Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants in Edinburgh
With 12 curated rooftop venues, Edinburgh stands out as one of the top destinations for elevated dining and drinks in United Kingdom. The rooftop scene here features rooftop bars, rooftop venues, giving you plenty of options whether you're looking for cocktails, a full meal, or a relaxed afternoon above the city. Including venues in Edinburgh, Scotland, this guide covers the wider Edinburgh metropolitan area.
Located in United Kingdom, Edinburgh is featured on Planet Rooftop with verified locations and accurate GEO data to help you find the perfect rooftop.
Nor’ Loft
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Taste elevation in our rooftop Champagne lounge. Nor’ Loft sparkles with contemporary comfort, classic elegance and spectacular cityscapes.At the pinnacle of the stand-out design on Edinburgh’s Old Town skyline, taking a seat in Nor’ Loft gives you a place forever in the eternal story of the iconic horizon. It’s a space where memories and dreams intermingle with luxury and comfort.From independent growers to prestigious Champagne houses, the table and views know no bounds. You can enjoy much of our enviable fizz list by the glass or bottle.Only the finest spirits make it to our gantry - a curated showcase of Scotland’s best distillers. Even our house draught beer raises the bar, brewed exclusively with barley from the Champagne region.Our celebratory champagne selection is complemented with your à la carte choice of caviars alongside a cosmopolitan menu of sharing dishes showcasing the best of Scottish ingredients fused with global flavours.*Photos credits: Design Hotels.
1820 Rooftop Bar
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
1820 Rooftop Bar sits at the Johnnie Walker Experience and pairs whisky-led drinks with one of the best castle-facing panoramas in the city. The venue combines an indoor lounge with an outdoor terrace, making it flexible across changing weather. It works well for coffee, cocktails, and elevated Scottish dining. The mood is polished, central, and strongly view-led.
Cask Smugglers
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cask Smugglers is a laid-back rooftop cocktail bar perched above Waverley Station in the heart of the city. The terrace is not among the highest in Edinburgh, but it still enjoys excellent views toward the Old Town and surrounding landmarks. It works well for colorful cocktails, casual drinks, and easy central meetups. The atmosphere is vibrant, informal, and fun.
Chaophraya Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Chaophraya combines Thai dining and cocktails with one of the best direct views of Edinburgh Castle. The venue offers both an open-air terrace and a covered rooftop space with large windows. It is a strong option for lunch, dinner, and a more polished evening out in the New Town. The atmosphere feels elegant, contemporary, and restaurant-led.
Cold Town House
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Cold Town House is one of Edinburgh’s most popular casual rooftops, right in the Grassmarket below the castle. The terrace mixes a lively atmosphere with pizza, craft beer, and a playful city-center energy. It is especially appealing for groups, daytime pints, and easy sunset drinks. The setting feels social, colorful, and relaxed.
DogHouse Edinburgh Bar & Terrace
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This rooftop terrace at BrewDog DogHouse brings a more casual and beer-led style to Edinburgh’s elevated bar scene. The setting includes firepits, communal seating, and a laid-back urban feel close to the Royal Mile. It is especially suited to craft beer, burgers, and informal evenings with friends. The atmosphere is friendly, modern, and easygoing.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The Forth Floor at Harvey Nichols is a stylish brasserie and bar above St Andrew Square with broad views over the city and toward the Firth of Forth. Its wrap-around terrace and indoor dining room make it suitable across the seasons. It works well for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, and dinner in a central shopping district setting. The mood is refined, urban, and versatile.
Lamplighters Rooftop Bar
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Lamplighters is the intimate rooftop bar at Gleneagles Townhouse, reserved for members and hotel guests. The terrace overlooks the New Town from a refined and club-like setting focused on cocktails, Champagne, and whisky. It is best suited to quieter luxury evenings rather than casual drop-in drinks. The atmosphere feels exclusive, elegant, and highly polished.
Roof Garden at The Glasshouse Hotel
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This Edinburgh rooftop sits at The Glasshouse Hotel and offers a quieter roof-garden setting with strong views toward Calton Hill. The terrace feels more secluded than many city-center rooftops, with a boutique-hotel atmosphere and a calmer pace. It is well suited to cocktails, whisky tastings, and relaxed evening moments. The overall feel is intimate, elegant, and tucked away.
Roof Terrace Bar at Edinburgh Gin Distillery
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This rooftop venue is part of the new Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches. The terrace focuses on gin cocktails and a more relaxed open-air experience with views over the city from the East Market Street side. It is especially attractive as an add-on to distillery visits, tastings, and laid-back evening drinks. The atmosphere feels fresh, contemporary, and distinctly brand-led.
SKYbar Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
SKYbar Edinburgh sits atop the DoubleTree by Hilton and enjoys a strong castle-facing position near the West End. The rooftop combines an indoor lounge with a terrace, giving it a more exclusive and polished feel than many casual rooftops. It is well suited to cocktails, brunches, and scenic evening visits. The atmosphere is relaxed, elegant, and hotel-led.
W Deck at W Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
W Deck is a striking seasonal rooftop at W Edinburgh with sweeping 360-degree views over the Old Town, New Town, and Calton Hill. The terrace has a polished and contemporary feel, with cocktails and music shaping the experience. It is especially suited to sunset drinks and stylish summer evenings. The atmosphere is lively, scenic, and distinctly modern.