There’s something deeply satisfying about ending the week with a meal that feels like a warm hug. Whether it’s the familiarity of Italian classics, the heartiness of a well-made pie or the coastal ease of a seafood chowder, these venues know how to feed the soul.
Here are five spots delivering comfort food with style, perfect for Friday night feasts or lazy Sunday lunches.
La Camera Southgate – Southbank, Vic
Floating above Southbank’s riverside treetops, La Camera Southgate brings a distinctly Roman warmth to Melbourne’s cultural core. With alfresco balconies overlooking the Yarra and a nostalgic, photo-lined interior, this long-standing venue is the go-to for a laid-back yet elegant evening of hearty Italian fare.
Among its standout offerings is the roasted pork belly - rolled, seasoned with garlic and herbs then roasted to crackling perfection, topped with zesty salsa verde and paired with a slow-cooked green bean ragu. It’s the kind of dish that marries indulgence with familiarity.
Make it your next comfort ritual - book your table with a view and leave your review.
The Sutton Forest Bistro – Sutton Forest, NSW
Set against the bucolic backdrop of the Southern Highlands, The Sutton Forest Bistro is the heart and soul of a classic country inn. Housed within the charming Sutton Forest Inn, this venue leans into its heritage with warm hospitality, exposed timber and a menu steeped in old-school comfort.
The legendary pie of the day is a rotating favourite, served with creamy mash, buttered peas and a generous pour of farmhouse gravy. It’s exactly the kind of meal you want at the end of a long week - rich, satisfying and unpretentious.
Mamma Teresa Pizza & Pasta – Newport, Vic
In the heart of Newport, Mamma Teresa Pizza & Pasta is where generations have gathered to share stories over steaming bowls of pasta and bubbling pizzas. This family-run gem pulses with warmth, the scent of wood-fired crusts and melted cheese hanging in the air like a welcome home.
Among the many pizzas that define the menu, the Mamma Teresa is a love letter to classic Italian-Australian comfort: tomato base, ham, bacon, salami, cheese, mushrooms, onion, pineapple and prawns - all layered onto a perfectly blistered crust. It’s bold, brash and built for sharing.
Right on the breezy Mooloolaba Esplanade, Quarterdeck is where coastal cool meets wholesome comfort. Morning coffee gives way to long lunches here, with a menu that celebrates the sea and the land in equal measure. The relaxed setting, paired with panoramic ocean views, makes it a go-to for both locals and visitors.
The seafood chowder is the hero - creamy, deeply savoury and brimming with ocean-fresh morsels, served alongside garlic-toasted ciabatta. It’s the perfect answer to windswept afternoons and seaside cravings.
These venues don’t just feed - they restore. With menus designed to nourish, settings built for ease and dishes that feel like old friends, they’re the perfect way to put a full stop on a busy week. Whether it’s pies, pizzas or pork belly, you’ll find your version of comfort here.
