BENARES RESTAURANT | MAYFAIR

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Reviews

1. M G ★★☆☆☆

   I booked this place at the last minute when I was debating between Dishoom or this one. Now I know..I should have picked the former. I wanted the tasting menu, but it wasn't available and that's ok because I arrived later in the evening. What I did not like was the Maître d' (I think) who should have been friendlier. While ordering the meal, he's like sorry no dessert, later upon seeing I was also given the dessert menu he changed his tone. Disliked his nerve of making excuses to avoid service maybe because I was a single diner. The food itself was not bad, like the appetizer was expensive still the portions were really tiny. The flavour was outstanding, but the cook on the meat, nah... not good. It was still tough in texture and red on cutting through. The Lamb curry was well prepared but no sides were offered and had to be ordered separately. The dessert was superb...still by that time...I was done for the evening. Also, the prices seemed rather ridiculous, but seems like having a Michelin accreditation gave them the entitlement so they could charge more. I'll still add an extra star for above average flavours overall.

   almost 2 months ago
2. Vivian Li ★★★★★

   We had a wonderful time at Benaras. We arrived not quite knowing what to order, but the staff were incredibly friendly, offered great recommendations, and were a pleasure to talk to. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was lovely. I especially loved the Essex Farm Chicken Momo — a delicate dumpling served in a rich, flavourful chestnut soup — and the Dal Makhani, which was beautifully prepared and full of depth. The drinks were great as well. For dessert, the Khoya Kulfi and the Rasmalai were particularly interesting, with a unique medley of spices. Overall, the menu leans toward Indian fusion, and everything came together wonderfully.

   almost 3 months ago
3. Purva Chawan ★★★★★

   We had a great time at Benaras. Prabhat ji recommended the best food and drinks, and was great to talk to! Great service and lovely atmosphere. I specially loved the Essex farm chicken momo, Gatta curry and the dal makhani. For drinks, the Chutney Martini was interesting - a medley of spices. I personally loved the Gimlet and Imperial more.

   almost 4 months ago

1. William Smith ★★★☆☆

   Good but definitely not worth the price. I went to Benares with a friend on 13/09/25 for lunch. To start we had the Tandoori Ratan, a plate with three different tandoori meats, kebab, prawn and lamb chop. The lamb was excellent, the prawn great while the kebab was merely good. All three were obviously high quality ingredient-wise but seemed somewhat one-note. Then we had Meat and Kabuli Chana Masala (lamb and chickpea stew), Jhinga Moilee (prawn green curry), Dal Tadka (yellow dal) and Podi Aloo (potatoes) with Paratha (bread) and rice. The Kabuli was very nice, the lamb flavoursome and tender, the chickpeas soft but not a slurry. The Moilee was excellent, very generous with the prawns and very rich. The dal was quite mediocre; fairly watery and therefore tasteless. The potatoes were also fairly average, tasty but slightly dry. The Paratha was excellently done, crispy yet not crumbly. The rice was not noteworthy. Overall the food itself was tasty, with the portions being maybe somewhat in the smaller side. The service was attentive, although the wait time for food was maybe a little long. The atmosphere seems to be the highlight at Benares; the wall of candles upon entry into the foyer, the pond with petals, the bar, everything seems fine tuned to impress. Easily the most breathtaking restaurant I’ve been in decor-wise. The overall bill came to ~£180 (90pp). This is the main problem I have with Benares; cheap tasty Indian food is very readily available, not only in London but in the UK generally, even in more rural locations. Although the quality at Benares is obviously higher than an average run of the mill Indian restaurant, so is the price. The price at Benares is 2-5 time that’s of a normal Indian restaurant but is only marginally better taste wise, never mind smaller portions. Thus, I cannot recommend Benares. Benares seems like a restaurant that is committed to luxury and spectacle over their food, and this I find somewhat vulgar. If you want to impress somebody or celebrate with a show of wealth then Benares is the place but if you are looking for really amazing Indian food then look elsewhere.

   almost 5 months ago
2. N C ★★★★★

   We went for my wife’s birthday and had one of the best experience’s of food and service that me and my partner have received in any Indian restaurant in London! Singh was the manager on shift and yet took our order and made us feel welcomed. The other staff were friendly and really helpful too. We asked for a little extra chilly as we like our food spicy and it was delicious! Every morsel of food was perfect. Honestly the dining experience was 10/10, the food was 10/10 and the service 10/10. Cant fault them even if i tried. Halal chicken and lamb served. Must visit place for all indian food lovers and we’ll definitely be visiting again soon.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Soumyakanta Mishra ★★★☆☆

   We were looking for some authentic Indian restaurant to dine with our friends whom we were meeting almost after a decade. The occasion was special. We planned for couple of drinks , some good starters and then a light main course. We had children with us. 1. The ambience is too dull and does not appeal you with any good vibes. 2. The menu is very disorganised. The staff when asked reveal different items which are not even mentioned in the menu card. 3. You have order your drinks with one staff and food with another. 4. The portions were too small and definitely a low score on value for money. 5. The taste of dishes on main course is just average. But the service is very good, the staff guide you well through the food and drinks. The starters were good. A overall rating of 3/5 for this place

   almost 3 years ago

1. Meena Patel ★★☆☆☆

   I really wanted to like this, we were bought the tasting menu as a gift, and waited for a special occasion to use it. Unfortunately this was sub-standard. I would not recommend for the price. Good points - interesting use of seafood, never had a sea bream chaat before, and in all fairness this dish was the best we had. - wine pairings were successful flexing between both white and red wines from Europe - staff were attentive, although a bit quick to turnover courses - door staff were lovely - presentation of all the food was better than the taste Negatives - decor overall felt dated and old fashioned - food was largely bland / over spiced and not enough flavour. Actually left my main meal of sole kebab as was rubbery - overall atmosphere felt stuffy and not at all worthy of a special occasion -price did not justify vs other tasting menus. I wouldn’t have wanted seconds of anything Sign of a bad experience when partner wanted more food on the way home :-s

   almost 3 years ago
2. Hanif A ★★★★☆

   The service was a premium, the decor contemporary, the location was easy to find (with free parking during the evenings, if you can find it). The food was cooked well, the menu was detailed, and the overall impression of the restaurant was pleasant. However, I can't quite justify the minimum spend with the food. While it was good quality food, I simply couldn't quite nail down why it was Michelin star worthy - relative to other places I've been to that where either cheaper, or better food. No doubt the food was of a high quality, cooked with care, but I can't justify the premium. Overall, would recommend if someone was in the area, but wouldn't return at this price point.

   almost 3 years ago

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