The 5 best Edinburgh summer terraces for outdoor food and drinks
Enjoy the rays while you can
In Scotland, we like to sook up every last scrap of vitamin D before the summer is out.
Here are our favourite Edinburgh terraces and decks for drinking and dining before autumn blindsides us.
W DECK
On the roof of Edinburgh’s walnut whip of a W Hotel, this five-star spot has banging 12th floor views of Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle and even the Forth Bridges, and is open until the end of September, Friday to Sunday from noon until sunset. They’re serving Laurent-Perrier Champagne alongside a glamorous menu of Cumbrae oysters with passionfruit and chilli mignonette, or Ibérico ham with Manchego and Edinburgh Honey Co wares on sourdough. Reserve one of their W Pods if you want shelter from any whippy winds. Down on the 11th floor, their barJoao’s Place has equally incredible vistas, and a cocktail list that includes Castles in the Air, with genmaicha-infused Grey Goose Vodka, La Poire, brioche Champagne cordial, cryo-concentrated Lady Apple juice and soda water.
1 St James Square, www.marriott.com
COLD TOWN HOUSE
This casual and buzzing Grassmarket venue was once the Robertson Memorial Church. Now, its visitors are mainly there to praise the incredible view of Edinburgh Castle - really, you could almost touch its ramparts - on the outside decking. The drinks menu includes all the brewery Cold Town Brewery’s goods, and the cocktail list features a house zombie, rhubarb and custard sour or a classic old fashioned. If this bar is full to the gunnels, its neighbour, The Beehive, also now has its own terrace, with similarly excellent views.
4 Grassmarket, www.coldtownhouse.co.uk
CAFE CALTON
Formerly an upmarket restaurant, The Lookout, this place relaunched as all-day affair Cafe Calton last year. It has an incredible vantage point on Calton Hill, for a seagull’s eye view of our beautiful capital. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, with room for about 40 covers on the terrace. You’ll be hungry after the uphill walk, and that’s justification enough to order a haggis toastie with broon sauce, steak frites or smoked salmon and crumpet, all washed down with a matcha latte.
38a Calton Hill, www.cafecalton.com
THE GARDEN VIEW DECK & BAR
There’s not long left to take advantage of this glorious Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh spot, which closes for the summer on September 13 and, until then, is open Friday to Sunday from noon. It’s an utter gem, with a curved wooden deck that’s slightly sheltered and looks out over an especially lush patch of garden. They’re serving Maison Pommery Champagne, along with other drinks, including Aperol and Hugo Spritzes, plus a food menu with dishes such as a Bianca pizza with potato, caramelised onions and mozzarella, or salads and small plates that feature produce from their own kitchen garden.
John Hope Gateway, Arboretum Place, www.rbge.org.uk
LAMPLIGHTERS
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. You need to be a Gleneagles Townhouse member, with prices starting from £1800 a month (plus a £375 joining fee) to enjoy this gorgeous rooftop bar and terrace. Still, if you’ve got the wonga to spare, this is a gorgeous spot, with a plush indoor space and a suntrap of an outdoor terrace, which is flanked by six original neoclassical figures and looks out to St Andrew Square. Their romantic-sounding cocktail list includes The Last Train, with 21 Don Julio Blanco, basil, cranberry, Chartreuse, Cocchi Rosa and Champagne.
30 St Andrew Square, www.gleneagles.com
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