Best places to celebrate Burns Night
It’s almost time to don our kilts and pour the whisky – the annual celebration of Scotland’s greatest poet Robert Burns is nearly upon us. Here’s where to celebrate Burns Night in true style in London and Surrey.
Pictured: RAILS Restaurant, Great Northern Hotel
The Hand in Hand
The Hand in Hand is famous in Wimbledon for its Burns Night. Scottish joy will be spread with whisky, haggis and poetry. Bagpipes will be played and a specially curated menu will be served throughout the night.
Ham Yard Hotel
Hosted at Ham Yard with their friends at Islay based whisky distillery Bruichladdich, guests will learn all about Scottish whisky and discover the nuances between five very different, and special bottles. Executive chef Jamie Atkinson’s menu features Loch Fyne smoked salmon and haggis, neeps and tatties, before tucking into the main event of venison wellington. For dessert there’s a burnt orange brûlée and the dinner will finish with a cheese course, Strathdon Blue from Tain, paired with a peaty whisky.
Rails Restaurant, Great Northern Hotel
RAILS Restaurant at the luxury boutique Great Northern Hotel is dishing up a delicious three course Burns Night Menu for £30 per person. Kick off with cullen skink soup before a traditional haggis with neeps and tatties served with whisky sauce before finishing with an iconic Scottish cranachan dessert loaded with homemade cream and raspberries.
The Little Blue Door
Banish the January blues at the Little Blue Door in Fulham. To start, there is a Scottish smoked salmon platter with whisky crème fraiche, pickled seaweed and soda bread. The main will be a traditional Scottish haggis with nutty neeps, tatties and a peppery whisky sauce. The pudding will be yummy cranachan raspberries with honey, oats and cream. There are also vegan options available for every course. £40 for 3-course supper and entry ticket from 6.30pm.
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Bourne & Hollingsworth
Bourne & Hollingsworth will celebrate Burns Night with two evenings of kilt-raising, whisky-filled fun at their Clerkenwell townhouse. Guests can opt for a whisky tasting in collaboration with Glenmorangie whisky. Executive chef Matthew Harris will host a Burns Night Banquet, a refined take on much-loved Scottish culinary classics, making use of the very best seasonal British produce. For those looking for the ultimate Scottish shindig, they can bring all the festivities together with the Burns Night banquet with whisky pairing for £95 per person.
The Wych Elm
At this beloved neighbourhood spot in Kingston, the specials board will have a Scottish theme with the headliner being haggis, with a veggie option too. Burns’ ‘Address to a Haggis’ will be read and toasted to with whisky around 8pm.
Chef & Brewer
Chef & Brewer in Surrey will be featuring the traditional Scottish dishes, including cullen skink, haggis neeps & tatties and of course the classic cranachan sundae. They also have a selection of their favourite Scottish whiskies to finish. Four course supper £28.
Denbies Wine Estate
Denbies will be hosting their expansive annual Burns Night celebration at their gorgeous estate in Surrey. The celebration begins in the Denbies Cellar followed by dinner and a traditional Scottish Ceilidh band in the Conservatory. Includes sparkling wine on arrival, 3 course meal, wine to accompany the meal, live entertainment throughout and of course, a wee dram. £73 per person.
Wild by Tart
Scotland’s Feragaia – the alcohol-free spirit – is hosting a three-course feast with bespoke drinks pairings at London’s acclaimed Wild by Tart restaurant.
