Due to a fire in the building, The Elephant House will be closed until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Our online shop is still open.

Please watch this space for updates. Thank you!

The Elephant House

Gourmet tea and coffee house and restaurant

Opened in 1995, The Elephant House has established itself as one of the best tea and coffee houses in Edinburgh.

Author J.K. Rowling ,had her first book published while she was writing in the back room overlooking Edinburgh Castle, making The Elephant House the “birthplace” of the series of Harry Potter novels.

Ian Rankin, author of the bestselling Rebus novels, and Alexander McCall-Smith, author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and other series of novels, have also frequented The Elephant House, as well as many others throughout the years.

Experience the magic yourself. Visit us and savour a cup of tea or coffee before venturing out to explore historic Edinburgh.

JK Rowling

Interview at the Elephant House

Arabica: the coffee choice

Not all beans are created equal

Beans that look beautiful in a tin can actually be old and stale and can taste harsh. Our coffee is roasted locally, and in small quantities, which achieves a peak of flavour. Also, the coffee is stored unsealed for no longer than one day, ensuring unparalleled freshness.

The Elephant House offers three classic straight coffees. We also serve a historically famous blend and a different speciality coffee every week.

Blended coffees combine a variety of tastes to create greater complexity and richness in a coffee. At its best, good blending is high art and offers a unity in diversity which few straight coffees can match.

So take home a pound of Elephant House coffee ground to your specification and taste the difference!

Voted best coffee shop in Edinburgh by The List magazine

The Elephant House serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. We stock a large selection of teas and coffees, wines, draught and bottled beers and a very affordable selection of cakes, tray-bakes and main dishes.

Come drop by The Elephant House and see our collection of over 600 elephants of all shapes and sizes, many of which are for sale.

Opening Times
  • Monday: 10am – 6pm
  • Tuesday: 10am – 6pm
  • Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
  • Thursday: 10am – 6pm
  • Friday: 10am – 6pm
  • Saturday: 10am – 6pm
  • Sunday: 10am – 6pm
elephants & bagels

Visit our sister coffee and bagels house at 32 Marshall Street, Edinburgh.

Tel: 0131 668 4404
Facebook: ElephantsandBagels