UK dining with a view

When it comes to truly memorable meals, location is always a key factor: far better a panoramic vista of perfect countryside than the bland basement room in a fast-food outlet. Happily, Great Britain has an abundance of top-notch restaurants and cafes, both urban and rural, which also boast perches to take a diner’s breath away. Your Instagram account will never look back...

The Airds, Argyll and Bute, West coast of Scotland

Set on the craggy, dramatic west coast of Scotland near Oban, The Airds Hotel overlooks Loch Linnhe. Its acclaimed restaurant gazes across this seaside lake towards the Morvern Hills, and a west-facing position means the additional bonus of fantastic sunsets. Better still, this side of Scotland is known for offering some of the world’s finest seafood, and the consistent award of three AA rosettes proves that head chef Jordan Annabi certainly knows what to do with it.

Hafod Eryri, Snowdonia, Wales

What with it being Wales’ highest peak, one would hope Mount Snowdon’s summit offered a decent view. And indeed it does: the Isle of Anglesey and vast swathes of rugged Snowdonia are gloriously on show. Less predictable is the fact that they’re also visible from a cafe. Opened on the 3,560-foot summit in 2009, Hafod Eryri serves sandwiches and soft drinks inside a £8m glass-walled building which doubles as a visitor centre. Its customers aren’t confined to triumphant mountaineers, either – the Snowdon Railway terminates here.

Chaophraya, Edinburgh, Scotland

All of Chaophraya’s high-quality Thai restaurants boast lavish locations, but its recent Edinburgh opening, located plum in the middle of Scotland’s capital city, quite literally sets a new high. 33 Castle Street is a rooftop establishment with spellbinding views – from the Glass Box, a transparent cube – of Edinburgh Castle, one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks. The playful menu, meanwhile, includes Scottish-Thai offerings such as seared scallops and black pudding with mango, chilli and palm sugar. Retire to the cocktail bar afterwards - the gorgeous skyline remains just as visible.

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