No one in town has a fireplace quite like the great one in the lobby at The Houstonian. Savor a meal at Olivette (which has its own hearth room, by the by) and camp out in front of this stunner for a complete evening.

Obviously, any place with 'lodge' in the name would make the list, but the refined game and rustic charm at Rainbow catapults it to the top. And when the fireplaces are roaring — look out.

Generally the patio here gets all the ink, but the upstairs section, with its twin hearths, is as lovely as winter dining gets.

The mosiac makes this woodburning oven as festive as it is functional (mmm, pizza) and the lively crowd and Italian favorites make this a fun spot any time of year.

What's comfort food without an appropriately comfy atmosphere? Ouisie's has not one, but two fireplaces along with some of the best chicken fried steak in town.

Many prefer the outdoor heating lamps, but the tiny side room at Red Lion has a fireplace as well as a flatscreen with rotating images of bonny England — the cold is so much more bearable when it's beautiful, innit?