With more than a quarter of a million Scottish people now living in London or the South East it’s safe to say that Burns night has become quite a big thing in the capital, and sourcing the best restaurants to enjoy the evening is paramount.
With whisky on the mind and Balmoral chicken, haggis, neeps and tatties making mouths water across the city we have set out to find out where to locate the best Scottish restaurants in London, as well as providing a list of places catering especially for the night.
So grab your kilts and dust off your bagpipes, here’s the best of Scotland in the Big Smoke.
Mac and Wild
Best known for its award winning Venimoo Burger, Mac and Wild is a delightful Scottish joint that encompasses both the taste and feel of Scotland. The walls near the entrance are adorned with whisky bottles and rows of Irn-Bru, with a menu devised of meats sourced directly from co-owner Andy Waugh’s father’s estate and the rest from Highland hunters his family know.
Deeney’s
Founded in the summer of 2012 by Paddy and Carol the couple started their restaurant venture preparing ‘Macbeth’ haggis toasties in the markets of London. Today, Deeney’s is a mainstay on London’s most famous food markets and now has a permanent home in Leyton where the famous haggis toastie is on offer alongside a healthy selection of breakfast dishes, soup, salads and cakes.
Boisdale
With locations across London Boisdale is a fantastic way to enjoy hearty Scottish food while listening to live jazz and sampling an extensive list of Scottish whiskies. The menu includes the usual haggis, neeps and tatties as well as some incredible Scottish wild venison, but for something a bit different, go for the Scottish rarebit or Scotch woodcock.
Other Places to Enjoy Burns Night:
- 108 Brasserie – Which is offering a delectable Burns Night feast. The delicious three-course set menu, created by Executive Chef Russell Ford and priced at £40 per person, will offer guests a selection of Scotland’s culinary delights, including 108’s Deep-Fried Mars Bar, an indulgent combination of Mars’ eponymous chocolate and traditional chip shop batter, served with honeycomb ice cream.
- Kerb – Running Burns Hootenanny including haggis, Highland-themed games, a whisky den, ceilidh and a poetry slam corner.
- Ruby and Pickles – Which is offering a rather unique Indian-infused vegan Burns’ Supper, alongside live music.
- Craft London – Who have teamed up with Compass Box for a night of whiskies and good Scottish food.
- The Jugged Hare – Who are hosting a Burns Night Supper and Fine Wine Evening.
- The Queen of Hoxton – If you’re over ‘dry Jan’ and cabin fever, dust off your tartan and get down to the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, for a night of Scottish merriment fit for Rabbie Burns himself. Inside the cosy rooftop WigWam expect hearty Scottish fare including hot batterd mars bars, traditional live music and of course, the Address to a Haggis. There will also be complimentary Whiskey tasting, plenty of hot and cold cocktails to warm the cockles, plus fire pits to huddle around.