Varanasi

Featured reviews

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  Nya

  ·1 month ago

  “Had such a lovely experience at Varanasi! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was really nice. Tariq and Ali were amazing waiters — both were so friendly, attentive and welcoming throughout our visit. They even surprised us by bringing out a birthday cake for our birthday, which was such a lovely touch and made the celebration even more special. Thank you to Tariq and Ali for making our experience so enjoyable! We’ll definitely be coming back. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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  Ruthie Odewale

  ·3 months ago

  “We came after the kitchen shut and they still accommodated us. Wahid, Nahid, Tareque and the receptionist, thank you very much for making my friends graduation dinner special, you guys went above and beyond for us and we had a great time! The food was delicious and presentation was great. Definitely recommend as I see why my friend has been here 3 times.”

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• K

  K R D

  ·4 months ago

  “**Disappointing Food and Service Hidden Behind a Beautiful Venue** Having dined at some of the UK's finest Indian restaurants, I was genuinely looking forward to visiting Varanasi. Unfortunately, while the restaurant excels in aesthetics and ambience, the food and service fell well short of what I would expect from a venue positioning itself as a premium fine-dining Indian restaurant. The restaurant itself is stunning. The décor, atmosphere and overall presentation are among the most impressive in Birmingham. Sadly, the food does not match the surroundings. The cuisine is marketed as Indian, but what was served felt much closer to the style of food commonly found in many Bangladeshi-run high street curry houses. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that style of cuisine in itself, and many such establishments offer excellent food and value for money. However, when dishes are priced at around £24 per curry and the restaurant presents itself as a premium fine-dining Indian destination, expectations are naturally much higher. Unfortunately, Varanasi failed to deliver that distinction. The Papri Chaat was one of the poorest versions I have had, overwhelmed by tamarind sauce and lacking balance. The Paneer Karahi was equally disappointing; the paneer was pale yellow, firm and lacked the fresh, soft texture you would expect from a premium Indian restaurant. When we requested a dish to be made spicier, the kitchen appeared to simply add extra green chillies. Increasing heat is not the same as increasing flavour. Authentic Indian cooking is about balance and depth, and that was missing throughout the meal. The quality of the meat was also underwhelming. The grill sharing platter contained lamb that was noticeably chewy and far from the tender, premium-quality meat expected at these prices. Service was average. We were told we had to order starters and mains together, something I have never encountered before in a restaurant of this type. It felt unnecessarily restrictive and not particularly customer-focused. The drinks offered poor value too. My £14 Long Island Iced Tea was one of the weakest I've ever had, served in a glass packed with ice and finished in just a few sips. Our bill came to around £350 including the 12% service charge. For that level of spend, I expect exceptional food, attentive service and a memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, Varanasi delivered only on the aesthetics. If you're visiting for the décor and atmosphere, you'll likely enjoy it. If you're looking for authentic, high-quality Indian cuisine, there are far better options available. In short, Varanasi looks like a premium Indian restaurant and charges like one, but unfortunately does not cook like one”

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• S

  Skylark

  ·5 months ago

  “We had the pleasure to visit a hidden gem in town Varanasi and thoroughly impressed. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between modern and cozy, making it a great spot for our special night out. The food was absolutely delicious—the lamb and chicken dishes cooked to perfection and packed with authentic flavour. Service was prompt and spot on .Johnny Depp was right because This is definitely the best Indian restaurant in UK . Definitely coming back. If you want to visit a place with immense aesthetic ambience value and service , this place is a must go”

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• K

  Kedarnath Chinni

  ·5 months ago

  “The food was absolutely delicious, full of flavour, and every dish was prepared so well. Tarieq and Prani were both incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout the visit. Their smiling hospitality and positive attitude made the whole experience feel warm and comfortable from the moment we arrived. It’s always nice to visit a place where the staff genuinely care about their customers and create such a pleasant atmosphere. The service was excellent, the ambience was lovely, and overall it was a fantastic experience. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great food and outstanding customer service, and I’ll surely be visiting again!”

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  Simon Buckingham

  ·5 months ago

  “Wow, what a fascinating place and massively unexpected. The venue is unreal! Food was fantastic, different to my “usual” Indian meals so it was nice to have some variation. Service was a tad slow coming out. Some of my dishes were cold which was disappointing as this means they were sat around either for rest of my table to be ready, or they were forgotten. It was not massively busy so I’m not sure if just a bad night for them. That aside, I would recommend this place hands down especially for the experience.”

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• P

  Plate me up

  ·6 months ago

  “Varanasi is not just a restaurant; it's an experience. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a world of opulence and exquisite flavors. The ambiance is stunning, with luxurious decor and a vibrant atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. The menu at Varanasi is a culinary journey through India, offering a modern twist on traditional dishes. Each plate is a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The chefs use only the freshest ingredients, and their passion for food shines through in every bite. Whether you're a fan of spicy curries or prefer milder flavors, there's something for everyone to enjoy. What truly sets Varanasi apart is the exceptional service. The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making your dining experience perfect. They go above and beyond to ensure that every need is met, and their warm hospitality makes you feel like a valued guest. If you're looking for a truly special dining experience in Birmingham, Varanasi is a must-visit.”

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• Z

  Zain

  ·6 months ago

  “Absolutely loved my experience at Varanasi! The food was outstanding, with rich and authentic flavours and a modern twist. Every dish was beautifully presented and clearly made with attention to detail. The staff were friendly especially Ray, attentive, and made us feel really welcome from start to finish. The atmosphere is just as impressive, elegant and vibrant, and perfect for both a special occasion or a relaxed evening out. You can really feel the effort that’s gone into creating a unique dining experience. Highly recommend if you’re looking for high-quality Indian cuisine. Will definitely be coming back!”

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• M

  Magdalena Kampa

  ·8 months ago

  “I’ve visited Varenasi twice – once for Valentine’s Day and once for a regular dinner – and both experiences were truly exceptional. The food was absolutely delicious each time, beautifully presented and full of flavour. You can really see and taste the attention to detail in every dish. The restaurant itself is stunning – elegant, atmospheric and perfect for both romantic occasions and relaxed evenings out. What impressed me the most was the service. The waitresses were incredibly professional, attentive and genuinely interested in both me and my partner. They spoke to us as a couple, not just to one person at the table, which made the experience feel respectful, warm and inclusive. That level of awareness and hospitality is rare and very much appreciated. Everything felt thoughtful – from the presentation of the food to the overall ambience of the evening. It’s a place that makes you feel special. I will definitely be coming back and would highly recommend Varenasi to anyone looking for a beautiful dining experience in Birmingham.”

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• D

  Danni & Alec

  ·8 months ago

  “One of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants that we have ever been to. Incredible decor/vibes and the service from the staff was out of this world. Ordered 2 curries from the quite complex menu hoping we could order the butter chicken but sadly this has been taken off, we opted for the chicken korma and the lamb karahi. We did not enjoy the chicken korma sadly, this dish didn’t have much flavour aside from mango and a milky thin texture. The show stopper lamb curry however was full to the brim with lamb extra tender and flavesome. We wouldn’t get the popadoms next time as the sauces they came with weren’t that nice and the butter naan with the curry was ok. All in all we wouldn’t necessarily return for the food as this is quite overpriced for what it is, but is definitely worth the dining experience.”

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