10 Cosy Places to help you get the best out of this winter…
The evenings are getting darker and colder. Don’t worry. Throw on a jumper and read through this guide to the cosiest places in London to keep you all snug and cushy all winter long.
1. The Pig and Butcher: Best for a Sunday roast
Personally, if we were on a desert island and could only have one meal for the rest of our lives, the choice would be easy. Sunday roast please. This meal is the physical embodiment of the word ‘cosy’. And there are so many amazing Sunday roast locations in London. But the one that consistently hits the spot for us is The Pig and Butcher in Islington. Meat cooked to perfection. Plates loaded up to the brim. So many delicious sides: roast potatoes, greens, carrots & cauliflower cheese. And Yorkshire puddings the size of a football. You can’t go wrong. Yum.
2. Gordon’s Wine Bar: Best for an underground experience
London’s oldest wine bar is still one of our favourite drinking holes. In the summer the vibes are great as you sit outdoors listening to live jazz and watching the people go by. But Gordon’s shows its full power once winter kicks in. The main pull is their candlelit caves - once you’ve found a little nook for yourself you’re in for the long haul. Keep the wine flowing and maybe order a little charcuterie plate, this is one location you’ll be coming back to again and again.
3. Hampstead Heath: Best for long windswept walks
It might seem counter-intuitive to this list but there’s nothing better on a cold fresh winter’s day than wrapping up under seventeen layers and heading out for a long walk ahead of whatever other plans you have. Enjoy the smugness of getting that walk in before inevitably hitting the pub/restaurant/bar your friends have booked. And of all the green spaces across London there’s none much better for a wintery meander than Hampstead Heath, in part owing to the multitude of spectacular pubs around it for you to escape into once your hands start going numb…
4. The Grapes: Best for a long boozy night
Summer might be the season for rooftops and sunglasses but winter brings the very British joy of finding an old school pub and making it your home for a whole evening. The Grapes in Limehouse (owned by national treasure Sir Ian McKellen) hits the nail on the head with its laid back atmosphere, heated terrace, delicious pub food, and fantastic selection of ales that’ll keep you busy until closing time. Oh and don’t miss their Monday quiz nights!
5. Somerset House: Best for ice-skating
And here we go, the slightest suggestion of Christmas in the air and BAM it’s ice-skating season. One of our favourite pop-ups of the year lets us embrace our inner child to gracefully slide around this magnificent venue whilst stopping off every now and again for a glass of bubbles. It’s not a London Christmas unless you’ve ticked this one off and whether you’re Torvill and Dean or just have all the elegance of a sloth it matters little, enjoy it!
6. My Neighbour The Dumplings: Best for a hearty meal
Dumplings. Is there anything as warming to the soul as a bowl full of dumplings? We think not. So this winter don’t forget to treat yourself with some of these culinary gems. My Neighbour The Dumplings is one of our favourite cosy nooks that feels like you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli movie. And their dumplings are insanely delicious, especially when paired with a traditional sake flight. So hungry just writing this, hang on a sec while we book a table there for next week…
7. Dark Sugars: Best for an indulgent hot chocolate
The Danish concept of ‘hygge’ is underpinned by the hunt for cosiness by filling your home with candles, blankets, cushions and soft lighting. Oh, and hot chocolate. Lots of hot chocolate. But if you’re not at home then fear not as Dark Sugars on Brick Lane is here to give you a massive chocolatey hug. This beaut is extreeeeemely extravagant and loaded with chocolate shavings - be careful as you will get addicted.
8. Candlelight Concerts: Best for a romantic evening
Looking for that perfect idea for where to take someone for a first date, an anniversary or a special somebody’s birthday? There are so many candlelit concerts going on in London nowadays that you can take your pick of location and theme to get it spot on. Do you prefer hip-hop or movie soundtracks? Taylor Swift or Coldplay? Halloween or Christmas tunes? It’s all here. You can even find the odd candlelight ballet performance. Now you just need to decide which one you prefer…
9. Midnight Apothecary: Best for marshmallow toasting
Hidden away on top of the Brunel Museum is an absolute gem of a find - the Midnight Apothecary. This cocktail garden is an oasis in the heart of Rotherhithe and, come wintertime, is the perfect place to book for a unique evening. Grab yourself a tasty cocktail (or three) and huddle around their huge fire pit while cooking sweet delicious smores over the flames. This is the only way you can stay in London and feel like you’re out camping in the wilderness at the same time. Don’t miss this.
10. Happiness Forgets: Best for a cocktail masterclass
Happiness Forgets is a cross between a traditional speakeasy and a dive bar, which means you’ve got double the reasons to go. Barely visible from street level, most people would walk straight past it, however once you head downstairs you’ll find a super cosy basement away from the hustle & bustle of Hoxton Square. Find a seat and get chatting to the bar staff who will keep you entertained and well watered all night long. There’s no better way to spend a rainy evening.