Unlike the polar bear that’s superlatively insulated against the cold, we humans aren’t naturally equipped for winter. We need all the help we can get, even going to extreme measures with products like the heated snake rug, cable-knit button-up tights and the always-fashionable microwave slippers. (Those extra winter layers around the middle are also helpful in this regard.)

While we know wearing a fluffy onesie around the house does wonders for keeping warm, it’s a bit of a passion killer for a dinner date. But we’ve come up with a suitable alternative: why not spend your winter nights at restaurants with fireplaces? The eateries on this list promise at least one toasty fire crackling in the background and comforting winter dishes.

Johannesburg

Browns of Rivonia
Cosy up to: Three fireplaces to keep you warm.
Winter warmer: Order the ostrich potjie.

The Bull Run Restaurant
Cosy up to: The indoor fireplace and fires in braziers outside.
Winter warmer: Ask for one of the daily specials like grilled T-bone steak on Mondays and pork ribs on Fridays.

Casalinga Ristorante
Cosy up to: The stone-built fireplace.
Winter warmer: Ask for the slow-roasted lamb shank.

Da Vincenzo
Cosy up to: The two fireplaces in the main restaurant.
Winter warmer: The pollo (chicken) risotto is a comforting option.

Olive ‘n Twist
Cosy up to: The roaring fire inside the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Indulge in one of the many types of pasta on the menu.

The Terrace at Fairlawns
Cosy up to: The fireplace that warms up the airy restaurant.
Winter warmer: Opt for the braised oxtail.

Pretoria

Al Fiume
Cosy up to: A romantic table next to the fireside.
Winter warmer: Ask for the rabbit ragout.

Cynthia’s Indigo Moon
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the centre of the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Order the Cynthia’s fillet with KWV 10-year old brandy, onions, mushrooms and béarnaise sauce.

Die Plaaskombuis by Rademeyers
Cosy up to: The traditional fireplace.
Winter warmer: Ask for oxtail with red wine and butter beans.

Granita
Cosy up to: The fireplace that creates welcoming warmth.
Winter warmer: Order the lamb rack with slow-cooked butternut.

Hemingway’s
Cosy up to: The comfortable couches near the fireplace.
Winter warmer: The springbok shank comes highly recommended.

Le-Si Restaurant
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the private seating area.
Winter warmer: Order the Moroccan lamb shank.

Durban and surrounds

The Boar’s Head (Nottingham Road)
Cosy up to: The large fireplace in the dining room.
Winter warmer: Ask for the lamb curry.

Olive and Oil (Hillcrest)
Cosy up to: The fireplace built with a stone finish.
Winter warmer: Their spicy chilli, coriander and lime prawns will help you to forget about winter.

Saporé (Nottingham Road)
Cosy up to: One of three fireplaces.
Winter warmer: There’s no resisting the braised oxtail.

Stretta Café
Cosy up to: The fireplace and the warmth of the pizza oven.
Winter warmer: Ask for the veal in mushroom and marsala sauce.

Yellowwood Café (Howick)
Cosy up to: Fireplaces in each dining room and the bar.
Winter warmer: Choose the slow-roasted lamb shank.

Cape Town

5 Rooms Restaurant
Cosy up to: The fire places in each one of the dining rooms and in the lounge area.
Winter warmer: The winter special menu is priced at R170 for two courses or R220 for three courses.

The Annex
Cosy up to: The traditional fireplace.
Winter warmer: Order the crispy pork belly.

Aubergine Restaurant
Cosy up to: The built-in fireplace.
Winter warmer: The winter bistro menu offers two courses for R235 and three courses for R315.

The Bay Café
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the main restaurant.
Winter warmer: Tuck into the Cape Malay chicken curry.

Blue Water Café
Cosy up to: The fireplace and the warmth of the pizza oven.
Winter warmer: Choose between the West Coast mussel bowl and one of the wood-fired pizzas.

Catharina’s Restaurant at Steenberg Estate
Cosy up to: One of the fireplaces in the airy restaurant.
Winter warmer: Go for the potato gnocchi with exotic mushrooms and gorgonzola.

De Grendel Restaurant
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the tasting room.
Winter warmer: Opt for the Comfort Night Out two-course menu at R185 per person.

La Mouette
Cosy up to: One of five fireplaces inside.
Winter warmer: The six-course winter tasting menu at R195 is excellent value for money.

Massimo’s
Cosy up to: The fireplace and warmth of the pizza oven.
Winter warmer: Order the carne pizza topped with salami, chorizo, boerewors, ham and mortadella.

The Odyssey Gastropub
Cosy up to: A toasty fireplace in the downstairs area.
Winter warmer: Ask for the braised lamb shank.

Pastis
Cosy up to: Fireplaces in both the bar and the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Ask for their flavoursome beef bourguignon.

Rick’s Café Americain
Cosy up to: Three fireplaces in the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Fill up on the lamb tagine (lamb knuckle stew).

The Roundhouse
Cosy up to: An old-fashioned fireplace in the oval room.
Winter warmer: The four-course winter special menu at R325 is a good option.

Societi Bistro
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the bar area and two more in the dining area.
Winter warmer: Ask for the venison bourguignon.

The Wild Fig
Cosy up to: The indoor fireplace lends welcome warmth to this old favourite.
Winter warmer: Order the slow roasted lamb in phyllo pastry.

Woodcutter’s Arms
Cosy up to: The purple brick fireplace.
Winter warmer: Choose the lamb shank pie.

Winelands

96 Winery Road
Cosy up to: One of the three fireplaces in the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Go for the duck and cherry pie.

Bosman’s
Cosy up to: The indoor fireplace.
Winter warmer: The dry-aged sirloin will not disappoint.

Buena Vista
Cosy up to: Three fireplaces built with bricks and with cushions scattered around.
Winter warmer: Cuban style paella.

Cassia Restaurant
Cosy up to: The built-in fireplace in the airy room and a smaller fireplace at he entrance of the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Order the honey-paprika-and-brandy-glazed pork belly.

Franschhoek Kitchen
Cosy up to: The two couches by the fireplace.
Winter warmer: Opt for the pasture-reared beef with beef bourguignon shepherd’s pie.

Harvest at Laborie
Cosy up to: The hole-in-the-wall fireplace.
Winter warmer: The red-wine-braised Karoo lamb shank is sure to please.

Indochine at Delaire Graff Estate
Cosy up to: The fireplace in the high-ceilinged dining room.
Winter warmer: Order the slow-cooked sticky pork neck.

Pajamas and Jam Eatery
Cosy up to: The wire-bin fireplace.
Winter-warmer: The daily soup.

The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Closed for a winter break until 16 July)
Cosy up to: The designer fireplace in the modern lounge.
Winter warmer: Ask for Karan beef fillet.

Taste Eatery
Cosy up to: Either the fireplace at the entrance or the slow-combustion fireplace inside the restaurant.
Winter warmer: Ask what the soup of the day is.

Terroir (Closed for a winter break until 21 July)
Cosy up to: The couches next to the fireplace.
Winter warmer: Opt for the shoulder of Karoo lamb.