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    The Witchery By The Castle

    3.7 (355 reviews)
    PriceyBritish, Scottish
    Closed 12:00 pm - 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM

    The Witchery By The Castle Photos

    THE WITCHERY BY THE CASTLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - The Witchery By The Castle

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    Reviews With Photos

    Witchery Haggis
    Francine G.

    Lovely afternoon tea spread complete with unlimited tea refills! They let you try 2 different types of tea which is nice if you're undecided. It is a little on the pricey side but for what you're getting and the aesthetic, it's worth it. You can upgrade to a glass of champagne if you'd like for an additional cost. Service was alright.

    Our anniversary desserts
    Shannon Y.

    The original dining room was amazing to experience. We made reservations well in advance for our anniversary to secure a table. The food was excellent and the service was everything we expected. We enjoyed the beef for 2 which was perfect portions for both of us. We also had the mousse and the cheese cake. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something special.

    Lobster. I think all that was left on the plate was the lemon. Maybe.
    Elizabeth S.

    We were attending the Fringe Festival so felt lucky we got a reservation at all, although we had hoped for the terrace seating. Inside was as others have described it -- deep brown wood, low ceilings and doorways. Cozy, historic, just wonderful -- as was our server. Our reservation was for lunch, and so we didn't really order that much food! My partner had the lobster, and I'm pretty sure she ate the shell. I had the burrata salad, which was creamy, fresh and delicious. We were too full for dessert, but they brought over small lemon meringue tarts. As others have shared, they do charge for everything -- including bread. I don't recall being charged for tap water, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were the practice. But the food quality and flavor really made those minor things worth a visit.

    Wine
    Paulette C.

    We were advised to make reservations in April for our dinner in August. I read reviews and couldn't believe the reviews were correct in that they charge for still water!!!! I heard the other tables complain and even gave the other table their leftover water We knew this and just decided one night for a great expensive dinner would be worth it. We were definitely correct. We all ordered the salmon which melted in my mouth! We ordered rolls which they charge per person. The butter is WONDERFUL! We ordered a side of cheesy cauliflower and it was also delicious. The staff, ambience and food was a great way to spend our night before visiting The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Event.

    Juvi G.

    The ambiance alone is worth the five stars. The interior is a gorgeous piece of rustic flare complete with beautifully-decorated wooden walls, accented with tasteful faux foliage, and red velvet tablecloths. The staff is friendly and as professional as you would expect to find in any fine dining restaurant. The menu offers different selections throughout the day, but if you play your cards right, you'll start off the day at the Edinburgh Castle right next door and reserve a space here for an early dinner. The prices will be higher than most other establishments in the area, but trust me the experience is worth it. In case you're interested, I got the Beef Tartare - uncooked beef - which comes with the most delicious chips / fries I've tasted yet, (and I'm American), and a simple salad to round it all out. They have an extensive wine list, but the cocktails leave a bit to be desired. While whiskey-heavy, the balance just doesn't seem to be there. If any place is worth the splurge in Edinburgh, this is it.

    Seafood pie had alot of delicious fish
    Katie N.

    The restaurant is located near Edinburgh Castle. The ambiance is elegant, with a dark and beautiful atmosphere. It's an expensive restaurant, known for being upscale and fancy. Be aware that they charge for tap water. We chose the light lunch menu, which was a 2-course meal for 34 pounds. The food tastes great, but the portions are small. The staff is attentive, professional, and kind. I recommend making a reservation, although we managed a walk-in. Overall, visit for the beautiful ambiance. The restaurant is highly regarded with quality food, but I don't think it's worth the cost for the portion size.

    Halibut
    Tara C.

    We weren't planning on eating here, but we heard about the unique environment and the delicious food. We decided to try our luck. Thankfully, there was an opening. I love that they take you coat at the hostess stand. The ambiance in the original dining room was dark and cozy and the staff was a little stuffy and snobby. The halibut was pure perfection. It was was so tender and the sauce was amazing. I could done without the sea help style garnish beneath the halibut. I also got the truffle mash, which were good, but they were just a little bit dry and starchy. My spouse got the filet which was good but not worth the price. It was worth the experience and I'm glad we ate here, but next time I'd like to dine in the garden room.

    Shellfish bisque
    Jessica W.

    Very popular spot due to the location being right near the castle so absolutely make a reservation if you're interested. It is an upscale dining experience, including an asterisk on the menu noting that each patron must order at least one item from the 'mains' section so come hungry! As noted in most of the reviews, the interior of the restaurant is quite beautiful and elegant. The Baragoule of Mammola Artichoke didn't blow me away but between the shellfish bisque, burrata, North Sea halibut, ambiance and service, the the overall dining experience was very memorable!

    Danny G.

    The Witchery really is a beautiful spot for a fancy dinner in old town Edinburgh. It is a classy dark and dim spot to have dinner. The service was solid, the menu is simple and the setup inside. The scallops were great. The drinks were fun and memorable as well. I would definitely get a reservation in the original dining room for the ambiance. The prices are fair but if you are going for a fancy dinner then it won't matter what you are going to spend but be prepared for a little sticker shock. It is also right next to the scotch experience if you want to get your tour and a before drink dinner in that way as well.

    Ambiance
    Allison N.

    This is a really lovely restaurant and the food was very good! We came shortly after Christmas after a day of wandering around town. We booked the reservation kind of far in advance because it does get quite busy. We started with the scallops which were really tasty and then ordered the lamb Wellington for two. This was some of the best I've ever had and they had cooked the lamb perfectly! It's also served with sides of spinach and mashed potatoes, which were both very good. The service was prompt and attentive and they even accommodated us a bit early too, which was nice because we were able to head back to our hotel early after a very full day. Would definitely come back for the lamb Wellington!

    Pan fried on the bone sole. Wonderful!
    Steve H.

    This was our second time here. The first being two years ago. So we knew what to expect. What to expect is a great meal, excellent service and a dark and unique space. My wife started with the shellfish bisque and it was spectacular. Thick. Then when the Gruyère was added, dang! Cheesy thickness. When you added some of the garlicky rouille to the toast and dipped? An absolutely wonderful bite. I started with the oysters on the half shell. Super fresh. I had them with both the Bloody Mary and mignonette. Perfect. Mains were for me the pan fried sole topped with a dollop of caviar. Perfect cook. Silky smooth sauce with lemon and capers. I had mine served on the bone. You can opt for boneless if you wish. Delicate and flaky. Delicious. It came with no side, so I added the new season potatoes. Those were cooked well, but lacked seasoning. My wife ordered the aged scotch beef tartare. Wonderful. The egg yolk added needed richness. It needs to come with more than one toastette though. It also came with chips (fries) and a salad that wasn't really necessary. Dark chocolate torte to finish. A great way to end. A great meal (you do pay a premium) excellent service. Great space. The pros definitely outweigh the cons. So if we get back to Edinburgh, we will stop back in!

    Smoked trout
    Susanne M.

    On a weekday the week of March 17, 2025, I was walking past The Witchery around 2 p.m. and decided to see if I could get a seat. I was able to walk in and get a table for myself since it's not the "season". Everyone else has described the lovely interior and such, so I won't go into great detail. I ordered the two-course lunch and started with the smoked trout, which was out of this world, if small in size. I then had the Scotch beef, which was a very rare and tiny portion, making me wish I had taken the fish pie which I had been informed (but ignored) was a larger helping. In addition to my lunch, I had a glass of wine and some dessert, although the latter was apparently so unremarkable that I cannot remember what it was. The gentleman who checked me in and brought me to my table also ended up being the person to take my order. He was very kind, and was able to answer all my questions about the food, the restaurant, etc. My food was brought by a man in a suit who was also very kind and checked in on me a couple times. A different man in a suit brought my change so that I could tip. A woman was at the check-in when I left, and despite my very friendly "goodbye" she didn't give me the time of day. There was no one else standing there, so I guess she thought I was lucky to have dined there. I do despise that kind of attitude. I ate at many restaurants and pubs while I was in Edinburgh that week, and no one had given me that kind of attitude. I'll admit that I got the impression that the staff are told to be very reserved around guests. The restroom has tiny stalls. There is room for bigger stalls, but the stalls require an act of yoga to close the door and sit. It was a very nice experience, but I don't need to go back. Yelp doesn't allow for half stars, so this restaurant got averaged up half a star.

    Oysters
    Mike S.

    Welcome to the Witchery, Where I'm sure Dracula, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Monster from the Black Lagoon, and Alice Cooper all had an amazing meal but also they aren't know for their recommendations. We came in with reservation for course for an early dinner on a Sunday night and were quickly seated in the main dining room. Our waitress then bought us menus and of course we ordered drinks. I will say drinks were well priced 10 to 13 pounds for an Old Fashioned with 3 different whiskey options. I went with the Maker's Mark Old Fashioned for what I believe was 12 pounds. For apps we went with the Burrata and the Divers Scallops. The Burrata was just just alright and comes with just the Burrata Pesto and Olive Oil. For 17 pounds though that's much better then the 28 pounds for 3 smaller size Sea Scallops 1 of which was way over cooked. I will say we were not at all impressed with the apps. Our waitress wasn't very helpful either and didn't seem to know where was going on either. Not off to a good start. For my entrée I went with the Roast Rump of Borders Lamb. We also had other at our table to had the Grilled Lemon Sole, Arancini, and the 30 Day Dry Dry-Aged Fillet of Scotch Beef. Once our entrees came out there were mixed feelings around the table. Like I said I got the Roast Rump of Borders Lamb. This was amazing what I believe was the best dish at the table. It was cold perfectly medium rare (not options were asked). Though at the other side of things the $75 7oz fillet the was supposed to be cooked medium rare was cooked medium at best, extremely underwhelming. This was the highs and lows and lows from dinner. I was told the Lemon Sole was also very good but was bone in and when asked to have the bone taken out which our waitress said they would they ended up not doing it. We found out when it arrived to the table. The Witchery was so hit or miss for us. For the price the only way for it to make sense is for everything to be prefect. But if you want to live the life eating in the dark thinking you are fancy vampire then The Witchery is for you!

    Christmas decor

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    6 months ago

    My kind of ambiance! Very gothic, chic, and delicious food. A bit on the pricey side, but it's worth it.

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    5 months ago

    The Witchery has such an amazing ambiance and dining experience. Wonderful service and food. Highly recommend

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    The Witchery By The Castle Reviews in Other Languages

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    The Outsider

    The Outsider

    4.1(275 reviews)
    0.1 miGrassmarket, Old Town
    ££

    Three of us stumbled upon The Outsider while out looking for a place for dinner. It was so good we…read morewent back with 2 more friends a few nights later. Nice pleasant room with good size tables and very helpful, friendly courteous wait persons. Very good steaks, and fish, and affogato for dessert. Go to read the creative food descriptions on the menu!

    My wife has been following The Outsider on the socials for a bit. So as we find ourselves in…read moreEdinburgh, this was a must. Tonight's dinner destination. We got here at 6 with no reservation. We were able to be seated upstairs. This place is busy (much busier when we were finished for sure). So if you can, I'd suggest reserving a spot. It's a bit loud in here. Not out of the ordinary for a busy place. We started with the pressed pork belly app. Perfect crisp. Could've used more of the celeriac puree bed. The confit shallots were so good and nicely sweet. Black pudding cubes (small. More of these!). Candied pears. Mmm. Great start. Wife got the char grilled venison on a butternut squash purée and spicy daikon planks (I didn't find the heat, she did tho!). It was excellent and perfectly prepared. Not gamey at all. I got the 35 day aged hangar steak. This is hands down one of the best steaks I have had out in a very long time. So well seasoned! Which was such a pleasant surprise as it left me wanting for nothing to add flavor. The hand cut fries were good but did need some salt. No dessert as, well, our server was scattered a bit all night. We asked for the dessert menu. She brought us dinner menus and we didn't see her for 10 minutes. So we opted to leave, a bit disappointed at the end. We would come back tho. Thats for sure.

    Photos
    The Outsider
    The Outsider - Char grilled Venison, black pepper polenta cake, butternut squash purée, daikon, fine beans, whiskey and passion fruit dressing.

    Char grilled Venison, black pepper polenta cake, butternut squash purée, daikon, fine beans, whiskey and passion fruit dressing.

    The Outsider

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    Mums - Shepherds Pie Vegan

    Mums

    4.1(252 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town
    ££

    I was so excited to try this place after seeing good reviews but our experience was terrible. There…read morewere gnats everywhere that we were killing at our dusty booth. When our food arrived we finally asked to move spots but the back of the restaurant was just as bad. I can't believe other families weren't complaining. We also found a hair in our appetizer and the mains were subpar. My husband complained about his fries and burger and the manager was combative. They comped us for one whiskey and we left as quickly as possible. The shepherds pie was very salty and the side of veggies was very clearly from frozen.

    **RACIST & DISCRIMINATORY** The young blonde hair girl in…read moreher maybe late-20s hostess, bartender or server (not sure which) was super rude! We came in excited about this place, and the restaurant had open tables at about 6:50pm on a Friday ... we had just walked all day and were starving with a 2-year old and an elderly after walking all over town and sightseeing all day long. However, was told by this girl that they didn't have a seat for us. Although there was no wait, no one ahead of us and empty tables. I told her she could seat us in that booth, we didn't mind since our 2 year old wouldn't be eating. However, she cut me off and said that would not work. I thought that was weird but that should have been That it would take them about 30 minutes to get us a table. We walk around in the cold, come back to the restaurant ... there are plenty of open tables. My husband takes my 2-year old inside to wait so she is not in the freezing rainy cold (especially since she was sniffling). The hostess then says it's going to take longer and that we must wait outside the restaurant. We tell her it's cold, and we've been waiting. She then says ... "This isn't going to work, I'm not serving you. You guys can leave." She did not want to serve of us this entire time! She could have told us when we first walked in, but made us wait and walk around outside in the cold rain with a 2-year old and an 88-year old ... then decides she doesn't want to serve us. We walked in at 6:50pm, came back at 7:30pm, waited until 7:45pm when she told us she wouldn't serve us. By this time all the other restaurants were fully reserved or with 1-2 hour waits. We ended up not able to have dinner that night, and got snacks from the grocery store. DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU WANT HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! NEVER TREATED THIS BADLY BY A RESTAURANT!

    Photos
    Mums - Kind of cute interior.

    Kind of cute interior.

    Mums
    Mums

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    The Cellar Door

    The Cellar Door

    3.9(28 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town
    £££

    Had 7 pm reservation. Showed up on time. Plenty of seats. They put us at the table by the door…read morewhere everyone would bump into us passing by us getting to their table. I said for the size of our group can we get the other tables towards the back. There were other tables available and all right behind us. The hostess said no absolutely not guests were to be assigned to their tables. There were people behind us but they were after us; plus they were of smaller size than ours, clearly our skin color is the main issue. They sat us down, and quite a few minutes pass, others trickle in and promptly everyone bumps into me. At which point I told the hostess this is not acceptable. They sat 2 people at a table for 4, in the back while this table of 4 is really too small for 4 people. One thing stood out to me, we were the only non whites. When the last group again bumped into me, I asked to be moved; she then said due to short of staff they cannot change the seating but seeing seriously everyone is bumping into me, she begrudgingly moved us to a corner table with no lights - and not surprisingly no service. I understand the importance of trying to make the white people feel comfortable about not being seen with non whites - the best way is tuck the non whites away - but this is 2022. I am from California and no, this is absolutely unacceptable. Like MLK junior or Rosa Parks, we protected, first by requesting to be moved away from the hallway, then by my two teens and I walking out of the restaurant and finding more tolerant non racist restaurant to eat, and we spent a lot of money on the other restaurant. You too can make a decision to either eat or not eat at this place. The choice is entirely up to you. And this will define who you are.

    Made a reservation via Fork. Evening started well drinks…read morewere excellent Order sparkling water never came to the table neither did a pitcher of tap water. We stared at empty water glasses all night. I order the carrot risotto d arrived so under cooked it had to be sent back It took more than 20 minutes to clear our table ams another 15 minutes to produces dessert menus All in all a very disappointing evening The bottom line-go somewhere else!

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    The Cellar Door
    The Cellar Door - Great restaurant

    Great restaurant

    The Cellar Door - Very nice and open

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    Very nice and open

    Scran - BISCOFF French toast!

    Scran

    4.3(29 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    The desk agent at my hotel recommended Scran for a full Scottish breakfast. He was not wrong…read more First, finding the place was a little challenge. It's not on the main road, but off through a covered alley. You'll see their sign if you look. I ordered the full breakfast consisting of a fried egg, pork sausage link, uncured bacon, fried breaded sausage patty, sourdough bread, potato scone, haggis and blood sausage fried crispy, and baked beans. I'd never tried haggis or blood sausage, but I wanted to say I'd at least tried it. I was shocked to find I really liked both. Not gamey at all. They tasted like well seasoned sausages. Don't fear the haggis! I also had a mimosa and a latte to wrap up the meal. Totally unhealthy, but totally delicious. Service was also great. Slow but steady, and very attentive. If I make it back to Edinburgh, I'll definitely eat at Scran again.

    Can I give more than 5 stars because I absolutely would!!!! I have been dreaming about this cookie…read morebutter French toast with fresh berries ever since I had it. By far the best breakfast I've had... in my entire life!? I found this gorgeous restaurant on Instagram and thought it might an over-hyped spot. Not at all!!!! The food was delicious! AND gorgeous! The latte art was perfect, and delicious. I booked on Open Table and requested a table with a great view. They seated us under the sign and it was just perfect! I highly recommend scran! The servers were so kind and even helped with our group photos.

    Photos
    Scran
    Scran - Eggs Florentine

    Eggs Florentine

    Scran - French toast

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    French toast

    The Witchery By The Castle - british - Updated May 2026

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