Where to warm up in Melbourne this winter

Picture yourself settling into a warmly lit French restaurant, sipping a glass of robust red wine, then tucking into a sumptuous beef bourguignon. Feeling toastier already? We thought so.

Any Melburnian chocaholic worth their smoked salt already knows about Mörk’s artisan hot chocolate powders, served in Seven Seeds, St Ali and other café stalwarts. Now you can visit Mork Chocolate in North Melbourne and try a cup of delicious, rich chocolate from the source. Thursday night is date night at Mork – bring a special someone and enjoy a fancy tailored menu through the world of chocolate; both in drink and dessert form.

Old-style cocktails done perfectly is the go at this hole-in-the-wall cocktail bar, run by couple Joe Jones and Rita Ambroz. Grab a seat by the crackling fire, marvel at the vintage fit-out and feel the restorative powers of a sophisticated cocktail.

Grab some friends, head to Burma Lane and order generously from the sharing menu – it's worth it. The folks at this dimly lit restaurant on Little Collins Street are passionate about bringing Burmese food to the world, and it shows: highlight dishes include the Rahkine Fisherman's Stew and the lamb, slow-cooked with yoghurt and pea and tomato biryani.

For many of us, winter means a top-notch glass of wine enjoyed in an intimate wine bar. If that's you, then Embla, brought to you by the champions behind Carlton's Town Mouse, is the place of your dreams: we're talking a fascinating, ever-changing wine list, bartenders who are all too happy to help you find your perfect drop, and stools flanked by a beautifully hand-crafted bar.

Continuing the Birdland tradition, Melbourne now plays host to the New York venue's sister club, Bird's Basement – a gutsy 200 seater that offers hearty restaurant dinners with live jazz performed by local talent. Is it heating up in here or what?

There's nothing like a good belly-laugh to warm you up, and the LOLs come thick and fast at Boney's weekly comedy night. Every Monday, Boney plays host to ten acts, each doing a five minute set. Pair this with Boney's fabulous menu and bar and you're set for a killer night.

It's all about the plush booths at this home of Spanish cuisine. Sit back, enjoy the warm interior and order a mulled wine while you peruse the menu. This winter, they're serving braised meat specials like 'fabada' (Asturias mountain stew) and Cazuela (clay-pot stew) for two.