Hide From The Cold At London’s Cosiest Restaurants

With all the rain we’ve been having this week, hibernation is looking all the more appealing. But it’s worth braving the cold for a trip to one of the capital’s cosiest eateries, where you can tuck into hearty plates of food and glug red wine amid warm, candlelit, settings. From cosy pubs with fireplaces to snug Italians and intimate wine bars, these are the best places to retreat from the the chilly climes. Read on for our pick of cosy London restaurants to visit this winter.

Warm And Cosy Restaurants In London For AW24

Campania, Hackney

Tucked away in a cobbled corner of Hackney, this little neighbourhood Italian is a place where romances blossom – but you don’t have to be on a date to reap its joys. Come with friends, family or alone and cosy up with a bowl of pasta, which is made fresh at the restaurant: think rich pappardelle ragu and creamy mushroom tortelli. With its rustic interiors and generous portion sizes, it’s the perfect winter spot.

Where? 23 Ezra St, London E2 7RH

BOOK: campaniaandjones.com

Sambal Shiok, Highbury

What could be more comforting than a big bowl of spicy Malaysian laksa? You’ll find some of the capital’s best at Sambal Shiok, a north London institution on Holloway Road. Helmed by chef-owner Mandy Yin, the small, cosy restaurant is based around a signature laksa dish found in Malacca: choose from chicken, tofu, prawn or vegan, with the option to warm yourself up even more by going extra fiery.

Where? 171 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX

BOOK: sambalshiok.co.uk

Smoking Goat, Shoreditch

Warm up in the most delicious way: with some seriously fiery Thai food at Ben Chapman’s restaurant, Smoking Goat, which moved to Shoreditch following the success of the now-closed, smaller Soho original. With its sizzling open kitchen and menu of eye-wateringly spicy dishes (think BBQ ribs, chilli fish sauce wings and pork stew), this one will heat you up from the inside out. Wash it all down with one of the zingy Thai-inspired cocktails.

Where? 64 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ

BOOK: smokinggoatbar.com

Noble Rot, Bloomsbury

Wine bars are inherently cosy, and Noble Rot is the creme de la creme. The characterful Bloomsbury original feels like it was designed for chilly winter nights, with a wine bar at the front decked out with fireside tables, plus a moody dining room at the back. Naturally, wine is the main draw here, with a 40-page strong list to get stuck into, but the food is also excellent: think comte beignets, big bowls of gnocchi and decadent puddings.

Where? 51 Lamb’s Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB

BOOK: noblerot.co.uk

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

With its roaring fireplaces and dark wood pannelling, smart Chelsea pub The Cadogan Arms screams cosy. On weekends the bar area is always buzzing – particularly during the winter months – but you can book tables in the dining area, which are set away from the hustle and bustle. The food menu is suitably comforting, featuring pies, toasties, curries and huge roasts on Sundays.

Where? 298 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UG

BOOK: thecadoganarms.london

The Devonshire, Soho

You could easily stumble upon The Devonshire thinking it was just another Soho boozer – but this unassuming pub is garnering a reputation as one of the best gastropubs in London. The brainchild of Oisin Rogers, who hails from The Guinea in Mayfair, and Flat Iron founder Charlie Carroll, it comprises a pub area and restaurant upstairs. For the ultimate cosy evening, nab one of the downstairs snug areas for a pint of Guinness before heading to the dining room, where the enormous grill will keep you nice and toasty.

Where? 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW

BOOK: devonshiresoho.co.uk

Kudu Grill, Peckham

You’ll warm up immediately at Kudu Grill, Peckham’s beloved restaurant which focuses on the art of braii, a type of South African barbecue. Housed in an old pub, it’s all candlelit marble tables and velvet banquettes, with a fiery menu featuring everything from dry-aged T-bone steak to monkfish and hispi cabbage, all cooked under open fire.

Where? 119 Queen’s Road, Peckham, ​SE15 2EZ

BOOK: kuducollective.com

Andrew Edmunds, Soho

Tucked away behind a black facade, this long-standing Soho favourite is often billed as one of London’s most romantic restaurants thanks to its moody, dimly-lit vibe. It’s tiny, with a handful of tables crammed together and handwritten menus adorning the walls. With its reasonably priced, lengthy wine list, it’s the kind of place you could while away hours, fuelled by seasonal soups, grills and pasta dishes.

Where? 46 Lexington St, London W1F 0LP

BOOK: andrewedmunds.com