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Address: 1st Floor/12a Berkeley Square House Berkeley Square Westminister, England - Map - Contact details
Cuisine: Indian
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DAYS OF BUSINESS

Mon - Thu:12:00 to 14:30
17:30 to 23:00
Fri:12:00 to 14:30
Sat:17:30 to 23:00
Sun:18:00 to 22:30
A unique eating experience, Benares has established itself as one of the finest restaurants in London, winning accolades for its delicately spiced food and striking design.

Latest User Reviews

"I went to the restaurant tonight 01/09/07 and I am honestly telling you it is the worst indian food I have ever had - please do not go here. As someone of Indian origin I can confirm that this food is in no way authentic and you would have better luck at your local curry house. Go to Chutney Marys or veraswamy where the serve real indian food. This is a wannabe restaurant which has lost its dire.." more reviews

Chef

Atul Kochhar - Highly lauded chef-patron Atul Kochhar is reconfirmed as the best Indian chef in London! Atul was the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star at Tamarind four years ago and In the three years since opening his own Restaurant Benares, set in classy Mayfair; he has acomplished setting a prestigious standard in what he delivers, and has established Benares as one of London's best Indian restaurants.
In 2006 Atul took part in the BBC2's Great British Menu where he competed against other top British chefs for the chance to cook for the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations. (If you didn't catch the last series, Highlights are being shown on the 17th February on Saturday Kitchen at 10.am.) In April 2007 Atul will return to our screens in a second series of the show where he will be up against The Boxwood Café's Stuart Gillies.

Price Guide

Entrée £6.50 - £16.50, Main £15.95 - £38, Dessert £6.50

Payment Options

Cash, Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Diners

Set Menus

Set menu 1 £29.95 3 course

Features

Dress smart casual, Licensed, Private dining area

Ambience

Contemporary, Formal, Relaxed, Romantic, Sophisticated, Suitable for business, Trendy

Styles

Cocktail, Sit down

Entertainment

Audio visual

Suitable For

Birthday/Anniversary, Business lunch/dinner, Christmas party

Large groups information

Bar reception prior to eating, 100 people.

Specially designed menus are offered at this level.

Deposit of 50% required for all exclusive bookings.

Musical entertainment can be arranged.

Floral arrangements and lighting designs available.

Restaurant areas and private dining

Area name Capacity seated Capacity standing
Entire Restaurant 160 440
Bruton Room 22 40
Dover Room 12 n/a
Semi Private Lounge 30 n/a
The Bar 70 n/a

Awards

2007 - One-Michelin-star restaurants in London - Michelin star guide
 

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A La Carte Menu    Wine List
Appetisers
Paneer aur khumbi: salad of Tandoor Grilled Indian Cottage Cheese, Portobello Mushroom, Avocado and Baby Chard with Blue Cheese Dressing
Tawae ki tikka aur tandoori phool: duo of Griddled Potato Cakes with Spinach and Leeks, Served with Tandoori Broccoli
Jal tarang: salad of Scallops, Grilled Prawns, Gem Lettuce with Grape-Ginger Dressing
Karara kekda: crisp Soft Shell Crab with Spicy Squid and Peruvian Potato Salad with Passion Fruit Dressing
Tandoori ratan: kebab Platter with Combination of Lamb Chop, Chicken Tikka and King Prawn
Accompaniments & Breads
Naan/ Pyaz aur cheese ka kulcha/ masala kulcha: plain, Onion & Cheese or Spicy Potato Naan
Saag panner: ground Spinach with Indian Cottage Cheese
Gobi aloo: sautéed Cauliflower and Potatoes with Turmeric and Cumin
Dal: black or Yellow Lentil Preparation
Main Course
Manglorean machchi: tandoor-Roasted Monk Fish Served with Mushroom Kedgeree and Coriander-Ginger Sauce
Lagista xec xec: goan Style Lobster Masala in Coconut, Clove and Cinnamon Sauce Served with Fennel, Baby corn and Cucumber Salad
Rogan Josh: lamb Braised with Cinnamon, Ginger & Kashmiri Chillies
Dum ki lauki: steamed Bottle-gourd Stuffed with Haloumi Cheese, Nuts and Peppers in Cashew Nut and Caramelised Onion Sauce
All efforts have been made by www.menulog.co.uk to ensure the accuracy of this restaurant's menus at the time of publishing. However, we cannot guarantee that the menu or prices will be valid at the time of your visit.
All prices are in Great Britain Pounds (GBP£) unless otherwise specified.
This menu was last updated on 7/4/07.

User rating

  (142 reviews)
Overall 7.7
Food 8
Ambience 7
Service 8
Value 7.8

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will be published. Swearing, personal attacks or competitor
comparisons will not be published.
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Food
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Previous user experiences

Overall 1 - Food 1, Ambience 1, Value 1, Service 1

I went to the restaurant tonight 01/09/07 and I am honestly telling you it is the worst indian food I have ever had - please do not go here. As someone of Indian origin I can confirm that this food is in no way authentic and you would have better luck at your local curry house. Go to Chutney Marys or veraswamy where the serve real indian food. This is a wannabe restaurant which has lost its direction - what is it? I have no idea what the chef is thinking about - there is nothing I could eat and what I ordered was tasteless. The service is poor, the toilets dirty and drinks over priced. Please do not waste your money!!!   (rubbish - September, 2007)

Plus Overall 7.7 - Food 8, Ambience 7, Value 7.89, Service 8 from 141 ratings
"Set in the heart of Mayfair in a room with a wow factor to match the location, Benares offers speciality dishes from all over the Subcontinent... In Atul Kochhar, Benares has arguably the best Indian chef in the capital..."

Paul Henderson, GQ Magazine - November 2007
"Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a sophisticated night out..."

Knight Hooson, View London - August 2007
"Benares is notable for the outstanding quality of the ingredients that the kitchen uses and the abundance with which they are served..."

N/A, London Restaurant Guide - August 2007
"The forte is seafood, and we were impressed by a scrumptious starter of battered soft-shell crab..."

N/A, Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2007 - September 2006
"'Thrumming with financial types', this 'slightly business-y', 'beautiful' Berkeley Square site displays great 'attention to detail' in its 'serene setting' (candles, 'pools with floating flowers') and 'haute Indian cuisine' done with flair and a light touch'; it's a pity 'the portions and the prices are incersely proportional', and that 'depending on the night the staff can be absolutely fine' or 'pushy'; still, it's a 'luxurious' escape from the usual elsewhere'."

Troy Segal, Zagatsurvey 2007 - September 2006
"Hits on the menu include salad of scallops prawns and pomegranate in a mint and ginger dressing, carb simmered in coconut and chilli, and chilliinfused grilled pineapple with coconut ice-cream. But not every dishes delivers and portions are modest."

Insight City Guide London, Robin Young - December 2003