Warm up at these winter-proof Sydney restaurants

Boasting two fireplaces, Woollahra local institution, The Lord Dudley, is an ideal spot to warm the bones.

With a Merrie England Tudor-style exterior and charming wood-panelled interior, this family-run pub is perfect for a winter Sunday roast dinner with loved ones.

Apart from roasts, hearty Brit-inspired pub fare makes up the menu. Bangers and mash, lambs fry and bacon and a selection of house-made pies are all guaranteed to hit the spot.

Best of all? The Lord Dudley is 100% dog friendly, so bring fido along to bask in the warmth of the fireplace.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Sunday roast – pork loin or lamb rump ($25)

What better way to put a fire in the belly than dining at Australia’s only completely wood-fuelled restaurant Firedoor.

Michelin-starred head chef Lennox Hastie utilises an unconventional approach: using no gas or electricity in the kitchen.

He sources local ingredients of the highest quality and grills over wood coals, using 11 types of wood to add a subtle smokiness and unique flavour profile to the menu.

Meat is the main attraction, juicy slabs of steak and prime cuts of lamb, pork and chicken complemented by fresh shellfish. Wines are chosen for their ability to pair with the smoky notes of the food.

Recently named the third best steak restaurant in the world, eating at Firedoor is a not-to-be missed experience.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Five-course chef’s menu ($155)

Beat the Sydney winter chill with a comforting meal in front of a toasty fire at The Dove and Olive.

Located close to the Belvoir St Theatre, this is a perfect dinner option before heading off to catch a show.

Aussie comfort food is served here, cooked to perfection and in generous portions. Bring your appetite and enjoy a delicious classic like chicken parmi, topped with smoked ham, Napoli sauce and a decadent three-cheese mix.

Alternatively, go for beer-battered fish and chips, or rump steak served with mashed potato, veg and a choice of sauce. Delish!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Panko-crumbed chicken schnitzel ($21)

For those north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge looking to cure the winter blues, it’s hard to go past dinner at The Treehouse.

The atmosphere is undeniably quirky. Bright retro lighting, eclectic furniture, old-school movie posters and a luminous jukebox are offset by the dining room’s centrepiece: a sleek, glass-clad fireplace raised above the tables.

Feeling hungry? Rumbling stomachs need not be concerned. With 25 years of experience, David Maisey’s menu features modern Australian cuisine jam-packed with winter winners.

Enjoy duck confit with an Asian mushroom ragu or seared tuna linguini before finishing with a rich dark chocolate parfait dome with yuzu curd and raspberry coulis.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lamb rump, served with sauteed kale, kumera crisps and harissa yogurt ($38)

A huge bowl of curry is the ultimate way to turn up the temperature when winter hits, so spice up your life with an Indian feast at Masala Theory.

Owner Yashpal Erda runs this eatery with a motto of “taste above all”, an ethos that results in a menu of Indian classics spliced with modern-day twists.

If you like your Indian fragrant and full of flavour, you’ve come to the right establishment. The bright Bollywood-inspired dining space alone is enough to ward off the winter chill!

Love fish and chips? Start with the creative masala fish and chips before moving to tried and true favourites like butter chicken and chicken masala. Just don’t forget the garlic naan!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Surry Hills lamb shank curry ($29.90)

Stop winter dead in its tracks with piping hot, cheesy pizzas.

Located on uber-hip King St in Newtown, Bella Brutta pumps out mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas and tasty Italian sides.

Here, it’s out with the old, in with the new. There’s no time for stuffy Italian tradition at this ristorante!

Be adventurous and opt for the inventive clam pizza (clam, pecorino, fermented chilli) or gorge on more recognisable choices like margherita, pepperoni or potato.

Helped by the wood-fired oven, the vibe is warm and inviting. An ideal spot for a cosy winter date night over a bottle (or two!) of vino.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Mortadella pizza ($28)

Sydney’s oldest pub, The Lord Nelson has offered its crackling hearth and warm hospitality to bawdry sailors (and modern-day peckish patrons!) since 1841.

With sandstone walls, scrubbed floorboards and Admiral Lord Nelson’s regal portrait hung above the fireplace, you’ll instantly be transported to convict-era Sydney.

But what about the food? Fittingly, elevated modern Australian cuisine is the name of the game.

Begin with fresh tiger prawns before moving to mains like chilli crab lobster spaghettini or roast lamb rack with eschalot chimichurri.

Our tip? On a cold evening, pick a table near the crackling fireplace and enjoy the very Sydney vibe.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Himalayan-spiced hiramasa kingfish curry ($36)