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Cosy Canberra: our favourite ‘warming’ restaurants

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If you’re anything like me, you may have come across the following scenario in the depths of a Canberra winter.

Tired of hibernating, you’re enticed to seek out a cosy, warm venue where conversation and wine flows and the arctic climate is blissfully forgotten for a few hours. But when you enter the restaurant you almost immediately regret it. The wait staff are seemingly unaware of the situation outside and, instead, keep the air conditioning at the kind of level only suitable if you’re running around – while you sit there shivering in your coat.

The cosy night you had planned quickly becomes a game of ‘watch the door’ – a look of pure fear on each diner’s face as yet another prospective customer enters, bringing with them an icy gust of wind. Finally, you retreat to the warmth of your own home, vowing to wait until (at least) spring to try it all again.

Well, we’ve uncovered a few restaurants and bars embracing the Canberra winter and turning up the heat. We promise they’ll keep you warmer than Hawaii, sans jacket.

Farmhouse Restaurant, Pialligo

PE-wagyu

Pialligo Estate’s Farmhouse Restaurant is aptly named — step inside the upmarket ‘barn’ and you’re immediately enveloped in warmth and sophisticated country-style hospitality. Get there a little early and enjoy a class of red by the roaring fire, then take your time with some of Canberra’s best dining using fresh local produce.

18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | www.thepialligoestate.com.au

Monster, NewActon

 

monster new

Leave your coat at the door; you won’t need it at this restaurant and bar, located in the Hotel Hotel foyer in NewActon. With a fireplace and electric atmosphere, and some amazing food (see above) it’s a must for a snug night out. Another bonus? You don’t even have to go outside if you’re heading to the movies after – Palace Electric Cinema is just a few steps away.

25 Edinburgh Ave, New Acton | hotel-hotel.com.au

Molly, City West

Image via instagram.com/tanya_sim/

Image via instagram.com/tanya_sim/

You won’t have to worry about that game of ‘watch the door’ at Molly – because this is an underground bar, it’s perfectly designed for the Canberra winter. Wander down the staircase and you’re met with intimate, warm lighting and a 1920s vibe. Read our full story here.

Find Molly at -35° 16′ 46.45″ S – 149° 7′ 35.23″ E | molly.net.au

Grazing, Gundaroo

 

grazing

Grazing at Gundaroo is the perfect country getaway

Ok, so it’s a little off the beaten track but once you get there, Grazing is well worth it. Request a seat in front of the fire to really stay snug. Plus, it means you can finally show off your new dress once you shed all those layers.

Cork Street, Gundaroo | www.grazing.com.au

Capitol Bar and Grill, Civic

Mac n Cheese from Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Canberra.

Mac n Cheese from Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Canberra.

QT Hotel‘s sprawling diner is armed with a funky atmosphere, killer tunes and more importantly, gorgeous little fireplaces. Check them out behind the bar area for your post-dinner wine on the lounges, and get comfy – you’re guaranteed to want to park yourself there for a while. Their Mac n Cheese is perfect for a cold Canberra evening.

1 London Circuit, Canberra City | www.qtcanberra.com.au

The George Harcourt Inn, Gold Creek

For the north-siders, the George Harcourt Inn is a classic English pub in the sense that it embraces the cold weather – hearty meals, fireplace and all.

3 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls

The Green Herring, Gold Creek

Entering the The Green Herring is like stepping back in time. A roaring fireplace and hearty meals that warm you from the inside out…it’s the perfect winter destination.

Ginninderra Village, 11 O’Hanlon Place,  Nicholls | www.thegreenherring.com.au

Any more we’ve overlooked? Let us know.

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5 Responses to Cosy Canberra: our favourite ‘warming’ restaurants

Justine White says: 27 July, 2014 at 10:42 am

Given our wintery climate, it has always amazed me that there are not more restaurants/cafés/coffee shops etc in Canberra with a roaring fire. Or at very least, one of those gas flame thingies that not only give the illusion of warmth, but are actually warm! Sadly though, whilst dining at Mecca Bah just last night, we were not provided with the warm, cozy atmosphere expected. Great food? Yes. Attentive and honest staff? Yes. But a warmth that would have us reaching for the water to cool down? No. And we were not alone. Looking around the restaurant, the coats, jackets and scarves still adorned by diners, and not casually slung over the backs of chairs, was a good indication of the temperature inside. When we mentioned the apparent chill in the air to staff upon paying for our bill, we were told to book a few days earlier to ensure a table next to the fire. Like it was our problem that we were not warm. Perhaps the fire is the only form of heating for the dining room? Perhaps closing the door to the outside eating area would assist in keeping some of the warmth the fire provides in the restaurant!

Laura says: 28 July, 2014 at 11:35 am

Hi Justine, couldn’t agree with you more on being amazed that more places don’t adapt to the weather! Re Mecca Bah, that’s not good to hear! Sitting closer to the fire is definitely best but they’re usually pretty good with keeping the rest of the place warm! Strange! I can however say with confidence I was at ‘Monster’ again on Friday night and it was toasty as anything!

TrickyT says: 2 August, 2014 at 4:35 pm

I found this article very useful last night when I was researching where to go for brunch today, and settled on Monster. Love the cosy atmosphere but sadly the food was very average – my husband had scrambled eggs and they were very pale and milky, lacking sufficient egg! I had the bikini toastada (fancy name for a ham & cheese toastie), it was OK but seriously $12 for a toastie! I’d go back there for coffee but not to eat.

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