Burns Night is a chance to celebrate the life of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns — in the way he’d have wanted: with good food, fine whisky, music and laughter. Burns penned some of the world’s most famous verse, including Auld Lang Syne, and his birthday on January 25 is marked far and wide.
The first Burns Night was in 1801, when nine of his friends gathered at his birthplace in Ayrshire to honour his memory. More than two centuries on, what began as a modest toast to the national bard has become a global celebration of Scottish spirit — poetic, passionate and great fun. Slàinte mhath!
Saltwick for Rarebreed Dining
The Plough Inn
The Plough Inn in Cobham has been hosting its traditional Burns Night celebration for the best part of a decade, and its legendary parties draw a crowd year after year. Guests, some of whom like to don their finery for the evening, are welcomed with a warming hot toddy before sitting down to a Scottish-inspired set menu. Expect the sound of the pipes and plenty of good cheer.
Jan 26, £49.50pp; theploughinncobham.co.uk
The Albion in East Molesey
Albion
At the cosy Albion pub in East Molesey, Burns Night is a highlight of the year, bringing together the best of Scottish culture, cuisine and, of course, whisky. Expect a three-course menu of traditional favourites, from haggis, neeps and tatties to pan-fried loch-reared salmon, finished with cranachan laced with Glenmorangie, all accompanied by a Scotch whisky flight.
Jan 24 & 25, £40pp; book at thealbioneastmolesey.co.uk
Mitchells & Butlers
Browns
In Kingston, Browns is marking Burns Night with a special two- or three-course dinner menu featuring traditional favourites such as smoked salmon, haggis, neeps and tatties, and cranachan with a dash of whisky. A whisky pairing is also available for those looking to toast the Bard in style (£15 for three).
Jan 24 & 25, £26/£32; browns-restaurants.co.uk
Denbies
Denbies
The Dorking wine estate is hosting a Burns Night celebration, starting with fizz in the cellar, followed by a three-course dinner with Denbies wines, live music from bagpipes, a ceilidh band (with caller), and a wee dram or two. Make a weekend of it and book one of the 17 boutique bedrooms at The Denbies Vineyard Hotel, which have lovely views across the vines.
Jan 24, £75pp; denbies.co.uk
Scott’s Richmond
This glamorous Richmond restaurant has linked up with single malt Scotch, The Singleton of Dufftown, for a special Burns Night dinner. Expect fine dining and tradition, with a welcoming cocktail, Scottish-inspired menu, whisky drams, toasts and the iconic cutting of the haggis.
Jan 25, £95pp; scotts-richmond.com
Tattenham Corner
Tattenham Corner
Cosy and characterful Epsom pub, Tattenham Corner, is marking Burns Night with a three-course set menu, a piper, and the traditional Address to the Haggis. Expect a warm welcome, classic dishes and all the charm of a proper Scottish celebration.
Jan 22, £45; tattenhamcornerpub.co.uk
The Olive Tree
The Olive Tree
Near Guildford, The Olive Tree puts on a Burns Night that would make Rabbie himself raise a dram, and perhaps an eyebrow, as landlord Nigel proudly dons his wife’s grandmother’s tartan (a sight worth the ticket price alone) before delivering an animated Address to the Haggis. There’ll be bagpipes, a feast of cullen skink, haggis, neeps and tatties and cranachan (all served with whisky), and an evening overflowing with Scottish warmth, hearty humour and very little sobriety.
Jan 24, £35pp (excl. whisky); theolivetreesuttongreen.co.uk
Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales
In Esher, The Prince of Wales is serving up a four-course feast fit for the Bard, alongside a live piper, plenty of poetry, and a wide range of whiskies to try.
Jan 24, £55; theprinceofwales-westend.co.uk
Farnham Castle
Farnham Castle
Few settings offer historic grandeur quite like this hilltop gem steeped in centuries of celebration. This year, the venue is hosting a traditional Burns Night Supper complete with an array of canapés, a piper and the all-important Address to the Haggis, before a hearty two-course feast served in the Great Hall, with both haggis and a vegan alternative on the menu. There’ll be a lively ceilidh band to keep spirits high until well into the night.
Jan 24, £95pp; farnhamcastle.com
White Hart
The White Hart
The Barnes riverside pub celebrates across the weekend with Burns Night cocktails on Jan 23 (Fri night) and a traditional four-course menu on Jan 24 (Sat), including a wee dram on arrival and live bagpipes (£45pp). Then, on Jan 25 (Sun), the pub’s popular Sunday roast menu will see the addition of haggis and venison. Numbers are limited, so get there early.
Sam's Waterside
Sam’s Waterside
This beautiful Brentford spot promises a truly Caledonian menu. Highlights include tattie soup and girolles and an Isle of Mull cheddar and chive scone; cured trout with juniper and Highland dulse dressing; Aberdeen Angus beef carpaccio; and a saddle of Highland venison with rumbledethumps (a trad Scottish side), haggis bridie and more – all paired with fine whiskies and the stirring sound of experienced piper, Robin Turnbull.
Jan 25 (a similar evening is planned at Sam’s Riverside in Hammersmith); samswaterside.co.uk.
Home SW13
In Barnes, proud Scot and Home SW13 owner Craig Gordon hosts an annual Burns Night celebration with live acoustic music, a piper, and Craig himself ‘addressing the haggis’.
The gastronomic six-course menu features a few twists on Scottish delights, including a ‘Ne-BRU-Ni’ (an Irn-Bru Negroni), venison carpaccio, haggis, neeps and tatties, and a deep-fried Mars bar dessert. Now legendary, the event always sells out, so book fast.
Jan 24 (also at Home SW15 in Putney on Jan 23), £75pp; homesw-restaurants.com.
