Benares
Contemporary Indian restaurant at 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair, opened in 2003 and still the square’s modern Indian fixture. Executive chef Sameer Taneja first ran the kitchen from 2012 to 2015, returned in summer 2019, and regained a MICHELIN star in 2021; the house posted that it retained the star for 2026. Official hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 14:30 and 17:30 to 22:30, Sunday dinner 18:00 to 21:30. Dress is smart casual, no shorts or flip-flops. Chicken and lamb are listed as halal. Reserve on benaresrestaurant.com; phone +44 20 7629 8886; reservations@benaresrestaurant.co.uk. The main room and several private spaces suit diaspora hosting when galleries, hotels, or evening appointments already sit in Mayfair. Tasting menus sit beside a shorter lunch if the day is already full. Ask how long the tasting runs when you book, then decide whether Connaught Bar afterward is realistic; wine pairings often push a quoted two hours closer to three. London Fashion Week and December party season compress Berkeley Square. Confirm Sunday hours if your only free night is the shorter service, and ask for a private room when you book, not at the door. Festive weeks from mid-November sometimes add extra days; check the official calendar.
- Address
- 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BS, United Kingdom
- Official website
- Visit site ↗
- Country
- United Kingdom
While you're there
Berkeley Square puts Mayfair hotels and Connaught Bar within a short walk. For another tasting register later in the week, keep A.Wong in Pimlico on the diary. Dress is smart casual; no shorts or flip-flops.
Pro Tip: Ask how long the tasting runs when you book, then decide on Connaught Bar afterward; Mayfair tables that quote two hours often run closer to three once wine pairings start.
- Best for
- A Mayfair Indian tasting when Berkeley Square is already on the diary.
- Pair with
- A walkable nightcap at Connaught Bar.
- Season / timing
- London Fashion Week and December party season compress Mayfair tables.