Fireside at Perch in Downtown LA.
Sometimes it’s hard not to be homebody during LA’s cooler months—even if we’re not hitting the subzero temperatures most of the U.S. experiences during winter. Fortunately, several LA restaurants offer fireside dining in a warm and cozy environment indoors and outdoors.
When a warming cocktail or bowl of soup just won’t do, and staying home isn’t in the cards, these LA restaurants offer a warm respite.
Perch
Sitting at eye level with downtown LA’s iconic skyscrapers, guests at Perch can experience the city from a new perspective. Because much of the restaurant’s seating is on the outdoor patio and the rooftop lounge, there are two ornate fireplaces and a handful of fire pits spread across the roof. Nibbling on French classics like baked Brie and sipping on literature-themed cocktails, visitors can feel at home on their perch above LA, even if the weather is less than accommodating.
The Churchill
As a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor space, The Churchill’s lower level dining room opens up to a patio with potted plants and a fireplace. Adorned with lframed black and white photos, wood finishes and dark leather, the Churchill serves up Gastropub cuisine with a gourmet flare. Both the interior and exterior of this restaurant have such an intimate feel that guests feel warm and welcome even if they don’t have a fireside seat.
Granville
Specializing in local, organic and sustainable American cuisine, the Burbank location of Granville will ease diners’ consciences and their frosty fingers. To warm up, guests can order a bowl of the restaurant’s signature tomato bisque accompanied with a grilled cheese sandwich as they relax beside the large fireplace at the front of the restaurant.
The Stocking Frame
Taking an oversized antique stove and filling it with candles, the Stocking Frame suffuses their dining room in a relaxing ambience that beckons visitors to retreat from the cold. The weekly changing menu features creative new American dishes, such as brisket sausage pizza and octopus and pork belly tacos, which are enhanced when eaten by the flickering glow of candlelight. In a space that’s as large and eclectic as this downtown restaurant (7,000 square feet with a brick wall and string lights, to be exact), the modern-day re-purposing of the treasured old oven does its job to warm the place up, both in a romantic atmosphere and with actual flame.
Wood and Vine
Located at the bustling tourist hub of Hollywood and Vine, this dimly lit restaurant has a hidden space on the roof with a large fire pit surrounded by cushioned seats. Shady trees and wood siding on the walls complete the reclusive feel of the area. Sitting beside the outdoor blaze, guests can dig into seasonal dishes inspired by local farms, throw back a glass of Bourbon from the extensive drink menu and feel the warmth wash over them from the inside out.
Aroma Coffee and Tea
Charming doesn’t even begin to describe the atmosphere of Aroma Coffee and Tea. Converted from an old home on the popular Tujunga strip, next to boutiques and salons, this café is larger than it first appears. There’s always a line out the door of people excited to taste the luxurious desserts and well-made upscale “coffee shop” favorites like sandwiches and salads. But visitors don’t come just for the food; they spend hours unwinding in the impeccably decorated space that features unique paintings, a hideaway-style back patio with string lights, tons of seating in the form of couches, benches and a communal table, and a roaring fireplace.
The Church Key
As one of the most exciting dining experience in LA, the Church Key specializes in dim sum-style Contemporary American cuisine. Cozy up at the fireside table or at any one of the romantic loveseats, order a glass of sweet and floral Kung Fu Girl Riesling,and wait for the carts to pass by with small plates of falafel croquettes, coconut shrimp and salmon sashimi, among others. A meal at Church Key would not be complete without the ultimate comforting dessert: Brioche donuts filled with cinnamon caramel and a black sesame milkshake on the side.
Fireside Lounge in Loews Hotel
Offering two indoor fireplaces, the aptly named Fireside Lounge in Santa Monica’s Loews Hotel is perfect for those who want to stay toasty while admiring views of the coast. The lounge’s nightly sunset special provides a menu of discounted drinks and innovative dishes like duck taquitos to be savored as the sun ducks below the horizon.
Bon Vivant
The name itself describes a social person who enjoys going out for dinner and drinks, so of course, the dining room at Bon Vivant in Atwater Village features a large fireplace where diners can savor the restaurant’s French-inspired dishes no matter the weather. Speckled with rustic memorabilia from the countryside, the interior of the restaurant features a brick wall, cozy seating and a central wood-burning fireplace to complete the homey feel.
The Castaway
High up in the hills of the San Fernando Valley, Castaway offers unobstructed views of the valley along with brick fire pits to keep visitors warm enough to enjoy the scenery even on cooler nights.
