Tower Restaurant

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £12.50 (set lunch)
   £30 (evening meal)
• House wine: £16.50 per bottle

• High point: Elevated views
• Low point: Elevated expectations
• Food served: Mon-Sun noon-11pm
• Private dining: 28/50
• Open since: 1998
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

The Tower, one of three very different restaurants that form James Thomson's Witchery Group (the Witchery itself and Rhubarb are the others), is nestled on the top floor of the modern extension to the National Museum of Scotland. It enjoys some breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle and the rooftops of the Old Town both from its simple, yet stylish, interior and its equally impressive terrace. A wide-ranging and flexible menu covers all of the bases, from Scottish shellfish and crustacea to game and locally-sourced meats. The best of the menu lies in the main dishes, such as halibut, livened up by interesting accompaniments such as an intensely-flavoured oxtail pudding and salsa verde, and the choice of steaks. These are guaranteed Scottish beef, hung for at least 21 days and served simply and without fuss. Starters and desserts can be a bit hit or miss: the mixed fish hors d'oeuvre is rather bland for what you pay, and a mascarpone and chestnut cheesecake is instantly forgettable, but if you opt for a mango and ginger tart tatin you'll end your meal on a high note. The wine list is satisfyingly extensive, with a good selection available by the glass. With its dramatic 70-seat terrace and some of the best views in the city, the Tower always holds the potential to offer rooftop dining at its most spectacular.