Don’t go to Buchans expecting to see men in kilts and Gordon Brown sipping a few wee drams, but if you like haggis and fresh Scottish produce then this is the place.

The Venue
Buchans, just a short stroll from Battersea Bridge, serves modern British cuisine with a Scottish flavour, buying its meat and fish from Scotland when possible. There’s a formal restaurant to the back and a brasserie at the front, and there are also seats outside for the smokers. Buchans is named after the author John Buchan who wrote The 39 Steps; don’t worry though - you won’t have to stagger up any stairs as it’s on the ground floor.

The Atmosphere
Buchans is full of trendy locals who use the bar as a second home The area has taken off gastromonically with loads of good restaurants within walking distance, and if you want to make a night of it there are lots of really good bars just a short stroll or stagger away.

The Food
It is worth the taxi ride from Clapham Junction station to go to Buchans. The gazpacho soup with Devon crab is delightful whilst the haggis comes with a wee dram to wash it down with. The sea bass is a good portion and compliments the haggis. If you can manage a third course then the cheesecake with blueberry compote and poached peaches is delicious.

The Drink
If you are a whisky fan, there are 39 malts on the list. The Macallan 18-year-old and the Balvenie are two of the best picks on the menu for around a tenner a dram. There’s a good choice of Australian, French, Spanish, and Chilean wines to go with the outstanding food.

The Last Word
There aren’t many restaurants in London that cater for people with a taste for fresh Scottish produce including scallops, sea bass, and good cheeses, plus a decent whisky menu. The only negative would be that the location can be a bit of a problem if you don’t live in Battersea or Clapham.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1)