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The red front of the Elephant House on George IV Bridge.
Edinburgh

The Elephant House

The cafe on George IV Bridge where J.K. Rowling wrote in the early days of Harry Potter, reopened in December 2025 after a fire in 2021.

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Welcome

On George IV Bridge, behind a red-painted front with its name in gold, the Elephant House has become one of the most visited cafes in the world.

In the 1990s J.K. Rowling wrote here in the early days of Harry Potter, at a table by the back window looking out to the castle, and the cafe has called itself the birthplace of the boy wizard ever since.

A fire closed it in August 2021, and for four years its doors stayed shut. It reopened in the last days of December 2025 under a new lease, restored and repainted. Inside, the rooms are warm and wood-panelled, with elephants of every kind on the shelves and walls, and the counter serves coffee, tea, cakes and light meals through the day.

The Elephant House opens every day from ten until six. It is busiest in the middle of the day, when the queue for a table can stretch onto the bridge.

Round the cornerThe OutsiderA relaxed restaurant on George IV Bridge, with windows that look to the castle.1 min by roadSee itCandlelit tables and wooden chairs beneath an oval plasterwork ceiling in a restaurant
Before you go

Open every day from ten until six.

It is busy with visitors, so the first hour of the day is the quietest.

Where
George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
9am–6pm
Tuesday
9am–6pm
Wednesday
9am–6pm
Thursday
9am–6pm
Friday
9am–6pm
Saturday
9am–6pm
Sunday
9am–6pm
Where it is

On George IV Bridge, between the Royal Mile and Greyfriars.

Close byGeorge IV Bridge and Greyfriars.
  1. The long pale stone front of the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge.National Library of ScotlandScotland's national library on George IV Bridge, free to enter, with exhibitions from its collections, a cafe and a shop.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Carved walrus-ivory Lewis chessmen, king seated among bishops and wardersThe Lewis Chess PiecesUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Taxidermy sheep displayed in a glass museum caseDolly the SheepThe first mammal ever cloned from an adult cell, born at the Roslin Institute in 1996 and now on show in the National Museum of Scotland.Under a mile1 min by road
  4. Greyfriars BobbyGreyfriars BobbyA bronze of the Skye terrier said to have kept watch over his master's grave.Under a mile2 min by road
  5. Greyfriars KirkGreyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation.Under a mile2 min by road
Directions
Candlelit tables and wooden chairs beneath an oval plasterwork ceiling in a restaurantRestaurantsThe OutsiderA step away
A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.EdinburghMoment George IV BridgeSleeps 2 · A step away
Museum panel titled "Arthur's Seat Coffins" with text and William Burke execution illustrationAttractionsThe Arthur's Seat CoffinsA step away
Green banquette seating and wooden tables inside a bar with large sash windowsRestaurantsCheckpointA step away
Stone archway close, with a "Rare Whiskies" sign listing Ardbeg, Laphroaig and MacallanAttractionsRiddle’s CourtA step away
Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveCafeDeacon's House CafeA step away
Deacon Brodie's Tavern sign on the Royal Mile, hanging baskets in bloom belowRestaurantsDeacon Brodie's TavernA step away
Heart of Midlothian mosaic set into cobblestones, with pedestrian shadows falling across itAttractionsThe Heart of MidlothianA step away
Antique bureau with candlestick and quill pen beside a stone windowAttractionsGladstone’s LandA step away
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Elephant House, and when each is next free.

A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Elephant House
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Elephant House
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Elephant House
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Elephant House
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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