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Witchery by the Castle Review

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Witchery by the Castle

Address: Castlehill, Royal Mile, Old Town, Edinburgh
Phone: 0131/225-5613

Price range: $$-$$$$
Cuisine: French
Location: Old Town

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.5/5

Fodor's Review:

The hundreds of "witches" who were executed on Castlehill, just yards from where you will be seated, are the inspiration for this outstanding and atmospheric restaurant. The cavernous interior, complete with flickering candlelight, is festooned with cabalistic insignia and tarot-card characters. Gilded and painted ceilings reflect the close links between France and Scotland, as does the menu, which includes roasted quail with braised endive and scallops with spiced pork belly and carrot puree. Pre- and post-theater (5:30-6:30 and 10:30-11:30) £12.50 two-course specials are an inexpensive way to sample the exceptional cuisine. (The restaurant also offers lodging in seven sumptuous suites.)

Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Lifeman from UK on 10/28/09
A little overpriced, but good food and unusual surroundings.

Member Rating: 3.6
Ratings details: Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 3.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by jholc from Cincinnati on 5/31/08
Sometimes I have dinner because I want to eat at the place because of the experience. This is one of those places. The place is vry atmospheric and the food is very good. I have had better meals, but I would definitely eat here again. You will pay for it, it is not cheap. However, if you want ambience and an interesting experience, this is the place for you.

Member Rating: 4.0
Ratings details: Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by scotlass from Washington DC on 4/23/08
I travel to Edinburgh 2/3 times a year and invariably someone has booked the Witchery for one evening. Without exception, the service is atrocious. Most recently,we had dinner for 12 and started at 8pm. One late arrival, a surgeon, was told at 9pm on a Saturday night she could not order a starter or main course. On another trip, they switched the wine we ordered into something cheaper and charged for the expensive wine. On yet another occasion, the waitress shouted from one end of the table to take orders, as opposed to walking round the table. On another, they hustled us out the door to make way for another table that had not even arrived.(not even having a drink upstairs!) Apparently taking 1.5 hours to eat a three course meal is too much time at the Witchery. Someone needs a good skelping.