The Witchery

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “My wife and I didn’t care for it one bit. It’s a very limited menu. Like there is not a single chicken option. My wife had the Mushroom Risotto. Which was good. Nothing you can’t get in any Italian restaurant in Edinburgh. I ordered the Beef Tartare which made me feel like Mr. Bean when he went fine dining and ordered the steak tartare. The ambience also was underwhelming. I must say that the staff was great. No fault of theirs. The extra star is only for them. But overall we were expecting far better.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “Given the price, I wasn't thrilled with all the food. The vibe is great. Wonderful service. The bread and butter, lobster bisque, and mashed potatoes were the best. I was not thrilled with the lamb wellington; I found some of the lamb to be cold and tough. The duck and beef were better. The dessert and coffee was good. It was fun to experience but once is enough and if you're tight on funds I'd skip it.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “The Witchery, located beside Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile, is much more than a restaurant—it is an experience that transports you back in time. From the moment you walk through its doors, you feel as though you have stepped into medieval Scotland. The atmosphere is unforgettable, with candlelit rooms, centuries-old stone walls, richly carved wooden panels, velvet drapes, antique furniture, and beautiful Gothic details that create a sense of mystery and history. Every corner of the restaurant is thoughtfully designed, making it feel like the setting of a historic castle rather than a modern dining room. The medieval character is reflected not only in the décor but also in the overall ambiance, which is both elegant and theatrical. The food was excellent, but what impressed me just as much was the presentation. Every dish arrived beautifully plated, with great attention to detail, complementing the restaurant’s extraordinary setting. The service was warm and professional, adding to the overall experience without taking away from the unique atmosphere. Dining at The Witchery felt like more than simply having dinner. It felt like being invited to a medieval feast, where history, architecture, exceptional cuisine, and remarkable presentation come together to create one of the most memorable dining experiences in Edinburgh”

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• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “We booked a table for the Secret Garden Room and it didn't disappoint. I loved the whole aesthetic of the place. Though it was summer time and still light outside, we definitely felt the ambience from the candle light. Our servers were all very friendly but I didnt catch any names. The food was really very good. I can't really think of a single negative. We had the lamb wellington which was amazing - my partner said he enjoyed this more than a beef wellington by a famous London chef. If you're looking for Wetherspoons type food, this isnt the place for you. Though the restaurant was clearly busy, we didnt feel at all rushed and the pace of food was pretty good. I will say, this place is so popular I think it's more than reasonable that they require diners to have a main meal each. I have to say I'd have been disappointed if we hadn't been able to book due to diners only wanting a dessert just to see the interior.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “Did not stay, but had dinner here. Staff was attentive and pleasant. Started with the Denhead Farm Asparagus Tart and smoked butter with rolls, both food and the smoked butter was to die for. Wife had the Roast Duck, and I had the Lemon Sole, both dishes were delicious! For dessert we shared the Apple Tart, we were told before it took about 10 min to make and was large, we agreed. The dish could easily be shared by 3-4 but was great! The Witchery lived up to hype and we would love to come come back!”

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• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “This review is for the restaurant only - it was an amazing experience! I definitely recommend making a reservation months ahead of time. The food was very good. We got a lamb wellington to share, and it was delicious and high quality. And the atmosphere was very unique and classy. Definitely recommend it.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Lunch at The Witchery was definitely one of the more memorable dining experiences I had in Edinburgh. The chicken was absolutely amazing. One of those meals where you clean the plate without even realizing it. The lunch special was a great value at around £37 for two courses, but be aware that nearly everything else is à la carte, including bread and water, so extras can add up quickly. Ordering from the regular menu is noticeably pricier. The atmosphere is exactly what you’d expect from The Witchery — dramatic, historic, and incredibly unique. I was seated in the older dining room, which is very dark and a bit tighter in space. A few guests who wandered in from the newer side commented that they preferred the brighter, more open feel there. If you can’t get dinner reservations, I’d absolutely recommend trying for lunch reservations instead, though that may limit which dining room is available. Service was attentive with multiple servers checking in throughout the meal, though at times that actually slowed things down a bit. It took nearly 20 minutes to receive my bill after a nearby couple who finished later had already paid and left. The staff also seemed more focused on resetting tables for incoming guests than wrapping up service for diners who were still there. That said, the food alone made the experience worthwhile, and I’d definitely return — especially to try dining in the newer side next time.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “Fantastic experience at The Witchery. To start, I had the scallops and my wife had the asparagus, both were excellent and a great way to begin the meal. For the main, we shared the Côte de Boeuf, which was genuinely the best we’ve ever had. Cooked perfectly, incredibly tender and full of flavour, it really stood out as the highlight of the meal. The setting is just as impressive as the food, with a beautiful, atmospheric dining room that makes the whole experience feel special. Service was attentive without being over the top. A memorable meal and somewhere we would absolutely return to.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·7 months ago

  “My experience at the Witchery was disappointing. Starting with the pros, the service was lovely, the staff are very friendly and the location is beautifully decorated. However, when it comes to the food quality it was subpar. The oysters that were served tasted fishy, not fresh and very sandy. We did not manage to finish it and I felt quite sick after eating it. The main that I got, which was deer steak with white truffle purée was okay, but the puree was too overpowering and completely overshadowed the taste of the deer. My partner got the tartare which was also just okay, and he said that the tartare was too mild in taste to where the meat blends into the background with no substantial focus. The highlight was the cheese platter with our wine pairing, with a great selection of cheeses alongside a decadent jam and great bread. My chocolate torte was also quite nice, but the pistachio ice cream alongside tasted very artificial, and it would’ve been better incorporated with pistachio crumbs. Overall, it is a good place if you want ambiance but accounting for the price and the quality of the food, I would not recommend.”

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