Celebrate Scotland's National Bard at these London restaurants
Laddies and lassies: it’s that time again. Burns Night falls on 25 January each year, celebrating the birthday of the Scottish poet Robert Burns – and though you’ll find the biggest festivities in his hometown, plenty of London venues are marking the occasion too. Keen to get involved with the fun? Here we highlight the best Burns Night suppers taking place across the capital in 2023, complete with traditional Scottish food, whisky, ceilidh dancing and more. Who said nothing good happens in January?
What is Burns Night?
Burns Night is a celebration of the life of 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns, who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. It was initially organised as a memorial by family and friends after he died back in 1796, but over the years it has merged into a nationwide affair, taking place on his birthday, 25 January, each year.
Burns is considered to be a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. His iconic poem and song, ‘Auld Lang Syne’, is sung at Hogmanay, while ‘Scots Wha Hae’ was considered Scotland’s unofficial national anthem for many years.
Burns Night Dinners London 2023
HIDE
Ollie Dabbous’ Piccadilly restaurant HIDE is celebrating Burns Night with a lavish dinner, running in collaboration with whisky distillery The Dalmore. The evening will include an unveiling of the 2022 collection of Vintages, The Dalmore 2003 and The Dalmore 2007. Taking place in the Hide & Seek room, the dinner will kick off with a Dalmore cocktail ahead of a five-course Scottish-inspired feast. Think turnips and wild mushrooms, roast Orkney scallops with black truffle, and slow cooked lamb broth with barley haggis.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £450pp
BOOK: hide.co.uk
Mount St. Restaurant
Artfarm’s first London venture, Mount St. Restaurant in Mayfair, was one of the buzziest openings of last year. It’s worth a trip here for the art alone – works from the likes of Picasso and Matisse line the walls – but there’s also an excellent food offering spearheaded by British chef Jamie Shears. This Burns Night, head there for a three-course feast, made using the finest Scottish ingredients including venison from Invercauld Estate. Begin with smoked haddock and potato soup topped with a poached egg before getting stuck into the main event: venison and haggis wellington with mashed potatoes. Dessert is a whisky cheesecake with raspberry sorbet.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £80pp
BOOK: mountstrestaurant.com
The Cadogan Arms
Chelsea’s much-loved pub The Cadogan Arms is one of the city’s cosiest spots – think fireplaces and velvet bucket chairs – with an impressive food offering to match. Executive Chef Alex Harper has put together a three-course Burns Night menu, beginning with whisky cured Scottish smoked salmon ahead of a venison and haggis wellington main, with a raspberry and whisky Chranachan for dessert. And as if that wasn’t enough whisky infusion, you get some whisky cocktails too.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £75pp
BOOK: sevenrooms.com
Bourne & Hollingsworth
With its tropical upholstery and whitewashed walls, Bourne & Hollingsworth is one of London’s prettiest restaurants – but that’s not the only reason to visit this January. The Clerkenwell townhouse is getting involved with the Burns Night fun by throwing a Scottish-inspired knees up, complete with Glenmorangie whisky cocktails, a special menu and ceilidh dancing. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by the Master of Ceremonies before being seated for a five-course dinner, featuring traditional Scottish dishes like cullen skink; haggis, neeps and tatties, and deep-fried Mars bar. While you dine you’ll be treated to live music – and as the evening draws to a close, everyone will join hands for a rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
When? 25 January 2023, 6.30pm – 12am
Price: From £35pp
BOOK: bandhbuildings.com
The Arber Garden
A new venture from the team behind The Lighterman, The Arber Garden is a pub, dining room and gin garden inspired by botanist and philosopher Agnes Arber. This January, it’s kicking off a new supper club series with a Burns Night feast, featuring five courses paired with special whiskies from East London Liquor Company – think crispy haggis paired with Single Malt ‘22. This will be the beginning of a new programme of events for the venue, each exploring a different theme or occasion.
When? 25 January 2023, 7.30pm
Price: £65pp
BOOK: thearbergarden.co.uk
Galvin Bar & Grill
A trip to Galvin Bar & Grill, the opulent dining room within the Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel, is always a treat. Head there this Burns Night for a gastronomic journey around the Scottish Highlands, with dishes designed to showcase top-quality seasonal produce. The menu features traditional fare like haggis, neeps and tatties, Buckfast-braised short rib of Scottish beef, and a Cranachan for dessert (a Scottish take on trifle). On the drinks side, guests will have a choice of three whiskies, each honouring a different area of the Scottish countryside, like Glenfarclas from The Highlands and The Macallan from Speyside.
When? 25 January 2023, from 7pm
Price: £67pp
BOOK: galvinrestaurants.com
Home House
Members’ club Home House is celebrating the life of Robert Burns with a traditional supper, kicking off its annual calendar of events. A four-course meal will include the likes of cullen skink, Scottish steak pie with winter greens, and blood orange and marmalade steamed pudding, with plenty of addressing the haggis (a Burns Night tradition) and a special Home House piper.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £75 for members and £85 for guests
BOOK: homehouse.co.uk
Tandoor Chop House x Auld Hag
Bringing an Indian twist to Burns Night celebrations is Tandoor Chop House in Covent Garden, which has teamed up with Scottish kitchen Auld Hag on a special Haggis Keema Naan dish. This will consist of a haggis stuffed naan, topped with mustard pickled swede, parsnip butter and (unconventionally paired with haggis), peas and mint. Auld Hag was founded by Glaswegian Gregg and his partner Maddi with the aim of showcasing the best of Scottish produce – from langoustines to cheese and beer. It currently has a residency in London’s unofficial Scottish bar, the Exale Tap in Walthamstow.
When? Available 31 January 2023
BOOK: tandoorchophouse.com
The Berkeley
Bagpipes, poetry and Scottish food await at The Berkeley’s pub The Bishop this January. For one night only, the pop-up will be serving a four-course meal alongside a selection of whiskies from Aberfeldy. Dishes on offer include Scottish smoked salmon with heritage beets and caramelized orange, haggis with neeps, tatties and Aberfeldy whisky sauce, and Cranachan served with oat, raspberries and a spiced biscuit. Aberfeldy ambassador Georgie Bell will be on hand to talk guests through some history and tasting notes – and a toast to the haggis will take place, with the classic Robert Burns Ode and a piper.
When? 25 January 2023, from 6.30pm
Price: £75pp
BOOK: the-berkeley.co.uk
Six Hands Dinner at Carousel
Carousel is renowned for its pop-ups and supper clubs, so no doubt its Burns Night dinner will be one to remember. The evening will see six chefs joining forces to create a slap-up dinner, with the line-up including a number of top names from Scotland, like Heron’s Sam Yorke and Colin Nicholson from Mingary Castle. Diners can expect Scottish classics like Jerusalem artichoke tart, orkney scallop with peated whisky and toasted barley ponzu, and roe deer with haggis, neeps and tatties, accompanied by cocktails from The Botanist gin and Bruichladdich whisky.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £75pp
BOOK: carousel-london.com
The Savoy
You can’t go wrong with The Savoy, one of London’s most iconic hotels, which is collaborating with Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky on its Burns Night festivities. The evening will kick off with a welcome drink from Bowmore ahead of a five-course feast made up of Savoy twists on traditional dishes, paired with whiskies. There will be live entertainment too, and an opportunity to try your hand at some Ceilidh dancing. Bonus: each ticket includes raffle entry to win a stay for two at Fairmont St Andrews, where you can continue the Scottish revelry.
When? 25 January 2023
Price: £165pp
BOOK: opentable.co.uk
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