Whichever way you look at it, Edinburgh is a beautiful place - without question one of the UK’s most aesthetically-pleasing cities. That is partly tied in with the Scottish capital’s history and iconic attractions like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, but even more so because Edinburgh is a city of grand views and sweeping vistas.
So, if you’re looking for restaurants with a view in Edinburgh, you’re in luck - this handsome lot all offer a place to sit with something delicious, a nice glass of wine and some of the best views in the city. In the centre of town you’ll find some restaurants with a view of Edinburgh Castle itself, but there are great views all over the city - a good rule of thumb is, as long as you’re heading up, you stand a good chance of finding somewhere with a nice view down over the skyline.
Edinburgh’s restaurants aren’t just one-trick-ponies either - the Scottish capital is one of the best food cities in the country, boasting a hatful of award-winning, highly regarded eateries, including a handful that made it into SquareMeal’s Top 100 UK Restaurants list. It’s no good having a great view if the food isn’t good, but thankfully this isn’t something you have to worry about in Edinburgh too often.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a view in Edinburgh, scroll down for a few hand-picked suggestions of quality Edinburgh restaurants that tick all the boxes. Don’t forget that you can find lots more information on each of the restaurants by clicking through to the restaurant page, including booking information to reserve a table straight away.
The Outsider
![dinner table with a view and steak with wedges and rocket]()
What: The whitewashed walls, wood, glass and metal are very pleasing on the eye, but even better is what’s out of the window - the National Museum of Scotland and beyond, Edinburgh Castle and the Princes Street Gardens. The menu holds up too, with a mixture of easy-going skewers and burgers and some more cheffy ideas. It's a buzzy dining room, so if you want a seat with a view be sure to let them know in advance.
Where: 15-16 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EE
Book now: The Outsider
The Gruff Goat
![diners at a restaurant in front of edinburgh unversity and a student studying]()
What: Whether you're a lover of architecture, or a local student looking for a scenic study spot, The Gruff Goat is a quaint little restaurant with a beautiful view of Edinburgh University. The window seats here are the best in the house, but there's also a lot more to love about this neighbourhood cafe. From full cooked Scottish breakfast, to haggis and mash potatoes for mains, the menu is inspired by the traditional flavours of Scotland, with cold and hot Mediterranean meze too.
Where: 19/20 Teviot Place, EH1 2QZ
Book now: The Gruff Goat
Duck and Waffle
![restaurant dining room with a view and beef roast with red wine]()
What: Duck and Waffle doesn’t need much introduction, and the Edinburgh outpost of this well-known high-rise London spot boasts equally excellent views (though only from a small section of the terrace, so perhaps specify where you want to sit when you book). The food is pretty good too - this is definitely the place we’d head if you’re looking for breakfast with a view in Edinburgh. Their Sunday roasts are also pretty hard to beat - make sure to order a side of mac and cheese!
Where: 400-402 St James Square, EH1 3AE
Book now: Duck and Waffle
Forth Floor at Harvey Nichols
![terrace at forth floor at harvey nichols]()
What: No, that isn’t a typo - the spacious eatery at this famous Edinburgh department store is so-called thanks to the glorious views over the city and the First of Forth. The cooking here is fairly simple, but deliberate, with provenance at the fore. Expect mains like miso and maple Scottish salmon, crispy chicken Caesar, roasted halloumi with hot honey, and rib-eye steak with fries and bearnaise. It’s worth a visit, even if you hate shopping.
Where: 30-34 St Andrews Square, EH2 2AD
Book now: Forth Floor at Harvey Nichols
Twenty Princes Street
![main restaurant dining room and round table with a view]()
What: This lavish Victorian restaurant is all oak floors, high ceilings and striking black leather upholstery. Nab a window seat and gaze out through triple-height sash windows onto some of Edinburgh’s iconic buildings, as you tuck into steaks and shellfish from the charcoal grill. Elsewhere, the restaurant offers a proper two-course Sunday lunch and lavish afternoon tea experience, with reimagined cocktails and Joseph Perrier champagne.
Where: 20 Princes Street, EH2 2AN
Book now: Twenty Princes Street
Chaophraya Edinburgh
![dining room with a view and long banquet table with red chairs]()
What: Chaophraya has a rep for snazzy Thai food in big, grand settings, but the Edinburgh site might just take the cake with its magnificent city views. You can expect all the usual Thai favourites, alongside some more interesting dishes, like thai tacos, tamarind roast duck, and the signature Chaophraya sharing platter with chicken satay, tempura king prawns, and spicy crispy duck salad. Plus, there's a decent line in cocktails too.
Where: 33 Castle Street, EH2 3DN
Book now: Chaophraya Edinburgh
Cold Town House
![brewery in front of a castle and rooftop bar with food truck]()
What: This bar on the corner of the Grassmarket fills up quickly on sunny days with locals draining cold pints. Cold Town House brews much of its own beer on-site in a microbrewery, but there’s also a great restaurant downstairs. The spacious rooftop is the main event, boasting one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle in the city, complete with a fun food truck, craft beer, and a cracking atmosphere. On a sunny day in Edinburgh, this is the place to be.
Where: 4-6 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU
Book now: Cold Town House
If you're sticking around in Edinburgh, we've got so much more for you to check out, including the best vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh. Or, why not zoom over to nearby Glasgow and check out the best cheap eats that the city has to offer?