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Harvest
Photograph: Courtesy Harvest

24 best restaurants with fireplaces in Boston to get cozy

These local restaurants with fireplaces offer a warm glow to lift your spirits during the seemingly endless New England winter.

JQ Louise
Edited by
JQ Louise
Written by
Megan Johnson
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To say Boston can be brutal during the winter is an understatement. When the January winds are whirling, it’s easy to say “no way” to leaving your apartment for the blistering cold. But some of Boston's hottest restaurants are anchored by cozy, warm environments that include a roaring fireplace to warm up beside, and that’s enough to get us away from the couch. Here’s a roundup of some of the best spots to grab a seat by the crackling fire and enjoy a delectable meal. To find warmth without the flames, nestle into one of the best cocktail bars in Boston or best wine bars in Boston. For other spots worthy of wooing, try one of the most romantic restaurants in Boston or one of the best dessert spots in Boston. A cozy cocktail, hearty meal and decadent dessert await, as you sit out the chilly temps happily by the hearth.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

The best restaurants with fireplaces in Boston

  • Bars
  • Hotel bars
  • Back Bay
  • price 2 of 4

A longtime Boston institution, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is located within the elegant Fairmont Copley Plaza. Copley Square can be frigid during the winter (particularly that wind tunnel beside nearby 200 Clarendon!) but guests can find refuge from the cold within this Back Bay bar. A roaring fire provides warmth and amplifies the already cozy ambiance provided by rich wood accents, crystal chandeliers, gilded tray ceilings and plush velvet and leather seating. Order an old school cocktail, stare into the flames and you'll chase that chill out of your bones in no time.

  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Downtown
  • price 3 of 4

Go past the buzzing main bar of this modern supper club (which retains the old-school vibe and 19th-century glory of its predecessor, Locke-Ober) to the library. Here, you’ll find comfy banquettes, chandeliers, shelves full of books, quirky portraits of celebrities and, of course, a roaring fire. Ask for a seat by the fireplace and sip a classic cocktail like the Rose Thorn to warm yourself inside and out.

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  • Restaurants
  • American creative
  • Back Bay
  • price 4 of 4

Deuxave’s glamorous environs and sumptuous French fare are enough to bring a glow to any patron. (A wine list that approaches nearly 500 bottles definitely helps, too). Add in the Back Bay establishment's modern fireplace with roaring flames, and you’ll want to linger over every morsel of your meal to keep cozy.

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  • Restaurants
  • North End
  • price 3 of 4

For a high-end spot with a fireplace, head Bricco on the famed Hanover Street in the Italian North End. Known for their artisanal pasta, Bricco offers a menu of delectable options, like their ricotta pillows covered in truffle butter and wild mushrooms. Combine the food coma with the cozy atmosphere, and you’ll probably need a nap afterward. 

  • Restaurants
  • Global
  • South Boston
  • price 2 of 4

The Southie mainstay is incredibly popular with local young professionals, and it’s not hard to understand why with that setup. Inspired by the Latin phrase “pro bono public” or “for the good of the people,” Publico has an interior courtyard with a retractable open-air roof, bar, lounge-style seating, and a heated floor. But it’s the roaring fire pits that bring folks in year round for eating, drinking and socializing.  

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  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Harvard Sq
  • price 4 of 4

Since 1975, this refined Harvard Square stalwart has been on the forefront of local farm-to-table dining. Its elegant, seasonal menu even earned a place in the heart of former Cambridge resident Julia Child. The kitchen personifies a sophisticated approach to New England cuisine; locally-sourced seafood and meats, plus homemade pastas, are all meticulously and imaginatively prepared. When the temps dip, enjoy a seat by the roaring indoor fire.

  • Restaurants

Located in historic Dedham Square, Horse Thieves Tavern is a modern interpretation of a traditional New England tavern. All pubs are supposed to be cozy, but this one by restauranteur Chris Lutes is on another level thanks in part to the amazing fireplace in the dining room.

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  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Harvard Sq
  • price 3 of 4

Pammy’s specializes in handmade pastas and modern Italian dishes, serving them all up within a hip atmosphere with a retro vibe. Inside this contemporary trattoria, you'll find a sleek, double-sided, white-tiled fireplace that warms both the lounge area and the dining room. Sip an amaro-forward cocktail by the fire on one side, then join the feasting fun at the communal table on the other.

The Street Bar
Photograph: Courtesy Nikolas Koenig)

10. The Street Bar

A building filled with so much history needs a stylish spot that’s ripe for cocktails and conversation. Located right across from the Boston Public Garden in The Newbury Boston, The Street Bar’s crackling fireplace cultivates an aura of glamour in a less-conspicuous way than its rooftop restaurant, Contessa. Order locally-inspired bar fare, or just grab a drink in the wood and leather-rich space that’s lined with books.

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  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Back Bay
  • price 3 of 4

Whether you're stopping into Bistro du Midi for a snack and a glass of wine, or you're indulging in a multi-course tasting menu, this Back Bay eatery is a popular choice for an intimate French meal. With windows overlooking the Public Garden, the upstairs dining room offers prime views. There’s also a fireplace that enhances the warm, romantic ambiance and Gallic-accented fare.

  • Restaurants
  • East Cambridge

Settle into a leather wingback in front of a cozy fireplace at this Cambridge Crossing restaurant. Chef Will Gilson’s menu is meant to satiate any size hunger—there are snacks like jalapeño-bacon croquettes and steak + oyster tartare, sandwiches such as the French onion soup grilled cheese and hearty entrees including pan-roasted Scottish salmon. Designed with an open greenhouse layout, the Lexington also features one of the area’s only roof decks, so it’s the place to be no matter the season.

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  • Restaurants
  • Steakhouse
  • Back Bay
  • price 4 of 4

Cozy up at this Back Bay mainstay, a classic American steakhouse that’s been beautifully overhauled with a full renovation to the dining room. Grab a seat by the fireplace in the back as you slice up your filet mignon and 50-day dry-aged New York Strip steaks. 

  • Bars
  • Gastropubs
  • Fenway/Kenmore
  • price 3 of 4

With its extensive selection of whiskeys (there are more than 200), Citizen Public House is a prime spot to hit up when you’re looking to warm up. If the brown stuff is not enough to get you toasty, there’s also a 100+ year-old fireplace that certainly will. Enjoy some oysters, a burger and a few drinks, and you’ll be ready to face the freezing Fenway once more.

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  • Restaurants
  • Back Bay

An homage to New England’s long-standing fishing tradition, The Banks Fish House celebrates the area’s love affair with the sea and its bounty. The menu starts on the docks, as Chef Robert Sisca fuels the passion by serving dishes like MV Smoke House bluefish pate, cuttlefish spaghetti and Dover sole meunière, while the first-floor working raw bar offers stellar crudo, oyster, and caviar selections. The Fried Seafood Platter is a feast to behold, as is the huge open fireplace on the ground level. (There’s also a smaller hearth on the second floor, so you can get your fix of flames either way).

  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • South Boston
  • price 2 of 4

The South Boston hotspot serves up Italian food and spirits in a vibrant setting, which includes an 18-foot, wood-burning fireplace. It’s surrounded by plenty of seating, so guests can enjoy an Italian feast in a cozy setting. Take a peek into the open-concept kitchen as you enjoy fresh, house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and classic Italian dishes. Italian food lovers who can’t deal with gluten can also rejoice: On Tuesday, Capo offers a fully gluten-free menu.

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  • Restaurants
  • American creative
  • Seaport District
  • price 4 of 4

Escape the chilly Seaport breeze coming off of the water and enjoy the real stone fireplace situated inside Woods Hill Pier 4. Once you've gotten comfortable by the hearth, enjoy the local, organic, farm-to-table cuisine the restaurant has on offer. The kitchen only uses ingredients sourced from The Farm at Woods Hill and other nearby purveyors, crafting modern New England fare that'll warm you up right down the core. 

  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Kendall Sq
  • price 2 of 4

Given Catalyst's location in the heart of MIT territory, it's no surprise that this Technology Square restaurant boasts an ultra-modern fireplace. A long, sleek glass box of flames divides the lounge area from the dining room, bringing a bit of warmth to the otherwise clean and minimalistic contemporary space. While the hearth may not crackle like a traditional fire, it’s still a cozy place to enjoy a boutique glass of wine or a designer cocktail.

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  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Seaport District
  • price 3 of 4

Located on Boston’s historic Fort Point Channel in the Seaport District, this iconic marina-side, summertime hangout (complete with picnic tables and cheerful striped tents) pays homage to the chillier months with its indoor wood-burning stove. Take a seat at the coveted table right in front of the hearth, as you order lobsters and fried clams—all under a ceiling of lobster traps and twinkling lights.

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  • Restaurants
  • Steakhouse
  • Back Bay
  • price 4 of 4

There's a good reason why Grill 23 is one of the city’s most famous steakhouses. Fusing together luxury and comfort, the spot is a favorite of corporate bigwigs and anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion. But the cozy environs are kicked up a notch by the crackling fireplace, which is the perfect spot to soak up the luxe vibes over perfectly-prepped steaks. 

22. Angela's Cafe

One of East Boston’s most celebrated restaurants, Angela’s Cafe is known for their authentic Mexican cuisine. The Orient Heights location, which is right across from the MBTA station, has a cool brick fireplace right next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, providing the perfect spot to enjoy your huevos rancheros. Be ready to wait in line on the weekends, but it’s well worth it.

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  • Bars
  • Theater District

It may be Boston, but Nash Bar feels a whole lot like Nashville. Located in the Theater District right across the street from some of the city’s best performance venues, Nash Bar serves Southern food in a high-energy atmosphere. Grab a seat to enjoy your chicken and waffles, but be sure to check out the fireplace that’s surrounded by faux deer heads and bull skulls.

Kestra
Photograph: Courtesy Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

24. Kestra

One of Boston’s newest hotels, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport is always bustling with conventioneers, business people and tourists. Kestra, their all-day Mediterranean-American eatery, features a wide fireplace with plenty of nearby seating for a full meal or a quick drink at the lengthy bar. The venue’s sleek design and shelves cultivated with art books make the space even more intriguing. 

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