The Elephant House

If you are a Harry Potter fan like me I understand why you’d like to come to this cafe, however you have to know that the service is “THE SLOWEST” service I’ve ever experienced (and the place wasn’t even full) so bare with patience and go if you have time to spare. The coffee is good and I also ordered a scone that was all right. The view to the castle is very nice and the place looks clean and neat.

The Elephant Room has been refurbished and renovated. The space is a tourist favorite as J. K. Rowling's haunt when she was writing Harry Potter. Window seats are great as you can see the castle. Pictures and other finery adorn the walls and space. The space itself feels a bit simple and cafeteria like. The staff still seems to be figuring out the mechanics of everything as service was slow and disorganized. But my server was so kind...I couldn't blame her as she was serving so many tables. The food and java were great. 4 x ☕☕☕☕

Cosy little place with the warmest staff. I got the hot chocolate with banana liqueur, and it was delish. Just could’ve been a tad less sweet and slightly thicker. It is a bit pricey for a hot chocolate, priced at £8.5. However, a nice place to visit for its story - the birthplace where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter.

The café is on a beautiful street in Edinburgh and the view is undeniably great. I think that the butterbeer was tasty ish but I was aware that this activity would be a tourist activity before going. This meant that the drink was largely marked up. I cannot speak on whether the food was delicious or not as I did not eat there. Sure try it if you want but I equally think that this is a tourist activity that you can skip.

Even if it’s not the real on cafe that JK Rowling wrote down the story cause the real one is under construction, the era and the atmosphere make it almost the same. If you are a real Potterhead, this is your place. Ask for a table on the window just to enjoy the view of the inspiration of Diagon Alley . The whole street has a lot of Rowling’s inspirational quotes so you should try it. The menu has a lot of choices but in my opinion it’s a bit overpriced.

Renowned as the birthplace of Harry Potter because JK Rowling wrote a lot there. Today this place is a little pilgrimage place for Harry Potter fans. We stopped by just to pick up some butterscotch beer and a few photos. Located in the beautiful and picturesque Victoria street

The Elephant House is one of Edinburgh’s most famous cafés — largely because of its connection to J.K. Rowling and the early days of Harry Potter. Situated at 21 George IV Bridge in the Old Town, its back room overlooks Edinburgh Castle, offering a lovely, inspiring view.  Fans often call it the “birthplace of Harry Potter,” and while Rowling herself corrected this claim — saying she didn’t start writing there, but she did write part of her early books inside its walls — the café still has a very real link to her creative journey.  Inside, the atmosphere is warm, calm, and very writer-friendly, with plenty of corners to sit, reflect, or pen down ideas. The bathrooms, in particular, are a quirky highlight — covered in Harry Potter–themed graffiti and messages from fans.  Tragically, the café suffered a fire in 2021 that caused smoke and water damage.  However, one of the most meaningful pieces of its history — the wooden table where Rowling wrote — was salvaged and preserved.  The Elephant House has since reopened (now at 30 Victoria Street) and continues to welcome visitors.  If you’re a Harry Potter fan or just love cafés with a literary vibe, the Elephant House is a must-visit in Edinburgh.

The Elephant House – Edinburgh A cozy and historic café famous for its connection to Harry Potter 🧙‍♂️. Great spot for a coffee, hot chocolate, or a light meal, with soups, sandwiches, cakes, and vegetarian options available. The atmosphere is charming and very tourist-friendly, though it can get busy. A nice stop to relax while exploring the city.