Indian food has long been a takeaway staple and it’s likely that you’ve got a place you repeat order from but with the pandemic forcing a lot of restaurants to pivot into deliveries, there are a lot more options on the market. Benares, the high-end modern Indian restaurant in Mayfair, is one such option thanks to the Benares @ Home takeaway service, available on a variety of delivery platforms and for pick-up if you’re local.
It’s a streamlined version of the menu you’d see in the restaurant, with classic dishes taking centre stage, and it travels perfectly too – the samosas were still crispy, the naans were fluffy and buttery, and the curries were piping hot. Our spread also included chicken tikka, properly charred but still juicy on the inside; a wonderfully creamy chicken makhani; and a rogan josh with super tender lamb. Don’t skip the extra condiments either – the spicy tomato masala and the date & tamarind chuntey are the icing on the cake.
Benares is more expensive than your average takeaway but you can certainly taste the difference – if you’re ordering solo though it’s worth checking out the excellent value weekday and Saturday lunch curry boxes or thali-to-go sets. For every meal ordered Benares donates one to NHS workers in the local area, so you’re doing good too just by eating dinner.