Award-winning

Benares

Name: Benares
Address: 12a Berkeley Square, London, United Kingdom, W1J 6BS
Telephone: 020 7629 8886
Price range: £41 and over
Rating: 4.5

4.5

6099 Reviews

£41 and over

Indian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 15, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 27 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Fancy
Good for business meals

Indian Fine Dining Restaurant with British Flair in the Heart of Mayfair.

Benares Restaurant and Bar since its opening in 2003 has been considered one of the finest Indian Restaurants in the city.

Guests enter an elegant lounge with hand-crafted India inspired furniture and is complemented by a beautiful pond decorated with fresh flowers, creating a luxurious aesthetic.

Benares has 4 private dining rooms, three of which are around the lounge: the Berkeley Room which seats up to 16 guests, the Sommeliers Table which seats up to 10 guests and a Chefs Table overlooking the kitchen which seats up to 8 guests. The lounge area leads into the main dining room which can accommodate up to 80 guests. Our largest private dining area, the Dover room seating up to 36 guests is on the other side of the main dining room.

Benares can be hired for exclusive events accommodating 100 guests for a sit-down dinner and 250 guests for a standing reception.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
Indian, Modern European
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
020 7629 8886
Website
http://www.benaresrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Sameer Taneja
Catering
Benares is available for exclusive hire for lunch and dinner, as well as drinks and canapé reception.<br />The main restaurant can accommodate up to 150 guests (seated) and can hold up to 300 guests (standing), using the Lounge, The Berkeley and The Dover rooms.
Private party facilities
Based in the exclusive and vibrant Mayfair, Benares puts on a classy performance with its striking contemporary design
Private party contact
our team: 020 7629 8886 x2

Location
12a Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BS
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
Neighbourhood
Mayfair
Parking details
Paid public parking is located in the surrounding area of Berkeley Square and Davies Street. Parking is free on Sundays
Public transit
Green Park station is located within a five minute walk from Benares. Furthermore, Bond Street Station is located within a 7 minute walk from Benares.
Entertainment
We do not offer daily entertainment but for private dining events please contact our events manager at events@benaresrestaurant.co.uk and we will happily attend to your requests.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Festive Tasting Menu @£139pp
Dec 1, 2024 - Dec 30, 2024
Festive Tasting Menu @£139pp
Festive Vegetarian Tasting Menu @£129pp
Dec 1, 2024 - Dec 30, 2024
Festive Vegetarian Tasting Menu @£129pp
2 Course December Set Menu @£53 pp
Dec 1, 2024 - Dec 30, 2024
2 Course December Set Menu @£53 pp

Popular dishes

Tandoori Raan£27.00
Chicken Tikka, Kasundi King Prawn, Mutton Seekh Kebab
Malabar Scallops£33.00
Hand Dived Scottish Scallops Baked on Shell, Coconut Curry, Malabar Parantha
Machi Ceviche Chaat£20.00
Cured Sea-Bream, Porlock Bay Oyster, Aam-Panna Tiger Milk, Avocado Purée
Essex Farm Steamed Chicken Momo, Truffle Pālmier£22.00
Cured Sea-Bream, Porlock Bay Oyster, Aam-Panna Tiger Milk, Avocado Purée
Essex Farm Steamed Chicken Dumpling, Chestnut and Shorba, Black Summer Truffle£26.00
Hiran Boti Tikka£26.00
Curry and Coriander Flavoured Morsels of Fallow Deer Fillet, Garlic Yoghurt, Chilli Chutney
Jungle Khumb Kebab£22.00
Portobello Mushroom and Truffle Griddled Kebab with Hint of White Chocolate
Paneer Gulaoti£20.00
Goat’s Milk Paneer Tikka, Beetroot & Lime Murabba, Bhakri, Pecan Nuts
Samosa Ragda Tartlet£18.00
Crushed Warm Potato on Carom Seed Tartlet

SIDES

Palak Paneer£15.00
Cottage Cheese Cooked with Spiced Spinach
Bhindi Do Pyaza£14.00
Stir Fry Okra with Onions
Podi Aloo£12.00
Organic Potatoes with Spiced Podi
Dal Makhani£15.00
Benares Signature Black Lentils
Dal Tadka£14.00
Cumin Tempered Yellow Lentils
Assorted Papad£5.00
Sour Yoghurt, Mint Chutney, Himalayan Potato Chutney, Pickle Oil
Punjabi Onion Salad£5.00

BREADS AND RICE

Kulcha£8.00
Vegetable/Chilli and Cheese/Peshwari
Roti£6.00
Plain/Butter/Missi (Gluten Free)
Paratha£6.00
Whole Wheat
Naan£6.00
Plain/Buttered/Garlic and Coriander
Pulao£7.00
Aromatic Spiced Rice
Chawal£6.00
Steamed Rice
Raita£6.00
Cumin/Boondi

MAIN DISHES

Samundri Thali£59.00
Tandoori Scallop, Lemon Sole Curry, Steamed Sea Bass, Prawn Pickle
Chapkan Ka Pulao£48.00
Smoked Spiced Marinated Lamb Cutlets, Baked with Basmati Rice and Aromats, Pink Peppercorn Raita, Meat Curry
Meen Dakshini£42.00
Tawa Masala Halibut, Portsmounth Clam Moilee, Curry Leaf Rogan
Batak Nihari£42.00
Pan Roasted Silver Hill Duck Breast, Crispy Fried Courgette, Bok-Choy with Hot Honey
Kale Aur Anjeer Kafta Korma£32.00
Cavolo Nero Dumplings, Fresh Figs, Cashew Nut Korma
Kathal Biryani (Serves Two)£46.00
Sealed and Baked Layered Coastal Spiced Jackfruit and Basmati Rice, Citrus Raita

TRADITIONAL DISHES

Murg Makhani£37.00
Chicken Tikka Simmered in Buttered, Tomato Gravy
Meat Curry£39.00
Kashmiri Style Lamb Stew with Fennel and Saffron
Konkan Prawn Curry£39.00
Coconut and Green Chilli Flavoured Prawn Stew
Fish and Egg Curry£35.00
Seabass and Clarence Court Farm Free, Range Eggs in Kokum Curry
Kabuli Chickpea Masala£26.00
Carom Seeds and Dried Pomegranate, Spiced Chickpea Masala

What 6,099 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

West End (London)
Indian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Benares offers an exceptional dining experience in Mayfair, with "amazing food" and "attentive service." The restaurant presents a "superb" combination of traditional and innovative Indian dishes, making it a favorite for special occasions. While prices are high, many find the "great value" in their lunch menus. However, some diners note occasional service inconsistencies and ambiance issues. Overall, Benares stands out as one of the "best Indian restaurants" in London.

6,099 Reviews

J
Joanne
London
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This was one of the best meals we have had in a very long time. We had the festive tasting menu, cocktails and the wine pairing which certainly wasn’t cheap but worth every penny. The service was spot on without being overwhelming. The food and the wines were exquisite and the wines came in generous portions. The sommelier was very knowledgeable. Timing was perfect. Will save up and go again soon.
Is this helpful?
T
Tammy
London
6 reviews
vip
1.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
My friends and I (6 of us) had a booking at Benares for Christmas (mid December). I'd heard about Benares for a long time so I was really looking forward to it. When we arrived they did have a cloakroom downstairs but didn't offer to take our coats which was annoying. We sat down around 7 but didn't receive our first courses until 7.45. When I came to ordering my food, I was sharing with my partner and made the waiter aware of my nut allergy (I am severely allergic to cashew nuts and pistachios which I know is used in a lot of Indian dishes). The waiter said that was fine and moved on. Great I thought. I thought wrong! When our food arrived they plonked the murgh mahkani in front of me and the meat curry in front of my partner and the waiter proceeded to tell me "this one contains nuts" (pointing to the murgh mahkani). I was a bit shocked by this statement and thought, this can't be right as I told him that I had an allergy, so I questioned what he meant. "Yes, I know you have an allergy that's why I'm telling you this one has nuts as I know you're sharing." Not entirely sure of the logic here but this infuriated me. Why on earth would I tell someone when I'm ordering I'm severely allergic to nuts (to the point I do carry around epipens) for them to give me a curry that contains nuts!? I informed the waiter quite firmly that I made him aware of my nut allergy when ordering and why would he proceed to give me a curry with nuts?! After some back and forth arguing he reluctantly took back the curry and informed me through gritted teeth that they would order me something else. I then proceeded to speak to another manager who was very apologetic and informed me that this wouldn't happen again. As much as I appreciated the apology, this doesn't suggest to me that this restaurant takes a nut allergy seriously, which in this day and age is worrying (especially as there might be people out there with a more severe nut allergy than me). This manager did take mine and
Is this helpful?
OZ
OferZ
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Super friendly team from start to finish. Food was exceptional - Star dish was Chicken Dumplings. Thank you and Well done!
Is this helpful?
D
Dave
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great restaurant, incredible food and excellent service. Singh was an amazing host!
Is this helpful?
N
Naveed
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Overall, not as good as it used to be. We found food to be just okay. Expected a bit more - taste, flavours, etc.. one of dish was not even seasoned appropriately. Napkin left fluff on my cloths which I couldn't even see at the restaurant because of dark lighting. We tasted everything but didn't eat most of the food given to us and no-one cared. Server only asked if everything was okay as we were paying/leaving. Don't let yourselves down people. You can do better, provide warmth in your service. (15% addition is not motivating?) Put some excitement in your menu. We found it to be borderline boring (sorry). Explore decent combinations of ingredients - it's only reasonable for guests to expect more! do more! care more! We were a disappointed but wish you all the best and hope that you improve.
Is this helpful?
P
Preeti
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Mr. Singh was good and he with his friends did good job .
Is this helpful?
t
tony
London
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A Lunch break from Christmas shopping. This is probably my 10th visit and they never disappoint. I’ll definitely be back again..
Is this helpful?
c
carol
London
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and service again. A very enjoyable lunch with my old friend
Is this helpful?
B
Bhupendra
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Thank you for a wonderful experience I have been many times now and every time has been exceptional. Sameer is a brilliant chef and so happy to meet you every time. I will continue coming there as it’s brilliant
Is this helpful?
J
Janet
Brighton
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
The food was underrated. It was nice. I can’t say I’d be back.
BenaresResponded on November 26, 2024
Dear Janet, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the food, although we regret that it didn’t fully meet your expectations. We always strive to provide a memorable experience and appreciate your feedback. Warm regards, The Benares Team
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FAQs

Benares does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Benares is rated 4.5 stars by 6099 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 15, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 27 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

12a Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BS

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
Neighbourhood
Mayfair
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
Indian, Modern European
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Paid public parking is located in the surrounding area of Berkeley Square and Davies Street. Parking is free on Sundays
Public transit
Green Park station is located within a five minute walk from Benares. Furthermore, Bond Street Station is located within a 7 minute walk from Benares.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Sameer Taneja
Entertainment
We do not offer daily entertainment but for private dining events please contact our events manager at events@benaresrestaurant.co.uk and we will happily attend to your requests.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.benaresrestaurant.com/
Phone number
020 7629 8886
Catering
Benares is available for exclusive hire for lunch and dinner, as well as drinks and canapé reception.<br />The main restaurant can accommodate up to 150 guests (seated) and can hold up to 300 guests (standing), using the Lounge, The Berkeley and The Dover rooms.
Private party facilities
Based in the exclusive and vibrant Mayfair, Benares puts on a classy performance with its striking contemporary design
Private party contact
our team: 020 7629 8886 x2

Benares

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

Festive Tasting Menu @£139pp

Festive Vegetarian Tasting Menu @£129pp

2 Course December Set Menu @£53 pp

Lamb Chop Pulao

Tandoori Muntjac

Malabar Scallops

APPETISERS

Tandoori Raan£27.00

Malabar Scallops£33.00

Machi Ceviche Chaat£20.00

Essex Farm Steamed Chicken Momo, Truffle Pālmier£22.00

Essex Farm Steamed Chicken Dumpling, Chestnut and Shorba, Black Summer Truffle£26.00

Hiran Boti Tikka£26.00

Jungle Khumb Kebab£22.00

Paneer Gulaoti£20.00

Samosa Ragda Tartlet£18.00

SIDES

Palak Paneer£15.00

Bhindi Do Pyaza£14.00

Podi Aloo£12.00

Dal Makhani£15.00

Dal Tadka£14.00

Assorted Papad£5.00

Punjabi Onion Salad£5.00

BREADS AND RICE

Kulcha£8.00

Roti£6.00

Paratha£6.00

Naan£6.00

Pulao£7.00

Chawal£6.00

Raita£6.00

MAIN DISHES

Samundri Thali£59.00

Chapkan Ka Pulao£48.00

Meen Dakshini£42.00

Batak Nihari£42.00

Kale Aur Anjeer Kafta Korma£32.00

Kathal Biryani (Serves Two)£46.00

TRADITIONAL DISHES

Murg Makhani£37.00

Meat Curry£39.00

Konkan Prawn Curry£39.00

Fish and Egg Curry£35.00

Kabuli Chickpea Masala£26.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Benares offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Benares restaurant rated?

Is Benares currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information