The lure of a fireplace is one way to get yourself out of the house in winter.

A table next to a blazing fire is always the best seat in the house at a restaurant on a chilly day during the cooler months.

There is a lengthy list of places to drink or dine fireside around Newcastle and the Hunter, from pubs such as The Old Victoria in East Maitland to some of wine country's top restaurants (Restaurant Botanica at Spicer's Retreat, Amanda's On The Edge and Circa 1876).

Pair it with a wine tasting and you've got yourself a perfect winter's day out.

And it's not always restricted to indoors.

Rothbury's Blueberry Hill Wines has its outdoor fire pit burning every Friday and Saturday.

Rug up and enjoy wine tasting in the great outdoors at the boutique winery's fire pit in the vines from 4.30pm to 6.30pm where you can sit back with a glass in hand and stare at the flame (who doesn't love to do that?) as the sun sets.

Cheese platters are available to order as well. Bookings essential on 4998 7295.

So, until winter is over for another year, here's a few places to drink or dine fireside.

77 Berner Street, Merewether A beautiful cut of steak and a glass of Hunter Valley red is The Burwood Inn owner Tony Dart's pick for a perfect night in front of the fire at his Merewether pub.

"We have the fire running for lunch and dinner, and it's a very popular spot in winter," Dart says.

"We're actually probably a better winter pub than we are a summer pub, even though we're in Merewether, we're not right near the beach, so we tend to be busy in winter. It's a nice, cosy spot in the dining room."

The pub won the Australian Good Food Guide's readers' choice award for best steak in the Hunter this year, and on August 18 and 19 they will run the popular two-for-one special on their steak menu (excluding the wagyu sirloin). The steak menu ranges from a Collinson rump at $26 to the 400-gram rib eye on the bone for $45. "A Cape Grim scotch fillet and a glass of Margan red is my pick," Dart says. Open seven days for lunch and dinner.

1238 Milbrodale Road, Broke Margan not only boasts an award-winning restaurant, but one of the cosiest fireside spots in the Hunter's wine region. The double-sided fireplace maximises "fire frontage" so that it opens out into the tasting room and bar area on one side, while the opposite side warms up diners in the restaurant. "An open fire is the perfect antidote to a chilly winter day or night. Guests love getting warm and cosy in front of the fire with great food and a glass of wine," owner Lisa Margan says. She recommends the Suffolk lamb with celeriac, potato and kohlrabi from the restaurant's winter menu. And from the wine list? The Margan White Label Shiraz 2017 is the perfect fireside accompaniment. Margan is open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday, and lunch from Friday to Sunday.

205 Dowling Street, Dungog It's a beautiful drive through rolling green hills toward Dungog so, if you're up for a road trip, drop in to Stella Bistro. Opened last December, the dining space is warm and inviting in winter thanks to the open wood fireplace. "Our customers love nothing more than to place themselves near the fire on a cold day. We have tables and a comfy lounge nearby, too," owner Craig Stephenson says. Drop in for a coffee and one of their daily house-made pastries, or stay a little longer for lunch and a glass of wine. Stella Bistro is open from Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

336 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin The recently rebranded hotel has undergone a super-slick makeover that oozes sophistication and style. In the hotel's terraced Epoche Lounge Bar, warm up by the large open fire and kick back on the lounge with a drink from the extensive wine, craft beer and cocktail menu - or settle in for a laidback meal. There are wood-fired pizzas as well as tapas-style small plates, salads, burgers and cheese platters.

997 Milbrodale Road, Broke Fireside wine tastings happen every Saturday evening during the winter months at Glenguin Estate. Kicking off at 4pm, the fireside cellar door chat includes a talk about the history of the vineyard and its wines, and tastings of current release wines as well as vintage and archived wines that you won't get to sample anywhere else. The event also includes cheese and antipasto platters. The final event will be held on August 24. Phone 02 6579 1009 to book your set by the fire.