Looking for cozy dining? Here are 30+ restaurants where you can enjoy a fireside meal

Editor's note: This story was updated in January 2024.

A fireplace is a key ingredient in a recipe for a magic atmosphere.

A well-placed fireplace in a restaurant can make a meal feel romantic for a couple. For two friends catching up, it can make the whole place feel cozy. In some situations, it can make a restaurant feel woodsy, while in another setting a fireplace can make the atmosphere feel refined.

If you're looking for a restaurant that can help set the mood for your next night out, consider one of these Rhode Island restaurants with a fireplace.

Providence restaurants with a fireplace

India Restaurant

1060 Hope St., Providence | (401) 421-2600 | https://indiarestaurant.com/

Serving contemporary and traditional Indian cuisine, India Restaurant promises “to add spice to your life.” They’ll also add some heat with fireside dining in the winter.

Maria’s Cucina

477 Broadway, Providence | (401) 528-1111 | https://mariascucina.com/

A Victorian-style house, this restaurant is outfitted with just as many fireplaces as you would expect from an old house. The Italian restaurant will make you feel at home.

Pane E Vino

265 Atwells Ave., Providence | (401) 233-2330 | https://panevino.net/

Come for the Italian wine list, stay for the Italian food. The food here is made in the tradition of Southern Italian cooking, and celebrates simple, fresh ingredients.

Waterman Grille

4 Richmond Sq., Providence | 401-521-9229 | https://www.watermangrille.com/

Set in an 1871 bridge gatehouse right on the Seekonk River, the Waterman Grille delivers plenty of ambiance, including a fireplace. They have a seasonal approach to cooking and feature a wood-fired grill.

The Wild Colonial Tavern

250 South Water Street, Providence ‖ (401) 621-5644 | http://wildcolonial.com/

An old-school bar where the bartenders can pour a perfect Guinness, but also have plenty of other beers on tap and take their whiskeys and mezcals seriously. The old building has a fireplace.

Bristol restaurants with a fireplace

The Beach House

805 Hope St., Bristol | (401) 253-1566 | https://www.thebeachhouseri.com/

If you love coastal chic style, you’ll love this restaurant right on the water with the perfect view of the sunset. Take in the views, the bar and some tasty American cuisine.

Dewolf Tavern

259 Thames St., Bristol | (401) 254-2005 | https://www.dewolftavern.com/

If you’re looking for a view and a fireplace, the second floor of Dewolf Tavern delivers a view of Bristol Harbor and the chance to sit down for a glass of wine and a meal of contemporary American cuisine.

Portside Tavern

444 Thames St., Bristol | (401) 396-5149 | https://www.portsidetavern.com/ 

Just off the water, the Portside Tavern can be the perfect place to watch a game or catch some live music, all while enjoying a fire and some tavern-style food.

Thames Waterside Bar & Grille

251 Thames St., Bristol | (401) 253-4523 | https://www.thameswaterside.com/ 

A casual family-friendly restaurant that serves quick bites, seafood and comfort food.

Cranston restaurants with a fireplace

Basta

2195 Broad St., Cranston | (401) 461-2300 | https://www.bastaonbroad.com/

Get a certified Neapolitan pizza here or any of the Italian dishes they offer, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed. There's also a robust wine menu to sample.

Chapel Grille

3000 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston | (401) 944-4900 | https://www.chapelgrilleri.com/

Set in an 1891 chapel with a gorgeous view of the Providence skyline, there’s a spectacular hearth right in the center of one of the dining rooms. Enjoy the raw bar, drink menu, and hearth and Mediterranean Italian-influenced menu.

Spain Restaurant

1073 Reservoir Ave., Cranston | (401) 946-8686 | http://www.spaincranston.com/

A favorite in our annual Reader’s Choice Awards, this romantic restaurant serves authentic Spanish food and has a huge fireplace in their side dining room.

East Greenwich restaurants with a fireplace

Meritage

5454 Post Rd., East Greenwich | (401) 884-1255 | https://meritageri.com/

Meritage has a huge fireplace in its dining room, a robust wine list, and serves eclectic new-American cuisine.

Felicia's Coffee House

5757 Post Rd, East Greenwich | (401) 886-4141 | http://www.feliciascoffee.com/ 

With curtains of twinkly lights hanging from the walls and a huge fireplace, this coffee house is the perfect place to curl up study, chat with old friends, or just read a book somewhere besides your own house.

Newport restaurants with a fireplace

The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt

41 Mary St., Newport | (401) 846-6200 | https://aubergeresorts.com/vanderbilt/dine/

The former mansion of businessman Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, visit the Dining Room at the Vanderbilt to get a taste of what it must have been like to be a millionaire in the Gilded Age.

The Mooring

1 Sayers Wharf | (401) 846-2260 | https://www.mooringrestaurant.com/

Located right on Newport’s waterfront, enjoy a raw bar, fresh seafood, and an award-winning wine list while looking out over the wire and enjoying the warmth of the dining room’s fireplace.

Parlor Bar & Kitchen

200 Broadway, Newport | (401) 848-9081 | https://www.parlornewport.com/

Play billiards, sit and chat over a cocktail, check out the fire, or sit down for American cuisine, at this unique Newport restaurant.

White Horse Tavern

26 Marlborough St., Newport | (401) 849-3600 | https://whitehorsenewport.com/

As “America’s Oldest Tavern” and thus pre-dating modern heating methods, White Horse Tavern of course has a lovely fireplace right in the heart of the dining room. Soak in the colonial charm while sipping on a cocktail or dining on a meal that won’t feel dated.

North Kingston restaurants with a fireplace

Providence Coal-Fired Pizza

6105 Post Rd., North Kingston | (401) 885-7499 | https://www.providencecoalfiredpizza.com/north-kingstown

Come for trivia night, bingo night or just for the coal-fired pizza the restaurant is named after. Either way, it promises to be a great night out.

North Providence restaurants with a fireplace

Tumblesalts Café

1 Morgan Ave., North Providence | (401) 349-0557 | https://www.tumblesaltscafe.com/

It’s a Victorian, with all the fireplaces you would expect from a Victorian, reimagined into a cage, restaurant and pub that bills itself as perfect for a date night, family fun, or place to reconnect with friends. Don’t miss out on the pizza dough and sauces made daily in small batches.

Pawtucket restaurants with a fireplace

Arigna Irish Pub and Coal Fire Kitchen

507 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket | (401) 727-2625 | https://www.arignairishpub.com/ 

As the name suggests, fire is front and center at this restaurant. Their coal-fire pizza oven is both functional and a design point in the restaurant, adding flavor and warmth.

Portsmouth restaurants with a fireplace

Portsmouth Publick House

1 King Charles Dr., Portsmouth |  (401) 682-2600 | https://portsmouthpublickhouse.com/

Portsmouth Publick House has a raw bar, full bar, 24 draft beers, and a cozy space where you'll always find great food, great people, and great times.

Blue Anchor Grill

506 Park Avenue, Island Park | 401-293-5007 | https://www.blueanchorgrill.com

Relax by the fire at Blue Anchor Grill — eat, drink and enjoy one of the largest selections of craft beer and cocktails in the area.

Smithfield restaurants with a fireplace

Terrazza

645 Douglas Pike, Smithfield | (401) 233-3223 | https://www.terrazzari.com/

A fusion of Lebanese, Greek and Italian cooking with two full bars, Terrazza has a relaxing atmosphere and a cozy fireplace to eat by.

Tiverton restaurants with a fireplace

The Red Dory

1848 Main Road Tiverton, R.I. | (401) 816-5001 | https://www.reddoryrestaurant.com

The Red Dory specializes in Mediterranean-inspired farm-coast cuisine, highlighting the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms and fishermen.

Warren restaurants with a fireplace

Waterdog Kitchen + Bar

125 Water Street, Warren | (401) 252-4660 | https://waterdogkitchen.com/ 

Self-described as a restaurant “without a hint of snootiness,” this restaurant is playful and fun with a delicious menu and a homey fireplace.

Warwick restaurants with a fireplace

Governor Francis Inn Restaurant

1251 Warwick Ave., Warwick | (401) 463-8227 | http://www.governorfrancisinn.com/

Casual and comfortable, Governor Francis Inn Restaurant is located at the heart of Governor Francis Farms. The menu features both Italian and American food.

The Shanty

3854 Post Rd., Warwick | (401) 884-7008 | https://theshantyri.com/

The dining room of this restaurant exudes coziness with its fireplace and cool light fixtures. The vibe here is all about local with “farm fresh” ingredients on the menu for brunch, lunch and dinner.

The Tree House Tavern & Bistro

1094 Centerville Rd., Warwick | (401) 821-1105 | http://www.thetreehousetavern.com/

With an environment they describe as “creative, magical and a bit crazy,” the Tree House Tavern & Bistro offers more than one fireplace for patrons to dine in front of. The menu offers everything from pizza to lobster mac-and-cheese, as well as hand-crafted microbrews.

Westerly Restaurants with a fireplace

Bridge Restaurant and Raw Bar

37 Main St., Westerly | (401) 348-9700 | https://www.bridgeri.com/

A converted wheelhouse right on the water, enjoy the ambiance while dining on offerings from the raw bar or something off their American and seafood-inspired menu.

The Café

3 Canal St., Westerly | (401) 357-0300 | https://thecaferi.com/

Undeniably classy, this community-focused downtown restaurant in a renovated theatre offers a whimsical menu that is sure to satisfy.

Farmhouse Kitchen + Bar

10 Wagner Rd., Westerly | (401) 332-883 | https://farmhousekitchenri.com/

Located inside the Shelter Harbor Inn, the Farmhouse Kitchen + Bar is a contemporary American restaurant that mixes tradition with a twist and uses fresh ingredients from local farms and Block Island Sound.

Faith Harrington contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 30+ Rhode Island restaurants with fireplaces to enjoy a cozy meal