Winter warmers: how to eat well when it is cold

On a cold day, the best thing you can do is choose a warm room and a dish that suits the weather. Soup, stew, a roast or a hot pie will do the job, and the right room matters as much as the food. Here is how to find both without wasting an hour in the wind.

Choose the room first

A cosy room makes any meal better. Look for places with plenty of indoor seating, a fire or good heating and a bit of atmosphere. On Mosey, raters tag places as cosy, so you can look for those, and read recent ratings for comments on warmth.

If you are with a group, check the seating. A cold draught by the door is a poor spot, so ask for a table away from it.

Dishes that warm you up

Look for soup and bread, stew, a roast, a casserole, a pie or a hot pot. Breakfast can be a warming meal too, with a hot drink. For a lighter option, a hot sandwich and a pot of tea does the job.

If you want to try something local, our guides to Irish stew, Dublin coddle and Irish coffee cover three that suit the weather.

Hot drinks

A good hot drink changes a cold afternoon. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and mulled drinks all work. If you want something special, look at photographs of the drinks. A well-made one is visible from the glass.

Plan around shorter days

Daylight is short, and some places close earlier in winter. Check opening hours, especially in smaller towns and on Sundays. If you plan to eat after a walk or a visit, build in extra time to find a table.

Book for the weekend

Indoor tables are in demand in cold weather, particularly on weekends. Book if you have a group or a particular room in mind. If you cannot book, go early.

Take care on the way

Icy pavements and dark evenings make getting there harder. Plan your route, wear shoes with grip and tell someone where you are going if it is late. A restaurant will usually hold a table for a short delay if you call.

Eating at home

If it is too cold to go out, order collection or delivery from a place you like. Where a place takes collection orders on Mosey, you can order ahead and pick up when ready.

A worked example for a cold Saturday

Suppose it is cold, dark early and you want an afternoon out. Book a late lunch in a cosy room, so that you are warm for the long part of the day. Order soup or a stew and a hot drink. Walk afterwards if the weather allows, or stay for a second coffee and a pudding. Keep dinner light, or skip it. A single good meal at the right time of day is more satisfying than two rushed ones.

Keeping warm on the way

Dress in layers, wear shoes with grip and carry a spare pair of socks if you are walking far. A flask of something hot is a kind thing to bring for a walk before a meal. When you arrive, ask for a table away from the door, and take a minute to warm your hands before you order.

Keep a list

Save a handful of cosy places to a list. On a bad day you will not want to search. Having one tap to a warm room is worth a lot.