The Witchery by the Castle
Royal Mile
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–4pm, 5.30–11.30pm
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Sun 5.30–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 14
- Private dining: 50 / 60
- No. overnight rooms: 8
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Pre-theatre menu, Post-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Nothing
- Capacity: 110
- Largest group: 40/50
- Open since: 1979
- Average price:
£14.95 (set lunch)
£40 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £14.95
- House wine: £19.50 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
After dark, crimson lights glow on this 16th century merchant’s house as once the flames must have reflected from the witch burnings on nearby Castlehill. Inside the narrow close, the gothic black and red continues in the original Witchery, while down the stairs, the candle-lit Secret Garden awaits. It’s wickedly theatrical and gorgeously romantic. Don’t imagine, though, that you are the first to be enchanted; the Witchery’s magic is such that even midweek it’s busy. The £30 set-price menu introduced to celebrate owner James Thomson’s thirty years in business is a welcome addition to the seriously priced à la carte, and a good number of wines from the famous cellar may be tasted by the glass. The menu favours traditional luxury heavyweights, but with a modern nod to the seasonal, the local and the sustainable. Starters are light, perhaps a brown crab salad, oysters or a smoked fish platter. Mains include impeccably cooked Cairngorm venison with potato and turnip cake and chocolate oil-scented red cabbage. Puddings indulge: for the chocolate brioche bread-and-butter pudding you’ll have twenty minutes to anticipate your freshly-cooked treat.
- High point: Not a scrap of beige
- Low point: The table won't be yours for the night
Reviews of The Witchery by the Castle (Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh)
- 5. TR, Edinburgh – 18 May 2011, 11:08am
The Witchery by the CastleReport -
As an Edinburgh resident for 11 years and self proclaimed foodie I have always looked for an opportunity to dine at the Witchery. This opportunity finally presented itself last night and unfortunately I can't hide my dissappointment. I am by no means adverse to paying high prices for fine dining but the extortionate costs at this establishment are not adequately backed up by culinary technique, flair, presentation or quality of ingredients. My £28 main course featured 5 scallops, a scoop of stodgey mash potato and some lambs lettuce. The scallops on there own were good but certainly not worth £5 a mouthful. Other low points included a dry, under seasoned potted duck with little or no evidence of the fois gras stated on the menu and an uninspiring pork 3 ways main (£27) which featured an over cooked chop, a bland piece of loin and a slice of bacon with no accompliment. Whilst non of the food was bad it just lacked the lip smacking, gastronomic wow factor that should come with paying £75+ per head. The Witchery will no doubt appeal to wealthy American tourists who will be taken in by the quirky surroundings but Edinburgh offers some far more exciting and innovative restaurants in this price range.
- 4. Brodieman, Edinburgh – 20 February 2011, 10:25pm
The Witchery by the CastleReport -
Lunch here a bargain. Staff friendly without being effusive. Dinner presented well-designed and executed choices. Surprised at the negative reviews - I've always enjoyed splendid food here in a unique atmosphere.
- 3. Bean, Edinburgh – 24 September 2010, 12:57pm
The Witchery by the CastleReport -
We visited this restaurant a couple of weeks ago for a birthday treat and came away VERY disappointed. Having been once many years ago and enjoying it at the time, I was looking forward to re-visiting. Sadly, I shall never return.
The duck breast and lentils main course I had was overcooked, tough and had no flavour whatsoever. At £23 for this, you expect something pretty special. My partner's food didn't live up to expectations either.
Seems to me like they're relying on the ambience and romance of the building, which seems to mainly attract tourists! It's just a shame that the food doesn't match up.
Avoid this place! There's so many other lovely restaurants in Edinburgh, (particularly down the Shore in Leith) that offer much tastier food at a fraction of the cost of the Witchery.
- 2. CG23, Edinburgh – 31 August 2009, 5:46pmThe Witchery by the CastleReport
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Been here a few times, never come across that waiter, but I will tell you that the place is beautiful, service has always been 100% (Worth tipping)
The food is very good, and very tasty. House red is great value for money I love coming here, its a real treat! If you new to Edinburgh its worth trying.
- 1. thw witchery resturaunt edinburgh, the castle – 25 January 2009, 10:25pmThe Witchery by the CastleReport
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we went to the witchery december 2008 there was 6 of us in our party.
We had heard so much about this eatery and wanted to try as had friends who came from abroad what a let down from the server who was quite rude to the food my steak was so tough had to send back and they had the cheek to say thet would cook it more! when I said I dont think so they took off the bill the apple tart was dire and you would have needed you own teeth to eat it . Our bill was over £400 as we had bottles of wine too, I can honestly say it is over rated and very dissapointing I would not recommend it either there are very nice resturaunts off Princess street which have top class food at a fraction of the price .
Take my advice and dont go on the hype that says the witchery is the in place to eat.
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