Downham Hall, Billericay

First on our where to celebrate Burns Night in Essex is Downham Hall’s Burns Night Supper with bagpipes and haggis toast. Food-wise, choose dishes like smoked salmon or Cullen Skink (smoked haddock, potatoes and onion soup). Main-wise, venison Wellington, deep fried fish pie and pearly barley stew all feature, plus there’s puds like a deep fried Mars Bar and Scottish cheeseboard. Plus it goes without saying there’s haggis, neeps and tatties.
25 Jan; 6.45pm; £50pp

Also on our hit list to book is Colchester’s Mersea Barns. Haggis, neeps and (OK, you get the picture) are on the menu – plus a vegan haggis should a meaty one not be your thing. Then you’ve Cranachan (raspberries folded in cream with honey, whisky and toasted oatmeal) or a whisky brûlée. Plus plenty of dancing. Just don’t go too crazy all you kilt wearers or we’ll see much more of you than expected.
25 Jan; 6.30pm £38pp

Galvin Green Man, Chelmsford

Galvin Green Man‘s dinner is a four course feast celebrating the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Again there’s bagpipes and a haggis ceremony, which usually involves reciting Burns’ Address to a Haggis poem with piper, chef and dram of whisky. Next comes the food: whisky cured salmon and Cullen Skink soup with warm focaccia. It’s then on to haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by that tasty Cranachan again.
25 Jan; 6.30pm; £48pp

Southender? Rettendon Lodge Events is an ideal choice this Burns Night. You’ve of course Scottish dishes to feast on, with Cullen Skink or smoked salmon and prawn cocktail to begin. Next is chicken with whisky sauce, venison sausages, mushroom risotto and tons more. Then you’ve just got to decide between sticky toffee pud, Cranachan trifle or Clootie dumpling – a traditional steamed dessert with dried fruit and spices.
25 Jan; 7pm; £37.95pp

The Royal Forest, Epping

Also on our where to celebrate Burns Night in Essex is The Royal Oak. Why we hear you cry (well; not cry, that’s a tad OTT)? Their set menu‘s full of tasty stuff, plus you can even mix and match with dishes from their à la carte (great for veggies). We’ll stick with the former, which begins with a Glenfiddich cocktail. You’ve Cullen Skink, haggis Wellington, Cranachan and, of course a dram to finish. Hic indeed.
25 Jan; times vary; £47pp

Those close to Harwich will be pleased to hear that The Alma Inn & Dining Rooms is also holding a Burns Supper. Here you start with Highland broth with a venison dumpling, then haggis, neeps and tatties, and then Cranachan and whiskey tuille to finish. Veggies are also well catered for, before everyone sups a wee dram (or two, or three or four) plus pipes, poetry and the usual shenanigans.
25 Jan; 6.30pm; £37.50pp

The White Hart, Little Waltham

The White Hart’s event is spread over the weekend – ideal if you’ve plans in place for 25 Jan. Although it’s not a set price menu it’s all about celebrating Scottish food, starting with crispy haggis balls, Loch Fyne scallops or Lanarkshire blue cheese bombes. Next there’s more haggis, smoked haddock, venison haunch or a game and venison pie. Room for more? It’s all about the Clootie, Cranachan or deep fried Mars Bar.
24-26 Jan; times and prices vary

Last but by no means least on where to celebrate Burns Night in Essex is Rochford’s The Punch Bowl. Their Traditional Burns Night Supper starts with Cock-A-Leekie soup (not as rude as it sounds: in fact it’s packed with leeks, peppered chicken stock and thickened with rice or barley). It’s haggis, neeps and (yes, we know you know but we’re going to say it anyway) tatties for your main, then tipsy Laird trifle for afters. A tipsy Laird? Fun stuff.
25 Jan; 7pm; £60pp

Great Scot! Here’s where to celebrate Burns Night in Essex

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