If there’s one person in your life not taking part in Dry January it’s probably your Scottish friend, or at least they’ll be taking a night off on the 25th. Caledonia’s annual celebration of national poet Robbie Burns is almost here, and with it comes the usual unbeatable trio of haggis, whisky and ceilidh dancing. For the Scots who call London home and are looking to ward off some homesickness and maybe some FOMO on celebrations across the border, or those who just never miss a party, we’ve rounded up some of the best Burns Night celebrations, special menus, tributes and events. Slàinte Mhath!
Rake at Compton Arms
Compton Arms, 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
If you want to luxuriate in some quality Scottish cooking for Burns Night, head to Rake at Compton Arms, who are putting on a bountiful spread. As the 25th falls on a Sunday, it’s only right that a special roast is put on. Choose from Fosse meadow chicken, lamb, marinated beef rump or a vegetarian pie served with Scottish sides, for one day only. Think haggis in blankets, neeps, rumbledethumps, whisky-glazed carrots, roast tatties and bountiful Yorkshire puddings. There’s also a special haggis-pressed potato with green onion mayo, a classic Arbroath Smokie (smoked haddock) on soda toast, and a simple dessert of Caledonian cream, a blend of whipped cream with whisky and a touch of marmalade. Hubba hubba.
Dishoom
Various locations
Working the night shift on the 25th? Dishoom is thoughtfully putting on its Burns Night special for almost a month, so there’s no excuse to miss out on the festivities. From 19 January to 15 February, the much-loved café is serving a limited-edition breakfast special across all cafés and Permit Room locations as an iconic dish gets the full Dishoom treatment in an overdue meeting of Bombay and Scotland. Haggis Pau sees richly spiced pork haggis piled into hot, buttered pau and layered with fried eggs, crisp Carluke’s bacon rashers, honeyed chilli chutney, cream cheese and topped off with fresh coriander.
Giacco
176 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA
What event isn’t improved by the presence of a pie? North London neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar Giacco’s has just launched their latest residency with Tasca, and what better way to celebrate than a rack of sharing style pies in celebration of Burns Night? On 25 January, Emily Skimming, head of pastry at Morchella, will collaborate on the special menu, which includes haggis, neeps and tatties to start, and a cock-a-leekie pie centrepiece.
£49pp; giaccos.bar
Acme Fire Cult
Abbot St, London E8 3DP
Acme Fire Cult is commemorating Burns Night with a one-night-only celebration in partnership with Ardbeg Whisky, where fire, smoke and proper Scottish hospitality collide in a bespoke menu complemented by plenty of drams. Start with marmite bread with pecorino and coal-roast leeks with pistachio romesco, before the main event of haggis with an Ardbeg cream sauce and, of course, neeps and tatties. Dessert will be Acme’s famed sticky toffee pudding, with a special Ardbeg miso caramel and all guests will be treated to a welcome cocktail. Topping off the festivities will be drams of Ardbeg Anthology 15-year-old Beithir’s Tale – a smoky full stop to Burns Night.
Ria’s
29 All Saints Rd, London W11 1HE
Scotland is known for many things, but ‘ice cream weather’ isn’t one. Undaunted, Ria’s is teaming up with cult ice cream makers Big Kid for a one-night-only dinner on the 25th with a decidedly cool finish. Running across both sites, the Scottish-inspired menu features haggis pops, a haggis-neeps-and-tatties pizza pie, and finishes with a daring Irn-Bru ice cream. The Irn-Bru ice cream will then stay on the menu as a special for the following week, whilst Big Kid will be dishing out scoops at their Kingly Court shop for February. Cold comfort, Scottish-style.
Equal Parts
245 Hackney Rd, E2 8NA
The acclaimed Hackney cocktail bar is teaming up with Nc’nean, the award-winning Scottish distillery, for a one-of-a-kind Burns Night event: ‘Burns Rewritten' on Saturday, 24th January. The immersive evening will celebrate Scotland’s rebellious spirit through a combination of whisky, words, and nature. Guests will enjoy an exclusive Nc’nean whisky tasting led by blender Matt Hastings, inventive cocktails crafted by Equal Parts, and a menu of Scottish-inspired small bites.
