1820 Rooftop Bar
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, 145 Princes Street
Tempting cocktails and food might lure you in, but the view from the rooftop terrace will drop your jaw, with church rooflines, the castle rising above and the Old Town skyline trailing into the distance. 

The Blackbird
37–39 Leven Street
Cocktails are one of the main pulls here and the kitchen (run by Flash & Ollie) dishes out big American-sized sandwiches. But out back, you’ll find one of the best beer gardens in town, with spectacular Mr Doodle graffiti walls. 

Cold Town House
4 Grassmarket
Pub views don’t come better than this. High above the Grassmarket, Cold Town House’s roof terrace offers cocktails, icy cold beer, hot pizza and loaded fries, with unfettered views of the castle. 

Lost In Leith Bar & Fermentaria
82 Commercial Street
Run by local brewers Campervan, this spot has European canal-side vibes and gets plenty of sunshine. Alongside their own brews (aged onsite), you’ll find an eclectic global selection of low-intervention wines and beers.

The Pitt
20 West Shore Road
The Pitt’s global street-food market upped sticks last year for more spacious pastures on the Granton waterfront. On the shores of the Forth, it’s a fine spot for an outdoor pint, with tons of indoor seating too.

Teuchters Landing
1c Dock Place
This unpretentious bar has local beers on tap including Paolozzi lager and Moonwake IPA, which is brewed just a few yards away. Outside is a generous riverside beer garden with heat lamps to keep you snug.

Also try… The Cumberland Bar’s leafy, sunken garden, Mara’s huge terrace by the Shore or Herringbone Abbeyhill’s raised timber deck.

This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital.