RestaurantsLondonMayfairW1
HARDENS CLUB PARTNER

survey result

Summary

£95
 ££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Sameer Taneja’s “exceptional” cuisine continues to maintain the high standing of this well-known Berkeley Square destination. Despite the odd “unexciting” report, most accounts are of “fabulous” meals from “a menu that’s very spice-led and refined-tasting”. Located on the first floor, its modern design “doesn’t feel too ‘posh Mayfair’ in ambience terms”, with meals here said to be “well-paced” and “refreshing”.

Summary

£101
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Returning to form following the departure of Atul Kochhar” – this “stunning” first-floor venue on Berkeley Square won renewed kudos this year under new executive chef Sameer Taneja. The “top-notch” Indian cuisine – “perfectly presented and fantastically flavoursome” – has achieved “a well-deserved return to Michelin star status” and service is “just as impressive – attentive and super-friendly”.

Summary

£104
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Mixed reports in the last survey on this swish first-floor Indian, in the heart of Mayfair, which severed ties in August 2018 with its original founder. Fans said it was “still excellent, despite Atul Kochhar’s departure”, serving “very nicely balanced, spiced and well-prepared” Indian cuisine that offers “a real twist compared to what’s usually found in the UK”. Its ratings waned, though, with gripes re-emerging about its slightly “dull” interior, and with concerns about cooking that “may not justify the price tag”.

Summary

£104
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Mixed reports this year on this swish first-floor Indian, in the heart of Mayfair, which severed ties in August 2018 with its original founder. Fans say it’s “still excellent, despite Atul Kochhar’s departure”, serving “very nicely balanced, spiced and well-prepared” Indian cuisine that offers “a real twist compared to what’s usually found in the UK”. Its ratings have waned, though, with gripes re-emerging about its “windowless”, slightly “dull” interior, but more concerningly about cooking that “may not justify the price tag”: “just go to Dishoom, get better food, have more fun and save your cash!”

For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Benares?

Owner's description

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 complimented 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 10 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.
 

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Lunch £35.00 £42.00
Pretheatre £35.00 £42.00
  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 73.00 Lunch only 6
Menu2 128.00 Dinner only 10

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£6.00 £30.00 £12.00 £10.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £38.00
Filter Coffee £5.00
Extras  
Service 15.00%

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Menu
16, 36, 8, 10
No trainers
150
Yes

The chef

Executive Chef Sameer Taneja

Private dining

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 (Wine Room) 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 Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Benares Restaurant in W1, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Benares restaurant.
Matthew C
Great Thali...
Reviewed 9 months, 26 days ago

"Great Thali"

Report this comment
Myra C
Misleading special offer of bottomless Thal...
Reviewed 9 months, 27 days ago

"Misleading special offer of bottomless Thali. Only two items were 'bottomless' namely the rice and bread. Portions were on the small side but most importantly, didn't have any depth of flavour. Eaten here in the past and previously found the food very good. I think this special offer was underwhelming."

Report this comment
Myra C
Misleading special offer of bottomless Thal...
Reviewed 9 months, 27 days ago

"Misleading special offer of bottomless Thali. Only two items were 'bottomless' namely the rice and bread. Portions were on the small side but most importantly, didn't have any depth of flavour. Eaten here in the past and previously found the food very good. I think this special offer was underwhelming."

Report this comment
Stephen K
Worth going for the food. Tables are crowd...
Reviewed 11 months, 29 days ago

"Worth going for the food. Tables are crowded and the service is not always attentive."

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Benares?
Post your own review of Benares and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review
12a Berkeley Square House, , London, W1J 6BS
Make A Booking
Number of Diners:
Required Time:
Powered by OpenTable
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm
Sunday6 pm‑9:30 pm

The 2024 Harden's Guide

2024 Hardens London Restaurant Guide

"User friendly in price, size and outlook"

Financial Times