Gothic Fantasy at the Castle Gates

“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.”

“We visited The Witchery for Valentine’s Day 2025 and it was an unforgettable experience. Booking online was quick and straightforward, and the website was easy to navigate. Finding the restaurant was effortless, and the setting is truly special — a beautiful, romantic atmosphere lit by candlelight, right beside the castle, which immediately sets the tone for a memorable evening. Although accommodation wasn’t applicable for us, the dining experience alone was exceptional. We had an evening dinner menu with a 10pm time slot, which felt intimate and relaxed. The food was stunning — fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavour. The venison and lamb were both cooked to perfection and clearly showcased the quality expected from fine dining. The service was amazing: friendly, professional, and attentive without being intrusive. While the price is on the expensive side, it’s entirely expected for an establishment of this calibre. I also appreciated their integrity in refusing a tip above 15%. A truly special dining experience that lived up to its reputation.”

“The Witchery by the Castle is an establishment that has clearly mistaken its historical real estate for actual merit. While it carries the price tag and the "legendary" branding of a world-class institution, the reality is a massively overhyped tourist trap. It acts like a Michelin-starred destination in Paris or London, but in reality, it’s a poorly managed room with a severe case of delusions of grandeur. ​The Service: Obnoxious and Self-Important ​The level of unearned self-importance among the staff is staggering. From the cold, unwelcoming hostess who refused to hold onto a shopping bag from their own shop in their cloakroom to a manager who lacked even a shred of professional warmth, the entire environment felt suffocatingly conceited. Almost everyone working here seemed obnoxious, acting as if they were doing us a favor by allowing us to dine there. They are acting way too big for the boots they actually wear. ​Basic hospitality was non-existent: the staff didn't even bother to top up our water once throughout the entire evening. This failure in "Service 101" didn't stop a member of the kitchen staff from practically throwing a crab starter at my dining companion. The only outlier was our specific waiter, who was warm and accommodating—unfortunately, his efforts were completely undermined by the energy of the rest of the team. ​The Food: Style Over Substance ​For a place that thinks so highly of itself, the kitchen's output is mediocre at best: ​The Starters: The crab arrived with zero grace, and the tartlet was the definition of "blah." ​The Main: While the beef tournedos was decent, it was served on a rosti so aggressively salted it was inedible. ​The "Charity" Response: When the salt issue was raised, the manager didn't offer a genuine apology. Instead, he patronizingly remarked, "I can give you dessert for that," as if he were bestowing charity upon us; an offer I refused. ​The Grand Finale: A Laughable Discount ​The most telling part of the evening was the attempt at an "apology." For an inedible £64 main course, they comped exactly £25 off the bill. I actually laughed. In any serious establishment, a failed dish is removed from the bill entirely. Here, they expect you to pay nearly £40 for the "honor" of having sat in their presence and dealt with their arrogance. ​The Verdict ​The Witchery relies on its aesthetic to mask a culture of conceit and middle-of-the-road cooking. It is a tourist trap wrapped in velvet—unwelcoming, overpriced, and failing at the most basic tenets of hospitality. Edinburgh has far better options that actually respect their guests. Save your money.”

“My Fiancé and I visited here for our 6 year anniversary meal. Everything down to the food and service were exceptional. The staff were so incredibly attentive and friendly. We’d also like to mention Anya, who went out of her way to make our anniversary that extra bit special! All in all, she made our experience so much more enjoyable and special.”

“We had a truly unforgettable dinner at The Witchery on the evening of January 1st, with a reservation in the Original Dining Room. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt magical — the atmosphere is timeless, richly preserved, and incredibly elegant. It’s exactly what you hope for when dining in such an iconic place. Our server, McKenzie, was exceptional and truly made the evening special. He was extremely kind, attentive, and took wonderful care of us throughout the entire dinner, elevating an already remarkable experience into something unforgettable. The food was outstanding. I can confidently say that I had the best salmon of my life that night — absolutely flawless. Every dish we had was excellent, and the overall quality fully lived up to the restaurant’s reputation. If you’re visiting Edinburgh and are able to splurge, this experience is absolutely worth it. We would not hesitate to return on a future visit. Thank you to McKenzie and the entire Witchery team for such a wonderful and memorable evening.”