Forget the heaters: here are our favourite cosy venues with roaring fireplaces

The weather is starting to turn and colder days (and nights) are on their way. And according to Canberra lore, once Anzac Day hits you’re officially allowed to turn the heater on.

My favourite way to beat the Canberra cold is to settle by a roaring fireplace with a drink in hand.

Here are a few of my favourite local venues that are sure to warm you up.

Pulp Bookshop and Cafe, Nicholls

Is there anything cosier than a combined bookshop and cafe? Pulp Book Cafe is just that, with a crackling fireplace to boot! Get a book recommendation with your coffee and something to snack on while you read, like a creme brulee croissant, parmesan truffle chips or a Cubano toastie. If you miss out on a fireside seat pull up a pew (yes, an actual ex-church pew) outside on sunny days.

Pulp is a favourite haunt of Region food writer Michelle Taylor who recommends popping in for after-work drinks on a Friday when the cafe has extended opening hours and an evening menu.

Pulp also has a function space upstairs for your next celebration.

Bar Rochford, City

I recently learned that there is a couple who have been visiting Bar Rochford on their Friday date nights for 10 years: there’s even a plaque next to their favourite table. I certainly don’t visit Bar Rochford that regularly, but I love returning to this classic cosy Canberra venue. I often forget during the warmer months that this iconic bar has a cheeky little fireplace, but in the cooler months it is the hottest seat in the joint (literally).

The warm sounds of vinyl permeate the bar, starting out with groovy but chill tunes and escalating towards pumping retro beats later in the evening, especially on weekends. I recently visited Rochford for a quiet drink while I read a book and the attentive staff seated me at the bar (where the lighting is better) and even brought over an extra candle for a little more glow. Now that’s service!

Scrumpers Kitchen, Bungendore

Bungendore is definitely not in Canberra, but cold days are perfect for regional road trips and our neighbours in Bungendore sure know how to get cosy. Scrumpers Kitchen in the village square serves up home-style dishes from a blackboard menu. Owner Ruth Gaha-Morris is in the kitchen and changes the menu daily to make use of the entirely local ingredients from producers in the region.

She shares the building space with the Southern Harvest Community Store where you can stock up on locally grown produce, preserves and more and the cellar door for award-winning winery Sapling Yard.

Oh, and did we mention there are multiple fireplaces? More places to cosy up for your meal.

Grazing, Gundaroo

Yes, I know, another interstate contender, but Grazings at Gundaroo surely rates as one of the region’s finest cosy restaurants.

The restaurant is tucked into an old house, complete with creaky floorboards and wisteria-laden verandah, from an era when fireplaces were the norm in most rooms. Larger tables can enjoy the beautifully built stone extension and the function space, courtyard and gardens make a lovely backdrop to weddings and functions, particularly in autumn and Spring.

The menu is just rustic enough to suit the setting and refined enough to be worth the drive.

Old Canberra Inn, The Kingston Hotel and Rose Cottage

Canberra has a fair scattering of pubs with ye olde timey pub aesthetics and frankly, I didn’t fancy splitting hairs between them.

The Old Canberra Inn, Kingston Hotel and Rose Cottage all offer roaring fires: perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine or a pint at the end of a long day, or for a lazy weekend afternoon. Competition for a spot on the fireside sofas can be fierce, but there’s plenty of warmth to go around.

Civic Pub deserves an honourable mention too.

What are your favourite cosy venues in the region?

Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.