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My weekend escape to Edinburgh was filled with long walks around a town that oozes atmosphere and sophistication in its mystery from history inherited. This is in addition to checking out The Witchery in Edinburgh, a hidden gem that is a must when you visit Edinburgh. I love a unique dining experience and have sometimes traveled miles just for the indulgence. Check out my dining experience on Spitbank Fort – a man-made island on the Solent.
Living in London, one of the world’s most popular cities, when it comes to food, you can get pretty much anything. This applies to Edinburgh too. On this occasion, I didn’t want the usual eatery I could find any and everywhere. I had my eyes firmly locked on one place; The Witchery By The Castle. I guess you can say I was bewitched from the moment I found out about it.
Dining At The Witchery Secret Garden
The Food at the Witchery in Edinburgh
You may have seen me post a sneak peek of The Witchery by the Castle on my Facebook. Situated in in the heart of the Royal Mile, with the Edinburgh Castle for its neighbour. It’s no surprise the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Cameron Macintosh, two gurus from the theatre industry have frequented the legendary food served up in The Witchery’s Secret Garden restaurant. Accessed via a tiny passageway leading to a small courtyard.
It’s an escape from the busy streets on the Royal Mile that perch on its doorstep. The Secret Garden holds on to its charm long after its opening in 1989. You enter via a pulpit reception and descend the stone stairs that reveals a secluded terrace. Entirely lit by candles, dark wood paneling, beamed ceiling, luxurious tables beautifully decorated with flowers and candles creating the perfect ambiance for a magical and romantic setting. Whether you have a day or 2 days in Edinburgh, this is one place not to be missed.
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The Witchery By The Castle’s Secret Garden Restaurant
The Secret Garden allows you take a break from immersing yourself in Scottish history and culture to see another side of the city through its food! Impeccable food locally sourced and you can tell its cooked with love because it tastes so damn good. If you are a foodie then this is definitely a spot you have to stop by. My personal recommendation; The Lamb Wellington, a pastry baked lamb loin stuffed with wild mushroom and chicken mousse wrapped in Serrano ham. Smoked aubergine pureé, served up with spring greens is just party central in the mouth!
It was so good I wanted a second helping but at £60, I thought I would leave room for the dessert that promised to have me licking the plate too. There is also a set menu as well that won’t have your bank manager calling to check if all your marbles are still intact. I was also brave enough to try the Haggis – forgetting for a moment what its really made of. The food was flavourful with fine wine from a weighty book of world-class wines. The service is great, but because it’s so popular the tables have a 2-hour limit.
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The Witchery Edinburgh Secret Garden Food Review
Though not the most inexpensive of places, if you are in the city and need a real treat or you want to take your partner for a special dining experience this is the place to be. That goes for the ladies too, you can take your boyfriend or husband instead of waiting for them to do it. It is 2014 after all! Your pocket may not thank me, but your taste buds will be doing the happy happy joy joy dance, that the bill would have been worth the dance.
Below are some of the shots taken while the man was in mid-bite and hypnotized by the food that he couldn’t object to my Nikon lens salivating over the feast. Enjoy! For more on what to eat in Edinburgh, check out the post by blogger of With Husband In Tow.
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The Witchery In Edinburgh Dress Code
Although a relaxed and inviting place, it seems a place for smart casual. We didn’t dress up to the nines but we a little smart than when we dined at the Witchery in Edinburgh. I don’t think they expect you in black tie but it’s not the place to turn up in trainers either. I really wish I had taken pictures of what we wore to give you an idea of The Witchery in Edinburgh’s Dress Code but you can see what people are wearing in the images on the post just to give you more of an idea.
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The Witchery In Edinburgh Menu
There are several menus to chose from at the Witchery. This gives you an idea of prices depending on whether you are dining at The Witchery In Edinburgh at lunchtime, in for afternoon tea, or part of the theatre supper or dining a la carte. Prices range from £38 per person to about £80 for the a la carte. From memory, I think we paid about £160 for two people and it was worth every penny and the wine list is every bit as amazing as the food, although on this occasion we couldn’t afford some of the bottles of wine that fetch in excess of £6,000, yes you read that right! Menus for the dining options mentioned above can be found on The Witchery in Edinburgh menu section of the site here.
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Staying At The Witchery by the Castle
The Witchery by the Castle also has a hotel so you can enjoy fine dining and retreat to the beautiful rooms. The rooms are beautifully furnished suites display gothic touches, with large oak beds and 4-posters, velvet-lined walls and flamboyant red and gold décor indicative of the style.
Each of The Witchery’s 9 suites is different, but walk-in dressing rooms. Some rooms overlook Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, looking down towards Princes Street, or across to the old town. The Witchery’s seductive glamour has caught the attention of The Times, The Telegraph and Condé Nast Traveller, and many celebrity fans have enjoyed its suites. You can search for additional hotels in Edinburgh below.
Where to stay Hotels in Edinburgh
There are several options for accommodation in Edinburgh.
- For hotels in the Royal Mile check out: Holiday Inn, Radisson Collection Hotel, Jurys Inn, Hilton Carlton and The Scotsman.
- For mid-range and budget end hotels on the Royal Mile check out: Stay Central Hotel, Grassmarket Hotel, The Inn Place, Ibis Hotel and Mercure Hotel.
- You also have hostels in Edinburgh as well as many rental apartments in Edinburgh in great locations of the city allowing you to explore the city without and still feel at home away from home.
More on Edinburgh and UK:
- Things To Do In Edinburgh
- The Best Hostels In London
- Money Saving Tips For A Visit To London
- Views Over St Pauls
Also see: The Telegraph’s review of The Witchery.
