The Highland Queen Chicago Menu

Welcome to The Highland Queen, your premier destination for exquisite Scottish cuisine right here in the heart of Chicago! Nestled in a vibrant part of the city, this charming eatery offers a delightful escape with its warm and inviting ambiance. Imagine a cozy setting, perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings with friends. The Highland Queen is open to serve you from Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on Sundays from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Menu Highlights

Prepare your taste buds for a journey through Scotland’s finest flavors! The Highland Queen’s menu is a testament to tradition and quality, featuring a wide array of dishes that are both comforting and sophisticated. From hearty mains to delicate starters, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Starters & Small Bites

* Scotch Eggs: Perfectly boiled eggs enveloped in seasoned sausage, breaded, and fried to golden perfection.
* Haggis Bites: Traditional Scottish savory pudding, seasoned with spices, rolled, and lightly fried for a delightful crunch.
* Cullen Skink: A rich and creamy smoked haddock soup, infused with potatoes and onions for ultimate comfort.
* Smoked Salmon Crostini: Thinly sliced smoked salmon atop toasted baguette rounds with dill cream cheese.
* Oatcakes with Cheese: Crisp, wholesome oatcakes served with a selection of fine Scottish and local cheeses.
* Potato Scones: Fluffy, pan-fried potato and flour scones, a simple yet satisfying classic appetizer.
* Black Pudding Slices: Savory slices of rich black pudding, pan-fried to a delightful crispness.
* Arbroath Smokie Paté: A creamy, flavorful paté made from smoked Arbroath haddock, perfect for spreading.
* Deep Fried Mushrooms: Button mushrooms coated in a light batter and fried until golden brown and tender.
* Battered Onion Rings: Thick-cut onion rings coated in a crispy beer batter, a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Main Courses

* Classic Fish and Chips: Flaky haddock fillet in a crisp beer batter, served with thick-cut fries and tartar sauce.
* Shepherd’s Pie: Seasoned minced lamb topped with a fluffy layer of mashed potatoes, baked until golden.
* Beef Short Ribs: Slow-braised beef short ribs, incredibly tender and falling off the bone, served with rich gravy.
* Pan-Seared Salmon: Fresh salmon fillet, perfectly seared, served with a lemon-dill sauce and seasonal vegetables.
* Chicken Balmoral: Chicken breast stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon, served with a whisky sauce.
* Lamb Shank: Braised lamb shank, slow-cooked until meltingly tender, with a rosemary-infused jus.
* Steak and Ale Pie: Tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich ale gravy, encased in flaky pastry.
* Venison Stew: Hearty stew made with succulent venison, root vegetables, and a savory herb broth.
* Cranachan Pork Belly: Crispy pork belly served with a traditional cranachan topping of oats, cream, and raspberries.
* Sausage and Mash: Premium pork sausages served with creamy mashed potatoes and rich onion gravy.
* Stovies: A traditional Scottish dish of potatoes, onions, and meat, slow-cooked to perfection for deep flavor.
* Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties: The quintessential Scottish experience with haggis, mashed turnips, and potatoes.
* Vegetarian Haggis: A flavorful plant-based alternative to traditional haggis, served with neeps and tatties.
* Macaroni Cheese: Creamy, cheesy macaroni pasta baked with a crunchy breadcrumb topping for comfort.
* Roast Chicken Dinner: Juicy roasted chicken served with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and gravy.

Sides

* Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes, the perfect accompaniment to any main dish.
* Roasted Root Vegetables: A medley of seasonal root vegetables, roasted until tender and slightly caramelized.
* Steamed Asparagus: Fresh asparagus spears, lightly steamed to retain their vibrant color and crispness.
* Garden Salad: A refreshing mix of crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.
* Chips (Fries): Crispy, golden fries, perfect for dipping and sharing.
* Neeps and Tatties: Traditional Scottish mashed turnips and potatoes, a must-have side.
* Peas Pudding: A savory side dish made from split peas, cooked until soft and creamy.

Desserts

* Cranachan: A classic Scottish dessert of whipped cream, whisky, honey, fresh raspberries, and toasted oats.
* Sticky Toffee Pudding: A moist sponge cake made with dates, drenched in a warm toffee sauce.
* Apple Crumble: Warm, baked apples topped with a buttery, crumbly oat topping, served with custard.
* Shortbread Selection: Assortment of traditional buttery Scottish shortbread cookies, a delightful sweet treat.
* Scottish Tablet: A hard, fudge-like confection made from sugar, butter, and condensed milk, a true indulgence.
* Whisky Cake: A rich fruit cake infused with the distinct flavor of Scotch whisky.
* Berry Eton Mess: A delightful mix of meringue, whipped cream, and fresh berries, a light and airy dessert.

The interior of The Highland Queen Chicago exudes a rustic charm, with warm wood accents, tartan upholstery, and subtle Scottish décor that creates an inviting and authentic atmosphere. The staff are known for their friendly demeanor and attentive service, always ready to offer recommendations or ensure your dining experience is memorable. Pricing at The Highland Queen is generally mid-range, offering excellent value for the quality of food and the generous portion sizes. The vibe is relaxed yet sophisticated, making it suitable for casual lunches, special dinners, and friendly get-togethers. You can expect a welcoming buzz without it being overwhelmingly loud, allowing for comfortable conversation.

The Highland Queen in Chicago truly shines with its exceptional Scottish fare. Diners rave about the **Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties**, often cited as the most authentic and delicious outside of Scotland. The **Cullen Skink** is another standout, praised for its creamy richness and deep smoky flavor. This establishment is perfect for anyone with an appreciation for hearty, traditional cuisine, lovers of Scotch whisky, and those seeking a cozy, welcoming dining experience. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Scottish food or looking to explore new tastes, The Highland Queen is a must-visit. It’s a place where you can feel the warmth of Scotland in every bite and every smile.

Restaurant Planning Notes

This guide is designed to help readers compare The Highland Queen, in Chicago with clearer visit planning, menu context, and practical ordering checks. Restaurant details can change quickly, so the final booking, menu, hours, and price details should always be confirmed through a current official source before visiting.

How to Use This Guide

Use this page as a starting point before you travel, book, or place an order. First, decide whether The Highland Queen, fits the occasion: a quick meal, a casual catch-up, a family dinner, a date night, takeaway, or a more planned restaurant visit. Second, compare the likely menu style with what your group actually wants. Third, confirm the live details that can change: opening hours, booking rules, menu availability, prices, service fees, dietary handling, and delivery coverage.

This matters because restaurant pages become outdated quickly. A static page can still help when it explains how to think about the menu, what to verify, and how to avoid common ordering mistakes. Treat this guide as an editorial checklist, then use the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, or current delivery listing for final confirmation.

Practical Menu Notes

The Highland Queen, is best approached as a restaurant dining option. Readers should look for mains, shareable plates, drinks, desserts, and visit-specific menu choices. If the current menu is long, avoid choosing only by the first dish name you recognise. A better method is to compare the main categories, then choose one anchor item, one supporting item, and one side or drink that balances the meal.

For first-time visitors, start with the dish category the restaurant is most clearly known for, then add one balancing side. For groups, order across categories instead of choosing several similar dishes. That gives everyone a better sense of the restaurant and usually makes the meal easier to share. If you are ordering takeaway or delivery, choose items that travel well and keep sauces, toppings, or delicate sides separate where possible.

Real-World Visit Checks

• Check current hours: restaurant trading times can change by season, staffing, holidays, and private events.
• Check booking rules: popular venues may need reservations, deposits, seating limits, or cancellation notice.
• Check the latest menu: dishes, prices, lunch specials, tasting menus, and delivery options can change without warning.
• Check the location: restaurants with similar names, branches, or old listings can cause confusion in maps and delivery apps.
• Check value before ordering: compare portion size, sharing style, service fees, and delivery charges rather than looking only at headline menu prices.

Dietary and Allergy Notes

Do not rely only on a third-party guide for allergy, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, or other dietary guarantees. Even when a menu item sounds suitable, preparation can involve shared fryers, shared utensils, dairy-based sauces, nuts, seafood, eggs, wheat, or other ingredients that are not obvious from a short menu title.

If a dietary requirement matters, ask the restaurant directly before ordering. Useful questions include whether the dish contains the ingredient, whether it is cooked on shared equipment, whether substitutions are possible, and whether staff can record the request clearly. That direct check is more reliable than assuming based on a menu category.

Editorial Note and Author Information

Author: MyReserveTable Editorial Team. This guide is prepared as a practical restaurant planning resource. Readers should confirm live restaurant details such as current menus, prices, hours, booking rules, and dietary handling directly with the restaurant before visiting or ordering.

Verification Notes

• Menus, prices, opening hours, bookings, delivery coverage, and dietary handling can change quickly.
• Before visiting, confirm current details through the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, map listing, or current delivery listing.
• If two public sources disagree, prefer the newest official restaurant source.