With the icy weather outside, it’s tempting to want to stay curled up under a blanket at home. We’ve found the perfect antidote to the cold – a hot meal in front of a roaring fireplace.
Winter restaurants with fireplaces in Gauteng
1. Burnside’s Restaurant, Craighall
One of our favourite restaurants with fireplaces is this one – with a spacious verandah, placed in a beautifully manicured garden, Burnside’s is a welcome retreat for the busy Joburg suburbians. Two fireplaces keep the simple, yet elegantly decorated, interior warm and cosy. Call and book ahead if you plan to have dinner. After eating at the restaurant take a walk through the art gallery on the premises. Tel 011-326-3970
2. Full Stop Café, Parktown North
Warmed by a welcoming fireplace, the entrance hall leads to the dining room, large bar area and sunny enclosed garden and patio. The clean lines of the interior are accented with bold red elements. Specials of the day are written on chalkboard menus. Tel 011-880-4649
3. Bambanani Family and Food, Melville
Bambanani Restaurant is a favourite of parents with small children. The stylishly decorated main dining area with its long tables and fireplace is great for a classy dinner, while the little ones are kept entertained by the three storey multi-coloured climbing frame and games room in the back. The main menu offers a variety of tapas, while a simple menu with classics like macaroni and cheese is geared towards the children. Tel 011-482-2900
4. Casalinga Ristorante Italiano, Muldersdrift
Even though the scale of this elegant Italian country restaurant is rather large, it still manages to appear warm and inviting. The main dining area seats up to 120 people while the more intimate small dining area seats up to 50 guests. Roaring log fires heat the restaurant throughout. Traditional Italian food is complemented by the vegetables and herbs grown on the adjoining farm. Tel 087-941-1223
5. Beach Blanket Bohemia, Sunninghill
Beach Blanket Bohemia, where traditional comforts are given a fresh approach, is an exciting place for a night out. The restaurant is more formal than the name suggests – the Mediterranean based food is served at smartly set tables arranged around the fireplace while crystal cut chandeliers provide light from above. Tel 011-234-2714
6. Brown’s of Rivonia, Rivonia
Adapted from what was previously a sprawling old farm house in the quiet area of Rivonia, Brown’s is a restaurant known for its rich food and its reputation of having one of the finest wine cellars in the country. Even with the development of the city creeping up around it, there is still a feeling of the tranquil rural farm that previously held the spot. Tel 011-803-7533
7. The Attic, Parkhurst
An eclectic collection of furniture occupies the dining area in this contemporary restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed, a great unpretentious setting in which to enjoy the quality food on the menu. Award winning roasts are served every Sunday. A tapas menu offers light meals in the adjoining Wine, Tapas & Cocktail Bar. Tel 011-880-6102
8. Hemingway’s Restaurant and Wine Cellar, Centurion
Hemingway’s is one of restaurants attached to the upmarket Leriba Hotel. The décor is reminiscent of a classic French café. The lush gardens of the hotel provide a refreshing backdrop to the warm interior of the dining area. Great care is taken in the preparation and presentation of the decadent food on the menu. Tel 012-660-3300
9. Cynthia’s Indigo Moon, Brooklyn
This upmarket restaurant with a romantic atmosphere is a popular meeting place for people from the embassies and government offices around Pretoria. It is common to hear the foreign accents of people from the embassies meeting for lunch or dinner. The menu is varied, with something to satisfy every taste. Music evenings are held on every last Wednesday of the month. Tel 012-346-8926/7
10. Capeesh, Brooklyn
This Italian restaurant gets its name from the famous mafia term. This idea of old style Italian culture combined with a more contemporary twist has been used to create the feel of the place – old and new come together in the food as well as the décor. Two giant wood-fired ovens warm the restaurant. The cosy wine-cellar, usually for private functions, is a great place for an evening out this winter. There is live music on Sunday afternoons. Tel 087-151-4733
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