Hibernate this winter at Collins Square

You’ve rushed to work, your fingers are frozen and you’re in desperate need of breakfast and some caffeine. Top healthy eatery Crisp has just the thing to warm your body and soul. Drop in from 8am every weekday and order yourself a hot, nourishing bowl of their lavish porridge. The classic breakfast comes topped with your choice of honey, raisins, mixed nuts, brown sugar, cranberries, cinnamon or fruits. Add a fresh juice or coffee to your meal for a stellar start to your day.

Tender roast meat and carbs: it’s a match made in heaven. Get your fix of comforting, meaty carbs this winter with a juicy lamb souvlaki from Ena at Collins Square. And don’t think this souva is your 1am post-club variety. Ena’s souvlakis use fresh, locally sourced lamb and serve it with tangy tzatziki and pita bread. If gluten is not your friend Ena will happily serve you up a gluten-free lamb souvlaki too.

The roasted meat dreams continue at contemporary Italian restaurant Chiara, where they’re taking some of Victoria’s tastiest lamb and cooking it to perfection. Skip your sad sandwiches in favour of a lunch of Flinders Island lamb shoulder served with smoked yoghurt, thyme and oat crumble, Jerusalem artichoke and saltbush. Too cold to go back to work? Order a glass from Chiara’s handpicked wine list for an impromptu long lunch.

There’s nothing like a hot pie on a cold day to bring a little colour back to your cheeks. And you and your stomach deserve better than a dodgy convenience store pastry. Pure Pie at Collins Square specialise in all things baked in pastry and their braised beef, Guinness and cheddar pie is one to remember. The Pure Pie team use only local veggies, herbs and free-range meat in their pies and you can even grab a family-sized pie to take home for dinner.