The Witchery

Great experience. Brilliant staff, restaurant and food was wonderful.

If you love opulence, exceptional service and luxury, then The Witchery is the place for you.
It is in a prime location at the heart of the Old Town, yards from the castle. The suites are opulent, with heavy drapes and antique furniture and curio's. Every need is catered for - all toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge, champagne and mineral water on ice, ironing board and iron, safe, Dyson hairdryer and straighteners, smart TV and USB charging points. Breakfast can be served to your suite too.
The restaurants are as much a sensory experience as a dining experience. Imagine a candlelit breakfast!

Hard tondislike anything. The room was exceptionally well-decorated. Felt like living in a medieval suite with modern amenities. The hidden TV was a great touch. Also, having amazon echo in the room was quite convenient for me.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at The Witchery, made even more special thanks to Bruno.
Without us mentioning it at reception, Bruno somehow noticed that it was our anniversary and surprised us by helping us celebrate this very special occasion. His kindness, attention to detail, and genuine thoughtfulness made us feel incredibly welcomed and valued.
A heartfelt thank you to Bruno and to everyone at The Witchery for creating such a memorable experience. Everything was exceptional, and this thoughtful gesture made our stay even more unforgettable.
We truly hope to return in the future and relive this magical experience. Highly recommended!

Let me tell you. This is a must stay. You will have every need met above and beyond. It couldn’t have been a smoother experience. And Paul, our driver from the airport, was fantastic. Will certainly be coming back.

Room was gorgeous. Honestly it was a mix of old relics and fake ones, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Like the wallpaper in the bathroom was made to "look" like drapery. And the wall of fake books in the bathroom seemed out of place. Some of the furniture was so old we were almost afraid to sit on it, and then you had to wonder at what point should items be restored, like the deflated sofa cushions. The double shower was odd. First of all, the light in the bathroom was automatic on/off (motion detected), so if you were in the shower too long, yep, the light went out and I had no way to turn it back on. The glass door had a designated hole in it that functioned as a handle. But all the shower spray went right through this hole and all over the bathroom. The shower had a double rain head and double side sprays, but the placement of the sidesprays was off - it went up quite high, in my face, and right through the round hole in the glass shower door.

It was definitely a magical place. Glad we only spent the money for just one night though. The key they give you is intriguing, but takes up so much space that if you just wanted to go out without a bag or pack, it takes a lot of space.

Finally, I must comment on the stairs. I knew this was a very old building and didn't have an elevator/lift. Although I knew it ahead of time, that's very different from experiencing it first hand. Thank goodness staff brought our luggage upstairs. But I was not expecting 3 long flights up a narrow, dimly lit stone SPIRAL staircase to get to our room. I believe there were rooms above us as well. Anyone with agility issues be foreworned!

We arrived just after lunchtime for a quick bite and a drink. We had already placed our order. when a short while later, a rude manager came over and stated that everyone has to order a main course. We went along with it, but we have never experienced such rudeness anywhere else. It immediately made us feel uncomfortable, which spoiled the taste of the food. In short: we’re never going back.

An abysmal experience, we hoped for much more. The wait staff were lovely and very good, but the guys walking around with earpieces and suits were horrible. The food was less than average and when we complained we got shoulder shrugs from the suited guys.

My partner and I decided to dine here after receiving a recommendation, as we were celebrating our recent engagement and our final evening in Edinburgh before spending our last week in London. Unfortunately, this is not a restaurant we would return to.

From the moment we arrived after spending the day exploring Edinburgh Castle, the experience felt unwelcoming. The host repeatedly looked down at our athletic hiking shoes, even though we were both dressed nicely in sweaters suitable for the occasion. If there is a dress code that includes footwear, that should be communicated politely before guests are seated. We would have happily returned after changing shoes if that had been the case.

The appetizers were excellent, with the lobster bisque being the standout of the meal. Unfortunately, the experience declined from there. We ordered the shared beef entrée, which cost over $200, and followed the restaurant’s recommendation to have the meat cooked medium. However, it arrived more well-done than expected, despite our preference for it closer to medium-rare. This unfortunately took away from what should have been a fantastic cut of meat, leaving it tough and overcooked.

Although the restaurant presents itself as offering white-tablecloth service, no one checked on our table after the food arrived. The dim lighting also made it nearly impossible to get anyone’s attention, and despite trying to flag down staff several times, they walked right past us. Whether that was due to the lighting or inattentiveness, we were left without an opportunity to address the issue promptly.

When we were finally able to speak with someone about the overcooked beef, we were told we should have mentioned it sooner and that they would have prepared another one. Rather than acknowledging the lack of service that prevented us from bringing it up earlier, the responsibility was placed on us.

The cocktails were also disappointing. I ordered a whisky sour, and it tasted as though it had been made with premixed sour mix rather than fresh ingredients. It was disappointing to see what should have been a quality whisky cocktail executed this way.

As diners who have enjoyed many fine dining experiences, we simply cannot justify the value here. While the appetizers were memorable, they were not enough to offset the disappointing service, overcooked main course, and underwhelming drinks. At this price point, there are many better restaurants in Edinburgh offering more attentive service, better execution, and more creative menus.

I cannot give enough praise and love to the Witchery. Our stay was absolutely magical- the worst part was leaving! We were able to enjoy the rides to and from the airport from Paul who gave us tips and genuinely made us feel welcome. He even found us in the airport before we left because my husband left his phone in the car! The reception was warm and hospitable. Our bags were delivered to and from our rooms, the turn down service was incredible. The champagne and champagne reception in the shop were lovely. The room, the views, the music. All perfect. We were lucky enough to have an afternoon tea (which was literally the best I’ve ever had!) and dinner and both were perfect. The food, the service the atmosphere were fantastic. We came to celebrate our anniversary and they made us feel welcome and comfortable. Thank you for the best trip we’ve ever had!

I felt the waiter treated me differently because of my race. He explained the menu thoroughly to the customer next to me but didn’t offer me the same service, and my food took 45 minutes to arrive.

Everything! It was the most incredible room I’ve ever stayed in. The staff was amazing, and I couldn’t have asked for a better location!

The historic feel , the superb staffing service

Wonderful location, iconic hotel, fascinating decor it's just such an experience - without a doubt different (in a good way) from anywhere you'll ever stay. Service is magnificent. The rooms are huge, I think 'suites' is a better word. It's an historic building, so be prepared 'no AC', and the beds are Queen sized.

We walked by The Witchery after leaving Edinburgh Castle around lunchtime. I’d honestly written it off as a “tourist trap” because of some harsh reviews online, but the close looked so inviting that we asked about a table. No reservation, and they seated us right away in the main dining room next to the Secret Garden.
The experience: Daytime light made the room feel grand without being dark or stuffy. It wasn’t packed, but there was a nice buzz. We were never rushed — we bought a bottle of wine and lingered.
Service: Excellent. Staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely nice. Zero attitude or awkward formality.
Food: We split the lamb Wellington for two at €50 and it was excellent. Rich, perfectly cooked, and honestly good value for the setting and portion. Everything we had was delicious.
Vibe: This is what The Witchery does best. Candlelit, oak beams, red leather booths, 16th-century atmosphere right by the Castle. It’s historic and romantic without being pretentious.
What it’s NOT: If you’re expecting Michelin-star innovation or white-glove fine dining service, this isn’t that. It’s classic Scottish food, done well, in an unforgettable setting. You’re paying for atmosphere + history as much as the plate.
Tips: Lunch is the way to do it. More relaxed, better value, easier to walk in. Dinner prices are much higher and expectations seem to be what trips people up.
We went in expecting to be disappointed and left planning to come back. Highly recommend if you go for the experience, not for a culinary pilgrimage. Although food was delicious.

Horrible service and horrible food. Save your money and do not go here, it was incredibly dirty.

Magnificent experience with special rooms with all details taken care of, very friendly personnel for who nothing is too much, good food and great breakfast and quiet despite being on the Royal Mile

The front desk staff were amazingly helpful and accommodating. Blair in the restaurant was also superb - fun and friendly and informative about the history and the area. This place is just incredible.

Magical, witchy and steeped in tradition on the Royal Mile. We loved our romantic adventure.