The Elephant House - Visit The Birthplace Of Harry Potter In Edinburgh!

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If you’re a Potterhead visiting Edinburgh, then you have to add The Elephant House to your bucket list.

It’s a magical café known as the ‘Birthplace of Harry Potter’, as the very first pages of the books were written here.

Although the original café was destroyed by a devastating fire, they’ve opened a new branch on Victoria Street, thought to be an inspiration for Diagon Alley.

Inside, you can sip on a Butterbeer, take fun photos and buy some magical souvenirs. It’s the perfect pilgrimage for fans.

Here is why you must visit the Elephant House in Edinburgh!

Visit the Elephant House Birthplace of Harry Potter

Table of Contents

What is The Elephant House Harry Potter connection?

In 1995, the Elephant House opened its doors on George IV Bridge and quickly became one of the best cafés in Edinburgh.

It was a popular haunt for writers to visit, and famous patrons include Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith.

J. K. Rowling visited regularly and is thought to have written the very first pages of Harry Potter at the back of this café.

You can watch an interview with her at The Elephant House to hear more.

After, it became a popular pilgrimage for fans who would sip on a coffee at her ‘writing desk’.

The tables had a great position overlooking Edinburgh Castle, thought to have inspired Hogwarts.

Oddly enough, even the bathrooms were a tourist attraction with thousands of Potterheads leaving graffiti messages.

It was extremely popular with long lines every day until the unimaginable happened.

A devastating fire

In 2021, tragedy struck, and The Elephant House suffered a devastating fire.

The much-loved cultural landmark and pilgrimage for artists, writers and fans of Harry Potter was snuffed out overnight.

It shocked the nation and made international headlines, as it was a place of fond memories for so many.

After the flames were put out, the café was boarded up and remains that way today.

But the bittersweet news is they have now opened a new branch of the Elephant House elsewhere in Edinburgh.

Elephant House Cafe Edinburgh — *The originial Elephant House Cafe :(*

The new Elephant House on Victoria Street

In 2024, the Elephant House opened its doors to a brand new establishment.

This magic café is like Fawkes rising from the ashes and has a prime position on Victoria Street, thought to be the real-life Diagon Alley.

It’s a cosy place where Potterheads can sip on a Butterbeer, take photos and buy souvenirs.

Victoria Street Diagon Alley Edinburgh — *Victoria Street, aka Diagon Alley*

It’s important to note that despite it having a past connection to J. K. Rowling, this is an independent business unaffiliated with the franchise.

She doesn’t see any profits, and so you’re not funding her black-mould induced hatred and transphobic prattling.

You must visit if you’re a Harry Potter fan visiting Edinburgh.

A magical café in Diagon Alley

You’ll instantly recognise the Elephant House on Victoria Street as it has a bright red door with an elephant sign.

Don’t forget to read the blue plaque in front that tells you the story of the ‘Birthplace of Harry Potter’.

When you walk into the vibrant building, you’ll see a takeaway counter. Or, you can walk up the stairs to be seated in the magical café.

I absolutely loved the dark academia decor, and it definitely gave me Hogwarts vibes.

They have three rooms named after areas of the city. As a proud Slytherin, it was only natural that I sat in the green section of my house.

I particularly loved the window seats that had gorgeous artwork and a perfect view of Victoria Street, aka Diagon Alley, below!

What do they sell at the Elephant House?

The Elephant House has a huge drinks and food menu. It’s the perfect setting for brunch, dinner or an afternoon treat.

One of their signature drinks is their Elephant House Butterscotch Beer, served with whipped cream and syrup. You can even add a shot of whisky!

They also serve up a huge list of coffees, teas, hot chocolates, soft drinks and alcohol if you’re feeling boozy.

As I visited for opening time, I treated myself to one of their sausage and bacon breakfast rolls with my Butterbeer.

But, they also serve up homemade dishes if you fancy something more substantial.

Think scrumptious open sandwiches, soups, paninis, baked potatoes and salad bowls.

Or, if you’re after a sweet treat, you can choose from a selection of homemade cakes, scones, brownies and shortbreads.

You can order a feast worthy of Hogwarts’ Great Hall.

Magical photo opportunities

Whilst you’re inside the café, the Elephant House has some amazing photo opportunities to take advantage of.

At the original café, the window seats had a perfect view of Edinburgh Castle, aka the inspiration for Hogwarts.

So, they have recreated this scene for fans with a restored writing desk, elephant chair and a visitor’s book to sign with a quill and ink.

It makes a great souvenir from your visit. So, make sure to have your camera ready.

Buy some inspired souvenirs

They also have some Harry Potter-inspired souvenirs to purchase.

You’ll find lots of official Elephant House merchandise, including tote bags, mugs and tea towels.

There are Hegwig-style plushies and bottles of Butterbeer to take home.

Or you can purchase other drinkable potions like Basilisk’s Blood and Unicorn Tears.

Try a takeaway Butterbeer

If you don’t have time to visit the café or the queues to sit inside are too long, you can also order a takeaway Butterbeer.

The counter is called the Butterscotch Beer Cupboard Under the Stairs, which is a nod to Harry Potter living with the Dursleys.

The Butterscotch beer is £5.95 and comes in an Elephant House cup with whipped cream and syrup on top!

You can sip on it while exploring Edinburgh’s most magical street.

How to visit the Elephant House in Edinburgh

The Elephant House is located on 30 Victoria Street, which is thought to be a real-life Diagon Alley.

This area of Edinburgh Old Town is pedestrianised, so the best way to access the café is on foot.

It’s easily accessible from the Royal Mile near the Lawnmarket Crossroads. Also, from Grassmarket, Candlemaker Row, and the George IV Bridge.

It’s open from 10 am – 6 pm daily, so there’s plenty of time to experience the magic.

The address is 30 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 1EN. Click here for a Google Pin!

Harry Potter Edinburgh Victoria Street Edinburgh Diagon Alley

My top tips for visiting

The Elephant House is a small café and can get VERY busy. There are often queues down the street for a table.

I would get here as early as you can to guarantee a seat or prepare to queue.

Consider a takeaway Butterbeer if the line is too long. You can still take photos inside the shop this way.

Don’t forget to tag the Elephant House in your photos, as they often reshare the best ones!

When will the original Elephant House reopen?

Potterheads will be happy to know that the original Elephant House café has now reopened!

It’s been a long time in the making, but they have finally opened their doors once again on George IV Bridge.

I’m so happy to see this literary landmark thriving once again. I’ll have to pop in next time I visit Edinburgh.

You can keep up to date with opening times on their social media page.

Click here for more information

Don’t miss the Museum Context Harry Potter shop nearby

Museum Context is the most famous Harry Potter Shop in Edinburgh and can be found near the café at 40 Victoria Street.

This building used to be home to Robert Cresser’s brush shop, established in 1873.

Today, many believe this was the inspiration for Ollivander’s Wand Shop!

It closed in 2004 and then became Diagon House. Later, it was renamed Museum Context and has three floors of mystical wares.

Museum Context Harry Potter Shop Edinburgh

You’ll find oodles of Wizarding World merchandise like wands, robes, plush toys, books, and souvenirs in all the Hogwarts Houses.

Plus, there are plenty of photo opportunities, especially on the top floor.

Like the Elephant House, this shop sees huge queues to enter. So, get here early to avoid a long wait.

Are you looking for more Harry Potter in Edinburgh?

Although there are no filming locations in Edinburgh, this amazing city is known as the birthplace of Harry Potter.

It’s the place that started it all, and all these Dark Academia streets will make you feel like you’re strolling through Hogwarts!

Nearby the Elephant House, you’ll find Greyfriars Kirkyard, unofficially known to fans as the ‘Harry Potter Graveyard’.

Here, you can find Tom Riddle’s Grave and many other tombstones that have similar names to characters in the books.

Just beside the Kirkyard, you can catch a glimpse of George Heriot’s School, which is thought to be a real-life Hogwarts.

George Heriot's School Hogwarts! — *George Heriot’s School aka Hogwarts*

School of Divinity | Instagram spots in Edinburgh — *School of Divinity*

In the Museum of Edinburgh, you can find the Lewis Chessmen that inspired the pieces in Wizards Chess.

You can also lose yourself in Armchair Books or see J. K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints at the City Chambers.

Not to mention that there are plenty of Harry Potter experiences to be had, like having a Butterbeer in The Dog House, The Department of Magic Escape Rooms, and many, many more!

Related Post: 20+ Magical Edinburgh Harry Potter Locations!