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A circular table with plants and wine glasses stands in front of a crackling fireplace in the dining room at Foreign Cinema.
Foreign Cinema’s dining room fireplace is just one of many fine options throughout the city for cozying up.
Foreign Cinema

San Francisco’s Best Restaurants and Bars for Cozy Fireside Dining

Cut through the fog with these crackling fireplace

by Becky Duffett and Eater Staff Updated
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Foreign Cinema’s dining room fireplace is just one of many fine options throughout the city for cozying up.
| Foreign Cinema
by Becky Duffett and Eater Staff Updated

As the temperature seems to dial down a few more degrees each day, San Francisco gets cozy in the deep fog of winter. And as families flock into the city or urbanites steel themselves to head back to their small towns for the holidays, it’s also a critical moment for a nourishing meal and a stiff drink. As such, now’s the perfect time to find a restaurant or bar with a roaring fire. Try any of these 14 crackling contenders throughout the city to keep things toasty.

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Original Joe’s

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This Italian American institution slings steak with a side of ravioli. The original Original Joe’s in North Beach has a brick corner fireplace in the front room, but real ones know the biggest Joe’s with the biggest fireplace is the Westlake location — technically in Daly City. It’s worth the trip for the midcentury glam details, including a distinctive trapezoidal fireplace with a tall black chimney in the bar, and a long glass fireplace built into a stone wall of the front room. 

11 Glenwood Ave (at Lake Merced Blvd), Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 755-7400
(650) 755-7400
A long glass fireplace is the backdrop for the front room at Original Joe’s in Westlake. Eric Wolfinger

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White Cap

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In the far western avenues, White Cap’s fireplace is small but mighty, attracting savvy Outer Sunset drinkers and surfers to its cozy back area to thaw out from the waves. But it’s also not-so-secretly one of the best cocktail spots in SF, co-owned by a master ice cutter, with a seasonally rotating list.

3608 Taraval, San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 682-4215
(415) 682-4215
Bright blue banquette seating overlooks a concrete fireplace at White Cap. Patricia Chang

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Wild Side West

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Wild Side West is one of the few remaining lesbian bars in San Francisco, proudly serving since 1962. Today the dive welcomes a mixed crowd and offers a place to watch the game (big or small). Drinkers keep coming back for its saloon-like vibe, which includes pool tables, a fireplace, and a backyard garden.

424 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-3099
(415) 647-3099

Also featured in:

Foreign Cinema

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At this iconic Californian restaurant and arts enclave, walk down a long, dark hallway to find the glowing dining room with the kitchen at one end and the bar at the other, and a big fireplace centered between. Foreign Cinema might be known best for the movies flickering on the patio, but on a chilly night, it’s not wrong to snag a seat by the fire and feast on that Madras sesame fried chicken.

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-7600
(415) 648-7600
A circular table with plants and wine glasses stands in front of a crackling fireplace in the dining room at Foreign Cinema. Foreign Cinema

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Fiorella Sunset

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Fiorella’s third location in the Sunset may be known best for the pizza party on the rooftop deck. But during the deep fog of winter, don’t miss the corner fireplace downstairs, clad in moody black brick. It makes for a hot date with a plate of the chitarra alla cacio e pepe.

1240 9th Ave (Irving St), San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 404-6997
(415) 404-6997
A dining room and bar with lots of wood beams and a black brick fireplace. Fiorella Sunset

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The Little Shamrock

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The Little Shamrock’s fireplace is lit any time there’s inclement weather, and it’s seen a lot of cold days since the historic Irish pub opened in 1893. Cozy up with an Irish coffee and a board game for the perfect afternoon.

807 Lincoln Way (9th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-0060
(415) 661-0060
Wine bottles in a row below a Shamrock sign in a dark room. The Little Shamrock

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Park Chalet

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At the sprawling brewery slash restaurant at the far end of Golden Gate Park, a massive brick fireplace heats the glass-walled Park Chalet to the point of greenhouse-level steaminess. It’s a sharp pivot from the Ocean Beach breezes that blow just outside, so you can take shelter with a pint and fish tacos.

1000 Great Hwy (at John F Kennedy Dr), San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-8439
(415) 386-8439
A pitched glass ceiling lets light stream into the dining room at Park Chalet. Park Chalet

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Kitchen Istanbul

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Kitchen Istanbul offers tables right next to its back-wall fireplace, so diners who want a solid Turkish meal and a warm, rosy glow — from something other than just wine from the impressive list — should request one of those spots by calling in advance.

349 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 753-9479
(415) 753-9479

Also featured in:

Spruce

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In Spruce’s front dining room (they call it the “Library”), patrons ask to be seated in front of the fireplace as they enjoy the fine dining restaurant’s excellent burger or fixed-price brunch.

3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 931-5100
(415) 931-5100

Also featured in:

Left Door

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This swanky new speakeasy is hiding on the second story above Bus Stop Saloon. It looks like a fabulous living room filled with floral wallpaper, tufted couches, and oh yes, a black marble fireplace. If that doesn’t warm you up, the martini menu with half a dozen options plus olive pairings should do the trick.

1905 Union Street, San Francisco, California 94123
415-295-2042
415-295-2042
Plush furniture surrounds a fireplace at the Left Door speakeasy. Left Door

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House of Prime Rib

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This legendary English-style steakhouse with carts rolling through the dining room, has two fireplaces to choose from, so fans of the House of Prime Rib can keep comfy while tucking into its thick and tender cuts and Yorkshire pudding. Keep an eye out for Caitlin Elliott, the restaurant’s first female carver in its 75-year history.

1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-4605
(415) 885-4605
Tables decorated in white cloths and a prime rib carving cart fill the dining room at House of Prime Rib. House of Prime Rib

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Wayfare Tavern

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Celebrity chef Tyler Florence’s Wayfare Tavern has a handsome fireplace topped with a stag head on the back wall. It does a nice job keeping the brick-lined spot warm enough to make even its chilled raw bar menu items palatable in cold weather, alongside the steaming popovers and pork chops, of course.

558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 772-9060
(415) 772-9060

Also featured in:

Kokkari Estiatorio

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Kokkari always feels rustic and warm, but on a cold and wet day, the dining room is extra comforting. The huge stone hearth is located in the main dining room, making the wooden table right in front of it the best seat in the house, where you can watch chickens spin on the spit. Bring your friends for a feast of Greek dishes and bask in the glow.

200 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 981-0983
(415) 981-0983
A tab with bread and jars in front of a hearth. Kokkari Estiatorio

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Scoma's Restaurant

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The quintessential seafood restaurant — literally on the dock of the bay — feels as snug and cozy as a ship’s cabin during winter. The upper bar has a freestanding carousel fireplace, offering a full-circle view of the flames while sipping the “vintage” egg nog (aged for 300 days).

1 Al Scoma Way (Jefferson Street), San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 771-4383
(415) 771-4383
The dining room at Scoma’s overlooks the water with a midcentury-style fireplace near a row of banquette seats. Carly Hackbarth

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Original Joe’s

11 Glenwood Ave (at Lake Merced Blvd), Daly City, CA 94015

This Italian American institution slings steak with a side of ravioli. The original Original Joe’s in North Beach has a brick corner fireplace in the front room, but real ones know the biggest Joe’s with the biggest fireplace is the Westlake location — technically in Daly City. It’s worth the trip for the midcentury glam details, including a distinctive trapezoidal fireplace with a tall black chimney in the bar, and a long glass fireplace built into a stone wall of the front room. 

11 Glenwood Ave (at Lake Merced Blvd), Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 755-7400
(650) 755-7400
A long glass fireplace is the backdrop for the front room at Original Joe’s in Westlake. Eric Wolfinger

White Cap

3608 Taraval, San Francisco, CA 94116

In the far western avenues, White Cap’s fireplace is small but mighty, attracting savvy Outer Sunset drinkers and surfers to its cozy back area to thaw out from the waves. But it’s also not-so-secretly one of the best cocktail spots in SF, co-owned by a master ice cutter, with a seasonally rotating list.

3608 Taraval, San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 682-4215
(415) 682-4215
Bright blue banquette seating overlooks a concrete fireplace at White Cap. Patricia Chang

Wild Side West

424 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Wild Side West is one of the few remaining lesbian bars in San Francisco, proudly serving since 1962. Today the dive welcomes a mixed crowd and offers a place to watch the game (big or small). Drinkers keep coming back for its saloon-like vibe, which includes pool tables, a fireplace, and a backyard garden.

424 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-3099
(415) 647-3099

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

At this iconic Californian restaurant and arts enclave, walk down a long, dark hallway to find the glowing dining room with the kitchen at one end and the bar at the other, and a big fireplace centered between. Foreign Cinema might be known best for the movies flickering on the patio, but on a chilly night, it’s not wrong to snag a seat by the fire and feast on that Madras sesame fried chicken.

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-7600
(415) 648-7600
A circular table with plants and wine glasses stands in front of a crackling fireplace in the dining room at Foreign Cinema. Foreign Cinema

Fiorella Sunset

1240 9th Ave (Irving St), San Francisco, CA 94122

Fiorella’s third location in the Sunset may be known best for the pizza party on the rooftop deck. But during the deep fog of winter, don’t miss the corner fireplace downstairs, clad in moody black brick. It makes for a hot date with a plate of the chitarra alla cacio e pepe.

1240 9th Ave (Irving St), San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 404-6997
(415) 404-6997
A dining room and bar with lots of wood beams and a black brick fireplace. Fiorella Sunset

The Little Shamrock

807 Lincoln Way (9th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94122

The Little Shamrock’s fireplace is lit any time there’s inclement weather, and it’s seen a lot of cold days since the historic Irish pub opened in 1893. Cozy up with an Irish coffee and a board game for the perfect afternoon.

807 Lincoln Way (9th Ave), San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-0060
(415) 661-0060
Wine bottles in a row below a Shamrock sign in a dark room. The Little Shamrock

Park Chalet

1000 Great Hwy (at John F Kennedy Dr), San Francisco, CA 94121

At the sprawling brewery slash restaurant at the far end of Golden Gate Park, a massive brick fireplace heats the glass-walled Park Chalet to the point of greenhouse-level steaminess. It’s a sharp pivot from the Ocean Beach breezes that blow just outside, so you can take shelter with a pint and fish tacos.

1000 Great Hwy (at John F Kennedy Dr), San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-8439
(415) 386-8439
A pitched glass ceiling lets light stream into the dining room at Park Chalet. Park Chalet

Kitchen Istanbul

349 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Kitchen Istanbul offers tables right next to its back-wall fireplace, so diners who want a solid Turkish meal and a warm, rosy glow — from something other than just wine from the impressive list — should request one of those spots by calling in advance.

349 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 753-9479
(415) 753-9479

Spruce

3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118

In Spruce’s front dining room (they call it the “Library”), patrons ask to be seated in front of the fireplace as they enjoy the fine dining restaurant’s excellent burger or fixed-price brunch.

3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 931-5100
(415) 931-5100

Left Door

1905 Union Street, San Francisco, California 94123

This swanky new speakeasy is hiding on the second story above Bus Stop Saloon. It looks like a fabulous living room filled with floral wallpaper, tufted couches, and oh yes, a black marble fireplace. If that doesn’t warm you up, the martini menu with half a dozen options plus olive pairings should do the trick.

1905 Union Street, San Francisco, California 94123
415-295-2042
415-295-2042
Plush furniture surrounds a fireplace at the Left Door speakeasy. Left Door

House of Prime Rib

1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

This legendary English-style steakhouse with carts rolling through the dining room, has two fireplaces to choose from, so fans of the House of Prime Rib can keep comfy while tucking into its thick and tender cuts and Yorkshire pudding. Keep an eye out for Caitlin Elliott, the restaurant’s first female carver in its 75-year history.

1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-4605
(415) 885-4605
Tables decorated in white cloths and a prime rib carving cart fill the dining room at House of Prime Rib. House of Prime Rib

Wayfare Tavern

558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Celebrity chef Tyler Florence’s Wayfare Tavern has a handsome fireplace topped with a stag head on the back wall. It does a nice job keeping the brick-lined spot warm enough to make even its chilled raw bar menu items palatable in cold weather, alongside the steaming popovers and pork chops, of course.

558 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 772-9060
(415) 772-9060

Kokkari Estiatorio

200 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Kokkari always feels rustic and warm, but on a cold and wet day, the dining room is extra comforting. The huge stone hearth is located in the main dining room, making the wooden table right in front of it the best seat in the house, where you can watch chickens spin on the spit. Bring your friends for a feast of Greek dishes and bask in the glow.

200 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 981-0983
(415) 981-0983
A tab with bread and jars in front of a hearth. Kokkari Estiatorio

Scoma's Restaurant

1 Al Scoma Way (Jefferson Street), San Francisco, CA 94133

The quintessential seafood restaurant — literally on the dock of the bay — feels as snug and cozy as a ship’s cabin during winter. The upper bar has a freestanding carousel fireplace, offering a full-circle view of the flames while sipping the “vintage” egg nog (aged for 300 days).

1 Al Scoma Way (Jefferson Street), San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 771-4383
(415) 771-4383
The dining room at Scoma’s overlooks the water with a midcentury-style fireplace near a row of banquette seats. Carly Hackbarth

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