INDIAN ESSENCE Delight in the Tasting Menu at Michelin-Starred Benares

Although the food is Indian, there is nothing predictable about Benares’ offering. The chef puts his stamp on the food by infusing typical British ingredients into traditional Indian dishes. The tasting menu is a compilation of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. It’s a “procession of well thought out food, executed to a very high standard, offering a deep dive into a complex underworld of spice, heat and aromatic flavour.”

The seven-course menu begins with an amuse bouche to warm up the palate for what is to come. Guests can look forward to dishes of shellfish, chicken and seafood that are presented like works of art. Enjoy a much-needed palate cleanse, mid-meal in the form of iced sherbet before indulging in a rump of English lamb, Rogan jus and creamy Dal Makhni. End on a sweet note with Passion Fruit Suji Cake and Pomegranate Bhapa Doi, a delicious steamed yoghurt dessert served with rhubarb jelly.

Guests can choose to elevate the occasion with wine pairing from the onsite sommelier. Take home a personalised menu as a reminder of this indulgent experience that will leave your taste buds tantalised and tongues wagging.

More About Benares

Benares Restaurant is located near Green Park on the east side of Berkeley Square. The stylish restaurant blends modern furnishings with traditional Indian touches. Expect Mughal-style water tanks decorated with hibiscus flowers and floating candles. The dimly lit interior is beautifully chic but not outlandish.

The restaurant is named after the ancient city of Varanasi, known as Benares in India, which is a significant spiritual and cultural hub. This name reflects the restaurant’s commitment to blending traditional Indian cooking with innovative modern techniques, creating a unique dining experience.

Under the leadership of Executive Chef Sameer Taneja, Benares has reintroduced a menu that focuses on simplicity and precision, utilizing high-quality British ingredients. Chef Taneja's approach combines Indian flavours with classical French techniques, a reflection of his extensive global culinary experience. This innovative culinary style has not only retained but also regained a Michelin Star for the restaurant in recent years​.