Private Dining Tips for Couples Marrying at City Chambers Edinburgh
Proximity matters: All eight venues are within a 5–15‑minute walk of City Chambers so you can move seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.
Design & memories: Each space has been curated with aesthetic detail — from vaulted stone to candlelit glamour — giving you backdrop options for wedding photos that stand out in search and on social feeds.
Menus & cocktails: Sample items here are indicative; most venues offer bespoke wedding menus and tailored drinks lists to match your tastes and seasonality.
4.4• Scottish restaurant
Location: Royal Mile, overlooking Edinburgh Castle (5 mins from City Chambers)
Private Dining Capacity: 10–40 guests in versatile downstairs spaces.
Avg. Cost per Head: £60–£90 (set/private menus)
Design & Vibe: Historic low‑ceilinged rooms with atmospheric stone and candlelight; a deeply Scottish backdrop that feels both dramatic and personal.
Sample Main: Pan‑fried West Coast cod with creamed celeriac and herb beurre blanc.
Signature Cocktail: “Castlehill Sour” — Scotch, lemon, honey & egg white.
Why Couples Choose It: Perfectly situated minutes from City Chambers; renowned for bespoke service and a warm, storied interior that feels like an event in itself.
Cannonball Restaurant
Timberyard
4.6• Modern British restaurant
Location: Old Town (10–15 min walk from City Chambers)
Private Dining Capacity: Semi‑private area for ~8–14; full buy‑outs available.
Avg. Cost per Head: £100–£150 (tasting or set menus)
Design & Vibe: A former warehouse refined into rustic‑elegant space — raw timber, soft lighting, open kitchen energy.
Sample Main: Heritage beef with confit shallot, charred leek & bone marrow jus.
Signature Cocktail: “Smoke & Ash” — peated whisky, fig, citrus & orange bitters.
Why Couples Choose It: Timberyard’s quietly aspirational design and seasonal tasting experiences feel like a destination celebration. (Reputation from Michelin‑level reviews.)
Divino Enoteca Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
4.7• Italian restaurant
Location: Merchant Street (Old Town), (around 5 mins walk from City Chambers)
Private Dining Capacity: 8–100 guests across flexible rooms.
Avg. Cost per Head: £45–£85
Design & Vibe: Vaulted stone cellars and warm Italianate interiors make it feel like a Tuscan wine hideaway in the heart of Edinburgh.
Sample Main: Slow‑braised osso buco veal shanks with saffron risotto.
Signature Cocktail: “Negroni Sbagliato” — Prosecco, sweet vermouth, Campari.
Why Couples Choose It: Large capacity options near iconic cobbles with a social‑media–worthy wine list and playful design.
The Witchery by the Castle
4.3• Classic European fine dining restaurant
Location: Castlehill, Royal Mile, (around 5 mins walk from City Chambers)
Private Dining Capacity: Witchery Room ~50; Secret Garden ~60.
Avg. Cost per Head: £95–£150
Design & Vibe: Baroque opulence — gothic oak panelling, velvet, candlelight and tapestry‑dripped walls evoke theatrical romance.
Sample Main: Roasted local venison with juniper jus & heritage carrots.
Signature Cocktail: “The Witchery Blazer” — dark rum, ginger, lemon & smoked sugar.
Why Couples Choose It: Legendary in Edinburgh for special occasions; dramatic interiors make photos and memories unforgettable.
Scotts Kitchen
4.5• Modern Scottish restaurant
Location: Victoria Terrace, Old Town (10–12 min walk)
Private Dining Capacity: Up to ~34 seated
Avg. Cost per Head: £50–£75
Design & Vibe: Chic, contemporary space with bold art, industrial touches and views over Victoria Street.
Sample Main: Roast hake with saffron potatoes & lemon salsa verde.
Signature Cocktail: “Victoria Spritz” — gin, elderflower, soda & citrus.
Why Couples Choose It: Stylish yet relaxed private rooms that feel elevated without being stuffy — ideal for laid‑back wedding dinners.
Hawksmoor Edinburgh
4.5• Steak house
Location: W Register Street (short walk from City Chambers)
Private Dining Capacity: Multiple spaces for 12–40 guests.
Avg. Cost per Head: £80–£120
Design & Vibe: Classic steakhouse chic in a restored bank vault — marble, brass and rich timber set an elegant tone.
Sample Main: Dry‑aged Scottish ribeye with bone marrow butter & triple‑cooked chips.
Signature Cocktail: “Hawksmoor Old Fashioned” — bourbon, demerara & bitters.
Why Couples Choose It: Exceptional beef and refined, timeless interiors sit perfectly alongside celebratory moments.
The Table
4.9• Modern European restaurant
Location: Dundas Street (New Town)
Private Dining Capacity: Chef’s table format for ~10 guests.
Avg. Cost per Head: £110–£160 (tasting experience)
Design & Vibe: Minimalist, intimate; guests dine around the kitchen for a theatrical experience.
Sample Main: Seasonal tasting course (e.g., Langoustine with burnt butter & herbs).
Signature Cocktail: “Kitchen Garden” — gin, cucumber, basil & citrus.
Why Couples Choose It: A personal, immersive tasting — almost like being welcomed into the chef’s creative world.
Angels With Bagpipes
4.5• Scottish restaurant
Location: High Street, Royal Mile
Private Dining Capacity: ~12–18 guests (semi‑private area).
Avg. Cost per Head: £45–£75
Design & Vibe: Eclectic contemporary Scottish with exposed brick, feature lighting and a warm, lively atmosphere.
Sample Main: Highland venison with blackberry jus & heritage beetroot.
Signature Cocktail: “Bagpipe Breeze” — whisky, apricot, lemon & thyme.
Why Couples Choose It: Stylish yet spirited — perfect for couples who want a local favourite with character.
Established in 2020 as a way to support small independent local businesses and creatives as well as my elopers, The Elopement Society is a secret collaboration.
Made to help romantic renegades to plan and design their perfect elopement or small-scale wedding in and around Edinburgh and along our beautiful East Coast.
I help couples to design their celebration days by sharing my local knowledge and over a decade of wedding photography experience. Whether it’s the classic gothic city centre spots, secluded gardens, country woodlands, castle ruins, beautiful beaches, victorian harbour towns or a great wee bookstore, we’ll build a day that helps to tell your story.
I can hook you up with all the suppliers you need and help to figure out the timeline for the day as well as provide my photography.
Edinburgh based but not sure where to start on a unique day with a celebrant instead of the city chambers? Give me a shout and we can chat over me giving you a hand (and permission!) to just go for it and do something special in your neighbourhood. Take your nearest and dearest on a date and get married somewhere that has meaning to your marriage.
…or could you be tempted to design a neighbourhood celebration supporting the best local independent brands and creatives?
Fill out this form to be taken directly to my pricing page for full details of Edinburgh and East Lothian elopement and small wedding design assistance, full/half and hourly rates for big/little weddings and elopement photography, including digital and hybrid (35mm film) offerings.
Or download a copy of the 2026 brochure first to read through all the intel at your leisure.
Have you tried to ‘which Scottish elopement?’ quiz too for some ideas?