Places to Enjoy Fire Pits
There's something special about enjoying a glass of wine or a delicious meal beside a crackling fire. If you're in Charlottesville or nearby areas, you're in luck - this area is home to some incredible spots that combine great food and drink with the cozy allure of fire pits and fireplaces. Read on for our guide to some of the best restaurants and wineries around Charlottesville that offer fire pits and other warming experiences.
1. Veritas Winery
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, Veritas Winery offers the perfect setup: renting a space with an igloo and fire pit! The heated garden igloos are ideal for those who want to stay cozy without missing the vineyard views, and the fire pit adds an extra touch of warmth and charm. Veritas is known for its stunning wines, and this cozy outdoor arrangement makes it an ideal choice for a winter wine adventure.
2. Knights Gambit Vineyard
Knights Gambit Vineyard offers an intimate fire experience. They provide a wood-burning fire inside the tasting room, creating a wonderful ambiance on those cool evenings. This is perfect for a romantic date night or a relaxing evening with friends.
3. Bar Botanical - Crozet
Bar Botanical in Crozet is the place to be. With fire pits on the rooftop, this spot allows you to enjoy the stunning views while staying cozy around the fire. They even provide blankets to wrap up in! It's a great place to gather with friends and sip their carefully crafted cocktails and plant-based menu.
4. Pro Re Nata
Crozet’s Pro Re Nata offers multiple outdoor fire pits, making it a great destination for groups of all sizes. Gather with friends, listen to live music, and enjoy some local brews—all while staying warm by the fire. Pro Re Nata’s laid-back atmosphere and the variety of craft beer on tap make it a beloved local favorite, perfect for enjoying a relaxing afternoon or evening.
5. Devils Backbone Basecamp
Devils Backbone Basecamp in Roseland takes the fire pit experience to the next level. You can reserve seating around a fire pit and even enjoy s’mores as part of your outing. It’s a great choice for families, as well as anyone who wants to combine the outdoorsy feel of a campfire with excellent food and drinks. With a wide selection of craft beers and a menu featuring hearty dishes, it’s easy to settle in and stay for hours.
Additional Businesses in the area with great fireplaces include:
Featured Wineries & Breweries
- Veritas Winery
Book a garden igloo with vineyard views and a private fire pit. The heated igloos remain a standout for winter, providing warmth and charm paired with Veritas’ signature wines. - Knights Gambit Vineyard
Enjoy a wood-burning fire inside the tasting room – ideal for relaxed evenings or romantic dates. - Bar Botanical (Crozet)
Rooftop fire pits with views and cozy blankets await you. This Crozet hangout impresses with cocktails and plant-forward plates. - Pro Re Nata (Crozet)
Multiple outdoor fire pits accommodate everything from date nights to group gatherings. There’s always live music and plenty of local brews to choose from. - Devils Backbone Basecamp (Roseland)
In addition to reservable fire pits and “Basecamp” s’mores kits, this brewery’s food menu and lively atmosphere make it a family-friendly destination. - Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Several fire pits, s’more kits (Fri-Sun), and hot cider or chocolate add a festive, nostalgic touch to this destination winery. - Mount Ida Reserve
The tasting room features both cozy fireplaces and a fire pit, with outdoor tables overlooking sweeping Blue Ridge views. - Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard
Gather around cedar-burning fire pits on the scenic patio, attended to by friendly staff for the optimal winter wine experience.
Local Restaurants with Fireplaces
- Common House
Double-sided fireplaces and plush seating lend a social club vibe; perfect for a fireside meal downtown. - Vivace
Savor Italian dishes in a snug ambiance made warmer by their classic fireplace. - 1784 Pub at Michie Tavern
Historic charm with a working wood-burning fireplace; open most afternoons and evenings. - C&O Restaurant
Noted by locals for its cozy setting and warm fireplace, a staple of the winter dining scene downtown. - Tavola (Belmont)
While most celebrated for its rustic, intimate Italian fare, the inviting ambiance is even more appealing on a chilly evening. - Eastwood Farm & Winery
Local favorites confirm they feature fireplaces, making it a popular option for winter gatherings.
More Options & Notables
- Grace Estate Winery: Outdoor fire pits and artisan wood-fired pizza shine during winter tastings.
- Blanket-and-firepit style experiences: Found at several area wineries — always call ahead to confirm reservations or open hours, as availability changes.
This winter, Charlottesville and the surrounding area deliver plenty of opportunities to get cozy with food, drink, and firelight—whether it’s sipping cabernet in an igloo or sharing craft beer around a crackling pit.
South Street Brewery
here’s something quintessentially cozy about South Street’s fireplace. Comfortable, well spaced seating offers the perfect setting for a small group gathering with locally brewed beers flowing freely.
Pippin Hill
Spring, summer and fall, Pippin Hill has built a reputation as one of the must-visit wineries in the area, and don’t think you have to sit indoors just because it’s winter. Grab some friends and gather around one of several fire pits on the grounds. From Friday-Sunday, you can pick up one of their s’more kits (serves four), and add some hot chocolate or hot cider for a sweet winter pick-me up that’s wrapped in nostalgia.
Common House
A double-sided fireplace doubles the number of people who can sit fireside while dining at Common House. That’s just one of the ways the social club creates an inviting environment. Big comfy chairs and couches to lounge on before or after dinner add to the warm welcome. -Recommended by Insider Logan Hall
Vivace
Known for some of the best Italian food in town, Vivace has a snug atmosphere and the crackling fire only adds to that ambience. The restaurant on Rt 250 west of town also boasts one of the biggest patios with sparkling string lights that make the entire place seem candlelit.
Hark Vineyards
One of the newcomers to the local wine scene, family-owned Hark Vineyards hasn’t wasted time making sure visitors are comfortable year round. Multiple fire pits provide places to sit, socialize and sip their wines. That last one’s sure to be a win. They’ve already taken five awards in the Virginia Governor’s Cup!
Blue Mountain Brewery
Looking for brews with a view? Look no further than Blue Mountain Brewery, part of the Nelson 151 trail of wineries, breweries and cideries. In addition to a fire pit, Blue Mountain has miniature heaters they’ll put around certain outdoor tables to make sure eating al fresco doesn’t leave you al frozen.
