The cosiest pubs and restaurants with real fires in London

There’s nothing quite like a roaring fire to warm your cockles in the depths of winter. Combine that with some of the best grub in the business and a pint of bitter to wash it all down, and you have yourself a very merry time. Luckily, there are a ton of cosy pubs and snug restaurants with real fires in London that make this soul-warming experience a reality come wintertime.  

While we will forever mourn the end of summer and alfresco dining on London’s most beautiful terraces, the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness is not without its own charms, not least curling up with a pint next to a roaring fire in a cosy pub. It's impossible to resist the onomatopoeic crackle of a proper wood fire, with its leaping flames and all-encompassing heat. In a way, the appeal of a fire is made all the more potent the more torrential the weather outside. So, show us your worst, wind! Keep on chucking it down, rain! We’ve got this list of the best pubs with real fires to see us through the storm. 

That’s not to say that proper fires are confined to pubs. We’ve included a selection of the best restaurants with fireplaces in London, too, if you’re after something a bit more elegant, while still looking for places that bring the cosy-factor. From ever-elegant floral dining rooms to the wine-lover institutions, there are plenty of restaurants with real fires in the capital to snuggle down in.  

So, instead of shivering at home while Googling ‘places with fireplaces near me’, make sure to consult our handy list of restaurants and pubs with fires in London first.  

The best pubs with real fires

From snug gastropubs to much-loved locals, these London pubs deliver fine food and drink amidst the glow of a roaring fire.

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

What: With its central Chelsea location, the newly-renovated Cadogan Arms has been restored to retain plenty of old pub charm, just with a few modern flourishes - think a hand-carved bar, ornate timber panelling and crystal chandeliers. It really comes into its own in the winter months when it introduces its Sunday roast menu, which is naturally made all the more comforting when enjoyed in the vicinity of a roaring fire. Note that The Cadogan Arms is dog-friendly, too!  
Where: 298 King’s Road, SW3 5UG 
Book now: The Cadogan Arms 

The Hero, Maida Vale

What: The Public House group has done it again. This time, it’s a beautiful monster of a pub stretching four storeys high. There’s an open fire on the ground floor, desilvered windows, and stubby pub tables great for enjoying pies, scotch eggs and other pub classics. But The Hero also has an ace up its sleeve. Set on the second floor, The Library is a small cocktail bar with vinyl records, live music, and a roaring log burner. This has to be one of the slickest operations around.
Where: 55 Shirland Road, W9 2JD
Book now: The Hero

The Surprise, Chelsea

What: A proudly independent local, beautifully refurbished, and just moments from the King’s Road, The Surprise offers a warm and welcoming reprieve. A local landmark since 1853, comforting menus made with local produce make it a popular haunt for pints, roasts, and well-priced British cooking. We’re talking ribeye steaks from Stoke Marsh Farm, Wiltshire beef burgers, and beer-battered fish and chips, all to be enjoyed while watching the fire blaze in the grate.
Where: 6 Christchurch Terrace, SW3 4AJ
Book now: The Surprise

The Walmer Castle, Notting Hill

What: Found mere yards from Portobello Road, The Walmer Castle captures the essence of the British pub. Simple interior design, heavy on wood features, cask ales, and plenty of cosy nooks. Menus lean heavy on British favourites, with ingredients sourced from top-tier local suppliers worked into modern gastropub plates like nduja and mascarpone tortelloni, pork tomahawks with bubble and squeak, and Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.
Where: 58 Ledbury Road, W11 2AJ
Book now: The Walmer Castle

No 32 The Old Town, Clapham

What: Known as one of Clapham’s favourite spots for socialising, thanks to views over Clapham Common, and a popular bottomless brunch offering, No 32 The Old Town also comes with a roaring fire in the upstairs bar, plus plenty of cosy spaces throughout to settle in for a drink. Food, too, is comforting, including the likes of sea trout with crab potato croquettes, poached coconut chicken, and wagyu burgers. There’s a selection of steaks too, plus a Sunday roast menu in case you fancy something a little more traditional.
Where: 32 The Pavement, SW4 0JE
Book now: No 32 The Old Town

The Pelican, Notting Hill

What: This smash hit Notting Hill pub has a beautiful aesthetic, only made better when they crack on the fires when the weather gets cold. The menu is tastefully elevated too, ranging from a sausage roll to a lobster pie and you have a choice of a seat in the rather romantic candle-lit dining room or the buzzy pub. 
Where: 45 All Saints Road, W11 1HE
Book now: The Pelican

The Ivy House, Peckham

What: Formerly a Truman’s pub, this 1930s Grade II-listed Peckham boozer deserves a special mention. Founded in 2013 as a co-operatively owned free house, it’s a re-born social hub listed under the Localism Act as an Asset of Community Value – a phenomenon we hope to see replicated elsewhere. A rotating roster of craft beers includes brews from Villages, The Kernel, Brick Brewery and Canopy & Four Pure, and there’s a good selection of accessible wines and comfort food too. Other notable features include a glitzy stage, a bench-lined beer garden and, of course, an open fire.
Where: 40 Stuart Road, SE15 3BE
Book now: The Ivy House

The Grapes, Limehouse

What: This historic riverside boozer is definitely one for the traditionalists, and that means a flaming fire comes as standard. A traditional Victorian bar lies at the helm and is complemented by chalkboard menus, burgundy walls and oil paintings. If it’s good enough for Charles Dickens (the author is reputed to have danced on the tables), it’s good enough for us.
Where: 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP
Book now: The Grapes

The Holly Bush, Hampstead

What: Set in a pretty, residential nook at the top of Hampstead, this is a quintessentially English pub. The building looks peachy from the outside; inside it’s snug and toasty, a warren of softly lit wood-clad rooms with pictures cluttering the walls. Fuller’s took over the place in 2010, so regular pints include London Pride, but there are also guest ales such as Butcombe Bitter. Keep cosy next to the fire while dining on the likes of roasted Cornish lemon sole, braised lamb shank, and Gloucestershire pork.
Where: 22 Hollymount, NW3 6SG
Book now: The Holly Bush

Rose & Crown, Stoke Newington

What: The beating heart of Stoke Newington Church Street, The Rose & Crown comes into its own in winter, when you can nab a little table right in front of the fire to warm your bones. The menu here is cracking too, serving plenty of no-frills pub grub like sausage rolls, whitebait, and steak and stilton pies, as well as a killer burger and a hefty apple crumble that’ll help to keep you warm when you leave.
Where: 199 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES
Book now: Rose & Crown Stoke Newington

The Albion, Islington 

What: Many know The Albion best for its beer garden in summer, but its well-stocked log fire is reason enough to pay it a visit during the cooler months. Find refuge at this Islington-based local for one of its lagers, beers, real ales and ciders, or something from its extensive wine list. As for the food, expect black pudding Scotch eggs and Cobble Lane charcuterie for snacking, alongside fish and chips, lamb tagliatelle, and dry-aged shorthorn cross steaks.
Where: 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW 
Book now: The Albion

The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate

What: The highly regarded Red Lion and Sun is always packed with diners, but booking becomes especially necessary in winter at this Highgate haunt. Once the fires are on, expect tables to be in high demand at this lauded gastropub, which serves some extremely good pub grub. The menu is updated every day, though previous examples have included the likes of crab on toast, grilled Cornish sardines, traditional sausage and mash, and bone-in sirloin steaks with chips and peppercorn sauce.
Where: 25 North Road, N6 4BE
Book now: The Red Lion and Sun

Anglesea Arms, Hammersmith 

What: One of the leading lights of the 90s’ gastropub explosion, the Anglesea Arms has a lower profile these days – although it still does good business and Hammersmith locals still treat it like home. Inside, it has a pared-back, almost rustic charm, while blackboards reveal a decent wine list with plenty by the glass and carafe, some carefully nurtured ales and unpretentious dishes. Enjoy the likes of pan-roasted venison steak, with celeriac dauphinoise, watercress, red wine and blackberries next to the open fire in winter. 
Where: 35 Wingate Road, W6 0UR 
Book now: Anglesea Arms 

Clapton Hart, Lower Clapton

What: Launched on the site of the notorious nightclub Chimes (aka Crimes), this place looks only halfway finished – but that’s part of the appeal. Inside, it opens out to reveal a back room set up for dining under a massive skylight, with many original features and lots of junk-shop oddities added. There’s a rotating roster of real ales (including London-brewed locals) and some keenly priced wines, plus a menu that runs from devilled sausage rolls with English mustard to double smash burgers and chicken schnitzel. 
Where: 231 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EG 
Book now: Clapton Hart 

The Pineapple, Kentish Town

What: Located in a Kentish Town backstreet, The Pineapple is a solid favourite amongst locals. Stop by for a selection of organic ciders and beers before settling in by the fire, adjourning to the conservatory or venturing into the decked garden with its smart parasols on finer days. The place has resisted full-on gastro-improvement, opting instead for a selection of Thai street food. Staff are friendly souls, the venue is dog-friendly, and it hosts regular quiz nights every Monday. We're sold!
Where: 51 Leverton Street, NW5 2NX 
Book now: The Pineapple 

The Gun, Docklands 

What: If you’re planning a group outing this autumn, why not feast at The Gun’s Red Room, which offers a traditional pub atmosphere, open fireplace and full views over the terrace. Belt-busting dishes, meanwhile, include the likes of slow-braised beef cheek with cavolo nero, rib eye steak with fries, and south Devon crab and dill ravioli with a lobster bisque. 
Where: 27 Coldharbour, E14 9NS 
Book now: The Gun 

The best restaurants with real fires

Fancy establishments can have fireplaces, too! Take a look at these glorious dining rooms with open fires.

Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden

What: Known as one of the most romantic restaurants in London, it seems that diners aren’t the only ones getting cosy at this high-end French restaurant, where both the dining room and blossom-filled conservatory boast log fires in the winter months. There’s a huge wine list to explore, while the menu of indulgent French classics like butter butter-poached cod with marjoram and a 70% Nicaraguan chocolate soufflé for pudding. 
Where: 33 King Street, WC2E 8JD 
Book now: Clos Maggiore 

Luca, Farringdon

What: If you’re lucky enough to nab a table on Luca’s glorious Mediterranean terrace, you might see the team light up the open fireplace when the evening starts to roll in. Flickering flames, candles, and some of the best Italian food in London - life doesn’t get much better. Especially when you’ve got a plate of Luca’s fantastic rigatoni pork sausage ragu in front of you.
Where: 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH
Book now: Luca

The Devonshire, Soho

What: If you haven’t heard about The Devonshire (or The Dev, as it’s more commonly known) - where have you been for the last year? Soho’s perennially packed gastropub and restaurant is always warm thanks mostly to the crowds, but if you’re in the upstairs restaurant, you can also admire the glow of the kitchen’s hulking cast-iron wood burners, and enjoy some simple flavour-focused fire cooking while you’re at it.
Where: 17 Denman Street, W1D 7HW
Book now: The Devonshire

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London, Holborn 

What: Named in honour of political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose satirical works hang on the walls, this bar has character in spades thanks to its swinging soundtrack, velvet armchairs and open fire. The highlight is the whisky selection and the punchy, properly mixed cocktails, with sips such as the Toothless Grin, which mixes Remy Martin 1738, medjool dates, citra hops and evaporated beetroot, causing a stir. 
Where: 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN 
Book now: Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London 

L'Escargot, Soho

What: Set inside a Georgian townhouse, L’Escargot in Soho serves up classic French cuisine in the Parisian grand brasserie style. If you’re lucky enough to score a seat in its front dining room, you can feast on the likes of baked lobster with lemon butter, Chateaubriand with sauce bearnaise and pomme frites, and the signature Les Escargot. An order of creme brulee or tarte au citron is sure to round things off nicely.  
Where: 48 Greek Street, W1D 4EF 
Book now: L'Escargot 

In need of some more comforting content? Here's where to head for the most indulgent hot chocolate in London.