Pubs with fireplaces

There's nothing better than finding an open roaring fire to snuggle up to on a cold December night. From a Dickensian Fuller's tavern to the campest of Christmas styles, we've tracked down some winter warmers. Plus, our top three rowdy restaurants...

The Cat's Back
86 Point Pleasant, SW18
Entering The Cat's Back is like walking into Steptoe's yard, with all manner of quirky junk adorning the walls and ceiling. This is a locals' local, and a traditional, idiosyncratic old pub that survived both the Blitz and the riverside redevelopment now going on around it. (020 8877 0818).

The Churchill Arms
119 Kensington Church Street, W8
At the Notting Hill end of Kensington Church Street you'll find this Fuller's flagship pub, which is always colourful but is currently decked out in the campest of Christmas styles. There are fabulous Fuller's ales, of course. (020 7727 4342)

The Dove
19 Upper Mall, W6
It has a great location, but that's not the only selling-point of this Dickensian Fuller's tavern, the classiest of the many traditional pubs by the river at Hammersmith. It's a particular favourite for Sunday lunch - try to nab a spot by the fire. (020 8748 5405)

THREE ROWDY RESTAURANTS by Charles Campion

Sarastro
126 Drury Lane, WC2
Sarastro has a wildly eccentric interior, with a couple of boxes for anyone who wants to pretend they're in a theatre. The food is basic and broadly Turkish, but the crowds come for the rather jolly live opera. £30pp ex-drinks. (020 7836 0101)

Lemonia
89 Regent's Park Road, NW1
A large - and seemingly always full - Greek restaurant in Primrose Hill, Lemonia dishes up sound Greek food to people prone to partying. A great atmosphere. £20pp ex-drinks. (020 7586 7454)

Tas
33 The Cut, SE1
This is office-party central. There are lots of set menus suit all levels of gastronomic ambition, with low prices for large portions. Well-executed Turkish dips and dishes. Good fun. £15pp ex-drinks. (020 7928 2111)