21-05-2025
Scotland's 'best outdoor dining restaurants' for summer 2025 crowned
Five eateries across the country have been named the best for al fresco dining.
The best restaurants in Scotland"for outdoor dining" have been named. The top eateries for an al fresco meal were crowned on Wednesday by experts at restaurant-reservation service OpenTable.
With Scotland enjoying clear skies and warm temperatures in recent days, OpenTable research has revealed that 60 per cent of people in the UK prefer to dine outdoors when the weather is nice. As Scots flock to sun-soaked terraces and beer gardens, OpenTable's new Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining for 2025 list reveals the best places to make the most of al fresco season.
Out of the 100 restaurants included in the roundup, five are located in Scotland. Four of these are situated in Glasgow, while one is found in Edinburgh.
The first Scottish restaurant to be named among the best for outdoor dining is Ardnamurchan. Located on Hope Street in Glasgow, the restaurant serves up a range of Scottish meat and seafood dishes.
The eatery sources "unique and artisan products" from the Highlands and Islands. Its a la carte menu includes dishes such as Ardnamurchan Estate braised wild venison stew, charred Shetland coley, and grilled Isle of Skye landed langoustines.
Elsewhere, Bucks Bar West Regent Street is a lively venue in Glasgow that specialises in American-style fried chicken. Among the options available are classic buttermilk fried chicken, Nashville hot style chicken, and various wings.
In addition to having both indoor and outdoor seating available to book, Bucks Bar West Regent Street also offers live music. Every Saturday, the restaurant and bar hosts rock concerts with bands and DJs.
Also in Glasgow, Kelp is dedicated to serving up high-quality and sustainably sourced Scottish seafood. Situated on Cowcaddens Road, it is the sister restaurant of Ardnamurchan.
Almost every different type of sea food on Kelp's menu comes from somewhere different in Scotland. Among the dishes on its a la carte menu are oysters, razor clam tostada, Isle of Mull cheddar tart, and Orkney crab dougnut.
The final Glasgow restaurant to be named among the best places in Scotland for outdoor dining is The Prancing Stag. The family-run and award-winning neighbourhood restaurant can be found in Jordanhill.
The Prancing Stag serves up mains including fillet of Scottish salmon, Cairngorm roe deer, and fish of the day. Meanwhile, it also offers Sunday Roast specials every week.
Over in Edinburgh, the last restaurant to be included on OpenTable's list of the best al fresco destinations is Angels with Bagpipes. The acclaimed eatery can be found just off the iconic Royal Mile.
The kitchen and wine bar offers a variety of both small and larger plates. Dishes include Scottish crab with lemon and crumpet, smoked salmon with crème fraîche and cucumber, and sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and fries.
Additionally, it is not just humans soaking up the rays this year. According to OpenTable, dining at pet-friendly restaurants has increased by 17 per cent year-over-year and 21 per cent of UK dog owners now regularly take their four-legged friends out for a meal.
UK and Ireland's Senior Director at OpenTable Sasha Shaker commented: "More than half of UK dog owners find it difficult to discover pet-friendly restaurants, with 32 per cent sharing that they would definitely eat out more often with their pet if it were easier to discover more suitable spots.
"That's why we've launched this list, to make dining out a joy for diners and their furry friends.
"From a seaside supper to a beer garden bite, our Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining celebrates amazing al fresco spots across the country, with plenty of places where pups are not just welcome but encouraged."
The full list of the top 100 restaurants for outdoor dining in 2025 can be found on the OpenTable website.
Scotland's top restaurants for outdoor dining
