A view-driven Edinburgh brasserie and cocktail bar with genuinely good food, strong terrace appeal, and useful vegan/brunch options, but service can be painfully inconsistent and the room feels a bit tired at times.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor delivers solid food quality anchored by standout dishes like lamb and fresh seafood, elevated by its striking St Andrew Square terrace setting that draws repeat visitors. However, inconsistent execution and service speed issues, particularly slow ordering and delayed attention, prevent a stronger grade. The venue excels as a destination for views and occasion dining but falls short of the reliability expected at higher levels.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie and Bar is one of those Edinburgh spots people recommend for the view first and the food second — except, happily, the food often earns its keep too. Diners keep coming back for the terrace, the city skyline, and that polished-but-not-stuffy feeling: one reviewer called it a place with “a beautiful view and surprisingly warm service,” while another said the sunset terrace made the whole meal feel like a mini escape. It is definitely a destination venue, not just a convenient lunch stop. The cooking leans modern brasserie rather than culinary showboating: brunch plates, seafood, burgers, steaks, salads, and a few more ambitious dishes sit beside cocktails and set menus. That mix works well for people who want something nicely plated and a bit upscale without going full fine dining. Reviews suggest the kitchen can be very good — fresh, tasty, sometimes genuinely excellent — but the experience is helped a lot by choosing the right menu format, especially the set lunches and terrace-friendly dishes. The downside is that a few diners felt some plates were overcomplicated, over-charged, or just a bit uneven, so expectations should stay in the “stylish city brasserie” lane, not “special-occasion culinary temple.” Families can do well here if they are comfortable with a more grown-up menu. Kids who like familiar food will find workable options like mac & cheese, burgers, chips, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and ice cream, but this is not a dedicated kids’ restaurant and some dishes skew more refined than child-friendly. In other words: good for a family brunch or an easy lunch with older kids; less ideal if you need a cartoon-character comfort-food lineup.
Area vibe: Upscale, historic shopping and business district with Georgian architecture and tourist footfall.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit streets and busy into the evening around Princes Street and St. Andrew Square.
What's nearby: Adjacent to St. Andrew Square, Princes Street, major tram/bus stops, boutique shops, hotels and cultural sites.