Tower Restaurant
Chambers Street
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–11pm
- Pre-theatre times: Sun–Sat noon–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 15
- Private dining: 28/50
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Easy-listening pop
- Capacity: 90
- Largest group: 30 to 90 by arrangement
- Open since: 1998
- Average price:
£14.95 (set lunch)
£42 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £14.95
- House wine: £21 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
The Tower Restaurant sits atop the National Museum of Scotland where the long dining room is nicely fitted out with leather seats, heavy fabrics and super-shiny surfaces. Stepping out of the lift, the promised skyline views through the large windows are actually more rooftop, which sets the tone for the food to follow. Starters of fried baby squid with chorizo and black bean salsa and dressed crab on spicy prawn toast are small but fine. Mains of rolled pork belly and roast partridge crown are unexpectedly large in comparison, while a side of mash arrives over-salted and is hardly touched. For dessert, a tart tatin comes burnt and bitter on one edge, however a toasted vanilla marshmallow fares better. At almost £4 for a flat white, you may wish to skip coffee. The upmarket, mature crowd clearly enjoys the wide range of menus here, which includes a decent value pre-theatre and a notable three-course special. However, heading back down to earth in the lift you can't help feeling that right now The Tower is a little over-sold and over-priced.
- High point: Attractive and comfortable premises atop an iconic building
- Low point: Lacklustre cooking doesn’t live up to the promise or the price
Reviews of Tower Restaurant (National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh)
- 5. H, Edinburgh – 3 August 2010, 4:31pm
Tower RestaurantReport -
Food was good, but not outstanding. Definitely overpriced for what it was. Perhaps my expectations based on its reputation were too high? Service very poor too. Was so looking forward to going but won't go back in a hurry.
- 4. M – 17 June 2010, 11:04am
Tower RestaurantReport -
I've been to the Tower on a number of occasions and am surprised by the reviews.
The food is well prepared using great fresh ingredients and does not disappoint. Service is friendly and efficient and the staff are well briefed on the food and drinks.
It’s a more formal setting, but not stuffy and the views are excellent.
- 3. Holdyourteddytight, Tower Restaurant – 16 February 2009, 1:10pmTower RestaurantReport
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"Welcomed" by scary lady whose job was to take you to your table and install your napkin on your lap for you; "Perrier Jouet champagne" tasted like bad tap water; food bland and overpriced (the Arnold Bennett omelette should be called the "Gordon Bennett!!!" omelette); Glenlivet sparkling water cost £4.50 a bottle, I should have had the Scotch instead; those prices would warrant nice crisp white table cloths on the tables instead of scratched bare wood; nice views. Won't be back and will not recommend to anyone. Star rating: no star.
- 2. B, Edinburgh – 24 January 2009, 2:27pmTower RestaurantReport
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Wonderful views. I found the food disappointing, and wonder if it's truly necessary for waiting staff to put my napkin on my lap for me?
- 1. Gourmand, Edinburgh – 29 June 2008, 11:43am
Tower RestaurantReport -
really disappointed at last visit, flavours too delicate to notice, choices of main course not at all seasonal, but staff took comments well. Food 'nice' at best but not worth the price tag. Packed restaurant but are any return visits?
Won't be back.
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