason to head out into the cold this winter, with endless refuges from the cold offering gorgeous interiors, incredible food and great service.

Whether you're looking for a quick defrost with exceptional ramen or planning a long leisurely dinner with friends, these venues deliver exactly what winter dining should be: warm, welcoming, and absolutely delicious.

Need more winter warmth inspiration? Check out our guides to winter getaways in NSW and discover how underfloor heating for your tiles can keep your home cosy, or explore our best fireplace tile ideas to create the perfect winter sanctuary at home.