When it comes to high-end Indian restaurants in London, Benares has been one of the places leading the way. Opened in 2003, the Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant has had a recent refurbishment, including new foliage and a candle wall in the reception area; a reimagined bar; and ornate ceiling artwork and backlit Jali panels on the walls in the main dining room, inspired by the holy city of Varanasi (colloquially known as Benares) that gives the restaurant its name. The menus (there are a number of set and tasting options as well as a la carte) blend British ingredients with Indian flavours and techniques, and include dishes like chicken makhani; tandoori lamb chops; winter truffle and rabbit stew; oysters and Goan sausage vindaloo with sanna; tawa masala halibut with raw mango shellfish curry; and rasmalai with rose, cardamom and vanilla.