We've come up with a list of places in London that will warm the very cockles of your heart, not to mention your extremities. Try any of the eating places on our list in the sure knowledge there’ll be an open fire of sorts, somewhere on the premises, to keep you toasty while you dine.
The Albion
Islington - 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, London N1 1HW
In summer, the Albion's huge garden is a draw and they do cover and heat it for the winter. But to get really cosy you'll want to sit in the snug interior. The room overlooking the garden has a lovely log burner and there are two in the main part of the pub - perfect for huddling around while trying out its award-winning Sunday lunch. We recommend the Gloucester Old Spot slow-cooked pork shoulder followed by sticky toffee pudding.
Follow them on Instagram: @thealbionpub
Anglesea Arms
Hammersmith - 35 Wingate Road, Ravenscourt Park, London W6 OUR
This busy, buzzing pub in Hammersmith has its seasonal menu chalked up on board. Warm up with some hearty fare - a recent dish of braised oxtail with red wine and porcini, cavolo nero and polenta sounded just the ticket - and warm your cockles by the roaring fire. The wine list is vast and there’s a range of ales on tap. What more could you want from your local in winter?
Follow them on Instagram: @theangleseaarmsw6.
Photo: @rupert_lovibond
The Cleveland Arms
Paddington - 28 Chilworth St, London W2 6DT
This Paddington pub is perfect for any wintry day when you're after somewhere to park yourself out of the cold. With open fires upstairs and downstairs you're spoilt for choice on where to enjoy the food - just don't forget to order a portion of their amazing chips - choose from triple cooked, rosemary skin-on or truffle & Parmesan.
Follow them on Instagram: @theclevelandarms
Clos Maggiore
Soho - 33 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JDS
Regularly referred to as London’s most romantic restaurant, you can blame your blushing cheeks on the roaring open fires at Covent Garden’s Clos Maggiore. Both its dining room and glass-roofed, blossom filled conservatory have log wood fires in the winter months. Add to this simple, Provencal food and an award-winning wine list and it’s easy to see how a little bit of romance may be kindled.
Follow them on Instagram: @clos_maggiore
The Drapers Arms
Islington - 44 Barnsbury Street, London N1 1ER
This Barnsbury gastropub has much more offer than just its fabulous beer garden. In winter there are two open fires on either side of the downstairs dining area. The menu changes daily, but there's usually some sort of pie on offer (a suet crust chicken and leek pie at the time of writing - where £1 of the price goes to Action Against Hunger) to help you keep away the chills.
Follow them on Instagram: @thedrapersarms
Egerton House Hotel
Knightsbridge - 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX
Our picture may show a lovely cup of tea with homemade shortbread, but by far the more fun way to encounter the fire in the lounge at this hotel just off the Brompton Road would be with one of their legendary martinis. Even better, book in for a martini masterclass and you'll get super stiff drinks AND cheese toasties to enjoy.
Follow them on Instagram: @egerton_house
More about Egerton House Hotel
L'Escargot
Soho - 48 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4EF
Score a table in the front dining room looking over Greek Street and you'll find a lovely fire adding to the tonnes of atmosphere this historic restaurant already has in spades. Obviously, you're going to have the snails, but to ward off the cold we'd recommend the pistachio souffle too.
Follow them on Instagram: @lescargotsoho
The Goring
Belgravia - 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
The whole ethos of this hotel, beloved by the royal family, is to cosset you senseless. One good way to help them do that to you is to find a spot in the cocktail bar beside the fire. Order some blinis and caviar and something from their extensive vodka or whisky collections to warm yourself through.
Follow them on Instagram: @thegoring
The Gun
Docklands - 27 Coldharbour, London E14 9NS
This East London pub is a popular spot whatever the weather. Take respite from the cold by having a meal in the Red Room with its large open fire. Desserts that would hit the mark include a hearty apple and pear crumble with coconut ice cream.
Follow them on Instagram: @thegundocklands
Il Borro
Mayfair - 15 Berkeley St, London W1J 8DY
A high-end Italian in the heart of Mayfair mightn't be the first place you'd think of as a cosy spot, but the ground floor bar at newly-opened Il Borro has a lovely roaring fire going. Pull up a chair and order one of their amazing barrel-aged negronis before you head through to carb load on pasta and risotto.
Follow them on Instagram: @TBC
Jerusalem Tavern
Clerkenwell - 55 Britton St, London EC1M 5UQ
Owned by the St Peter's Brewery, you know the beer's going to be great at this wonderfully atmospheric Clerkenwell pub. The food doesn't stray too far from solid pub grub, but there's always a 'sausage of the week' on the menu served with mash and gravy. More importantly, the fire is real and it's very cosy if you manage to get the right table. And no, we don't know why there are stormtroopers by the fire either...
Follow them on Instagram: @jerusalemtavern
Lion & Unicorn
Kentish Town - 42-44 Gaisford St, London NW5 2ED
If you find yourself in Kentish Town and you’re looking for somewhere to warm up fast, head for the Lion & Unicorn for some good food and a chance to huddle by the fire. There aren't many places you can enjoy a full English by the fireside but this is one of them.
Follow them on Instagram: @thelionunicorn
Noble Rot Bar
Bloomsbury - 51 Lamb's Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB
Stick to the bar rather than the restaurant and if you're lucky you'll nab a table by the fire in this lovely space which doesn't look like it's changed much since Dickens was knocking around. Right now, a glass of something rather lovely with a plate of Comte Beignets sounds like utter heaven.
Follow them on Instagram: @noblerotbar
Red Lion & Sun
Highgate - 25 North Rd, London N6 4BE
Reward yourselves following a trek across the heath or Parkland Walk with lunch or dinner at this always-fabulous Highgate pub. There's a log burner in the front room radiating heat across a pile of logs while you work your way through one of the best pub wine lists in the country.
Follow them on Instagram: @theredlionandsun
Scarfe's Bar at the Rosewood London
Holborn - 252 High Holborn London, London WC1V 7EN
Holborn workers are wondering just what they did in a previous life to deserve this fabulous bar. Park yourself on the table by the fire at the back of this bar and keep up your energy with some top-level bar snackage in the form of Clonakilty black pudding and wild boar scotch eggs along with some excellent cocktails.
Follow them on Instagram: @scarfesbar
More about Scarfe's Bar at the Rosewood London
St John's Tavern
Archway - 91 Junction Road, London N19 5QUess
Like the sound of fish soup with croutons, followed by roast pheasant or a wild mushroom and scarmoza pie served up to you in front of a real fire? Then head to St John’s Tavern dining room where bread is baked daily on site, stocks are homemade and the welcome is as warm as the fire.
Follow them on Instagram: @stjohnstavern
Thomas's Cafe at Burberry
Mayfair - 5 Vigo Street, London W1S 3HA
The upstairs room of this superior in-store restaurant may be more popular with Instagrammers, but if it's a fire you're after, head for one of the tables at the back of the dining room and order hot buttered crumpets or toasted teacakes from the aga, served up with rosebud jam.
More about Thomas's Cafe at Burberry
The White Horse
Parson’s Green - 1-3 Parsons Green, London SW6 4UL
This boozer on Parson's Green, aka The Sloaney Pony, is looking good for its age. Recline in an old Chesterfield beside the roaring fire with a bunch of mates and order the whole rosemary & garlic Camembert baked in sourdough to share. We hear the ales are top-notch too.
Follow them on Instagram: @whitehorsesw6
Zetter Townhouse
Marylebone - 28-30 Seymour St, London W1H 7JB
Actually scoring a seat here is a big enough win in itself, but when you settle into your armchair and note the roaring fire while you peruse the seasonal cocktail list or order afternoon tea fireside you're going to feel like you've nailed this winter in London lark.
Follow them on Instagram: @zettertownhouse
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