The Observatory

3.5 (7)

£26 to £40

Scottish

2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA

About this restaurant

Boasting stunning views of the historic Calton Hill, The Observatory Restaurant offers a dining experience unlike anywhere else in Edinburgh. Head Chef, Daniel Mellor, has crafted a locally-sourced and seasonal menu that takes in the very best of Scotland's abundant natural larder. The ethos of bringing together ingredients that would be found together in nature runs through our exclusive afternoon tea and dinner services.

The Observatory is also home to one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets - a stunning two-acre roof garden which boasts direct views over Calton Hill and the Firth of Forth. It's the perfect backdrop for pre or post dinner drinks (weather permitting of course!).

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, British, Afternoon Tea
Hours of operation
Afternoon Tea: Wednesday to Sunday - 1pm to 4pm Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday - 5pm to 9:30pm *Pre-Theatre Menu available 5pm to 6:30pm
Website
http://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Daniel Mellor
Catering
All our menus are crafted using only the very best in locally sourced, seasonal produce. Our Head Chef, Daniel Mellor, forages for many of the ingredients you will find on your plate, ensuring you're guaranteed an authentic and personal dining experience.
Private party facilities
Housed within the hotel's two-acre roof garden, our Calton Suite can be privately hired for events of up to 110 guests. We cater for weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, BBQs, afternoon tea parties and much more. For an unforgettable day, against the stunning backdrop of Calton Hill, please contact a member of our events team today.

Location
2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Parking details
Secure off-site parking is available at the adjacent Q-Park, which is part of the Omni Centre. Discounted parking is available to all diners. Please ensure your token is validated by a member of the hotel reception team upon your departure.
Public transit
Edinburgh Waverley Train Station - 3 minute walk.York Place Tram Stop - 2 minute walk.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 7 people are saying

The Observatory reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

3.5

3.5 based on all time ratings

3.8Food
3.6Service
3.1Ambience
3.3Value

Noise • Moderate

7 Reviews

a
alan
London6 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 2, 2016
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
We came for a birthday dinner. The staff were pleasant enough but a mite dozy. We chose the steak. The first attempt gave us one wrongly cooked and both cold. The second attempt gave us one correctly cooked and the other wrongly cooked. By this time we were very hungry so just ate them. To be fair, the steak was tasty and tender and the chips were awesome!! The staff explanation was that the proper chef was not present and had been replaced by an agency chef. The restaurant was very quiet and somewhat lacking in atmosphere. You also need to be quite fit to cope with the walk from the reception area to the restaurant and an orienteering qualification would be helpful. Wouldn`t rush back.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Glasgow3 reviews
2.0
Dined on March 23, 2016
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
Wasn't impressed with the ridiculous journey through the hotel to get to the restaurant (or function room). The room lacked any atmosphere partly because we were the only ones there and partly because the curtains were closed. The food all looked very pretty however my starter (crayfish) tasted of nothing but cucumber and nowhere near enough sauce. The mains (pork) was tasteless but again was presented very well. The desserts were ok but not good enough to make you forget about the two previous courses. Not likely we will eat there again.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Edinburgh3 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 5, 2016
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The service was impeccable. Pleasant and well decorated dining area. The food was excellent, lightly seasoned allowing the natural flavours to show through.
Is this helpful?
G
Glasshouse
Edinburgh1 review
2.0
Dined on December 1, 2015
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
There were 6 of us booked into the Glasshouse. We were really looking forward to it. Once we had walked the mile to the actual restaurant - going up in lift, walking length of hotel, going down stairs, walking the length of hotel again, we finally arrived. (my aunt has a walking stick!) It was tucked away at the end of a corridor of hotel rooms. The décor was lovely, but we were very surprised that there was only one other couple in the restaurant. We had been told the views were lovely but the curtains were all shut. The music was a wide mix, sometimes background, sometimes louder. It was my mums birthday and there was no atmosphere. The staff were great and very attentive and tried to make the experience better. The food was good, albeit the plates were cold. Some of the food actually arrived cold, which we thought was a little odd, seeing as were the only table being served at the time. I had arranged a cake for my mum, and that was amazing - so compliments to the chef for that. All in all however, our experience was something that we will not repeat. Better access is required to the restaurant and also if it had been a little busier it would be more inviting.
Is this helpful?
E
Ellenrich
London5 reviews
4.0
Dined on November 14, 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The observatory was lovely the food was a delight I had the chicken my partner had the steak both of us cleaned our plates the food was so delicious Desert equally good having the tiramisu and the chocolate again delicious Only slight criticism firstly the radio was on whilst playing classical music it was bizarre when the news and adverts came on it took a while for dinner to arrive (1hour after sitting down ) also it took ages for us to get a drink
Is this helpful?
r
ramjam07
London21 reviews
2.0
Dined on September 26, 2015
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Arrived for 1830 only to be given the A La carte Menu & not the Pre theatre option. Anyhow, proceeded with our order. Starter of Crab Soup was tasteless & lacked seasoning then the main of cod had been sitting under the hot plate for some time as it was dry & evaporated! Only 10 covers in, but this hotel did not perform as a restaurant and they even couldn't produce a calypso coffee to end the night! I also noticed that 2 other covers of 4 where the ladies had to put their jackets/cardigans on as it was too cold.
Is this helpful?
ED
EDDINER Gold
Edinburgh3 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 20, 2015
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I dined with two others. After being seated for 15 minutes we managed to attract the attention of a waitress and ordered still and sparkling water. The still water water arrived shortly after but the sparkling water had been forgotten. I then chose a bottle of red wine and a bottle of rose was presented to me. We each ordered a starter and two were served. Five minutes later the third arrived. We had to wait 45 minutes to actually get our first course. It was a pity that the service was so lax as the all our three courses were good and well prepared and presented. On leaving the restaurant which was on a high floor and some way from the main entrance to the hotel we actually got lost and when we asked a member of staff for directions she didn't know the way out as she had only started work that day. Hopefully they will get their act together.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, British, Afternoon Tea
Hours of operation
Afternoon Tea: Wednesday to Sunday - 1pm to 4pm Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday - 5pm to 9:30pm *Pre-Theatre Menu available 5pm to 6:30pm
Website
http://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Daniel Mellor
Catering
All our menus are crafted using only the very best in locally sourced, seasonal produce. Our Head Chef, Daniel Mellor, forages for many of the ingredients you will find on your plate, ensuring you're guaranteed an authentic and personal dining experience.
Private party facilities
Housed within the hotel's two-acre roof garden, our Calton Suite can be privately hired for events of up to 110 guests. We cater for weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, BBQs, afternoon tea parties and much more. For an unforgettable day, against the stunning backdrop of Calton Hill, please contact a member of our events team today.

Location
2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Parking details
Secure off-site parking is available at the adjacent Q-Park, which is part of the Omni Centre. Discounted parking is available to all diners. Please ensure your token is validated by a member of the hotel reception team upon your departure.
Public transit
Edinburgh Waverley Train Station - 3 minute walk.York Place Tram Stop - 2 minute walk.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing