Shiva Designs Melbourne Winter Edit

Melbourne is made for winter.
In fact, I think it’s when the city truly comes into its own.

Crisp cold air. Fallen autumn leaves. Bare trees. Long coats, boots and scarves. Intimate restaurants glowing softly from within. Red wine, masala chai, gallery visits, theatre nights and slow weekends away.

Winter in Melbourne invites you to go inward. To slow down a little. To cook more, read more, indulge more and romanticise the everyday.

Below are a few of my favourite Melbourne winter recommendations — the places, rituals and little luxuries I return to every year.

Restaurants & Bars

Zareh

I love everything about Zareh. The food is exceptional, the atmosphere intimate and moody, the music always perfect and the service warm and effortless. Tom Sarafian has truly created the recipe for the perfect night out.
https://www.zareh.com.au/

Albert’s Wine Bar

A wonderful wine bar for a midweek girls’ night out. Sit inside or rugged up outdoors beneath the heaters, order far too many sharing plates and a delicious bottle of red and settle in for the evening.
My favourites? The prawn toast and the vodka penne pasta.
https://www.albertswinebar.com/

David’s

The perfect long Sunday brunch with family or friends. A delicious Chinese feast that just keeps coming. The spring rolls and fried chicken are a must-order. Afterwards, roll home and spend the rest of Sunday on the couch.
https://www.davidsrestaurant.com.au/

Caretaker’s Cottage

Possibly the coolest little bar in Melbourne. Tiny, atmospheric and always buzzing in the best way.
https://www.caretakerscottage.bar/

Marion

My favourite intimate lunch or dinner spot. Definitely book a table indoors during winter. I’m especially partial to the house flatbread, heirloom tomatoes, plum and feta salad and the John Dory.
And the Marion Martini? The perfect way to begin a meal.
https://www.marionwine.com.au/

⸻

Winter Road Trips & Weekend Escapes

St Andrews Beach

We recently spent twelve nights at the beautiful Coastal Luxe holiday house via Airbnb and absolutely loved it. It had everything we needed to feel completely at home — a lovely garden, fireplace, hot tub, pool table and a beautifully curated interior filled with art, warmth and style.
The owners, Keryn and Steve, were an absolute joy to deal with.
@coastal_luxe 

Merrijig

We’re also very excited to be trying out Highland 10 in Merrijig by Joy and Lucas Stewart — a stunning home perfect for a cosy winter High Country escape. Indulge in a sensory, soulful escape. 
@highland.ten

All Saints Estate

An old castle, a beautiful cellar door, award-winning restaurant and picturesque grounds — All Saints Estate is one of my favourite Victorian wine destinations.

Stay nearby at their sister property, Mount Ophir Estate, which offers a collection of historic, quaint and stylish cottages with space, privacy and charm.

The drive through High Country Victoria is reason enough to go, especially with gorgeous gourmet towns like Beechworth along the way.
https://www.allsaintswine.com.au/

Mitchelton Wines

A stylish modern winery, hotel, art gallery and spa all in one destination. Located in Nagambie, Mitchelton makes for the perfect winter weekend away. The restaurant, tower bar, spa and pool are all beautiful — and of course, the wine is excellent.
https://www.mitchelton.com.au/

⸻

Favourite Winter Food Finds

Whilst I love cooking, everyday meal planning can feel a little repetitive after a while. These are a few of my favourite home-style take-home meal options for busy weeks, impromptu dinners and cosy nights at home.

Blakeaway

The perfect midweek meal solution and brilliant for effortless dinner parties. Sleek, clean and consistently delicious.

Their Syrian chicken curry, rotis, super greens risotto and sticky date pudding are weekly staples in our house.
https://www.blakeaway.com.au/

Tarts Anon

My dinner-party dessert best friend. Their sweet and savoury tarts are exceptional.

Order the briefcase if you want to sample a mix of flavours. My favourites are the lemon hojicha and the honey pecan butterscotch.
https://www.tartsanon.com.au/

Chrissie Japp Foods

Another weekly go-to. Chrissie creates beautiful wholesome homemade meals to bring home and enjoy with family and friends.

She’s been catering Shiva Designs events since 2006 and recently catered both my son’s 25th birthday and my 50th.

I love everything she makes, but especially the sausage rolls, raspberry and rhubarb tarts, chicken goujons and gluten-free lime and coconut cake.
@chrissiejappcatering

⸻

Long Walks, Markets & Slow Winter Days

Elwood Beach

I adore long windy winter beach walks and Elwood Beach is my favourite spot to take the dog and kids. There’s something so calming about the ocean in winter.

Abbotsford Convent

I love visiting the monthly market at Abbotsford Convent. It always feels buzzy, busy and full of life. Wonderful fruit and vegetable stalls, homemade jams and chilli oils, crepes, gozleme, dogs everywhere, kids running around and a lovely relaxed community atmosphere.

⸻

Wellness

Winter always beckons me to reset and slow down. To look after both mind and body.

Alba Thermal Springs

A visit here is truly rejuvenating for the mind and body. We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep in Victoria.

Spend half a day here with your partner or a friend and indulge all your senses. One of my favourite winter rituals.
https://albathermalsprings.com.au/

Sense Of Self

The perfect quick reset if you’re short on time. Magnesium-rich pools, steam, sauna, plunge pools, massage and beautiful treatment rituals that allow you to take exactly what you need from the experience.

Wonderful staff, lovely facilities and a really calming energy.
https://www.sos-senseofself.com/

Kanchi Rao

I’ve been attending Kanchi’s Monday night yoga sessions for quite some time now and it’s become one of my favourite ways to start the week.

Kanchi grew up practising yoga in India and has studied across different schools and lineages. She brings a deeply practical and therapeutic approach to small classes with genuine attention to individual needs.

Monday night class — East Kew, 7.30pm
Online — Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 6.30am
Tuesday — 6pm
Private sessions by arrangement

emailkanchi@gmail.com
0466 606 646

⸻

Winter Rituals At Home

Winter in Melbourne is also about curling up in front of the fire. Cooking comforting meals, reading a beautiful book or settling into a brilliant television series.

Lighting one of our Discotheque candles and letting the fragrance softly set the mood for the evening.

Cookbooks I’m Loving This Winter

Boustany - Sami Tamimi

A stunning collection of Palestinian recipes celebrating vegetables in the most generous and vibrant way.

Dishoom - From Bombay with Love 

Filled with warming Indian recipes inspired by one of my favourite restaurants in London — perfect for winter feasting.

Books By My Bedside This Winter

A stack of novels, cookbooks, travel journals and interiors books ready for slow evenings under a blanket with a cup of masala chai nearby.

Because really, that’s what Melbourne winter is all about.