Rooftop Chaophraya in Edinburgh

Chaophraya: Thai cuisine on the rooftops of Castle Street

A glass room facing the castle

Castle Street runs down from George Street towards Princes Street, right in the heart of the New Town. On the fourth floor of number 33, Chaophraya is divided into several spaces. The most spectacular is the Glass Box, a glass room from which you can see Edinburgh Castle on its rock, Arthur's Seat in the distance and, on the other side, the Firth of Forth. The terrace, which can be covered, runs alongside the Georgian rooftops of the New Town; inside, a room named Castle View and a private dining room with a view complete the ensemble.

Thai classics and cocktails

The menu features the great Thai classics and a few house creations: pad thai to a Bangkok recipe, Weeping Tiger, a beef fillet served sizzling with its black pepper sauce, and fried rice with holy basil, with vegan and gluten-free options. A lunch menu and sharing menus complete the offering. At the bar, the house cocktails, with flavours of lemongrass, lychee or raspberry, cost £11.75 to £14.75, and a small selection of premium cocktails goes up to £25. It is first and foremost a restaurant: people come here for dinner rather than just for a late-evening drink.

Practical information

Open daily from noon to 10pm. Online booking recommended, specifying whether you would like a table in the glass room or on the terrace. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible: simply mention it when booking. The spaces can be hired for groups, and festive menus are offered at the end of the year. Waverley station is within walking distance and the Princes Street and West End tram stops are a few minutes away.