Things in Melbourne that are just better in winter

Red wine and hearty Sunday roasts. Big wool coats and cosy cafes with rain dripping down the foggy windows. Some things only get better when the weather gets wetter. And Melbourne does winter so right. 

• Comfort food

• After-work sunsets

• Galleries and cafes 

• The pubs

• Winter fashion

• Gigs and theatre shows

The comfort food

We’ll take a giant bowl of noodle soup over a soggy salad any day. When the temperature drops below 20 degrees, Melburnians lock into soup season. Join the lines at Tokyo’s Michelin-rated spot, Ginza Kagari, for the city’s creamiest chicken ramen. Or fire up your night with a Sichuan feast at neon-drenched restaurant YX Hot Pot. Dumplings and BYO bevs are a Melbourne winter tradition. Seek out soupy xiao long bao and crispy pot stickers at Chinatown institutions Shanghai Street and China Red. Or find the top spots to dine by the fire.

Catching the sunset after work 

Fun fact: the sun sets in winter around the same time Melburnians knock off from work. So you don’t need to hang around waiting to see those glorious colours light up the sky. Forget 8pm summer sunsets, who’s got time for that? The combo of cold fronts and fluffy clouds mean the pink and purple hues hit harder in winter. Make the most of it by heading out for happy hour drinks at one of Melbourne’s protected winter rooftop bars.  

Lazy days at galleries and cosy cafes 

Time spent inside on a gorgeous summer day always seems wasted. But in winter, it just feels right. Potter around Melbourne’s best free art galleries in the morning, then pull up a plush armchair for a matcha at Tori’s. Or while away the day in a dessert cafe. Scoop tiramisu to your heart’s content at Queenst.BB, surrounded by vintage furniture, lacy curtains and soft lighting. Grab the window seat for a chamomile long black at Cafe Tomi. Watch the rain fall outside while soft jazz plays on vinyl. Then find more of the cosiest spots.

The pub scene

Meeting your mates for a drink at the local pub is one of winter’s simplest pleasures. The vibes are high and the bar is warm. The footy is on live and loud while someone spruiks tickets for a meat raffle. And yep, you heard right, it’s steak night! All that’s left to do is pick your poison: red wine or a pint of Guinness. If you want the quintessential cosy pub experience, The Lincoln in Carlton nails it. Nab a seat by the roaring fire and order a classic Sunday roast with all the trimmings. 

Rugging up in winter fashion

We get a bad rap in Melbourne for wearing black year round. But look outside and see a wearable canvas of creativity. Skirts do double-duty over pants. A colourful umbrella defies grey skies. Patterned socks peek out of loafers and hand-knitted scarves are worn proudly. Our cheat sheet to winter dressing? Pick the snuggliest winter coat you can find then make your outfit look 20% cooler by adding a pair of leather boots. Get kitted out in vintage threads or chic winter fashion from a sustainable Melbourne label at Cathedral Arcade. Then find more indoor shopping spots so you don’t have to brave the elements.  

Indoor gigs and theatre shows 

We love to seek refuge from the rain inside Melbourne’s beautiful theatres. Basking in the glow of the stage lights, whether at a blockbuster musical, a late-night cabaret show or an indie rock gig. Because when it's 40 degrees out, the last thing you want is to be pressed up against a bunch of hot sweaty bodies at a concert. Most band rooms including Max Watt’s and the Forum have cloak rooms, so you can stash your heavy layers away while you dance all night.