Article updated on 27 June 2022

Winter is here with a vengeance. Gauteng has already felt the icy grip of the season, and everyone knows that Highveld winters are no joke. It’s dry, icy and, quite frankly, intense. So layer up and seek out restaurants that offer warm, cosy and inviting interiors, such as these restaurants that will warm you up with their comfort food and fireplaces.

Huckleberry’s (Magnolia Dell)

This venue boasts not just one but two fireplaces – one indoors and the other on an enclosed terrace. Whether you are enjoying the hearty chicken livers with a dash of the special piri-piri sauce or a garlic pizza bread, find a drink such as bottomless coffee, a delicious hot chocolate or beer on tap to complement your meal.  The indoor fireplace has a cosy couch that is great for enjoying the Sunday papers, while the terrace offers warm shelter from which you can enjoy the views that stretch across the park at Magnolia Dell.

Granita at Kievits Kroon (Kameeldrift East)

This small and chic restaurant has soft lighting and gentle colour, making it cosy and inviting. Enjoy a cognac in the deep leather chairs in the comfy library and lounge across the foyer before – or after – dinner.

The exterior of Granita at Kievits Kroon. Photo supplied.

As Greek as it Gets (Cullinan)

Wonderful Mediterranean flavours from the kitchen and cosy warmth from their dining room with a fireplace makes this an intimate experience that is well worth sharing with someone special. Order delicious meze or a generous portion of moussaka. This truly is “as greek as it gets”!

La Madeleine (Lynnwood)

The large hearth is a feature in La Madeleine’s main dining room. Daniel and Anne Leusch make some nostalgic forays into the food of bygone days, but always with a touch of modernism. The restaurant doesn’t have a set menu, but you can expect dishes like springbok braised in red wine for mains and crème brûlée for dessert.

La Madeleine. Photo supplied.

Tina Skukan Gallery and Restaurant (Faerie Glen)

This is a hidden gem, situated on one of the last remaining agricultural holdings in the city. Here, art, nature and culture flow together in harmony. Your hostess is the welcoming matriarch Thea Negrini. Her Norwegian cheesecake is legendary! Rex Negrini, an architect and Thea’s son, has created a series of exhibition spaces that makes for vibrant gallery openings filled with light and beauty. But the jewel in the crown is the fireplace in the dining room of the restaurant. This rustic yet elegant room boasts one of the quaintest fireside dining experiences in the city. Book a spot here to enjoy wine and the “gezelligheid” that is created by good food, art and delightful conversation. Do not miss out on ordering the farm fresh bread and the soup of the day, which are always a great treat.

Prosopa Restaurant (Waterkloof Heights)

This Greek restaurant might be white, modern and streamlined, but the very large open fireplace makes the whole restaurant glitter and glow at night.

The fireplace at Prosopa. Photo supplied.

Tribute Restaurant at Apogee Boutique Hotel & Spa (Waterkloof)

Picture this: a handsomely decorated room,  the comfort of a roaring fire and you, sipping on a decadent cocktail at sundown. The Bar Lounge has a majestic fireplace with sumptuous couches to relax on as well as a panoramic glass wall that overlooks one of the best views over Pretoria. The menu promises the best South African produce used in fresh and innovative ways to create a range of memorable dishes. The Ploughman’s Board is a cheese and charcuterie starter that pairs exceptionally well with a crisp glass of MCC. Their Silent Valley Wagyu beef is DNA certified and can be paired with the sides and sauce of your choice. The menu is varied and and includes several vegetarian options.

Have you visited any of these cosy restaurants in Pretoria? Let us know in the comments below.