The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Scotland
We’ve chosen 25 of the most beautiful restaurants in Scotland, including a long-running farm-fresh classic in Edinburgh, an art-filled hotel favorite in Cairngorms National Park, and a glass barn at an artisan cheese farm on the Isle of Mull.
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Edinburgh
Even to hardened locals, Edinburgh possesses a magic that few other UK cities claim. Part of its other-worldly charm is its layers of ancient buildings that wind their way from the wobbly passages of the Old Town into the Georgian cobbled streets of the New Town. Hidden in these enclaves are some of the most beautiful restaurants in Edinburgh that fully embrace its history in individual ways. Whether that’s carving out dining rooms from old buildings or creating menus that draw on Scottish traditions, these are some favorite places to enjoy gorgeous surroundings and stellar food.
The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse, St James’s Quarter
The Spence finds its home in a former banking hall, where huge arched windows and an intricate cupola flood the space with light. Interiors are wonderfully feminine with pistachio and pastel pink seating, dinky table lights, and fringed detailing to soften swathes of original marble columns. It’s a place you never want to leave thanks to brilliant service and a menu that celebrates Scotland’s larder. Don’t skip dessert; it comes on a heaving trolley, and sometimes there’s even a roaming Champagne cart that keeps the atmosphere buoyant.
Address: No. 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
Montrose, Abbeyhill
Coming to you from the team behind Timberyard, Montrose offers a slightly more relaxed environment with food that’s equally refined. This is one for those who appreciate pared-back design, with a neutral palette illuminated by candlelight in the evenings. There’s a wine bar downstairs serving small plates and a restaurant upstairs that offers a set four-course menu. Expect ingredient-focused plates like scallops with Delica pumpkin, hazelnuts, and lardo or Fife Dexter beef paired with Tokyo turnips, devilled oyster, and mustard leaf.
Address: 1 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5DJ
Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage, Carlton Hill
The Lookout offers some of the city’s best views that stretch from the North Sea to the east right over to Edinburgh Castle in the west. The prime seats in the house are found where the floor-to-ceiling windows join, making your table feel like it’s floating above the capital in its very own glass box. An open kitchen adds excitement, while friendly service and an interesting set menu round out the experience. During winter, head over at lunchtime for daylight vistas.
Address: 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA
Lyla, City Centre
Stuart Ralson is a hospitality heavyweight with four restaurants in Edinburgh. A seafood-focused tasting menu is served in the dining room, which has recently been refreshed with an all-neutral scheme. Its sky-scraping ceilings are ornate with mouldings and typical of old Scottish grandeur, while the crisp white linens and precision-laid tables bring things bang up to date.
Address: 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB
IJ Mellis, Edinburgh
A cheesemonger first and foremost, IJ Mellis draws city folk and visitors to Edinburgh’s buzzing Morningside neighborhood. Upon entering, you’re surrounded by artisanal, local hand-picked cheeses, delicious jams, honey, and pickles. The best experience is to sit down on a rickety wooden chair with platters of charcuterie, wedges of the shop’s favorites, crumbly Scottish oatcakes, and a glass of wine. It’s the UK’s answer to a Parisian wine bar.
Address: IJ Mellis, 330 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4QJ
The Gardener’s Cottage, Edinburgh
This restaurant has reigned as one of Edinburgh’s old-school classics since 2012, featuring a quaint, cosy, and airy atmosphere. The home-grown vegetables and herb gardens indicate an ethos centered around simple and fresh ingredients. Food and drink are hyper-local and seasonal, featuring garden herb salads, heritage tomatoes, and mussels.
Address: The Gardener’s Cottage, Royal Terrace Gardens, 1 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 5DX
Noto, Edinburgh
Noto strips it back to basics. While the food is the main attraction, the interiors are notable as well. Unassuming plain white walls display wispy dried twigs as décor, complemented by dangling bulbs and minimal dark furniture that create a sleek dining room environment. Experience Japanese-inspired dishes like airy sesame prawn toast and buttermilk-fried rabbit.
Address: Noto, 47a Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DY
Timberyard, Edinburgh
Featuring beautiful Scandi-inspired interiors with clean white walls, delicate glassware, and neutral-toned crockery, Timberyard is an artfully converted 19th-century warehouse near the Grassmarket. Nordic-style dishes are served using farm-fresh ingredients. Enjoy starters like housemade pickles and milk loaf, followed by mains such as turbot with cockles, clams, and a side of crushed Mayan gold potatoes.
Address: Timberyard, 10 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DS
The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
This Gothic revival restaurant is outrageous, over the top, and deliciously romantic. Dark oak paneling and low-slung booths fill the baroque restaurant set in a 16th-century merchant’s house. It is the perfect place for a decadent Scottish-inspired afternoon experience.
Address: The Witchery by the Castle, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Glasgow
Widely regarded as Scotland’s most creative city, Glasgow has plenty to recommend it including a thriving cultural scene, a fascinating industrial past, and some of the best restaurants in the country. Glasgow’s most beautiful restaurants are a wonderful mix of cosy trattorias serving fresh pasta, luxurious hotel eateries, and Michelin-starred spots known for tasting menus and top-class wine lists. There are beautiful venues for every occasion in this vibrant city.
Unalome by Graeme Cheevers, Finnieston
One of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, Unalome is a recent addition to Glasgow’s culinary scene, having opened in 2021. Cheevers describes his food as innovative, with boundary-pushing dishes like tuna tartare with bergamot and oyster cream. The semi-open kitchen adds a theatrical element to the dining experience, while warm wood details and soft green upholstery create an elegant setting.
Address: 36 Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow G3 7RZ
Celentano’s, Cathedral Quarter
Cool rather than pretty, Celentano’s effortlessly blends contemporary style with traditional elements from the building’s 1877 origins. Traditional checkerboard floors and winding staircases add to the charm. The entire menu is worth a try, and you shouldn’t miss the delicious snacks, particularly the uri bomb porcini lasagne fritti.
Address: 28-32 Cathedral Square, Glasgow G4 0XA
Gloriosa, Finnieston
Chef Rosie Healey’s Gloriosa has maintained its popularity among the foodie crowd since it opened. The Italian-leaning menu is in a constant state of change, featuring sharing plates of pasta and dishes focused on seasonal vegetables. Enjoy the natural light in summer or the cozy ambiance from the wood burner in winter.
Address: 1321 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AB
isag at the Blythswood, Glasgow
Set inside the stylish Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, isag is a modern British brasserie with Scottish flair. Its striking central bar invites guests with leather stools and unique cocktails, blending Art Deco design with a fun ambiance.
Address: isag, 11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4AD
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in the Highlands and Islands
The Highlands is a notable destination, filled with rugged hills, lochs, and glens, making it ideal for both romantic getaways and family holidays. With Scotland’s highest proportion of holiday visits in 2022, it’s a must-visit location. The Highlands and Islands are also home to some of the most beautiful restaurants in Scotland.
Fish Shop, Ballater
With interiors designed by Russell Sage Studio, the Fish Shop is airy, featuring boat installations, fishing nets, and a suspended fish sculpture. This unpretentious restaurant celebrates Scottish seafood, offering a delightful experience created by partners Marcus and Jasmine Sherry.
Address: 3 Netherley Place, Ballater, AB35 5QE
Mingary Castle, Ardnamurchan
Perched on cliffs, Mingary Castle boasts dramatic views and an intimate dining experience within a 13th-century fortified castle. The tasting menu showcases seasonal dishes using local ingredients, creating a unique culinary experience against a stunning backdrop.
Address: Mingary Castle, Kilchoan PH36 4LH
Wild Kabn Kitchen, Loch Fyne
Offering a unique supper club experience, Wild Kabn Kitchen provides a six-course menu set in beautifully crafted dining spaces within the Ardkinglas Estate. Here, chef William Hamer celebrates local, sustainable ingredients with detailed explanations accompanying each dish.
Address: Ardkinglas Estate, Cairndow PA26 8BG
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, Perthshire
The Glenturret is not only Scotland’s oldest working whisky distillery but also features a new fine-dining restaurant showcasing a tasting menu by chef Mark Donald. This culinary adventure features locally sourced Scottish produce and highlights the distillery’s outstanding whisky.
Address: The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, The Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA, Scotland
The Boatshed, Loch Goil
A social media sensation, The Boatshed Cafe is beloved for its scenic location over Loch Goil. Despite its no-bookings policy and limited hours, visitors flock for simple, hearty fare and homemade cakes while enjoying the views and exploring the loch.
Address: Loch Goil Cruisers, Cairndow PA24 8AE
Inver, Stratchur
Inver offers intriguing twists on traditional Caledonian cooking by chef Pamela Brunton. Nestled by the shores of Loch Fyne, it features beautiful views and a menu that includes fresh oysters and a four-course tasting experience, complemented by local beer.
Address: Inver Restaurant, Strathlachlan, Strachur, Argyll & Bute PA27 8BU
The Strathearn at Gleneagles, Perthshire
Recognized as one of Scotland’s most glamorous locations, Gleneagles features Michelin-starred restaurants and sophisticated spa options. This esteemed hotel has been refurbished to reflect its Art Deco heritage while providing modern comfort in a stunning setting.
Address: The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF
Boath House Garden Café, Nairn
Set within a beautiful walled garden, the Garden Cafe offers an idyllic summer dining experience with a rustic atmosphere. Enjoy seasonal dishes with a touch of nostalgia, all served in a cozy setting.
Address: Auldearn, Nairn IV12 5TE
The Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms Hotel, Cairngorms
With world-class art throughout, The Fife Arms quickly became a central hub in Braemar. The wood-fired-focused restaurant features a stunning mural by artist Guillermo Kuitca, offering exquisite dishes like birch-grilled sea trout that connect diners to the Highlands.
Address: The Fife Arms, Mar Road, Braemar AB35 5YL
The Glass Barn at Isle of Mull Cheese, Isle of Mull
As Scotland’s last traditional cheese producer in the Hebrides, Isle of Mull Cheese presents a delightful cafe experience amidst historical farm settings. Guests can enjoy homemade cheese and local specialties in a familial atmosphere that celebrates sustainability.
Address: Isle of Mull Cheese, Sgriob-ruadh Farm, Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6QD
The Seafood Ristorante, St Andrews
With panoramic views of the bay, The Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews serves Scottish dishes with an Italian twist, providing a picturesque dining experience perfect for every season.
Address: The Seafood Ristorante, Bruce Embankment, St Andrews KY16 9AB
Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye
Once a historic hunting lodge, Kinloch Lodge now serves as a Michelin-starred restaurant featuring Scottish ingredients in a scenic setting. Guests can enjoy beautifully prepared dishes while soaking in the extraordinary landscapes surrounding them.
Address: Kinloch Lodge, A851, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV43 8QY
