Order these dishes to warm up on cold, snowy days

Though the COVID-19 vaccine has given us some hope that an end to social distancing is near, we’ll all likely be dining outdoors for a while. Thanks to tents and heaters, diners can be comfortable al fresco, even when there’s snow on the ground. But because cold temps can lead to cold food, Philly’s restaurants have put their thinking caps on. Some have turned to menu items that naturally stay warm, while others have invested in servingware that keeps food toasty at the table.

These Philly spots are keeping things hot for chilly diners.

Warmth always exudes from Bella Vista’s Good King Tavern, but the petite French bistro has upped its cozy game with an “Après-Ski” concept centered around raclette: melted cheese and crispy potatoes served hot in cast iron. A few more winter warmers include French onion soup, mulled wine, and hot cocoa spiked with the herbal liqueur Genepy.

Good King Tavern, 614 S. 7th St., (215) 625-3700, thegoodkingtavern.com

Seat warmers, tents, heaters, blankets, and hot dishes are just some of the lengths that Nicole Marquis’ vegan restaurants in Midtown Village and Rittenhouse Square have gone to in an effort to keep customers comfy. At Charlie was a Sinner, dairy-free mac and cheese with tempeh bacon hits the table still bubbling in cast iron. A take on ramen features mushrooms, bok choy, silken tofu, and chickpea noodles. Bar Bombón offers half-dozen hot drinks on its “warm up menu” and an autumnal, veggie-forward soup.

Bar Bombón, 133 S. 18th St., (267) 606-6612, barbombon.com

Charlie was a Sinner, 131 S. 13th St., (267) 758-5372, charliewasasinner.com

Walnut Street Cafe has leaned into the cast iron trend with its Lancaster beer can chicken, baked brie, and egg-dish shakshuka. The University City restaurant’s outdoor space is outfitted with high and low heaters. To drink, find mulled wine, hot chocolate, and caramel apple cider.

Walnut Street Cafe, 2929 Walnut St., (215) 867-8067, walnutstreetcafe.com

Hot stone bowls keep Southgate’s bibimbap — vegetarian or with added protein — sizzling and its spicy pork miso ramen steaming for diners under its heated tents. Try the bar’s hot toddy version of a traditional Korean after-dinner drink.

Southgate, 1801 Lombard St., (215) 560-8443, southgatephilly.com

Old City’s Cuba Libre offers a few paella dishes — with meat, seafood, or vegetables — on cast iron dishes. Its chicken wings and mixed grill with steak, lobster, shrimp, chicken, and chorizo are also served on the piping hot platters. Seasonal hot drinks and heated seating areas add to the winter fun factor here.

Cuba Libre, 10 S. 2nd St., (215) 627-0666, cubalibrerestaurant.com/en/philadelphia

The team behind neighborhood staple Hawthornes recently opened a pandemic-optimized soup and coffee shop. Pivot Coffee and Soupery offers six soup varieties — such as roasted cauliflower bisque — each day, plus hot cocktails. Enjoy the toasty treats to-go or in a heated, private igloo.

Pivot Coffee and Soupery, 738 S. 11th St., (215) 627-3012, facebook.com/Pivot-Coffee-104771638133137

Sit at one of Mission Taqueria’s “campfire” tables to sample the popular Mexican restaurant’s rich, savory tortilla soup. It’s chock full of chicken, thickened with housemade tortillas, and topped with crunchy tortilla strips. For a vegan option, Mission offers a black bean soup with fresh corn salsa. A couple of warm zero-proof and boozy cocktails help round out a meal at this friendly spot.

Mission Taqueria, 1516 Sansom St., (215) 383-1200, missiontaqueria.com

Make like a camper at The Wayward in Center City this winter. Along with mulled wine and hot chocolate, this French-influenced brasserie is selling all the makings for s’mores, with marshmallows ready to be toasted at its fire pit tables.

The Wayward, 1170 Ludlow St., (215) 258-9430, thewayward.com