For some, Burns Night (January 25 2020) is a chance to celebrate the life and poetry of famed poet Robert Burns. For others, it’s simply an excellent excuse to crack open the whisky, dust off the bagpipes and feast like a Highlander.
From the finest Scottish menus to the tipsiest cocktails, discover what’s on in London for Burns Night 2020.
1 Enjoy complimentary drinks at Milroy’s
London’s oldest whisky specialist Milroy’s is bringing Burns Night to Spitalfields this Friday 24th January. Head East to celebrate Burns Night with complimentary drinks thanks to Crabbie Whisky alongside haggis, poetry, music and laughter in honour of Scotland’s most iconic bard.
The sister site to the iconic Milroy’s of Soho is a four-storey whisky lovers’ paradise; from the world class cocktail bar The Proofing Room in the basement to the casual ground floor Whisky Bar to The Dram House & Cigar Terrace, offering two exclusive floors of Whisky to members and friends. Bottom’s up!
When: Friday 24 January 2020
Where: Milroy’s of Spitalfields, 76 Commercial St, Shadwell, London E1 6LY
How: Please visit milroys.co.uk to find out more and make a booking.
2 Feast in Scottish style with 108 Brasserie
Make sure the kilt’s a little loose – 108 Brasserie is inviting guests to dine like a true Scot and celebrate Burns Night with an array of traditional Scottish specials – complete with a whisky flight in partnership with Highland Park.
Set in the heart of Marylebone, the restaurant provides a tranquil spot to sit back and relax. Just off Marylebone High Street, 108 houses two distinctive areas; the bar, a chic and sophisticated drinking and dining area, and the brasserie’s dining space, where the vibrant, modern menu takes centre stage.
For the special Scottish occasion, think Balmoral Estate venison & haggis Wellington, neeps and tattiest, oat shortbreads and traditonal Cranachen.
When: 25 January 2020
Where: 108 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone, London W1U 2QE
How: Please visit 108brasserie.com to find out more and make a booking.
3 Bite into burgers of the bard with Byron
Byron will bring its celebrated Haggis-inspired menu from the Edinburgh restaurant for Londoners to enjoy this Burns Night. Marking the traditional Scottish event with a not-so-traditional menu, the dishes will be available exclusively at its Wellington Street restaurant, Covent Garden, from Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th January.
The exclusive (and slightly bonkers) menu, developed by Byron’s Food Director, Sophie Michell, will feature three Scottish specials:
● The Auld Smokey: a juicy beef patty topped with haggis, melted Cheddar cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce
● Haggis Loaded Fries: Byron’s skin-on fries drenched in onion gravy and topped with crispy onions, pickled onions, Byron cheese sauce and crumbled haggis
● Irn Bru Milkshake: Byron’s famous vanilla milkshake given the Scottish treatment with an injection of Irn Bru. Weird, yet wonderful.
When: All dishes will be available for lunch and dinner from Thursday 23rd until Sunday 26th January at Byron Covent Garden.
Where: 33-35 Wellington St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BN
How: Please visit byron.co/restaurant/covent-garden for more.
4 Party the night away with The Little Blue Door
Join the flatmates at The Little Blue Door and celebrate Burns Night with their infamous Ultimate Burns Night House Party. The flatmates will be putting on a Scottish skite fit for a highlander, filled with plenty of haggis from Scottish champions Mac & Wild, free Scottish spiked house punch, Balvenie and Glenfiddich whisky specials and bagpipes galore!
Set within a fully decked-out, tartan trimmed living room, lads and lassies are invited to tart themselves up and dress to impress in their best rock and roll twist on tartan trews, kilts and whatever else takes your fancy.
Guests will be able to tuck in to complimentary Haggis Pops from London’s favourite Scottish restaurant, Mac & Wild, as well as the flatmates’ Address to a Haggis Burger, a hearty Haggis filled burger topped with smoked Cheddar and Whisky Chilli Sauce.
Once guests have eaten and drunk their fill, special guest DJ’s will be on from 9:30pm to get you boogying the night away on the tables to an all ‘rock n roll’ playlist until late.
When:: Saturday 25th January 2020, 6pm – late.
Where: 871-873 Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 5HP
How: Visit thelittlebluedoor.co.uk to make a booking or email Justknock@thelittlebluedoor.co.uk.
5 Have a Highland Hurrah with Mr Fogg’s & Glenfiddich
Calling all lads and lassies, this January Mr Fogg’s will host their annual Burns Night celebrations at Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair with the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenfiddich.
In celebration of the Scottish great, Robbie Burns, guests are invited to get kilted up this Burns Night as Phileas and his household staff host a Scottish soiree, fit for a Highlander.
Guests can expect to be transported to the heart of the Highlands, throughout the Scottish celebration, as they are welcomed with a Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky cocktail reception, alongside sounds of a live Ceilidh band, traditional poetry recitals and Scottish fare.
In true Scottish spirit, all household staff will be adorning kilts and sporrans, with guests encouraged to dress to impress in traditional attire.
Throughout the night, guests will be able to enjoy a special libation menu from Glenfiddich, alongside performances from an extremely talented and accomplished Ceilidh band, playing Scottish swing throughout the evening and poetry recitals showcasing Robert Burns’ best works, all while having a Highland fling with Mr Fogg.
When: Saturday 25th January 2020, 7pm – 10pm
Where: 15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, London, WIJ 6JD
How: Visit mr-foggs.com to find out more and make a booking.
6 Try a Haggis Wellington at Sussex
Hearty feasts await. Famous for their speciality Wellington, Sussex has created a bespoke a la carte menu featuring Sussex Lamb Loin and Haggis Wellington made with spiced offal mince, Hispi cabbage served with a whisky sauce and with neeps and tatties. For something sweet, the menu will finish off with a delicious whisky-doused dessert.
The show-stopping Lamb and Haggis Wellington will be accompanied by a whisky cocktail. With a toast to the famous bard’s legacy the traditional ‘Ode to a Haggis’ poem will be read out to diners and each guest will receive their own copy of the well loved Robert Burn’s poem.
When: 25 January 2020
Where: 63-64 Frith Street, London, W1D 3JW
How: Email info@sussex-restaurant.com, click here or phone 0203 9237770 to make a booking.
7 Opt for something suave at 34 Mayfair
In the mood for something rather suave? Beautiful restaurant 34 Mayfair serves carefully sourced meat and seasonal game, as well as lighter dishes, fish and shellfish.
At the centre of the kitchen is a bespoke charcoal grill from Argentina, fed by natural fuels, which will cook some of their bespoke dishes for Burns Night.
Feast upon a Loin of Glencoe venison with ‘Scotch broth’ & neeps, Isle of Mull scallops, cauliflower, haggis crust & parsley oil and in an ode to one of Scotland’s most famed desserts, there will be a limited-edition Raspberry & whiskey cranachan coupe with deep fried Mars bar for adventurous foodies!
When: 25 January 2020
Where: 34 Grosvenor Square, S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 2HD
How: Please visit 34-restaurant.co.uk to find out more and make a booking.
8 Go gourmet at Le Caprice
Enjoy an air of fine dining at Le Caprice. The iconic restaurant has created several lunch and dinner specials to celebrate Burns Night. To start, guests can indulge in an Arbroath smoked haddock soup with soft boiled quail eggs or Venison carpaccio with pickled artichokes and truffled cream.
For main course, a Lion of Glencoe venison, haggis croquette, bashed beeps and buttered kale can be enjoyed, or a traditional Fillet of halibut with Isle of Mull scallop, roasted celeriac and dill butter sauce.
Le Caprice’s dessert plays homage to one of Scotland’s most famous beverages with a moreish Scotch whisky Dundee sundae.
Where: 20 Arlington St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1RJ
How: Please visit le-caprice.co.uk to find out more and make a booking.
9 Get a Scottish seafood fix at J.Sheekey
Seafood lovers, forks this way please. Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, J Sheekey has been offering the finest fish, oysters, shellfish and fruits de mer since the 1890s. A space filled with Victorian charm, guests can celebrate Burns Night with delicious Scottish seafood additions to the menu.
These include Puff pastry baked isle of muscle scallop with champagne butter sauce and an Isle of Gigha halibut with spiced carrot & steamed razor. For dessert, a Whisky millionaires shortbread will round off the menu.
Where: 28-32 St Martin’s Ct, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AL
How: Please visit j-sheekey.co.uk to find out more and make a reservation.
10 Try special tipples at Rivington
Tempting tipples await. Neighbourhood restaurant Rivington Greenwich, with a seasonal menu reflecting the diverse culinary heritage of the British Isles, has a special cocktail to commemorate the holiday.
The Bobby Burns will combine 12yr whiskey, Antica Formula sweet vermouth, Drambuie liquor and Peychaud’s Bitters (£10). Hic.
Where: 178 Greenwich High Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 8NN
How: Please visit rivingtongreenwich.co.uk to make a booking.
11 Inhale luxury cheeses with Paxton & Whitfield
Staying in for the occasion? Paxton & Whitfield, the UK’s oldest cheesemonger, has curated a Burns Night Cheese Selection (£32.00) that contains three delicious, artisan Scottish cheeses with fine food accompaniments to celebrate Burns Night on Saturday 25th January.
The cheeses come from different geographical areas of Scotland and are made by dedicated, award-winning cheesemakers. Savouring these cheeses, that form a tempting ready-made cheeseboard, to honour the life and poetry of Robert Burns is very fitting as Burns’ mother was a cheesemaker in Ayrshire.
How: Visit paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk to find out more.
Wallet: £32 per pack.
12 Join Chef James Cochran and Candice Carty-Williams for one-off dinner at 12:51
On Saturday 25th January, Chef James Cochran will be celebrating his own twist on Burns Night at his restaurant, 12:51 in Islington.
Diners will enjoy an especially curated five-course tasting menu drawing on James’ own Scottish roots. On the evening, special guest, Sunday Times bestselling author, and fellow South London resident, Candice Carty-Williams, will be reading the address to the haggis.
On arrival, guests will be met with a welcome Boulevardier cocktail, a blend of sweet vermouth, Campari bitters and whisky, to toast to the evening ahead.
In lieu of traditional bagpipes, James will select several musical pieces from hip-hop legends such as Nas, Luniz and Jay Z he feels embodies the spirit and vigour of the lauded poet, Robert Burns in a modern and fresh way.
Diners will be taken on a tour of the Highlands, with an added touch of spice with dishes including: Treacle cured salmon with smoked cod’s roe garnished with apple, radish, mustard, cress on rye; Cullen skink, a rich soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions; Highland venison tartar, rolled oats, confit egg yolk and Douglas fir cream; Slow poached chicken in whiskey butter, haggis, swede and the king of Scottish desserts, Cranachan, made with raspberries, Scottish oats, double cream and whisky.
When: January 25 2020, 6pm -11pm
How: To book please visit the 12:51 website or phone 07934 202269.
Where: 107 Upper St, The Angel, London N1 1QN
Wallet: £100 per person.
13 Keep it traditional with Boisdale
Hold on to your haggis! Burns Supper is the highlight of the Scottish events calendar so dust off your kilts, earasaids and tonnags and head to Boisdale to experience the ultimate Burns Supper.
Every year Boisdale restaurants celebrate this special day with all the pomp and pride it deserves and offer an impressive selection of menus featuring the greatest Caledonian fare in honour of Robert Burns, including amongst many other Scottish treats, Orkney salmon, Galloway pheasant, Aberdeenshire dry-aged beef fillet and the star of the show – Dumfriesshire Blackface haggis.
In addition to the pipers galore on Thursday 23, Friday 24 and Saturday 25 January all Boisdale venues will be presenting live music with delectable special menus. Yum yum.
When: January 25 2020
How: Please visit boisdale.co.uk to find out more and make a booking.
14 Get a taste of the exceptional at DUKES London
Treating guests to the chicest of soirees, DUKES LONDON is delighted to be hosting Burns Night with an ‘Exceptional’ twist in collaboration with The Exceptional for the Whisky and Hunters and Frankau for the Cigar.
On the 23rd and 24th of January, DUKES LONDON will be welcoming guests to its Drawing Room, from 6pm, for a divine evening of whisky tasting, cigar and canapés, with tickets priced at £55.00 per person.
On the 25th of January, there will be a delectable Burns Night event taking place in GBR (Great British Restaurant), from 6pm, where guests can enjoy a welcome Whisky Cocktail to the sounds of a live Bagpiper, followed by a four-course menu.
Each course is to be paired with a counterpart whisky and guests will have the pleasure of watching the blessing of the Haggis. In the words of Bieber himself, yummy. .
When: Whisky tasting, 23rd January & 24th January 2020. Burns Night supper, 25th January 2020.
Where: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
How: For more information or to make a reservation, please contact our GBR team by phone on +44 (0)207 491 4840 or by email at GBRlondon@dukeshotel.com.
15 Devour Benares’ Burns Special Thali Lunch
One of London’s finest Indian restaurants, Benares, will be offering guests a delectable choice of dishes to celebrate Burns Night.
Fusing Indian and Scottish influences and served in traditional Thali style, guests can try a selection of delicious dishes on a traditional Indian platter. Choices include:
● Macchi & Shorba: Tandoor Smoked Haddock & Pumpkin Soup
● Murg Mahkni: Chicken in Tomato and Fenugreek Gravy
● Tari Wala Gosht: Slow Cooked Lamb in Whole Spices
● Burns Pudding: Scotch Whisky infused pudding with an Indian Twist: dried fruit, nuts and spices, served with custard
As well as bespoke dishes, there will also be a Burns Night Special Cocktail, pictured above (from 20th – 26th January). Sip a mix of Glenmorangie Single Malt with Cocchi Americano Di Torino Vermouth with 20 years old Tawny Port for a chocolate and butty finish, balanced with Chocolate Bitters, £14.50.
Where: 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BS
How: Visit benaresrestaurant.com to make a booking.
