Rooftop at Pelham House Resort a USA TODAY’s best restaurant: Video
Take a look inside Rooftop at Pelham House Resort in Dennis Port, Mass., named one of USA TODAYs best restaurants for 2025.
Looking for somewhere cozy to enjoy a nice, warm meal this winter?
While Cape Cod may be known for its plethora of beautiful waterfront dining destinations, the region is also home to many homey or romantic restaurants waiting to warm you up, and not just with hearty food. From Hyannis to Provincetown, the Cape has plenty of restaurants perfect for a nice winter meal by the warmth of the fireplace.
Here are five cozy spots for fireside dining on Cape Cod.
Alberto’s Ristorante
Alberto’s Ristorante offers a casually elegant dining experience on Hyannis’ Main Street, with a focus on authentic Italian food made from the freshest ingredients. Enjoy homemade pasta, fresh local seafood and prime aged beef while surrounded by the tunes of live jazz piano music and the roar of a large brick fireplace.
Alberto’s is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 360 Main St. in Hyannis. Reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website.
Scargo Cafe
This traditional tavern in Dennis has a wood-burning fireplace, wood-paneled walls and an outdoor covered deck in an upscale casual, yet romantic atmosphere. Scargo Cafe’s menu, which constantly changes, focuses on classic comfort food and seafood, complimented by an extensive wine and cocktail list.
Scargo accepts both reservations and walk-ins. Located at 799 Main St. in Dennis, the restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch and 4-9 p.m. for dinner.
Courtyard Restaurant and Bar
Owned by former Boston Bruin and his wife Paula Perini-Miller, The Courtyard Restaurant and Bar offers regional comfort food in a rustic historic building on Route 28A. Enjoy everything from homemade clam chowder and stuffed quahogs to brick-oven pizza and steak in a homey atmosphere with a large, exposed brick fireplace.
The Courtyard is open daily at 1337 County Road in Cataumet, with dining hours from 3-9:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 9:15 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
STARS at Chatham Bars Inn
STARS at Chatham Bars Inn offers a fine dining experience surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking ocean views. The elegant fireplace is complimented by Norman Rockwell’s original “Spirit of America” painting over the mantle, paying homage to the artist who settled in Massachusetts.
Reservations for STARS can be made by visiting OpenTable online or calling 508-945-6732. The restaurant offers breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Thursday through Sunday and dinner from 5-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Located at 297 Shore Road in Chatham.
Ciro & Sal’s
Originally founded as a coffee shop in 1954, Ciro & Sal’s is now one of Provincetown’s premiere northern Italian restaurants, offering pasta, chicken, veal and seafood dishes inspired by old Italian recipes. The restaurant itself is modeled after a romantic Italian cantina, complete with slate floors, candlelit tables, soaring ceilings, surrounding gardens, a grape vine-covered gazebo, a large wine rack, exposed brick and of course, a large fireplace.
Reservations, which are required, can be made online. Ciro & Sal’s is open daily from 5:30-9 p.m. at 4 Kiley Court in Provincetown.
Dining and Cooking