Colin Smith, the creative genius behind the restaurant, Balmoral, is truly a perfectionist. He gave us a flawless dining experience . From the live piper at the doorway, to the smiling young lass hostess, to the extremely knowledgeable and charming waiter, Ryan, to the presentation, quality and service, a memorable evening was had. We even got to meet the executive chef, Joe Schroeder who orchestrates the creation of this fine dining. The food preparation and presentation left us wanting to try everything on the menu. Since Balmoral is our new favorite epicurean delight we look forward to exploring more of the tempting menu. Our selections included The True Scotch Egg, The Ye Auld Cullen Skink, Musselburgh's Fish and Chips, The Gleneagle's Loin of Venison and two desserts selected by the chef himself. For a true gastronomic adventure, Balmoral offers a harmonious blend of exceptional food, impeccable service, and a captivating ambiance. We can't wait to visit Balmoral for their Sunday Roasts and we definitely want to experience the Young Bonnie Prince Charlie's Beef Wellington. Thank you Colin, for bringing Old World charm and elegance to the New World. read more

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Balmoral High Tea with my best friend, celebrating my birthday, Scottish-style? Honestly, it doesn't get much better than that. From the moment you step in, you're wrapped in traditional Scottish charm, classic décor, old-fashioned and beautiful tea sets, and a sense that time has politely slowed down. Service is proper, attentive, and gracious in that old-school way that makes the whole experience feel special. The classic three-tier tea was exactly what you hope for: savory bites, warm treats, and sweet indulgences. But let's talk about the scones, because they absolutely stole the show, crisp on the outside, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside. The kind of scone that makes you pause, smile, and quietly judge all other scones you've ever had. Add to that a great bar and well-crafted cocktails, and suddenly high tea feels both elegant and celebratory. In my book, this is hands down the best place for high tea in the western suburbs -- perfect for birthdays, friendships, and moments worth savoring. read more

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We dined with another couple on the recommendation of 2 other people who had been there and gave it a positive review. We opted for the Sunday Roast and having grown up in New Zealand where Sunday Roast a regular thing, we were really disappointed as it did not measure up to our Family dinner. Three of us had the prime rib which had a mealy/powdery texture which I likened to over tenderized meat and the rest of the offerings were merely average. Unfortunately we will not return. Barry S read more

Dined here for the first time, Sunday 3-29-2026! Drove an hour to have lunch here--it was well worth the schlep from the Palatine/Arlington Heights area! Loved how they had a gentleman playing the bagpipes and greeting you upon your arrival at the restaurant, with his awesome musicianship!! (He also played Happy Birthday at least 3 times that day, for 3 folks celebrating their birthdays!) The place looks like a comfy, classy country manor home, with dark wood interior and coffered ceilings! It's also clean throughout the whole place! For appetizers, I had the Haggis and Scotch Egg; for entree, the Roast Leg of Lamb; for dessert, the Toffee Pudding Cake, and a pot of hot Scottish Blend Tea! Everything was absolutely fresh, flavorful, hearty, and delicious! My server, Ryan, did a great job taking care of me the whole time! I will definitely be back!! read more

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We had an excellent Easter Dinner. Every table was occupied and it did not affect service nor quality of our meals. The bagpiper was wearing a bunny costume and the kids and adults enjoyed listening to the music and capturing a photo with the bunny. read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Bagpiper for Easter - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

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This has been on my list for quite some time. Originally, I wanted to do the tasting menu but it's only limited to Mon-Thurs. I think it's too busy on Fri-Sun and they don't have enough staff if multiple people wanted the tasting menu. When you walk towards the restaurant, you are greeted with a bag piper. Shout out to Savanna P. She was our waitress. She was very kind and attentive. We ordered William Wallace's deviled eggs 4 ways, Rosyth haggis drambuie, Young Bonnie Prince Charlie's Beef Wellington, Manor house duck legs, creamy butter mashed potatoes, and ye auld sticky toffee pudding. Prices are very fair, Scottish food is not very common in Illinois. Portions are very sufficient, you'll be full. Parking is easy. If you go on Fri-Sun, I recommend making a reservation. Just a note, the bread and butter was one of the highlights. If you know, you know, -deviled eggs 4 ways 5 - you have smoked salmon with egg roe, crispy bacon with red onion, spicy jalapeño, and traditional with mustard. They're all pretty good if you like deviled eggs. My personal favorites are the traditional egg with mustard and the smoked salmon. -haggis drambuie 5 - first time trying haggis. Haggis is made from sheep's pluck (heart, liver, lungs). It's very savory and goes well with the crisp toast. I took the leftovers home and ate it with rice. -beef wellington 5 - it was prepared and cooked well. Great price for this. The pastry on the outer layer was flaky. Meat was a perfect medium rare. You don't want to have it cooked longer otherwise it won't be the same. -duck legs 5 - this was my personal favorite. I would rank above the wellington. Duck is super tender and juicy. That golden maple citrus glaze and the herbs made this dish very delectable. -butter mashed potatoes 5 - mashed potatoes were perfectly creamy and buttery. It has a nice texture. Honestly, I could eat a bowl of this alone. -sticky toffee pudding 5 - We thought it was going to be sweet but it wasn't at all. Maybe just a hint but it's a good dessert to finish the meal. The date cake is very moist. Definitely try to eat the date cake with the whisky custard and toffee sauce in every bite. read more

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A couple small tweaks could make a big difference here. I see the same complaints we experienced said over and over in the lesser starred reviews. Some include: Have a savory bread selection, cook the vegetables until soft, serve the food hot. This is basic stuff yet it continues. We were sat at 5:30 one of the first guests. I ordered Bangers & Mash. The waiter came back and said "We only have one sausage" Yikes- At the start of service on a Saturday night? We were also told that there was no Haddock either. Gads! no fish and chips or soup? I was not offended by the saggy chairs or the quaint Scott forward decor and we enjoyed the bagpipes. Support your local musician! The red trout main was REALLY good. Seared to crunch but not burnt with a tasty glaze-and it was served PIPING hot. We ordered the Blairgowrie Raspberry Cream Cranachan for dessert to take away and it was delicious and a generous portion. I appreciate that you respond to reviews but for this one, instead, go tell chef that there will be hell to pay if ONE single order leaves the kitchen barely warm or one cauliflower cheese sauce goes out hard and underdone. read more

If you're in the mood for a excellent dinner, this is an excellent spot for a fancy date night. The service is excellent. The atmosphere is fantastic. We've celebrated our anniversary here a couple times and really enjoyed the experience! read more

Totally awesome in both food and ambience. We had a party of 8 and everything was perfect. Will definitely be back. Pipers are cool too!

Always a 5 star experience. This place has an excellent fish fry and supers appetizers and deserts. Can't wait to go back.

What an adorable space celebrating the Scottish history and culture! Down to the entrance, where you are immediately greeted by a bagpipe playing greeter.... What a way to set the tone! The place settings were so very cute and you can picture yourself at a kitchen table in Scotland. The ambience is very nice and filled with business meetings, to anniversaries, to family dinners. You can tell this place is special to many. We ordered appetizers and the mushrooms are a must- no pics taken because they were gone immediately. I ordered the beef Wellington- never had it before- it did not disappoint. The sides were plenty and I was full before dinner ended. The waitstaff was incredible and accommodating to our requests. Overall, a very special place to dine and enjoy a unique evening with friends! read more

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In the past six+ years, I have dined at Balmoral more than 30 times. It continues to be just as fantastic a experience as it was the first time. The staff is always friendly and efficient in their service. You will find a great menu full of Scottish themed fare. Some of my favorites are the duck dishes, the rabbit, and the Wellington. The starters are really great too. I especially like the Fat Bastard, the bone marrow, or any of the soups. And all of this excellence takes place in a richly wood panelled dining room. If you are a party of two, ask to sit at the table in the alcove. It's my wife and my favorite. read more

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Fine dining prices for Texas Roadhouse quality food. The atmosphere is very nice. Plaid walls and carpet with a very nice coffered ceiling. The service was also excellent. The food on the other hand, was less than to be desired. It wasn't good. Tough cuts of meat. Bland sides and sauces. All in all it was very disappointing. I will not return and would definitely skip it. It's on par with any chain steakhouse and not worthy of the price. I would consider coming for tea or to grab a drink at the bar, but that's about it read more

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had a great time. good spot for whiskey fans. i would like to bring more family and friends in the future. they gave us a punch card for after 12 visits u receive a $500 gift card. you just have to go 12 times within a year of the first punch i believe and spend $100 minimum not including alcohol. the skink soup was good, $11 for a bowl, not bad. the macaroni and cheese my daughter had was a good portion size. this place is great for kids. the whiskey was excellent some were out of stock tho i wanted to try. next time i will get the deviled eggs. bangers and mash was good but i enjoyed the carmelized onions the best. the sides i got i liked too. honey glazed carrots and sweet potatoes. the chicken caesar salad was a good portion size too. i like the comfy seats they have cause after all this food it's nice to have some cushioning. if you haven't been here yet you really should make a drive out. i tried the salmon too and that was really good. basically everything we had was good. just would have been nice if the fish dishes came with a side. if you like ciders they have magners, the pear flavor. service was good but nothing was offered for a birthday dessert which is not expected either so i didn't mind. the only reason i cut off a star was cause not paying cash just cost us a lot more which i think is a little chintzy. so bring cash and give this place a try! read more

Balmoral Restaurant - skink soup - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

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I have only been to Balmoral for their tea service but it was top notch. I've been to several teas in the area and the city and this was well worth it. Delicious food option, great service and calm atmosphere. We take my over 90 grandmother once a year and it is perfect for her! read more

From the moment we stepped out of our car and walked into Balmoral Restaurant, we knew we were in for something extraordinary. After a warm greeting from the very talented bagpiper followed by the bubbly smile of the hostess, we were already sold. The ambiance is a stunning blend of traditional Scottish elegance and warm hospitality! The service? Impeccable. Attentive without being intrusive, the staff made us feel genuinely welcome and guided us through the menu with such passion and knowledge, we couldn't wait to try everything!!! And the food... absolutely phenomenal! Chef Joe really knows what he's doing! Every dish was a masterpiece -- beautifully plated and bursting with authentic flavor. Definitely made with love! Also want to mention the manager Sarah. She was an absolute Gem! What an absolute stellar employee . She was so kind, funny and personable . We left feeling not just full, but genuinely enriched by the experience. Balmoral isn't just a restaurant -- it's a celebration of Scottish culture and cuisine at its finest. We will definitely be returning ! 10/10!!! read more

Scottish Experience Our server Ryan was outstanding. Large menu. We had the Beef Wellington with carrots & mashed potatoes and the Pork Chop with green beans and boiled potatoes. The kilt wearing bagpipe playing dude was excellent touch. read more

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I came here with my friends for the afternoon tea as our holiday gathering. This is my first time coming to this restaurant. The decoration transported me to somewhere in the Scottish highland. We were greeted by very cheery and attentive wait staff, who explained patiently on the tea selection. When the food came, she also took the time to explain what's on the collection. The food was good. I enjoyed the Cancun chicken salad mini sandwich, which has a bit of spicy kick. The scones have soft and warm center, perfect for the cream and jam. There was certainly more food than we could eat. We had left over to take home. Will come back to check out dinner in the future. read more

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Parking easy. The bagpiper at the front door will blow you away! Already glad you came!! Drinks interesting and delish. Loved the table setting! Food was authentic and on point! Will recommend come again read more

Service was excellent. The food on the other hand ... the bread and butter on the table were sweet, Haggis had a sauce that was sweet, mushrooms had sweet sauce, cous cous was sweet. Lamb was not sweet. The prices were through the roof. We ate much better at half the price. Real disappointment. read more

Had a craving for Balmoral so here we go again. This time dined at the bar, with top notch bartender Earl. Very enjoyable evening eating delicious food, along with friendly discussion, and of course, a refreshing cocktail. The pictures will do my talking. read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Beef Wellington. The best. - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

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I went here for Mother's Day and it was phenomenal food! My only issue was that once it got busy, our food was delayed and I saw several other tables receive their food before us. OTHERWISE, service was wonderful. The staff was just so kind and the beef Wellington and button mushrooms are worth coming back for. Was a memorable Mother's Day and a delicious one, at that! read more

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I was visiting from San Francisco to see a friend and they told me this would be a must during my visit. When we pulled up to the building I was admiring the architecture of the restaurant and how inviting it was. After we sat down our waiter Ryan greeted us and went over the menu. I had the Shepards pie and my friend got the fish and chips. Both servings were plentiful and everything tasted delicious. Ryan did a great job making our evening a memorable one. read more

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My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here to remind us of our honeymoon in Scotland. We drove an hour to get there, but we're thrilled it was worth it. The service, food, and ambience were all wonderful. We can't wait to make this a yearly tradition on our anniversary. read more

It was with a certain trepidation that we tried the Balmoral. I'm Scottish and the last thing I wanted was a pastiche, Disney version of Scottish cuisine. So it took almost a year and a half to pluck up the courage to book a table. No need to fear. It was delicious. We had the haggis ti start -fabulous. Served with crostini and fried bread (yes, fried), and it was great. I then had the bangers and mash and my better half had the trout. Both were wonderful. The drinks selection is very good, the service was on point. Let's be honest it's not cheap, but very much worth it. Won't wait so long 'till we go back. read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Bangers and mash. - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

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Today, Dcember19, we celebrated my husband's birthday-my treat-at Balmoral-an absolutely gorgeous restaurant we have been going to for years for special occasions. The food was fantastic-the scallops, Beef Wellington, and drinks (French Martini, Pear cocktail, gin and tonic and wine) was made to perfection. Cannot say enough about the food or atmosphere. The hostess was lovely and allowed us to pick the table that suited us best. All was wonderful. The bartender made us feel among friends-even coming over to us as we were leaving to ask us about our dinner. The problem was with our waiter Ryan. He ignored us from the beginning and when he finally came over I said, "I hope you're not ignoring us..." in joking manner. We ordered drinks and decided to wait a bit to order dinner. Drinks came and they were perfect. However, we continued to wait and wait for service to order as he waited on a 4 top and 6 top that came in after us. He drifted close by and I called out 3 different times but he seemed not to hear us. We finally ordered. He didn't stop by again to see if we needed a beverage while we waited-again focusing on the 4 top and 6 top near us. We waited and waited then finally approached another waiter to see if he could help us or send Ryan over. He finally showed up and we ordered drinks. After dinner, I again mentioned it was my husband's birthday. I had left the table and he had talked to my husband about a cheesecake they serve for birthdays. When I returned, we decided to enjoy a different dessert (didn't care if we had to pay for it instead of the cheesecake) and wanted to order that instead and a cappuccino. Again, he never came back to check on us and I had to find another waiter tp step in. Ryan did come by and explained he had already spoken to my husband about dessert and seemed irritated that we were changing the order. I also asked for a cappuccino. It finally came and I thought it was just a coffee with milk since there was no foam. Ryan wasn't around so I had to find another waiter to help but he said it was Ryan who had to take care of it. When he did, I pointed out that it wasn't a cappuccino since there was no foam. He said if he made it again it would look just the same so would take it off the bill. He came back with the other dessert but not another cappuccino so that was a misunderstanding on my part. Told him I would still want it and when it came it did have foam and was made properly-not the same as the first one which he said would be made the same. In general, the evening would have been special and lovely if we had been treated with the same respect and curtesy as the other guests. Our bill-for two people- was $226 (before tip) and I did leave a $50 tip even though he didn't deserve it. I hope the manager or owner steps in to curb the attitude on this waiter. read more

I was here for the traditional Scottish afternoon tea. It is a wonderful experience. You get 16+ savory and sweet bites, plus your choice of tea. I took more than half home. Herbed goat cheese sandwich, salmon sandwich, sausage in puff pastry, Madeleines, scones, etc. If you have a special occasion or person to celebrate, this is something to seriously consider. read more

What a wonderful experience! We loved every bit of our visit to Balmoral. We were greeted with a bag pipe player upon entering into this magical, cozy restaurant. The staff was attentive and polite. Our server was lovely, and everything we tried was excellent. We have actually been searching for a restaurant in the area that could truly qualify as fine dining, and we've found it. We travel a lot so we are a bit snobby when it comes to food. You will definitely be impressed if you pay Balmoral a visit. read more

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Had the chef's tasting menu. Everything was delicious. Perfectly seasoned, beautifully served, and the right temperature. Best food I've had in the Geneva/St. Charles area. The portions were a bit on the large side, but I took some away for another meal. Highly recommend!!!! read more

Our friend couldn't shut the eff up about this spot. So when the time came, I was definitely super excited. We posted up at the bar, to chill, chat, drink and have a darn good time. Let's get to the food shall we... We started off with some apps. Chicken Liver Paté: If you're not about this life, there's a diner down the street that serves chicken fingers and fried potato sticks. Take yourself there, you're entitled to your own opinion, but not where I prefer to be. The mouse is perfect and the marmalade combination is sublime! I do adore this app. Scotched Egg: Plenty of bars and restaurants serve this dish, but my biggest bias is the execution of this dish. Please refer to my photograph, that is what a Scotched Egg is suppose to look like. Runny yolk with perfectly cooked meat on the outside. I couldn't be more appreciative for their attention to detail. Now, it's time for the mains. Rabbit: Once again, please keep your opinions to yourself, just because I could care less what you basic episodes think. This rabbit is the best in the industry. Tender, perfectly seasoned and an instant comfort food for any hard core Brit. (Not photgraphed because it's the hubby's dish and he started digging into it before I had the chance.) Beef Wellington: Even in London where I usually frequent, this is a very hard dish to track down. Only a few restaurants dare to serve it, so whenever I see it on a menu, I automatically gravitate to it. The crust is perfectly flaky, the filet mignon is a perfect medium rare and the flavor is out of this world. The place is spot on British AF. The knowledge the experience and the hospitality that comes with an establishment like this definitely brings me back to running around in London. I adore everything about this joint. Earl took amazing care of us at the bar. His drinks are primo. ¡Muchos gracias y hasta pronto! Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!!! read more

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the one of a kind amazing experience ambience- 5 stars service-5 stars food- 5 stars read more

Unique restaurant in the area. The outside appearance does not do this spot justice. When I visited they had a live bagpipe player when you walked in. The interior was similar to an upscale English pub. Very English/Scottish menu lots of interesting dishes. I would put the restaurant on par with fancy places in downtown Chicago. It was not an inexpensive meal but well worth it for something different in area. read more

I love this place. I am slowly working my way through the menu, but always need to revisit my favorites. Last night was the lamb shank again. It was so tender. My wish is for the mashed potatoes to have less salt. However, I still order them. I started with the mushrooms, on the the salad with goat cheese, and finished with the shortbread dessert. I tried the pheasant last time I was there. I had never had it before. It was a great new experience for me. Congratulations on the top 100 listing. read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Ayrshires Braised Lamb Shank sides of mashed and carrots. - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

We had just moved to the area from the west coast and who knew- in the middle of the western suburbs- exists the most amazing escape to the Scottish Highlands. The most perfect scotch egg. The rich, saucy bone marrow. Beef Wellington! Fish & chips. The mushy peas. It was all so delicious. We honestly weren't expecting much going in because it all seemed a little gimmicky (which it is) but it is backed up by some serious flavors. We will definitely be back. read more

I loved this restaurant since the first day it opened its doors, I supported this place through thick and thin of the Covid era which is why when this restaurant starts following the sleepy slope of several establishments that after gaining the appreciation of their loyal customers take a "relax approach" to the cooking, it makes me sad. Don't get me wrong, the service was excellent! But when you say that the best part of your dinner was the cocktail , there is something wrong with a kitchen. When you charge $40 for the trout, you cannot serve it overcooked to a level of a dryness that you have to mask it with a quart of the drawn butter. Not acceptable for such a nice restaurant. read more

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A perfectly lovely dining experience. Step inside to enjoy elegant ambiance, fabulous food, and exemplary service. Hard to believe this little bit of Scotland is in a suburban strip mall. Love the china and the chairs in the dining room! Recommend the Sunday roast dinner, Beef Wellington and Campsie Glen Chicken. We will be back - there's more on the menu we want to try. read more

This was my first visit here and it was absolutely perfect. The food, the service and the atmosphere are amazing. Very classy and cozy! Can't wait to come back. read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Venison and duck. Delicious! - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

A few years ago after an episode of GBBO, I went in search of a local restaurant that served sticky toffee pudding. A Google search lead me to Balmoral. Although it's 45 minutes from home, I had to check it out. I instantly fell in love with it. Everything about it is perfect, from the food, to the drinks, from the quaint decor and place settings to the bagpiper, and of course, the sticky toffee pudding. The servers are warm, welcoming and attentive and the pours are generous. We have been there several times now, and have tried almost everything on the menu (well, everyone ELSE tries new things. I stick with the trout). We have never EVER been disappointed except for the one time they ran out of sticky toffee pudding. Already looking forward to our next visit!!​ read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Sticky toffee pudding - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois

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What wasn't wonderful!? When we arrived, we were greeted by a bagpiper who played music at upon our arrival. One seated, they had a relatively large drink menu to choose from and everybody in our party had a little something different. We ordered a couple different appetizers shared with the table, which were phenomenal. Everybody's meal was on point and made to perfection! Price is a little steep, but you do get what you pay for. Everything from the ambience to the table set up, the service and the meal were top notch, we will definitely return. read more

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If you are in the mood for fine dining and some delicious food you need to come here. From the moment you walk in you are greeted by bagpipers. Then you sit down at an elegantly set table. Try the haggis. No seriously. It is in a cream "gravy" so it's really good !! We got beef Wellington. It was scrumptious. Gordon Ramsey would approve !! Food takes a bit to come out but it is well worth it !! I wouldn't bring my kids here. But for a date night ? Heck yea !! read more

Balmoral Restaurant - Scottish Near Me - St Charles, Illinois