The Elephant House

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• Average price 2 courses:
   £8 (lunch)
   £8 (evening meal)
• House wine: £11.95 per bottle

• High point: Rubbing shoulders with literary scribes
• Low point: Banging elbows while crowding round a table
• Food served: Mon-Sun 9am-10pm.
• Open since: 1995
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Located handily for shopping, working or studying, the Elephant House is an institution. It's something between an unofficial Edinburgh University student cafeteria and a tourist attraction in its own right, as JK Rowling is reputed to have written some of the first Harry Potter novel in the back room. The combination of coffee, meals, internet terminals and community fliers and posters create an atmosphere that attracts a mixed and friendly clientele. The food is similarly eclectic and inviting. Lunch choices include salads, quiche, filled rolls, baked potatoes, spanakopita and pizza - all wholesome and satisfying, with enough vegetable content to get you well on your way to five-a-day. To balance the brain food, the desserts are luxurious: a mesmerising choice of sticky cakes such as apple pie with a caramel topping are particularly lip-smacking, as are tray-bakes and signature elephant-shaped shortbread. A comprehensive range of international teas and alcohol is on hand to wash down the freshly prepared meals. With such an appealing menu, it can be difficult to find a table. But it's well worth trying to make your way to the large back section and try to sit at one of the tables with inspiring views of Edinburgh Castle.