Northern beaches restaurants: Wintertime is a great time to dine out

Cavallino Ristorante Pizzeria (1 Yulong Ave, Terrey Hills, cavallino.com.au) and AcquaFresca by Pilu that's located within the beautifully renovated Harbord Diggers (88 Evans St, Freshwater, acquafresca.com.au).

"Cavilano is wonderful. Beautiful pizza and I just had the most beautiful bowl of gnocchi, they just do it really well and the hospitality is really beautiful," she said.

READ ALSO: Flick through this week's Northern Beaches Review

"AcquaFresca has just the most beautiful family style, with beautiful food, slow cooked meats, nice ragu. You go with the family, you go with the kids, it's always a good time."

Spend the whole weekend warm, welcomed and well-fed in these great local wintertime dining favourites.

West Esplanade, Manly, manlypavilion.com.au

We loved the old Manly Pavilion but, under the new management of the Boathouse Group, we reckon this refreshed version is even better. The decor is more stylish and inviting, for starters, with hanging plants and groovy green wallpaper. And although service is relaxed and friendly, the food - contrary to those social media commenters who worried it would go downmarket - is spectacular.

From crab toast to seafood risotto and baby eggplant and a roasted lamb shoulder, there's plenty of perfect winter fare to keep you feeling very, very happy; smug, really.

For you've scored one of the best seats in the country, both cosy and chic, warm and welcoming - but also sophisticated and sumptuous.

There's also a great list of reasonably priced wines, and a sommelier who is happy to recommend some lesser known choices.

You won't want to leave.

Hot tip: Arrive early and nab a cocktail on the cosy couches, fireside. They don't take bookings for this and it's a great way to start the dining experience. Also, every Tuesday there's $35 steak and shiraz on offer for lunch and dinner - perfect for winter, don't you think?

Also try: Berts Bar and Brasserie at The Newport (2 Kalinya Street, Newport) manages to be both sophisticated and cosy, with a warm 1930s vibe and food you'll still be thinking about a week later. Mmm... that steak tartare.

4A/9-13 Winbourne Road, Brookvale, manlyspirits.com.au

Pull up a pew at the the Beaches' first artisan distillery - Manly Spirits.

Opened five years ago and mixing an industrial feel with a relaxed coastal vibe. Think copper with whisky barrels and steampunk, friendly staff and unique, yummy cocktails heavy on the botanicals.

Their gins get rave reviews around the world but it's winter, so we reckon it's time to spend time with their just released single malt whisky.

The atmosphere is cosy, welcoming, with friendly faces behind the bar and tables full of 30-something year olds, sampling single malts as they snack on antipasto plates and quesadillas.

And - dogs are welcome, so you don't have to leave your little furry mate at home in the cold!

Hot tip: Suss out the tours and experiences before you go - you may even end up making your own gin!

Also try: The Cumberland (17-19 Central Avenue, Manly) is temporarily closed due to flood damage, but we're keeping our fingers and toes crossed it opens very soon: not much says winter better than a steaming bowl of hot cheese and a neat glass of whisky in an underground hideaway.

Mccarrs Creek Rd, Terrey Hills, kaiserstubn.com.au

This much-loved restaurant has been a familiar scene for northern beaches diners for almost 30 years.

It's nestled in Terrey Hills and offers up a wide, and seasonally changing, menu of authentic Austrian and German dishes - from pork knuckle to crepes, schnitzel to meat dumplings, and of course apple strudel.

During a recent Saturday night visit the place was bustling as diners clinked glasses of traditional wheat beers and schnapps, and waiters hurried to and fro serving up hearty meals. It was cosy and warm inside, with decor featuring exposed brick, Austrian flags, mementos, bells and the mounted heads of deers and a boar.

Start with a soup, then there's a range of entrees including a crepe filled with crispy meat served with fine leek sauce; king prawns or smoked salmon for the seafood lovers; and Black Forest ham with a fine Swiss cheese salad. Main courses feature a rack of lamb, beef fillet, veal, bratwurst and beef goulash; or spinach dumplings with sage butter.

Hot tip: Kaiser Stub'n boasts to having the best apple strudel in Sydney, and after this visit we just might agree with them.

Also try: The nearby Austrian Club Sydney - at 20 Grattan Crescent, Frenchs Forest - for oversize chicken shniddies and beers and moreish Schnapps, live music (think yodelling and accordions) and a great family-friendly vibe. We love it here!

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