The Witchery

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.

The atmosphere was lovely and our server was amazing. However the culinary experience was terribly disappointing and underwhelming especially for the amount we paid. We had a wine glass each and the lamb Wellington to share and payed £165 . We waited over 1 hour for our dish and when it came it didn’t have flavor. It wasn’t bad but for £110 you would expect for it to blow your mind.
The staff was very nice though and they tried to make us comfortable. However after that experience I wouldn’t recommend The Witchery as a must visit restaurant

My friend generously gave me a lunch voucher for two for the Witchery for Xmas. I decided to use it to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary yesterday.
We had a wonderful meal, beautifully served by delightful and professional staff who coud not have been nicer.
BUT some of the other customers really let the side down..On their website the restaurant asks people to not come and dine wearing shorts/ trainers /caps etc but respect the beautiful ambience in the dining room which is very tradional with crisp white tablecloths and beautiful red rose and blue thistle (real) flower arrangements with candles (lit) on every table.
Some fo the foreign (well upholstered) diners obviously had just walked off the streets in wet weather gear..shorts/teetshirts/caps/dirty trainers and huge wet carrier bags .
i felt so sorry for the staff who were the smartest dressed in the place. The custoners showed zero respect for such an historic venue with wonderful if (pricey) food.

My wife and I stayed two nights at the Witchery this week to celebrate her birthday and our belated anniversary. It has long been an ambition of hers to stay at the Witchery and we certainly weren't disappointed: the experience was unforgettable. We couldn't fault any aspect of our stay including dinner in The Original Dining Room and the Secret Garden. We were met with a warm welcome on arrival and throughout our stay the staff couldn't do enough for us. Special thanks to Maria and her colleagues in the shop for their outstanding personal service.
Thank you Witchery, we will be back.

Wow wow wow what a special place to celebrate my husbands 65th birthday and retirement.
The staff are fantastic and very personable, especially the lady on reception, and she wished my husband a happy birthday and we chatted for a wee while about our forthcoming 3 month trip.
When we were shown to our suite we were amazed and actually said wow. We felt like we transported to Victorian times.
We stayed in the Inner Sanctum suite which was one of the first rooms of the building. Its bedroom was huge and we loved the wee steps up to the bed and the wee seating area. The lounge was where you entered and our bottle champagne was waiting for us. The bathroom was huge with the biggest bath we’ve ever seen.We’ve never stayed in a room for so long to soak it all up with a glass of champagne. Dinner was in the secret garden and was wonderful, left a separate review about that.
Breakfast was in the dining room and were we greeted by a warm Scot, delightful chap. Breakfast was delicious and we took the pan au chocolat and croissants away with us.
We didn’t want to leave and were very sad to!

There is ZERO way this place could possibly improve - everything was IMPECCABLE! Gorgeous, sumptuous rooms, immaculately maintained; truly outstanding stuff that can’t do enough for you (Blair in the restaurant, for example), friendly, welcoming, indulgent, fresh showers, chocolate and champagne in the room - the best possible location in all of Edinburgh complete with historical significance. Crazily generous breakfast options, and even the chef made sure my poached egg was up to his strict standards! Simply THE BEST! (We stayed in both the Heriot Suite and the Old Rectory). Run, don’t walk to The Witchery!

Atmosphere 5
Service 5 then 3.
Let me explain, decided to experience the Witchery Restaurant for dinner. When we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, hostess told us we were early and please wait in reception area. A few moments later she said, “oh you’re staying here, follow me”. Lol, you’d think for thousand plus a night, staff would know?
We had starters, entree and dessert. Had the Rossini. My beef was hard to cut, too chewy and once our order was taken, waiter disappeared. If it wasn’t for a very charming young man whose position I’m unsure of, we’d possibly still be sitting there. The bill was three hundred and fifty dollars. There is a fish and frites food truck down the road, offers better food and service.
On the complete other hand, Paul our driver was superb. A treasure, hope the hotel compensates, well.
Knowledgable about anything and everything in the area. True gentleman. Would give him five plus stars. General hotel staff a five plus. Breakfast staff five, plus.

Absolutely fabulous experience . Customer service 1st class . Shout out to Filipe and Anya who were outstanding . Food and ambience terrific . Well worth a visit .

We had anticipated a unique Ruby Wedding stay on Hallowe'en at The Witchery. I had booked it 13 months before, as soon as our Anniversary date became available, as a surprise for my husband. However on check-in the Receptionist could find no trace of the (not insubstantial) full payment which I had made and tried to charge us the full amount again. This was most embarrassing as I sat in public view, scrolling back through my emails for proof of payment, which the Receptionist then claimed would just have been a deposit. My husband, now being aware of the cost, readied himself to pay when I managed to find proof of full payment. There was no apology or offer of anything to recompense for the very uncomfortable and upsetting episode, which did not seem appropriate, bearing in mind we, in order not to spoil our special Anniversary, made no fuss or scene, as I'm sure many folk would have done. Not at all acceptable from an establishment of The Witchery's reputation.

Lots of hype about this place but the food was not worth the price. One dish was really good and another was inedible. The ambiance was cute. Excellent service. But I would likely pick someplace else in Edinburgh to dine.

We stayed in the Sempill Suite for 2 nights and it was amazing! The staff is super friendly and attentive, the location is right at the castle, and the room is huge! We will definitely be returning!