The Elephant House

Featured reviews

• A

  Aqua

  ·2 months ago

  “The drinks aren’t bad; the butter scotch beer (non-alcoholic) is like a sparkling vanilla soda. The staff were more and less friendly, and it is where Harry Potter was created so. It was really overpriced though. Which is mainly why it’s 3 stars. So I would see if you’re willing to pay 7 pounds for a butter scotch beer.”

  Read more
• C

  Coyota Fiera

  ·2 months ago

  “I visited The Elephant House around tea time in early July on a day that moved between sun and drizzle. It is situated perfectly for the visitor, just steps away from Greyfriars Kirkyard and the National Museum of Scotland. At that moment there was surprisingly no wait, and I was seated immediately. The decor is inviting and the staff is friendly. I ordered coffee and a plain scone with clotted cream and jam. I still have dreams about that scone. It was absolutely perfect, and has ruined all future scones for me. As I sat in front, I often heard a bell ring, and the fellow at the counter who was making one butterscotch beer drink after another (a signature offering) had a witty reaction to each ringing of the bell. It was an enjoyable spot for a rest from the constant climb/descent of an Edinburgh stroll.”

  Read more
• J

  Jacqueline Shaprow

  ·2 months ago

  “The yam red velvet cake make with ube was really delicious. Cool Harry Potter experience in Edinburgh.”

• M

  Martyna Grzaslewicz

  ·2 months ago

  “Im sorry but I'm really dissapointed that you are not pet friendly. I have travelled recently with my dog to Edinburgh and wanted to see the famous restaurant for ages! Im such a huge Harry Potter fan... Only to be told I can't get in as no dogs allowed.... really?? Nearly every place is pet friendly nowadays, so I was surprised that's the case. Especially that Internet is giving misleading information stating that this place was pet friendly. That supposed to be a highlight of the day as well for me. Please update your details clearly stating that you are not pet friendly for everyone planning to come from FAR with their pets.”

  Read more
• E

  Esme Vengeance

  ·3 months ago

  “If you show up as a couple or in a small group of 2, 3, or 4 people, you WON'T get a good table. The service is terrible! Tables should be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis! People were arriving and getting tables with no view; the place was empty, yet when I asked for a window table, they told me, "No! If you want, go take a photo and then come back to your table." The place was EMPTY—why say no? I mean, is it better to arrive late? People who arrive late get assigned better tables! It’s unbelievable. Then they told me, "Oh, those are for large groups." Here’s a piece of advice—and you don’t need to be a genius to understand it: tables should be placed along the wall so that more people can enjoy the view. What they’re doing makes no sense! I kept seeing people order a coffee and leave, while the window tables remained empty! Does that make any sense?”

  Read more

• M

  michal jurczyk

  ·3 months ago

  “First of all i needed to wait over 10 mins to be seated, after that another 10 to 15 mins to get my order... finally when i recived my order i got to be sincere... disgusting matcha that i couldnt drink and on top of that the spoon was from someone else, fully in some chocolate or whatever that was, noone even noticed that... besides that, food was ehh.. my salted carmel brownie was nothing like salted carmel.. definitely do not recommend coming here!!”

  Read more
• S

  Shirin M

  ·3 months ago

  “Everyone comes here because it's known as the J.K. Rowling café. While it's not actually the original café where she wrote her books, it's still fun to visit a place she spent time in. The staff were friendly, and the butterbeer was okay. Overall, it was a fun experience. If you have some time to spare, it's worth stopping by for a butterbeer and a little break.”

  Read more
• L

  Linh Lido

  ·3 months ago

  “Visit the “birthplace” of Harry Potter in a shinny beautiful day with my friend. Pls note there are 2 Elephant Houses in the area. This is the origional one where JK Rowling gave birth to her HP and another on located in Victoria street (more Harry themed). Simple Scottish breakfast but it’s nice. My friend was really into the butterbeer. Now I know why it’s famous.”

  Read more
• K

  Katherine

  ·3 months ago

  “We only stopped in here for the boozy butter beer. There is an option for to go, butter, beer, however, this is only if you get the non-alcoholic version. We walked upstairs, this was around 4 PM on a Tuesday in June, and we were sat right away. We ordered two butter beers, they come with tons of whipped cream. Overall, I prefer the butter beer at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. This butter beer was certainly toffee forward, but tasted a bit like soda, and was full of edible glitter. It made my hands and the table, so so sticky. But it was nice to take a break from walking and have a seat and look over Victoria Street. It was good, and I’m glad that we tried it, but I probably wouldn’t have it again. They do have a little area set up where you can look at the preserved desk where jk Rowling is presumed to have penned her early thoughts about Harry Potter. It’s a cute little photo opportunity, and you are able to sit at the desk.”

  Read more
• L

  Lorna Mitchell

  ·3 months ago

  “I was dismayed to find the original Elephant House changed into a tourist trap, with nothing left whatsoever of the charm and atmosphere it had previously. I was sitting alone at a table near the door, trying to have tea and cake, with tourists squeezing right up beside me to try to take photos. I had a salted caramel brownie which tasted like something from a supermarket and there was no caramel about it at all. They heated it without asking me and it was surrounded with scooshy cream which had melted because they had heated the brownie.The service was very slow but the server was very nice and polite. I did have a much nicer experience in the Victoria Street Elephant House and I hope it will stay open now that the original is back.”

  Read more