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The Herald Scotland
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Restaurants, bars and cafes with incredible Edinburgh Castle views
Here are eight places to eat and drink with incredible views of Edinburgh Castle. Cold Town House 4 Grassmarket As we enter the warmer months, this roof terrace space has been given a makeover with an orange-drenched Aperol Spritz theme. Regardless of promotional decor, the views of the castle from Cold Town House in Grassmarket never fail to impress. It's a total suntrap, and Cold Town can also proudly boast a handful of impressive awards from Rooftop Bar of the Year in 2021 to 'Beer of the Year' at the 2025 London Beer Competitions. W Lounge W Edinburgh Hotel, 1 St James Square Located on the 11th floor of the 5-star W Edinburgh hotel, the W Lounge offers unique 360-degree views of the city from Calton Hill to the Castle. The W Deck outdoor terrace is at its best when the sun shines, serving seasonal cocktails and snacks. If you're after a bite to eat, it's also worth checking out SushiSamba on the floor below for a feast of Peruvian, Japanese and Brazilian fusion. 1820 at Johnnie Walker Princes Street 145 Princes Street While the 1820 rooftop bar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is a must-visit for whisky fans, the team's carefully curated range of highball cocktails is also a fantastic introduction to the spirit for anyone unsure of a dram served neat. This includes the Apple and Chai Spice with Johnnie Walker Black Label and homemade apple soda, a coconut and sencha green tea creation, or a blend of Iron Brew Sour Beer, Johnnie Walker Gold Label and vanilla foam. Cannonball 356 Castlehill From the same folk behind the fabulous Contini George Square restaurant, 'classic, beautiful cooking with a contemporary touch' is the name of the game at Cannonball. Located within a 17th-century townhouse next to Edinburgh Castle, this three-storey building is steeped in history and is even said to be home to 'Scotland's oldest door knocker'. The team said: "The bar is dark and cosy and the restaurant is bright, airy and very romantic in the evening when we light all our candles. "Our menus change throughout the month to reflect what is seasonally available. Beautiful classic cooking with a modern finish, we promise to not disappoint." Chaophraya 33 Castle Street Chaophraya serves a menu of classic and modern Thai food from breakfast dishes right through to evening sharing platters and desserts. Fiery smashed Thai avocado on toast with poached eggs, Panang sous vide beef bao buns with shredded lime leaves and fragrant curry sauces - you'll find it all here. If you're keen to go the extra mile or celebrate a special event while visiting Edinburgh, consider booking a private dining space like the Glass Box, Castle View or Terrace for some spectacular views across the city. The Outsider 15 – 16 George IV Bridge The Outsider are confident that they offer the 'best view of the castle in Edinburgh'. Fancy putting the claim this claim to the test? Expect to do so while enjoying a menu of modern European cuisine like pan-roasted duck breast, pear and brie spanakopita, whole roast lobster with garlic butter, fries and salad or artichoke, marscapone and walnut tagliatelle with lemon and spinach. Read more: Starbucks 120 Princes Street I'm not going to tell you that this chain giant serves anything close to the best cup of coffee in the city. But there's simply no denying that this Princes Street location, opened in late 2023, is one of the best places to marvel at Edinburgh Castle in all its glory. If you're lucky enough to grab a seat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows which frame the vista perfectly, you'll understand why it's difficult to peel yourself away. Even long after that overpriced latte is finished. Kyloe 1 – 3 Rutland Street This independent restaurant on Rutland Street partners with some of Scotland's top butchers to source the best of beef cuts for its market menu and award-winning Sunday lunches. It also happens to have a cracking view of the castle, meaning you can watch the sun set over the scene as you tuck into a thick fillet steak, East Coast Cured charcuterie board or half a dozen oysters from Scottish waters.
Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
W Rome hotel review: laid-back luxury in a quiet corner of the Eternal City
Once the wild child of five-star hotels, W has begun to reinvent itself as a less-rave, more-relax brand, with the Rome outpost one of the first to channel the chilled-out vibe. It's housed in two 19th-century palazzos, joined by the glass-roofed lobby lounge and subterranean gym — and gone (mostly) are the in-room bathrooms and blingy, pop art decor, replaced by a softer, more sophisticated style that still exudes a breezy, clubby feel. Cocktails in the glitzy W Lounge — art deco lighting, dove-grey sofas and a slick, glass-panelled bar — come with a DJ soundtrack every evening, while the sizeable rooftop, which is half pool area, half pizza restaurant, has glorious views across the Eternal City. Families are as welcome as couples and retired couples take dinner alongside influencers — the W is now a party that's open to everyone, and much the better for it. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 9/10W hotels are basically Marriott in better clothes and the 162 rooms here are certainly a notch up; abstract artworks and framed newspaper front pages on the clean, powder-blue walls, herringbone wooden flooring edged with marble, and feather-soft linens on the sumptuously comfortable beds. Rooms are set across both palazzos; those in the right-hand building are larger but on lower floors (and thus darker). The top choice is a room in the left-hand building that overlooks the Swiss Institute — a grandiose, early 20th-century villa surrounded by lush gardens. The 'Fantastic' and 'Sensational' room categories have small balconies that overlook the internal 9/10Rome is a city that runs on its stomach and the W has rounded up a trio of Italy's top chefs to create everything from Sicilian street food to handmade chocolates and thin, crispy pizzas. The slick ground-floor coffee bar, Zucchero x Fabrizio Fiorani, is equally popular with guests and locals, who come for Fiorani's handmade pastries and unctuous chocolates. The menu for the rooftop restaurant, meanwhile, combines crudo (raw fish) and fritti (deep-fried starters) with classic pizzas. But the biggest treat is a table at Giano in the cool, internal courtyard, where upscale Sicilian dishes — white grouper carpaccio or braised veal cheek with masala — can be combined with street food classics such as arancini and the best tiramisu in town. • More great luxury hotels in Rome• Best things to do in Rome Score 9/10The rooftop pool, flanked by loungers and shaded easy chairs, is the perfect place to cool off, with yoga classes on the wet deck in the warmer months. Six floors below, hidden in the vaulted cellars, the gym has an excellent range of Technogym machines, each tucked into an individual space between the arches, giving it a delightfully private feel. Guests with a sweet tooth can arrange chocolate-making classes at Zucchero and there are mixology workshops in the W Lounge. Score 9/10The W pulls off the impressive trick of being in a peaceful location on a quiet street in the upscale Ludovisi neighbourhood, yet within easy walking distance of Rome's big draws — the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. There are good restaurants and a classic Roman deli in the surrounding streets, with the glorious Borghese gardens and sculpture-rich Villa Borghese museum, shaded by the city's umbrella pines, just a few minutes' stroll away. Public transport isn't Rome's strongest point, but the Barberini metro station, two stops from Termini station, is five minutes' walk. Price Room-only doubles from £420Restaurant mains from £30Family-friendly YAccessible Y Annabelle Thorpe was a guest of W Rome • Best affordable hotels in Rome• Best restaurants in Rome
