The five best restaurants in London to celebrate Burns Night

Tonight is the night to honour Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with a whisky, some haggis and a little bit of poetry. If you’re looking for something a bit different this year, here are our top five restaurants to help you celebrate. 

Roy Brett at Outlaw’s

Michelin-starred Outlaw’s is bringing down Roy Brett from Ondine for their Burns Night celebration. As you might expect, seafood features heavily and is sure to be just as much of a draw as the more traditional haggis. Tobermory Langoustine and oysters will both be dishes worth savouring, whilst a whisky ice cream sounds like the perfect conclusion to any night of Scottish delight.

To book a table at Outlaw’s, The Capital, 22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, SW3 1AT, call 020 7591 1202 or visit here.

Vico

Fusion pizzas have never really caught on, and for good reason. Anyone unfortunate enough to have experienced the sheer existential horror that can only be caused by a sushi pizza will know that some things should never be mixed. Oddly enough, however, haggis pizza, Vico’s main attraction for their Italian Burns Night, actually works. Essentially a big, meaty, robust sausage, its potent flavour and spicing are oddly reminiscent of nduja, and the whole thing is remarkably tasty.

To book a table at Vico, 1 Cambridge Circus, Seven Dials, WC2H 8PA, call 020 7379 0303 or visit here.

Plum and Spilt Milk

Unsurprisingly for a restaurant named after the livery of the Flying Scotsman, this will be a very tradition affair, kicked off with a whisky and leek soup. Tickets are slightly more expensive than at other events, but there’s plenty of added value to be found in the form of whisky pairings, matched to each course. Plus, there’s a special surprise waiting in the serving of the haggis that’s sure to make for a memorable centrepiece.

To book a table at Plum and Spilt Milk, Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, N1C 4TB, call 020 3388 0818 or visit here

Burns Baby Burns

Our pick of the Burns Night festivities for our popups roundup, Burns Baby Burns is probably the best balanced, most complete night on offer. Set in a stunning location, with excellent food, oodles of atmosphere and some pyrotechnics, it’s probably the safest choice around for those looking to celebrate in style.

Burns Baby Burns is at St John’s Church in Hackney, Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0PD, from 26^th until 28^th January 2017, for further information or to book visit here.

Merchants’ Tavern

A traditional but refined effort that’s very much in keeping with the general style of Neil Borthwick and Angela Hartnett’s Shoreditch restaurant. The highlight is sure to be the dessert, a traditional Cranachan that will no doubt benefit from Borthwick’s talent for elegant flavours.

To book a table at Merchants’ Tavern, 36 Charlotte Rd, EC2A 3PG, call 020 7060 5335 or visit here.

Daniel Masters