8 Scottish restaurants with outstanding views

Combining Scotland's stunning scenery with its fantastic food and drink, here are eight Scottish restaurants with outstanding views.

Published 25th Nov 2016
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

Café Fish

(The Pier, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, 01688 301253)

Picture: Café Fish

Picture: Café Fish

This little gem of a seafood restaurant which sits on Tobermory pier has panoramic views over the bay to Calve island and the Sound of Mull, and of course looks back onto the beautiful rainbow-hued houses of the Main Street.

Owned and run by cousins Jane McDonald and Liz McGougan (originally from another home of seafood, Loch Fyne), the café's homely aesthetic and delightful seafood offering makes it the perfect restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the sun go down over the bay.

Fourth Floor Bar & Restaurant Harvey Nichols

(30-34 Saint Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD, 0131 524 8350)

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Picture: Harvey Nichols

One of the many spots you can enjoy fantastic panoramas of Scotland's capital city, but with a distinct advantage over most in the fact that it also serves some luxurious food and drink.

Take in the views of St Andrew Square and the Firth of Forth as you enjoy a relaxing meal and a cocktail or two in the Brasserie, or sample some fine dining in the restaurant.

Chaophraya Edinburgh

(4th Floor, 33 Castle St, Edinburgh EH2 3DN)

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Picture: Chaophraya Edinburgh Facebook

Those with a passion for Thai food can also be spoiled with spectacular views of the castle and the surrounding area with a visit to Chaophraya on the city's Castle Street.

Another fourth-floor restaurant, the group's Edinburgh eatery combines an effortlessly cool interior, a feast for the eyes (best viewed after dark) and a menu filled with excellent eastern cuisine.

Duck Bay Hotel

(Loch Lomond G83 8QZ, 01389 751234)

Island cafe with stunning views to team up with Michelin-recommended Edinburgh restaurant for one-off supper club
Picture: Trip Advisor

Picture: Trip Advisor

A favourite of locals and day-trippers from Glasgow, this lochside restaurant offers unsurpassed views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills.

The classic interior and outside seating (practically on the loch) are expertly complemented by the extensive menu. Featuring traditional Scottish dishes like haggis, neeps and champit tatties side by side with more modern, international cuisine – Mexican, Thai and Malaysian – the restaurant caters for almost every taste and will leave everybody with a smile on their face.

Just be sure to grab some ice cream for that after dinner walk along the shore to get a closer look at that spectacular view.

Asknish Bay Restaurant at Loch Melfort Hotel

(Arduaine, by Oban, Argyll PA34 4XG, 01852 200 233)

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Picture: Loch Melfort Hotel

With the type of views that panoramic windows were made for, the Asknish will have you gazing out over the bay and the Hebrides beyond, as you tuck into locally sourced Scottish fare that seems almost designed to match the beauty outside.

New Scottish restaurants added to the Good Food Guide

Choose from the finest produce Argyll and the Hebrides have to offer with freshly caught langoustines, lobster and crab, Islay scallops, select cuts of meat from Airds Farm in Ardfern and seasonal game, all for a price that won't break the bank.

Applecross Inn

(Applecross, Wester Ross, IV54 8LR, 01520 744262)

Picture: Trip Advisor

Picture: Trip Advisor

Set in the heart of some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer - the Applecross Peninsula - the Applecross Inn has become something of an institution for anyone visiting the area and it's easy to see why.

The multi-award winning eatery not only offers a perfect escape from the rigours of urban life and a true highland welcome, it also has some utterly breathtaking views.

Run by the UK's Landlady of the Year, Judith Fish, the Inn has amazing seafood, great beers and even the occasional barbecue (when the weather is good).

El Perro Negro and Ka Pao team up for kitchen takeover in Glasgow 

The Dores Inn

(B862, Dores, Inverness IV2 6TR, 01463 751203)

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Located on the southern shores of arguably Scotland's most famous loch, the Dores Inn gives guests the chance to take in unrivalled views of this most beautiful stretch of water.

In warmer weather, head outside to eat your lunch on the shore, scanning the horizon for a glimpse of the loch's famous resident or head inside on colder days to cosy up by the log fire.

Be warned though, locals and tourists alike are well wise to this little treasure and regularly take advantage of the inn’s specialised shuttle bus, so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Inn serves a small menu that perfectly exploits the surrounding countryside, with pan seared scallops and Highland steak sitting alongside more traditional pub fare like fish and chips.

The Deck Restaurant, Isle of Eriska Hotel

(Benderloch, Argyll, Scotland, PA37 1SD, 01631 720 371)

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Located just south of Port Appin on Scotland's west coast and set within a private 300-acre island, the Isle of Eriska Hotel's main restaurant has just been awarded Restaurant of the Year at this year's Highlands & Islands Food and Drink Awards.

The Deck restaurant is a new addition to the resort, complementing the main hotel restaurant and offering casual dining with stunning views of the surrounding loch and the island of Lismore.

Though the restaurant is open to non-residents, you may wind up staying a few days anyway to enjoy everything the spa resort has to offer.

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