25 January is a big night for the people of Scotland each year: it’s when they celebrate the life of the country’s most famous poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796), on his birthday.
Burns Night is a tradition stretching back over two centuries. Fittingly for the man whose work includes Address to a Haggis, he is often remembered on the night with a feast of Scotland’s traditional dish of spiced sheep’s offal served inside the animal’s stomach (or as is common now, an artificial casing), alongside neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes).
For Burns Night 2026, there are a number of unique dinners and collaborations happening across the UK, from plays on traditional Scottish dishes to fine dining to even Korean flavours. Be quick: these events are sure to sell out fast.
The Palmerston x Bokman
Kyu Jeon and Duncan Robertson (pictured below) of Bristol’s acclaimed Bokman (and Dongnae) will be bringing their modern Korean cuisine to one of Edinburgh’s best gastropubs for Burns Night 2026. Available for dinner only, Jeon and Robertson’s £40, three-course menu will feature dishes such as oysters with kimchi ice, soondae (Korean-style black pudding with mussel salt) and haggis joengol (a hotpot-style dish with lamb neck, lamb tripe, haggis, dried radish tops, perilla leaves and seeds, and hand-cut noodles). Dessert will be a whisky and matcha tiramisu. Bookings can be made via email at hello@thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk – they’re fully booked at time of writing, but it’s worth registering your interest in case of cancellations.
The Clove Club x Lyla
Elsewhere in Edinburgh, Isaac McHale of London’s The Clove Club will be joining his fellow countryman Stuart Ralston at Lyla for a 10-course, fine-dining extravaganza on 25 January. Expect whisky highballs, ceremonial haggis and all-round splendid cooking from two chefs whose restaurants have three Michelin stars between them. Tickets cost £225 and include a welcome drink. A special collaboration, not to be missed.
